Good places to eat in Los Angeles?

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Are there any good (ideally cheap) places to eat in Los Angeles, especially for the person who will be staying downtown and will not have access to a car?

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:24 (eighteen years ago) link

yr in LA without a car?

I think there might be a Burger King you can walk to...

Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:27 (eighteen years ago) link

Also known as "Casuistry in LA 10/27-29 FAP?", I guess, although it's unclear how busy I will be. Thursday night might be best. I'm taking the train down and will be grabbing it in a hour or so. Ned has my friend's cell number where I can be reached on Thursday if everything goes wrong and I can't get internet access.

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:28 (eighteen years ago) link

I'm going down for a conference, and I'm staying right next to the place where the conference is being held, so why would I need a car? Apparently to eat. Well, we'll see.

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:29 (eighteen years ago) link

Are there any good (ideally cheap) places to eat in Los Angeles, especially for the person who will be staying downtown and will not have access to a car?

From downtown, your best bet is to walk up to Chinatown from Union Station and take your pick of any of the restaurants on Broadway.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:30 (eighteen years ago) link

Also, you can the Red Line up to the MacArthur Park station and go to Mama's Tamales on 7th St. My fave tamale place in town.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:32 (eighteen years ago) link

I would recommend In-n-Out, except you have that no-meat clause. Their fries are pretty divine though.

Jaq (Jaq), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:33 (eighteen years ago) link

What Elvis said. Take that as a basic and you can't go wrong.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:36 (eighteen years ago) link

Philippe's(sp?) is also in downtown, but all they really have are meat sandwiches so I guess youre screwed there too.

Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 17:47 (eighteen years ago) link

I recommend Olvera Street -- taquitos are supurb! Just like being in Mexico.

pepektheassassin (pepektheassassin), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Cantor's is always fun. You might see Pauley Shore or Van Damme or somebody!

andy --, Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:32 (eighteen years ago) link

Please to read, Andy, that Casuistry will be in downtown and is not exactly in easy walking distance of Fairfax.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:33 (eighteen years ago) link

I know, I know. (no car... tuh!)

andy --, Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:35 (eighteen years ago) link

Also, if you like Japanese food you can't go wrong with the Little Tokyo area of 2nd St. between Alameda and Main.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:45 (eighteen years ago) link

Ugh. Canter's.

sub-dwayne nelson (dr g), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Yummy is better than fun. I am going to be a foodie.

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 18:59 (eighteen years ago) link

while in downtown, visit and learn the history of CLIFTONS CAFETERIA!!

howell huser (chaki), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 19:01 (eighteen years ago) link

Be WITH a foodie.

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 19:04 (eighteen years ago) link

Chris, drop me an email… maybe we can go to Canter's together. I want fruit cup.

Remy (x Jeremy), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 19:58 (eighteen years ago) link

I've been to Clifton's. They had old-style American pies that looked delicious.

M. White (Miguelito), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:01 (eighteen years ago) link

I would recommend In-n-Out, except you have that no-meat clause

They also have the "off-the-menu" Grilled Cheese.

rogermexico (rogermexico), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Chowhound's a pretty good source for this sort of thing. Indivisual posters can be pretty nutty but the consensus is usually pretty reliable and they're all about "what's good and cheap in xxxx area"?

Not that some posters have a tendency toward reverse-snobisme that can sometimes seem a little anti-fun.

http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles/losangeles.html

rogermexico (rogermexico), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:47 (eighteen years ago) link

Did anybody mention Grand Central Market? I also second Philippe's - established in 1908 - birthplace of the French Dip sandwich, and there are also lots of good eats around Little Tokyo (as mentioned above).

Jeff LeVine (Jeff LeVine), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 20:55 (eighteen years ago) link

I also second Philippe's

Philippe's is a must, but as mentioned earlier it doesn't pass the "no meat" rule.

Also this post from S&D International Cuisine

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 21:18 (eighteen years ago) link

If you get sick of being downtown you can also easily hop on the subway...

Jeff LeVine (Jeff LeVine), Tuesday, 25 October 2005 21:22 (eighteen years ago) link

Grand Central Market is someplace I've been to before, and we're like two blocks away. So yeah.

Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 27 October 2005 17:09 (eighteen years ago) link

Also Remy, is that actually your e-mail? Drop me a line or get the phone number from Ned.

Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 27 October 2005 17:35 (eighteen years ago) link

two years pass...

Who has eaten at the Bucket?

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:16 (fifteen years ago) link

great places to eat downtown these days:

pete's cafe (old bank district)
tiara cafe (fashion district)
cafe metropol (arts district/near sci-arc)
redwood bar & grill (near the l.a. times building)

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:27 (fifteen years ago) link

and oomasa in little tokyo has excellent sushi.

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:28 (fifteen years ago) link

I just went to Oomasa

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:32 (fifteen years ago) link

I will certainly try the others

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:32 (fifteen years ago) link

and if macarthur park counts as downtown, chichen itza FTW

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:39 (fifteen years ago) link

Pete's Cafe is great for late-night eats with a streetside urban ambience.

When I went last week, Redwoods was closed but the Pete's block was hopping even after midnight.

felicity, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:41 (fifteen years ago) link

yeah pete's stays open until i think 4 am?

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:42 (fifteen years ago) link

Very handy to know, as the rest of non-diner LA seems to shut down for dinner by 10.

There were some other interesting looking places on that block, not sure what they were.

felicity, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:43 (fifteen years ago) link

What is the best Korean barbecue?

Went to Dong-Il Jang for old time's sake last week but surely there is better.

felicity, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:44 (fifteen years ago) link

there's a vietnamese place (blossom?) on the pete's block that's decent.

korean bbq: sa rit gol on olympic, tucked away in the back of a strip mall.

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:45 (fifteen years ago) link

http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jun/09/food/fo-hamburger9

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:47 (fifteen years ago) link

I went to the secret beef place 2 visits ago and thought it was great but not excellent (ie, over-rated).

Steve Shasta, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:47 (fifteen years ago) link

where's the best ramen?
asahi and ramen ya are great and have different styles, fountain valley and torrance have that shin sen gumi chain which might be the best I know, what are others????

uh oh I'm having a fantasy, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:47 (fifteen years ago) link

i've heard that the best ramen places are in the sawtelle corridor, but i haven't tried any of them yet.

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:48 (fifteen years ago) link

that's where asahi is

uh oh I'm having a fantasy, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:50 (fifteen years ago) link

best ramen downtown is daikoku-ya.
shinsengumi is better but out in the burbs.

Steve Shasta, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:51 (fifteen years ago) link

ALTHOUGH
the last time i went to daikoku-ya it was a huge stepdown from previous visits....

Steve Shasta, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:51 (fifteen years ago) link

so where are we eating on 8/8/08?

get bent, Thursday, 24 July 2008 18:00 (fifteen years ago) link

Somewhere with an 88 course tasting menu

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 18:02 (fifteen years ago) link

88 courses of beef

admrl, Thursday, 24 July 2008 18:02 (fifteen years ago) link

Table 8

gabbneb, Thursday, 24 July 2008 18:05 (fifteen years ago) link

Yes to all this.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 July 2008 18:09 (fifteen years ago) link

so far i haven't eaten anywhere. too late last night to go anywhere. hotel bagels this morning. and i just got back from trader joes with two bags of provisions. walked around ucla though. did you know that its israel apartheid week?! i had no idea. AND the oscars! some kind of irony there. what a lovely day! you el lay people probably take it for granted but i just left 5 feet of dirty snow at home.

scott seward, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:00 (thirteen years ago) link

when i was walking around i was kinda tempted by barneys beanery for the whole when in rome thing, but i didn't go for it. wish there was an in -n- out burger near me. i would totally hit that before going home.

scott seward, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:03 (thirteen years ago) link

there's one near ucla (so i learned when i was using ucla's library system for a research project)!

hauntological-hysteric theater (get bent), Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:11 (thirteen years ago) link

i have a feeling this address will come in handy for many of you: http://www.yelp.com/biz/in-n-out-burger-los-angeles-5

hauntological-hysteric theater (get bent), Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:13 (thirteen years ago) link

oh man i was right by there! totally would have done it. thanks though. so gonna happen.

scott seward, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:14 (thirteen years ago) link

not a lot of hippies like me around ucla. nice clean american kids.

scott seward, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:16 (thirteen years ago) link

jbr and i had just had some food truck synchronicity!

yes, we both had the "waste 'em all" burger!

on my way home i noticed another food truck that was parked outside the art school on lankershim. oh, to have the time, cash, and metabolism to be able to try all of these.

hauntological-hysteric theater (get bent), Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:24 (thirteen years ago) link

xxpost Dammit Scott we must and shall do this. You wanna try for it on Saturday?

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:25 (thirteen years ago) link

Also check your email.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 February 2011 22:26 (thirteen years ago) link

two months pass...

I guess I will hit Jitlada on July as I'll be about 7 blocks away.

resistance does not require a firearm (Dr Morbius), Friday, 13 May 2011 18:56 (thirteen years ago) link

enjoy waiting! (it is so worth it tho)

spätzle logic (donna rouge), Saturday, 14 May 2011 07:28 (thirteen years ago) link

Seconded, thirded, etc. Enjoy!

Stockhausen's Ekranoplan Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Saturday, 14 May 2011 07:29 (thirteen years ago) link

I will no doubt try Musso & Franks for the ambience and martini, and I'm reading the food is decent too.

resistance does not require a firearm (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:27 (thirteen years ago) link

it's decent old man food. the peas are amazing (and i don't like peas). once i ate peas next to harry dean stanton, also eating peas.

♥, (remy bean), Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:28 (thirteen years ago) link

it's edible, wouldn't go beyond that. you can go to the bar on the other side of the restaurant and save yourself some $$ while still getting the vibe imo

buzza, Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:31 (thirteen years ago) link

"Ordinary fuckin' peas, I hate em." xp

Otherwise, I read that Formosa Cafe is for drinks only.

resistance does not require a firearm (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:33 (thirteen years ago) link

i did not much like the food i had there, but yes, go for the drinks

naches supreme (donna rouge), Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:37 (thirteen years ago) link

enjoy waiting!

The two times I've been have been mid-afternoon (2 or 3 PM). No problem getting a table at all.

jaymc, Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:40 (thirteen years ago) link

i got there at 9pm on a saturday and waited half an hour

naches supreme (donna rouge), Tuesday, 17 May 2011 21:56 (thirteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...

i know practically nothing about downtown, what's good, not super-pricey? meeting a friend down there tonight.

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Friday, 3 June 2011 17:34 (twelve years ago) link

Wurstkuche

it's a meme i made and i like (Steve Shasta), Friday, 3 June 2011 17:49 (twelve years ago) link

What he said.

Ned Raggett, Friday, 3 June 2011 17:56 (twelve years ago) link

ooh been wanting to try that. i'm kinda leaning towards tiara cafe tho since it's super-close to where my friend staying

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:03 (twelve years ago) link

Not cheap and not downtown, but for everyone else, Gjelina is worth the trek to Venice. AMAZING dinner last month. Best to go with four people to share. You can do it cheap by getting pizza which is awesome.

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:12 (twelve years ago) link

ok tiara is not serving dinner yet (despite the fact that they have a dinner menu on their website?)

wurstkuche it is

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:12 (twelve years ago) link

Unfortunately, my favorite new pizza place downtown, Toddy G's, closed. It may or may not be reopening today and may or may not have the same menu. Fingers-crossed as this was the best pizza I've probably ever had in LA. Convincing NY-style, but the Sicilian was something else.

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:14 (twelve years ago) link

Can't go wrong with Wurstkuche. Go early if you don't want to wait in line - although the line is very social and good for people watching. Late night on weekends can get a little SC (as in dentistry and accounting students).

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:15 (twelve years ago) link

Tony's is a great nearby bar also.

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:17 (twelve years ago) link

yeah, i'm aiming for six-ish right after i get off work

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:18 (twelve years ago) link

Another option would be Mas Malo, the supersized downtown version of the Silverlake staple. It's not too pricey and the room is beautiful, but it can get very loud.

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:18 (twelve years ago) link

xpost, oh that's perfect Wurstkuche time.

Spencer Chow, Friday, 3 June 2011 18:19 (twelve years ago) link

wurstkuche is great but if you don't mind waiting in a bit of a line and you want to go somewhere else get ramen at daikokuya

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:20 (twelve years ago) link

is angel city brewing still open around there

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:21 (twelve years ago) link

Not cheap and not downtown, but for everyone else, Gjelina is worth the trek to Venice. AMAZING dinner last month. Best to go with four people to share. You can do it cheap by getting pizza which is awesome.

― Spencer Chow, Friday, June 3, 2011 11:12 AM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark

yeah this, but there's a d in it somewhere

puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:22 (twelve years ago) link

i went to angel city about a month and a half ago - i like their pale ale

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Friday, 3 June 2011 18:30 (twelve years ago) link

speaking of downtown eats: a friend on facebook just posted j gold's review of spice table & it made me instantly jealous i don't live there any longer.

robotsinlove, Saturday, 4 June 2011 02:50 (twelve years ago) link

ooh been wanting to try that. i'm kinda leaning towards tiara cafe tho since it's super-close to where my friend staying

i like tiara! sorry they don't have dinner hours. wurstkuche is fun, but the lines for their sausages can get pretty long.

mas malo has good chips and salsas and margaritas. the torta ahogada i had there wasn't amazing, but it did the job.

bottega louie has surprisingly good pizzas. plentiful and not that expensive!

are you are missing whiney (get bent), Saturday, 4 June 2011 03:08 (twelve years ago) link

went to wurstkuche, saw michael stipe, ate the rattlesnake/rabbit one, YUM

from shmear to eternity (donna rouge), Saturday, 4 June 2011 04:45 (twelve years ago) link

Good choices.

Ned Raggett, Saturday, 4 June 2011 05:22 (twelve years ago) link

mas malo is good, and a better scene than the sort of obnoxious silver lake location imo. for my downtown mexican food fix, i often hit up the mexicali tacos tent in the vacant lot @ 1st and beaudry after friday night cocktails, i highly recommend it. vv friendly dudes and a perfect post-happy hour meal.

omar little, Saturday, 4 June 2011 06:45 (twelve years ago) link

three years pass...

http://firstwefeast.com/eat/our-favorite-DUMPLINGS!-los-angeles/

Shout out to the 馅饼

, Monday, 16 March 2015 14:54 (nine years ago) link

nine years pass...

Nice feature on Top Restaurant - the Indonesian place in Pasadena that's quickly become my fave place to eat:
https://la.eater.com/2024/2/23/24080638/top-restaurant-pasadena-indonesian-fried-chicken-hawaiian-food-los-angeles-local-legends

Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 2 May 2024 22:42 (two weeks ago) link

I've been meaning to try that place for decades, as it's not far from where I live. Probably be too busy now.

nickn, Thursday, 2 May 2024 23:04 (two weeks ago) link

There's a steady crowd, but since it's to-go only you don't have to wait long. Worth getting there early for the fried chicken:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/top-restaurant-pasadena

Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 2 May 2024 23:36 (two weeks ago) link

It looks incredible, I wish I lived nearby

Dan S, Friday, 3 May 2024 00:11 (two weeks ago) link

I will mention it to my relatives who do live nearby

Dan S, Friday, 3 May 2024 00:13 (two weeks ago) link

I just had what I thought was very good dim sum at Lunasia in Pasadena, and great reasonably priced sushi at Ahi Sushi, which I think is Sherman Oaks

longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 3 May 2024 04:33 (two weeks ago) link

Rosario of Roma Market was profiled a couple months ago. I hope everyone here gets to try the sandwich at least once

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocF7kQCvoIw

Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 11 May 2024 23:23 (one week ago) link

have not had the sandwich but i have bought some guanciale from there. love all the old italian joints in the NELA/glendale/pasadena area

donna rouge, Sunday, 12 May 2024 02:30 (six days ago) link

Claro's in Arcadia (and elsewhere) is another good Italian deli: https://claros.com

Elvis Telecom, Sunday, 12 May 2024 04:32 (six days ago) link


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