WHY For decent, not-too-overpriced Mexican fast food that goes down well after a day at the beach. WHAT Howdy’s is about as authentic as most of the breasts on the women around here, but hey, this is Malibu—and we’re grateful for the mahi mahi tacos, Malibu chicken tostadas and salsa. WHO Local teens and Malibu [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The mulita, a sort of taco-quesadilla hybrid made with two fresh corn tortillas encasing meat, cheese, guacamole and salsa—the L.A. sandwich of your dreams. WHAT Tortillas are made fresh here all day, and the al pastor is slow-roasted on a vertical spit… clearly this is more than your typical strip-mall Mexican dive. Everyone gets [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For Chiu Chow noodles and nothing but: egg noodles with sliced pork; beef noodle soup; chow mein with beef, Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce; or, for special occasions, Pork Variety (aka intestines) noodle soup. WHAT Richly flavored, sustaining noodle soups and fried noodle and rice dishes from the Chaoshan region of southeastern China are [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The best carne asada in the history of mankind, served on pressed-to-order tortillas. Remarkable birria (kid), too. WHAT Pay no mind to the graffiti and the bars on the windows, and step inside this friendly spot for gorgeous, grilled-to-order birria and carne asada, served in huge tacos, in burrito form or to go by [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Tasty chicken or carnitas tacos, vegetarian burritos and guac ‘n chips, just a block from the beach. WHAT A short stroll from the Hermosa Pier, this tiny stand makes the best fast food around. You can eat your tacos at the counter or at one of the teeny tables or, better yet, take it [...]
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WHAT These sustainable twists on the roach coach, fueled by recycled vegetable oil, cruise Culver City, Santa Monica and the Wilshire/La Brea area on weekdays. Your ahi poke tacos, vegan sesame-tofu wraps and sweet potato fries are served in biodegradable packaging to lots of creative-industry workers. 3515B Helms Ave., @Green_Truck, greentruckonthego.com. Cash only. Region: Citywide [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A great tuna sandwich, fresh salads, a huge enclosed patio, a swell jukebox and a relaxed, hang-out-as-long-as-you-like vibe. WHAT Surely the coolest secret spot Downtown, Blue Star sits on the edge of the scrap-metal yards off Alvarado in Vernon—in other words, the last neighborhood you’d expect to find a modern diner serving caprese sandwiches [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A funky, fun, after-work hangout for ginger-lychee mojitos, sake and very share-able robata skewers. WHAT This easy-to-miss space next to parent restaurant Sushi Roku features authentic robata (Japanese grilled meats and veggies), chicken cartilage (for the brave) and a good-enough raw bar with interesting combos—try the wasabi bloody Mary oyster shooter. 1401 Ocean Ave., [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY One of L.A.’s better chicken tikka masalas. WHAT An offshoot of the more elegant Suriya on Third Street, Holy Cow serves lightened up Indian dishes that are still full of flavor. There are a few tables in the mini-mall storefront, and they also deliver in the area. 8474 W. 3rd St., Beverly/Third, 323.852.8900 L [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Macrobiotic, organic, vegetarian and/or vegan cooking that’s better than you might think is possible. WHAT Shigefumi Tachibe, founding chef of the late lamented La Petite Chaya and executive chef of Chaya Venice and Chaya Brasserie, became an avid student of macrobiotic cooking years ago, and his studies finally paid off with this chic little [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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