WHY It’s everything a modern taquería should be in Los Angeles—adaptive and inventive yet traditional and classic. WHAT Guisados was born from the minds behind Cook’s Tortas, and here they channel the creativity of Cook’s into homey stews and braises swaddled in sturdy, rough-hewn tortillas. The menu is forever changing, but keep an eye peeled [...]
June 13, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Cute knotted pretzel buns from Dolce Forno, house-made pickles and BBQ-style ketchup. WHAT This tiny burger joint may be nearly impossible to find (look for the Winchell’s on Wilshire just east of the 405), but it’s worth the effort. Longtime caterer Bill Dertouzos says he got tired of paying a fortune for top-quality burgers [...]
June 6, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Meltingly tender al pastor and savory chorizo tacos and burritos, served late into the night. WHAT One of L.A.’s finest taco trucks lives in the parking lot of the car wash at the corner of York and Avenue 53, and it has a devoted following. The al pastor is smoky and richly spicy, the [...]
May 28, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY A top contender for L.A.’s best fish tacos. WHAT Still called by its former name, Tacos Baja Ensenada, this stylish lime-green former burger stand turns out seemingly weightless battered fish tacos whose textural contrasts of crunchy cabbage, crackly battered, moist fish and tart, rich crema are an epiphany. A tiny ceviche bar serves blends [...]
May 5, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Superb New York—style pizza, by the slice or the pie. WHAT Is this the best New York—style pizza in town? Many think so, and it’s certainly on our very short list. There’s no seating, just a stand-up counter with room for two to eat a slice or wait for a pie; Cheviot/Palms locals get [...]
April 1, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY On a coolish day there’s nothing better than a big bowl of Jinya’s aromatic tonkotsu ramen, laden with toothsome noodles and sliced pork belly. WHAT A Jonathan Gold rave put this ramen house on the foodie map, despite its location in a dark corner of a Studio City strip mall next to Marshall’s. The [...]
March 21, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Al pastor tacos at midnight. WHAT All the meats that go into the tacos and burritos are good, but the real reason the people line up every night is for the pork al pastor, among the best in taco-truck land. WHO Mexican families and the young and restless, stopping in between clubbing and bar-hopping. [...]
March 18, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Indonesian street food in its natural habitat. WHAT Set up in a parking lot behind a Duarte motel, Pondok Kaki Lima is one of L.A.’s brightest beacons of Indonesian cooking. The weekly food fair is a collection of a handful of vendors, most of which specialize in a single dish, even if they serve [...]
February 3, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Mexican dishes with a jolt of traditional flavors in a casual, eco-friendly storefront café. WHAT Tinga’s owners were inspired by Santa Barbara’s deceptively casual La Super Rica. Their thick corn tortillas also have a house-made heft, with cochinita pibil pork tacos as spicy as advertised. Taco plates, quesadillas, burritos and tortas made with steak, [...]
January 25, 2012 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Berlin’s favorite street snack pops up at Sunset Junction, with a simple menu of saucy sausages and killer fries. WHAT Choose from pork, beef, chicken or tofu all-natural sausages and select a heat level of sauce. After they’re grilled and sliced, the sausages are topped with an organic curry-flavored tomato sauce; you can add [...]
December 24, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »