WHY For good, hearty breakfast burritos, burgers and chiles rellenos that go down very well after a surf session or a run on Torrance Beach. WHAT There’s a constant crowd at this cheap, reliable Mexican-American fast-food stand. Unless you’re a 16-year-old who just surfed for four hours, get the junior-size burrito—the regular size will hit [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Huge hoagie-style sandwiches with Argentinean flair (meaning lots of meat); try the steak milanese. WHAT You’d never think to stop in this ordinary-looking little market in a strip mall if you happened along Garvey, but inside is an Argentinean market and deli that turns out extraordinary sandwiches, both made to order and ready to [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Focaccia with cipolle (onion) or rosemary and potato; panini with prosciutto and provolone. You can also get the house-made focaccia to go. WHAT A little storefront on the gentrifying stretch of Hollywood Boulevard that’s home to Sabor y Cultura is run by a lovely Italian woman, whose focaccia is the key to the two [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A New Orleans native, the owner/chef knows how to cook Cajun-Creole food to perfection. Sit at the counter to enjoy some easygoing repartee while the cooks make mounds of red beans and rice, jumping jambalaya and hush puppies. WHAT This busy, narrow, corner café reminiscent of Louisiana’s shotgun houses serves the finest catfish you’ll [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The cheapest pita in town, a dizzying selection of Eastern European sausages and meats, fresh Middle Eastern cheeses and giant tubs of yogurt, as well as imported jams, candies and spices. The merchandise varies by the density of the ethnic groups in the area. WHAT This small chain specializes in ethnic groceries, primarily Middle [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For light, flavorful, even healthy thin-crust pizza—it’s technically Boston style, but it’s almost identical to the best by-the-slice pies in New York. Eat here, take it out or call for delivery. WHAT Delicious thin-crust pizza is sold by the slice or the pie at this casual café in the depths of the Valley. Owner [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY As close to an authentic Parisian baguette as you can get in California. WHAT As the name suggests, baguettes are the focal point, either to take home or as part of the tasty banh mi (Vietnamese-French sandwiches) made here. These are not robust like the ones at La Brea—they’re airy on the inside and [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For tasty, good-value bottles from the Santa Ynez Valley and the northern and southern Rhône. WHAT The selection is small at this tidy little shop, but it’s creative and includes some very good specials. The focus is on just three regions: California’s Central Coast, the Rhône and Spain. Regulars stop by for the Friday- [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Fried chicken and big waffles, of course. WHAT The name pretty much says it all. The original location of this small chain of gut-busting L.A. soul-food cafés, Roscoe’s is a Hollywood institution, and it’s a haven for people who can’t bear one more vegan scramble or nonfat chai latte. The fried chicken, waffles and [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Old Laurel Canyon character, convenience and a good deli sandwich. WHAT The ghost of Jim Morrison and the spirit of Joni Mitchell live on in this historic little market. Because it’s in Laurel Canyon, the parking-lot access is hairy and the prices are high, but the place is so dang atmospheric that we love [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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