Local Food Blog 90018

Pete's HotLinks

2011-02-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

3701 W. Jefferson (on Jefferson just a half block west of Crenshaw,
almost across from the Kobbler King)
Just hot links - only sold raw - chicken and beef - mild, medium and hot
hog casing
made on the premises
I think they sell to all the local BBQ places,
but if you are having your own BBQ...
...man, they are delicious!
You come into the little space behind the black security door
and order thru a window
$3.75 per pound
Open 7 days a week til 4pm

Piping Hot Pupusa's at Tony's Front Yard Joint

2011-01-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

Homemade, super excellent Pupusa's for pupusionados. After half dozen visits with various friends and neighbours, we now consider this the go-to place in 90018.
Louis
There is a new-ish place in the neighborhood that seems to operate on the fringes of legality, so we will not share the particulars of the address here in this public forum. Suffice it to say that, if you are reading this you probably know us and can email or call directly to find out the coordinates if you haven't already seen the place yourself.
We ate there tonight and this is front yard cuisine at its very best. Fresh made pupusas with all the fixins grilled up fresh, crunchy, and hot. Tacos on homemade tortillas. Burritos that we didn't try. Basically anything you can imagine made with corn, beans, cheese, and meat plus some delicious marinated vegetables, the cabbage slaw, and all sorts of salsas, one that was super super spicy. Everything was delicious and the price was right, $18 stuffed four people including drinks.
Open just a few nights a week. Highly recommended. Go there now.

UPDATE: Check out this write-up on LosAngeliciousTimes.com!

Sky's Gourmet Tacos

2010-08-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

Sky's Gourmet Tacos
5408 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019-3945
(323) 932-6253

It's right across the street from the House of Pain bakery and got great reviews on Yelp. So I'm willing to say, OK, we hit it on a bad day... a really bad day... Someone else should go and see if this place warrants the 4 star reviews it's getting on Yelp. Or maybe it's just that the meat stuff is better than the veg.
Confusing to order, took forever, food was so-so.
I was with people who aren't as picky as I am, and even they weren't stoked.
Maybe their extensive vegetarian menu is just for looks and no one really orders from it.

Also, they have a truck.

Gourmet Genie

2010-05-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.gourmetgenietogo.com/

I was really hungry on my ride home from Echo Park on Tuesday, but I didn't feel like locking up my bike and going inside a building to get food. I passed a couple of meat-centric food trucks, and my stomach was growling. Any food truck with a picture of a fuzzy animal on it that serves a factory farm version of that animal is super gross to me, even though the wafting scents smell pretty delicious.
Hoping to run across a truck with some vegetarian options, I turned down Hope Street, and near the corner of Hope and Olympic, there was the Gourmet Genie parked, advertising Mediterranean style cuisine.
I picked up a hommus pita wrapped sandwich for five dollars, and took it over to a lovely park in front of the Fashion Institute to eat. I was suddenly transported into a different city than the usual Los Angeles. A man was playing a guitar in the grass, and everywhere I looked, benches were occupied by people eating lunch or just enjoying the nice weather.
The sandwich was super. Tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, hummos and some other stuff I'm probably forgetting. The hummos was a bit chunky, with some garbanzos left intact. The proprietor of the truck said it was an old family recipe, but I don't care if he found it on the internet yesterday- it was fantastic!
The truck parks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings after 4pm on Hoover near Jefferson, in front of the Starbucks, but for up to the minute information on their whereabouts, follow them on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/gourmetgenie2go

Ta Bom truck

2010-05-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Brazilian tapas in the neighborhood? Sim, at Ta Bom (It's Good), the city's only Brazilian lonchera, typically moored late afternoons on Jefferson near McClintock. Thus far, I've sampled--with great satisfaction--the Coxinha (a croquette like delicacy), the ground beef pastel, Salpicao (a veggie wrap with shredded carrot, jicama, olives, and more), a top sirloin taco, and the Kibe. Kibe is a cross between a meatball and falafel: extremely fine ground beef, combined with onion, mint, and wheat bulghur. Excelente! Most items cost between 2 and 3 dollars, and there's Guarana on hand for a wash down. (Also, the staff will give you pointers on your Portuguese.)

www.tabomtruck.com

La Flor Blanca

2010-05-02T23:33:00.000-07:00

La Flor Blanca
1279 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323)735-1802

In the mood for piping hot pupusas? Next door to the Indian place on Jefferson is this really yummy Salvadorean place that is festively decorated with images of El Salvador and serves up a full menu of food including excellent pupusas. We didn't try anything but the pupusas, so can only report on them. The pupusas are delicious indeed and come with a generous heap of tangy fresh cabbage slaw and zingy salsa. A delight! Cash only, but you don't have to bring much.

CHIC WINE BAR

2010-05-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

5545 Pico Blvd - little west of La Brea
323-525-0234
I thought Chic wine bar was brand new - but it's been around about a year (supposedly it is owned by the same people who own a place called "Bloom" which is very nearby - but I have never been to that place). Anyway, the food is very good and it is practically in our neighborhood. I had the wild boar meatball fettuccine (little dry, actually) and Bob had the clam linguine.
Appetizer: seascallops in blood orage reduction- terrific -and desserts -top notch- chocolate cake and cheesecake!
Very nice service and a good selection of beers and wines at good prices.

I will definitely go back. Actually, on May 19th they are having a special goat dinner (goat cheese appetizer, roasted goat main course, goat milk ice cream dessert) and I am thinking I will probably go then.

prices moderate (entrees 12-18$$)

New Wellington Square Farmer's Market

2010-04-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

There's a new farmer's market in the neighborhood. It's on Sunday mornings, and it's located in the parking lot of the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Washington, 2 blocks west of Crenshaw.
The great thing about the Seventh Day Adventists is that they are vegetarians, and so all the prepared food at this new farmer's market is veg. The tamale people that show up at the Hollywood Farmer's Market are there will a wide selection of vegan and veg tamales. Yum. Also, vegan soul food, and a couple of bakeries.
There is a decent selection of produce vendors selling various fruits and vegetables.

Mo-Chica

2010-03-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

3655 S. Grand
LA, CA 90007
213 747-2141
mo-chica.com

We visited Mo-Chica after reading about it in Los Angeles Magazine's article about the top ten new restaurants in Los Angeles. We figured since it was the closest of the top ten, we should give it a visit.

Mo-Chica is in Mercado la Paloma, an aggregation of eateries and shops on South Grand. Parking is abundant during dinner hours, since this seems to be mainly a lunch destination.

The menu is limited, and vegetarians will be disappointed. The only veg entree is a quinoa risotto, which had a good flavor, but was boring to eat an entire bowl of. It was pretty heavy, not sure what was in it, but it made me feel sluggish. The fish with rice dish was unremarkable.

What is often reported in the glowing restaurant reviews for this place is the ceviche, so we got an appetizer to give it a try. It was an abundant serving, with hominy and crunchy corn, along with seaweed salad. Though it was good, there was too much of it, and we found out when we got the bill that the appetizer portion is not available during dinner hours, so perhaps we had accidentally ordered an entree portion that was not on the menu? It was unclear and the error, along with most of the food, left a bad taste in our mouths.

If you like meat and can confirm prices before ordering, this place is worth a try. But if you're vegetarian and believe in accurate menus, stay home.

Bicycle Bread Company

2010-02-25T18:18:00.000-08:00

4-6pm

Tuesdays and Thursdays
Corner of 29th/Ellendale

Thursdays
Corner of 30th/University

I can't remember who told me about this place long ago (Adam?) but today I finally decided to get over there on my bike and pick up a loaf.

The Bicycle Bread Company folks are super friendly and told me a lot about their project. They've been baking for two years, and they have an idea about bringing people together through baking. I might be mis-interpreting a bit, but it seemed to me that they were specifically interested in getting neighborhood families good bread, not just students. Though when I visited, it seemed that it was mostly students who were standing around the bread table chatting and trying samples. I'm not sure if their motivations are entrepreneurial, anarchist, christian, or some combination. There was definitely a vibe...and it wasn't an anarchist vibe specifically (i.e., you had to ask if the bread was vegan (they say it is, but they list honey as an ingredient, so it's not strictly vegan) and everyone seemed like they had showered within the last few days) Maybe it's just that they like to bake, why be suspicious? They also have a website that has news and info about styles of bread and locations.

I tried the rosemary bread and the cranberry orange bread. Both were very springy loaves, but with a solid sandwich bread crumb. I bought a loaf of the rosemary bread, but as I was munching my huge sample slice on the way home, I realized it's a very sweet loaf, despite its savory flavor. Perhaps the sweet cranberry would have been a better option. I'm not really sure what to do with the bread. I don't think it will be good with PB&J given the rosemary, and we don't really eat bread with dinner, unless it's hard bread or bread that I bake, which isn't so sweet and also definitely not Christian or entrepreneurial. I anticipate that this bread will be good for tofu sandwiches with avocado.

Definitely a project worth supporting, no matter where their motivations or inspirations lie. We need more bakeries in the neighborhood, that's for sure, and once they establish themselves in a storefront, perhaps we can convince them to make big-holed round loaves of so-called "artisan" bread for the neighborhood bourgeoisie.

Mayura Amrit (Authentic South Indian delight!)

2010-02-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

1277 W. Jefferson Blvd, LA, CA 90007
323-766-9775
310-559-9645
www.mayura-indian-restaurant.com
Go here Now. This new restaurant with a full range of south Indian delicacies is the smaller cousin of Mayura Amrit in Venice, CA. The food is simply spectacular. Dosas, Uthappams, Chicken, and Mutton populate the menu along with a host of vegetarian dishes. We tried the Spinach Masala Dosa, a large sheet of spongy flat bread impregnated with spinach and beautifully folded to hold a mixture of potatoes and other veggies. The Vegetable Chettinadu was mind-numblingly delicious with its (for us) uncommon mix of spices in a kind of stewy goodness.
The Nan was superb as was a side dish of lentil-vegetable soup.

The friendly owners are from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu state in south India. According to the proprietor, Chettinad cuisine is famous for its use of a variety of spices; it's one of the most aromatic in India. You should believe him and you should believe us that this is some of the best Indian food we've had in a long long time.

The decor is spartan, the place having been stripped of most of its former fast food Chinese kitsch (but the Buddha is still there, happier with authentic Indian cuisine).

They deliver with a minimum 15 dollar order and 3 dollar delivery charge.

Visit our old review:

World Wide Tacos

2010-01-31T07:58:00.000-08:00

2419 West MLK
323-291-1500

Likely the largest taco selection in the neighborhood, WWT serves them up vegan and flesh-style, in mind-boggling combinations that jump forward from where most other restaurants have stalled. The agenda is culturally embracing, with fake Belizean shrimp, for example, or mock chicken teriyaki. Not your basic taco selection, certainly. The tacos I inhaled were unlike any other tacos I've had in this town. The tortilla is not a signifier that the food has a root in Mexican cuisine. In this case, it's basically just an enclosure for a big taste party.
I ate a teriyaki taco, which was something I would never ordinarily order, but I inquired as to what a tasty option would be and this is what was suggested. I also ate a fried fake chicken taco. The flavors were super yummy, delicious in both cases. Anything fried is always good anyhow! My friend had a fake beef and potato taco, for some reason fake beef sounds disgusting, but he really enjoyed it. I had a taste and it wasn't so bad. He also had a tofu thing which he said was really, really good and very unusual. It looked sort of pureed, but I don't know what the flavor was like. Will have to try that out next time.
Here's the thing you may have heard about WWT, and yes, it's true. It can take some time for the food to be prepared. Which makes it a great place to catch up with someone you feel like hanging out with, but a terrible place to drop by if you're starving. There's a tarp with some folding chairs where you can wait it out. Most people are sitting in their cars. When I visited, there were 5 SUVs, all blasting different tunes. No Pantera. Those with bikes sat under the tarp. It took one hour and ten minutes to get the tacos. About an hour in, the chef brought out some amazing deep fried fake chicken wings that had a smokey flavor. Thank you.
You can go to WWT, order food and pay for it, and leave your number. They'll call you when it's ready. But it's also nice to take a book or a friend, and just chill out until the food arrives.

USC Wagons Part 1

2010-01-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

A flock of gourmet food trucks have come to roost near USC, typically staking out positions along Jefferson and Hoover, beginning in the afternoons.

The Bull Kogi Truck offers Mexican-Korean fusion, tacos and burritos. I tried the Kimchi beef, and spicy chicken tacos. Neither was impressive. While the beef was nicely smokey-sweet, the kimchi was wilted, without the zesty garlic redolence that might a great contrast make.

The Slice Truck, orange in color, endears with the simplest of menus: cheese slice, or pepperoni.

The cheese slice boasts an extremely thin crust, crispy and even, end to end. Garnished with fresh basil and mozarella, it earns my recommendation. A single slice is $3, but two can be had for $5.

Mayura Amrit

2009-07-25T07:47:00.001-07:00

1277 West Jefferson Blvd, 90007
323 766 9775
See the updated post above
On the north side of the street, in a mini mall very close to USC, this new Indian place showed up a couple of weeks ago. I noticed it when I was riding past, and I dragged Louis and Adam over to check it out for lunch. Turns out it's the new venture from the folks who run Mayura restaurant over in Culver City. We've been there before, and it's pretty good, so very nice to have a branch nearby.
The restaurant was furnished in China-style, since it had taken over the premises of China Bowl. A lot of buddhas everywhere. There was a steam table with a fewIndian entrees, and a kitchen could make other items.
Louis and Adam had some premade food, which they said was delicious. There weren't very many choices for vegetarians that were there, so I had a big pancakey thing from the kitchen which was pretty good, but I think I ordered the wrong thing. It wasn't really spicy enough for me.
I rode by the other day and the place was already closed. I was disappointed until I got closer and saw the small taped sign which said the restaurant was closed for remodeling until August 2. I'm hoping the steam table will be fuller with veg options when they reopen- perhaps they were just testing the waters when we were there.
Stay tuned!

LAB

2009-06-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

3500 Figueroa Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007

(213) 743-1843

thelab.usc.edu

Louis, Adam and I visited The Lab last Saturday evening. We are too old or out of touch to realize that Saturday was the second night of the Electric Daisy Carnival. We'd never even heard of the EDC, even though it's been happening at the Coliseum for something like 13 years. The streets around USC were full of scantily clad ladies and their gentleman escorts and the traffic was a mess. Anyhow, we did manage to finally get to The Lab for dinner after sitting in traffic for longer than it would have taken to get there on foot.

The Lab is a gastropub style restaurant across the street from USC and next to the Galen Center. It's interor is "science-classroom chic" a la 1950's, with clean white tiled walls, chalkboards and big community tables for experiments and more. Unlike any other science classroom I've been in, The Lab also has an outdoor patio complete with couches, heat lamps, and fire pits.

The Lab is owned and operated by USC, which is sort of a bummer if you want to get away from the large conglomerate that is the university, but also pretty great because it's doubtful anything like this could exist without them making it happen. We got an earful about the how, what, and why of the USC/The Lab relationship from the guy in charge of the establishment, but we will spare blog-readers the details and go instead to the important stuff.

Those in the 90018 know what happens if you're hungry after 9pm. The options aren't pretty. So for that reason alone, The Lab is a great addition to the neighborhood. The kitchen is open until 11pm!

The food is pretty good. Big portions of "gastopub" fare like steak sandwiches, fish and chips, and burgers. There are a few vegetarian options on the menu, but not an abundant selection. The beer and wine menu is impressive, and The Lab would be a good place to go to get a drink and some appetizers.

Adam had the steak sandwich, which came adorned with onion rings. He reports that the onion rings are yummier than the fries, which came in huge portions and were good but not great. They are shoestring variety, which I usually love, so not sure what was wrong with them. Something about the flavor. I had a flat bread thing, which I thought would be cold, but it was like a big pizza. It was prettty good, but not what I expected. I think I'd try something else next time. Louis had fish and chips and he claimed it was really good, that the fish was very "light."

We will definitely go back to The Lab and if anyone reading this wants to go get a beer, I'm in.

8 oz. Burger Bar

2009-02-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

"Bloody burgers," Luis exclaimed joyously as the serving commenced.
He had chosen the house blend, a burger crafted of sirloin, tri-tip, short rib and chuck; whereas, I opted for the Estancia Grass Fed. The burgers can be a bit customized, with various extras, a choice of cheese, condiments, sauces. A fillet of fish, turkey and veggie burger is offered as well, along with small snacks, a couple sandwiches, tempting shakes & malts, and basic salads.

The burgers were served on slightly crunchy rolls, a welcome upgrade over the usual limp bun, without overt seasoning or taste modifying additives. The sides were terrific as well, sweet potato chips and broccolini.

8 oz. Burger Bar is located amidst the small boutiques of hustle-bustle Melrose in a dual storefront that, on this night at least, seemed cavernous and energy dissipating. Whereas we secured a metered space, parking is likely a frustration at most times.

The burgers run $8 - $10, and can be paired, in various specials, with different micro brews.

8 OZ. Burger Bar
7661 Melrose Ave
323-852-0008
M-Sat 11:30 am - midnight
Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm

House of Dimes

2009-02-06T16:03:00.000-08:00

1815 W Jefferson Blvd
323-737-4520

This tiny restaurant has tiny hours, only three days per week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11-7pm. Inside there's a small counter and a limited menu of yumminess. The only veggie item available is the vegetarian taco, so I had two. I think the tortillas might have been fried first or something. Unlike tacos I've eaten before, but delicious nonetheless. My dining partner ordered a turkey burger, which he devoured voraciously and claimed was excellent. Then one of our neighbors came in for a turkey burger. It's the kind of place you might run into someone you know in, so be prepared. Super friendly, just tacos, burgers and chili on the menu, and drinks in cans from the fridge.
House of Dimes is still run by the same family who opened it 39 years ago. It's near the corner of Western and Jefferson, on the northwest side. You've probably driven by a hundred times and wondered what's up with that place. Now go try it out!

Harold and Belles

2009-01-22T19:06:00.000-08:00

2920 W. Jefferson Blvd, around 10th Ave
(323) 735-9023
Very local and absolutely the best - Harold and Belles should be visited and celebrated by all 90018 locals.
After living here almost 8 years, I finally went to H and Bs and then I had to go again almost immediately. Anybody want to go check it out, I will be glad to join you.
Yes, the food will kill you. But what a great way to go.
The food is Louisiana/New Orleans/Southern. Crawfish and shrimp and gumbo and oysters (and chicken and steak) in many delicious dishes.
I heartily recommend the popcorn crawfish as an appetizer. Entrees? Especially, the crawfish etouffee.
Nice bar, too.
Good service and comfortable tables - easy to have a relaxing dinner and talk and talk and talk.
Expensive - entrees are $25 -$30 and you will probably want to have drinks and apppetizers and the ammazing bread pudding with hard sauce for dessert, so the bill will be high.

Laissez Les Bon Temp Roule

El Parian

2009-01-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

El Parian offers the most spartan of menus: birria, carne asada, and carnitas, in orders full and half, in tacos or burritos. A long, dimly-lit space, divided by arches, with streaked yellow walls, its Pico-Union location resembles convincingly the taco halls of Mexico, complete with picnic tables and benches. Hailed for their Jalisco style Birria, roasted goat stewed in a chilied broth, El Parian also serves a mean carne asada, sweet, garlicky strips, nearly blackened.

The restaurant appears to be the refuge of men, often unaccompanied, each to a table, quiet, intent, imbibing cold cervezas and giantic rounds of meat, occasionally consulting a folded copy of Hoy or Novedades. The sole females work the register or pat the thick, hand-built tortillas, whilst el cocinero rips into giantic sides of meat with glistening cleavers, unleashing a staccato like soundtrack, the ambience of simple toil and blunt purpose. How wonderful.

The burritos con todo may be a bit overstuffed with rice, though a "solo carne" version is offered. Phone orders are welcome and a parking lot is located in the rear off Toberman.

El Parian
1528 W. Pico Blvd.
213-386-7361

CRENSHAW LIVE BAR & GRILL

2009-01-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

3888 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Crenshaw Live opened on Inauguration Night, Jan 20, 2009. We went for beers, but saw that they have a sushi bar and a fishtank in the floor. There were good-looking plates of fried food. Definitely worth further investigation.

Balle Oaxaqueno

2009-01-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

2318 West Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
323 766-1727

The old Two Star Bakery on Jefferson has been renamed, but it doesn't look much different inside, except that now they seem to have things like baggies of cocao beans and some rough looking chocolate, perhaps to use to make molé or other Oaxacan delicacies. There is a small supermarket here too, selling pantry staples, vegetables, fruits, and spices.
Everyone who works there is very friendly, and the place smells sweet and yummy. One room is lined with pastry cases full of sweets and bread. Sometimes I go by to get a Mexican Coke or Pepsi, made with real sugar, instead of corn syrup like the stuff made in the U.S. They also have an ice maker and will sell you bags of ice for a party (unlike the corner liquor store, where people are rude and they don't sell ice and won't tell you where you can find it, but that's another story).
I finally tried the restaurant today, and as usual, I probably ordered the wrong thing. Not much vegetarian food, so I got the veg burrito, which was OK, not great. My friend had the carne asada burrito and she was also lukewarm about it. They didn't give us any salsa, which was part of the problem, but also the ingredients seemed uninspired.
I still think the best burritos around here are at La Taquiza, which is a bit of a schep.

Doomie's-- NOW CLOSED

2008-12-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

As of February, 09, Doomies is no longer open at this location. They may open up somewhere else; we certainly hope so!

686 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Not exactly local, but it's yummy and mostly vegan. Doomie's is serving up veg "comfort" food. Went to visit the other day for lunch and their fryer was broken, which is a total tragedy. Still, they heroically figured out how to fry up some fake chicken for us. Served with mashed potatoes (my friend remarked that they could have used a bit more "whipping") and cole slaw, the fake chicken was devilishly close to how I recall the "real thing" tasting. Which is both unsettling and delicious!

Earlez Grille: Dogs, Burgers, Sandwiches & Veggie

2008-10-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

3630 Crenshaw Blvd. 90016, 323 299 BUNS
Well known for a number of delicacies including The Spicy Beef Hot Link (which I had) and the Veggie Chili Vegan Cheese Fries (enjoyed by LAA). Wow. The fixin's on the Link were perfect. The real surpise for meat eaters was the amazing Veggie Chili; it didn't have to be loaded on Fries with Cheese, but boy that was a "meat" eater's delight. We were there on a Tuesday, which meant we hit it on Skinny Fries day. If this were a contest, I'd say "Best in Show."
ps. No beef burgers, which is ok, and no pork products, which is also ok. They have a variety of dogs and links, veggie burgers, salmon burger, and all kinds of cake including Vegan Cake.

El Colmao

2008-09-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Considered by some the most authentic Cuban food in Los Angeles, El Colmao soldiers along, housed for nearly 40 years in an anonymous strip mall in the Byzantine Latino Quarter, far from the foodie frontera. El Colmao covers most of the Cuban basics, Bistek Empanizado, Picadillo, Pollo Ajo, and sides: fried plantains, mariquitas, garlic yucca, etc. In short, whatever your menu favorite at Lala's or the Versailles chain, you'll find it at El Colmao, likely for around 10 bucks.

As established in the Chipotle post, I'm a shredded beef guy, a machaca minion, so naturally my preferred order includes the Ropa Vieja, served in the traditional tomato based sauce with rice and black beans (or moros y christianos).

El Colmao sports an extensive beverage list, including things alcoholic and batidos. The flan was mediocre. The service at times...Cuban. The decor pleasantly outdated and clean.

El Colmao
2328 W. Pico Boulevard (near Magnolia)
213-386-6131
Open 7 days a week

Chipotle (Part 2)

2008-09-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

On the carnivore side of the aisle, Chipotle features a terrific barbacoa beef burrito. Barbacoa (from whence we get the word "barbeque") was introduced to Southwestern cuisine via Mexican settlers in Texas. Typically barbacoa is not marinated, rather sauces are added after cooking (similar to fajitas). Chipotle describes their barbacoa thusly: spicy, shredded beef, braised with our own chipotle adobo, cumin, cloves, garlic and oregano. Braising involves first searing the meat at high temperatures and then simmering, in a covered pan with sauce. Adobo means seasonings.

Chipotle offers barbacoa in the conventional burrito form (with beans), in a fajita burrito (with sauteed peppers and onions instead of beans), or in a bowl (sin tortilla). The cost of the burrito is reasonable ($5.95), but they extract a king's ransom for chips & guacamole ($2.40). The Figueroa location, as Lisa noted, is bustling, a lunch staple for students, Expo Park personnel, and cops. Sidewalk seating is available as is validated parking.

Manas Indian Restaurant

2008-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

2823 South Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007

When this place first opened, it was ALL VEGETARIAN. Although I'm still holding out for the LA City Council to expand their ban on fast food into a ban on meat, it hasn't happened yet and judging from the menu at Manas, there would probably be a riot. It wasn't too long after opening that Manas realized they couldn't survive in the carnivorous USC neighborhood without serving flesh, so they changed their menu to please the market.
Yes, it pissed me off, but I still go to Manas. The food is good, though not as good as it used to be, and there are a number of vegan choices. Last time I was there, I had the lunch special, some lentils, some other vegetable curry thing, rice and a salad. Very delicious.
Next door is an Indian market where you can buy vacuum packed Indian food, great for your earthquake kit or last minute meals.

Home Depot hot dog cart

2008-08-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Home Depot hot dog cart
1830 W Slauson Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Sure, sometimes on a Saturday morning I go to the Santa Monica Promenade and get a latte and watch the people on their shopping trips with their fresh farmer's market produce. But other times, I would rather get some cheetos and a diet coke from the hot dog cart at the Home Depot and watch the people with their weekend project purchases.

The hot dogs are pretty good and they also have tacos and tortas.

Crenshaw Fish Market

2008-08-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Crenshaw Fish Market
3407 Crenshaw (Crenshaw/Jefferson)
btwn the burger place and cell phone place
323-734-6191
takeout only

The fish looks pretty good - and I am very alert to any suggestion of degradation or disease - 10 or 12 different species of fish and lots of it - so they must have a good turnover.

I got the $7.99 oyster dinner- fried oysters (coleslaw and macn'cheese with slices of bread). So many very rich oysters with a nice tartar sauce - couldn't eat them all.

Someone who eats fish should give them a try, cause it mostly fried fish (though also shrimp and oyster and wings). No vegan options.

Chipotle

2008-08-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Chipotle - USC
3748 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
213-765-9068

First of all, if you're going to eat here, order ahead online. You can create an account and create your burrito fantasy and then go pick it up without standing in the line from hell. Secondly, if you do order online, check your burrito before you come home. Last time I went there I got all the way home to find that my veggie burrito was a meat burrito. Disgusting. I was so pissed I can't even tell you.
Thirdly, this place uses naturally raised meat (whatever that means) and tries to be responsible with their food sourcing, so that's cool I guess.
Also, they sponsor a Tour de France team and we like that.
The veggie burrito is a bit bland, but if you heap up at least three kinds of salsa on it then it tastes OK.

La Taquiza

2008-08-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

3026 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007-3711
Phone: (213) 747-4849

It's right near USC, so I go sometimes when I'm at school. The only thing I've ever eaten from La Taquiza is the veggie burrito hold-the-cheese-and-no-sour-cream-please. It's pretty delicious and with the red salsa and some of those marinated carrots and a few radishes, it's even better. The only weird thing is that sometimes there is a chunk of meat hidden in the veggie burrito so if you are a super-uptight veg, maybe it's not the place for you. Usually they're careful, but it has happened to me on more than one occasion and it's pretty gross. Still, I keep coming back, so this must say something about the food.
I've watched other people eat meat here. They say it's yummy. Also, the chili relleno looks pretty good, and the specialty is mulitas, which is something I've never eaten.

Eastside Market

2008-08-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

The Eastside Market Italian deli was established in 1974, and does a lunch only business. The menu is delightfully simple: four kinds of salad, a soup of the day, a fruit bowl, a lasagna or pasta (on Tuesday or Thursdays only), and 22 sandwich choices (8 hot, 13 cold). I forever alternate between hot sandwich choices #1 and #2: Italian sausage with cooked peppers and cheese (smothered in a thick tomato sauce), or Italian meatball (with same), served on Italian rolls.

There's plenty of seating, filled with downtown suits, police, firefighters, and delivery personnel. The atmosphere is collegial, with many watching ESPN telecasts, or day baseball. The sandwiches are "dos manos" in size, most costing $6.70. (Credit cards are accepted.)

East Side Market
Italian Deli
1013 Alpine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-250-2464
www.esmdeli.com

Tim's Kitchen: Return to the 1970s for good food---at a good value

2008-07-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Tim’s Kitchen
Chinese & Cantonese Food
3125 W. Jefferson Blvd.
11:30 A.M.-8:30 P.M.

Before the food, the décor must be mentioned. After all, it’s the first “taste” of Tim’s you’ll take.
Circa 1970s spheres suspended from the ceiling will light your way through the culinary adventure…err… time warp. Especially since the place wasn’t crowded save for a couple filled booths, a waitperson and it was eerily quiet…I couldn’t help but wonder, have they been “expecting” me? (Or was it just that I arrived within an hour of closing time?!)

…crispy plastic booths promise a sturdy seat, little potted plants and Asian art dot the room.

And now for the food:

Black Pepper Chicken – love this; good quality meat and very black-peppery if you’re in the mood

Vegetable Chop Suey- nice mild taste; not too saucy or soupy (perfect complement to the above)

Shrimp and Pineapple Fried Rice- two great tastes that taste great together

AND, the place is complete with tofu. That said, there aren’t a lot of tofu dishes to choose from. Tim’s chef kindly made us a specialty-dish of tofu and broccoli. If you ask, I think he might do it again.

Chef Marilyns Soul Food Express

2008-07-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

You've driven by - on Crenshaw between Jefferson and Adams - and you've seen the line snaking out of this joint. You've said to yourself "Someday I'm gonna pull over and just get in that line and see what's at the end of it"
Marilyns Soul Food Express. 2638 Crenshaw Blvd. Very small space (no room for more than a couple of customers at a time inside). Take-out only. Straight-up soul food, smothered pork chops, fried chicken, roast chicken, meatloaf, catfish, macaroni and cheese, greens, red beans and rice, short ribs, CORNBREAD, etc, etc.
When you get inside, you can look at the chalkboard menu or at the pans of food behind the glass. When you are ready, a nice young woman with a clipboard will take your order. By the time you pay, your order is packed up for you. I had an order of roast chicken, red beans and rice and, of course, corn bread, which was enough food for two meals.
Also, they have that 7-up cake and lemon cake that you find at so many local restaurants (I'm a fan of the lemon cake - so sweet and so tangy!)
Fast, fine soul food.

Vegan Village Internet Cafe

2008-07-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Vegan Village Internet Cafe, billed as Soul/Mex vegetarian cuisine at its finest, occupies a titanic corner space, which doubles as a nightclub, at Pico and Norton. The menu includes soups, salads, wraps, smoothies, and tofu-based items. Beer and wine is served as well. I consumed a daily special, an extravagant, onion and bell pepper heavy stir fry over brown short grain rice. The portion was nicely large, the food satisfyingly prepared. The price, perhaps a bit steep at $15; still, the setting, with streamline moderne bar and churrigueresque detail, is arguably one of a kind.

Vegan Village Internet Cafe
4061 West Pico Blvd.
323-766-9973
www.veganvillagecafe.com
Open daily 11 am - 9 pm

Eating at Home

2008-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we can't figure out where to go to eat, and we end up eating at home. Then we say, "We're so glad we ate at home; it's so much better than any restaurant."
Last night we ate tomato salad from the garden, and kale and potatoes, sliced cucumbers, and a salad from the Hollywood Farmer's Market. Everything drenched in olive oil and salt. The tomato salad and kale also had garlic from the market and jalapeno peppers from 2 Star Bakery on Jefferson. Yum.

Superior Market

2008-07-15T11:41:00.001-07:00

Corner of Hoover and Jefferson
University Village
(across from USC)

Supercheap produce. Always crowded so the turnover's good and it's always fresh. Not organic or anything like that. Good place to buy potatoes and maybe a few avocados and bananas. Last time I was there I got warm tortillas, too.

Addendum: Louis thinks that the produce here is bad. I maintain that potatoes and avocados are fine, but he bought some bad lettuce and thought the fruit didn't look so hot.

Sabor A Mexico

2008-07-14T21:32:00.001-07:00

2622 West Jefferson Blvd 90018
323 733 3083

Mexico City style.
Yummy deep fried quesadilla with flowers.
Veg tacos with zucchini and corn.
Huaraches are something you can't get everywhere and they're pretty good. They have a cactus sauce that's super and you can get them with or without meat.
Salsa is ridiculously yummy.
Sit on the sidewalk or call your order in.

Indulge Cafe

2008-07-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: JANUARY 3, 2009... THIS PLACE HAS CLOSED DOWN. WE HOPE NOT PERMANENTLY!!!!

NW corner of Redondo and Pico

5101 West Pico

323 935-4333
Open for lunch and dinner, but they close at 7pm.

Former owner of Mo Meaty Meat Burgers.
Real meat burgers made with excellent burger craft. Yummy.
Veg burger pre-made patty but good fixins and fries totally delicious.
Everyone very nice.

Thai Food Express

2008-07-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

1406 West 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213 483-6557
Closed Tuesday
(AKA 6th and Valencia)

We were downtown, but near home and hungry.
Inside scoop: the food is clean.
Outside scoop: the place is a bit worn.
Food: Excellent green curry with mock chicken. Very yummy pad kee mao. Can get food spiced from 1 to 6, 6 being spiciest. Curry had a bite at #2. Noodles incredible and very spicy at #4.