Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Most likely there will be a group pilgrimage to In-N-Out Burger: IN-N-OUT Burger

It's a regional chain, but definitely a cut above. Plus you can't say you've been to So Cal without having eaten there. Last time people talked about checking out Fat Burger for a comparison, but I don't think we ever made it.

There was also a locally owned steak place several of us went to that was quite good. Can't remember the name, but it was a 10 minute walk from the Beverly Garland.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Not sure if you are into this, but we were in Hollywood last year and went to Pink's Hot Dogs because of what we had seen on the Travel Channel. If you can't find one you like there, it doesn't exist. We were there for a late lunch and there were literally people lined around the building waiting to order. We stopped counting how many people after 100. It's been visited by several celebrities. According to the TC, Bruce Willis proposed to Demi Moore there.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I really like In-n-Out but they are kind of everywhere in the West so they aren't really a special visit for me.

While in the LA area I'll generally make a run to Tommy’s, also referred to as a “Tommy’s run”. They make a good but messy chili burger. In fact they will spoon chili onto almost any item they sell.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

If you dig Cuban food, Versailles is a must. Superlative dishes that can easily be shared and friendly attentive staff. Go and enjoy one of their house specials like their garlic chicken with some plantains and Iron Beer. They also serve beer and fresh fruit licuados if you aren't into Cuban soft drinks. There are several locations but I've only ever patronized the Culver City and La Cienega locations. They have small lots but you might deal with street parking in the neighbourhoods.

If you are into 24 hour places, I can recommend two easy choices. For good deli food, Canter's Deli has been around since the 30s and some of the best matzo ball soup I've ever had. You can get all manner of good food there plus they have a bakery perfect for stocking up on breakfast goodies for your hotel room. One location on Fairfax, parking is free with validation from restaurant but can fill up during peak times.

The other recommendation is Fred 62 over in Los Feliz. Excellent food that's decently priced, complete with hip locals and good music. A perk for patrons are the sassily dressed waitresses sporting short black Dickie's uniforms + lovely fishnetted / Doc Marten'd legs. One location on N. Vermont with cheap parking around the corner or street.

Pink's is a place where excess and hot dogs go hand in hand. There is always a line here but the dogs are good and the people-watching even better. They have a small lot in the back, tables inside and on the patio, and total health food. Yeah, right.

Ye Old King's Head in Santa Monica. I've never called it by its full name but the King's Head is a solid place for liquid refreshment and some fish + chips. I can't recall how long they serve food but it's good and proper British pub fare that goes well with their ales and ciders. They do a proper British breakfast that's oh-so-good. Plentiful paid garage parking within 4 block radius of the pub. Beware of Santa Monica street parking because they ticket plentifully if you let your meter go.

Noma is also in Santa Monica. Check for their hours but they have great bento boxes and excellent sushi. One location on Wilshire, very small lot with street parking as available.

Those are just the ones that popped into my head. More to come as I can think of them.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Jason..I think this is what you are looking for....I work in the general area and can tell you a place with a monster and really good omelettes:
Eat'n Park
2517 W Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
I recommend the hobo omelette..

Now for really good cuban food... there is:
Guantanamera Restaurant
916 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91506

Both of these place are around a 1 miile to 1 1/2 miles from the hotel.

For you burger people you have tommys and in-n-out less then 2 miles away from the hotel on Burbank Blvd.

Hope this helps some one out...enjoy

Later
RayJr

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I'd second Tommy's. My wife and I eat there with some regularity. The chili burgers are the signature item, but they've added a quesadilla to the menu that was excellent and we're also fans of the gyro sandwich. Yup, it's drive-in fare, but very good.

For Mexican food, I'm an El Cholo enthusiast -- just ate there last night, in fact. Excellent food and some of the best margueritas anywhere. (Only surpassed, in my experience, by Rancho Chimayo in New Mexico.) But you must have them on the rocks, not blended, with salt. They have locations in Santa Monica, "downtown" L.A. (on Western, north of Pico), and Pasadena.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

No trip to LA is complete it if you don't visiti Roscoe's Chicken N Waffles.

There is one in Hollywood by Paramount and one in LA close to Fox.

1st post.. but hope to see some of you in LA.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

So much food, so little time.

Seriously, with the incredible hospitality shown by the studios and other companies, it left little time for us to have meals "on our own." Y'all might consider staying a couple days longer just to try out all these places.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

My wife and I like eating at local places when we travel. The places mentioned above sound great. Maybe we could hitch a ride with folks that are driving vehicles to these places.

Jason:
We don't get much U.S. television in Honduras, but last week-end I saw "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" for the first time. I'd never heard of it, but I can say it was right up my alley. I stayed up late watching one episode after another. Oh, the power of food.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

As a local, I second Versailles. Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles is great, too.

For deli, I prefer Greenblatt's on Sunset Blvd. Best chicken matzo ball soup I've ever had. Chock full of veggies, not just the broth.

For Mexican, there are 2 places steeped in Hollywood history, both having been around for thousands of years: Lucy's Adobe across from Paramount and El Coyote near CBS and the Farmer's Market. Food's not the main appeal at El Coyote, however. It's more a historical/ambiance kinda thing. Although it's edible!

If you want more classic Hollywood ambiance, check out Formosa Cafe on Santa Monica Blvd. and Musso & Frank's on Hollywood Blvd. Both go back to the Golden Age of Hollywood (and before) and have been featured in numerous films, like L.A. Confidential and others.

Never quite got the huge appeal of In-N-Out. They're good, but nothing earthshaking in my opinion. Fatburger used to beat them hands down, but they have REALLY fallen in recent years. A real pity.

HERE'S A SECRET NOT ON THE MENU: If you go to In-N-Out ask for your burger "Animal Style."

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

With IN-n-OUT, if you are carb conscious ask for your burgers "protein style." The burgers and cheese come wrapped in lettuce rather than in a bun.



And if you really don't care about the condition of your clothes after eating, order your burgers "Protein AND Animal Style." It's almost impossible to avoid getting some food drippings on your shirt, etc.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Living here in North Hollywood, there are a few places I can recommend:

Italian: Palermo's in Los Feliz on Vermont/Franklin. Best Minestrone soup in town and killer pasta. They also have a Pizza Rosa which is a thick crust with feta and mozzarella cheese.

Hollywood/Expensive: Musso & Frank on Hollywood Boulevard. Oldest restaurant and most wallet lightening. Example: Beef Stroganoff-$24.00. . . But you can't beat it for history and ambiance.

Indian: Lal Mirch in Studio City (Ventura/Vineland). Really good food and not too expensive but the parking lot is tiny.

Coffee shop: Lancers on Victory near Burbank Blvd.

Mexican: Tequilas on Magnolia just east of Cahuenga.

Cuban: Porto's on Magnolia at Hollywood Way-great potato balls, ham croquettes, Cubano sandwich and killer cheese rolls for dessert!

Chinese: Golden Dragon on Magnolia at Hollywood Way-best sizzling rice soup in town.

BB-Q: Kansas City Barbeque on Magnolia just east of Vineland-incredible baked beans and an item called "Burnt Ends," which are pieces of meat-shredded and cooked in a wonderful sauce. . .

Sorry but I have to give a to Guantanemera-we have been there twice and both times the food was good, but the service was so-so and it can be so noisy you cannot hear the person sitting across from you. I'd rather eat at Jalapeno in the same complex or get a Costco wienie across the street.

If you continue up Burbank Blvd. over the 5 freeway there are many good places-Corner Bakery, CPK, IHOP and even the IKEA has a nice little cafe. Beware of Harry's-a very mediocre coffee shop on San Fernando Road. Across the street is Zankou Chicken, with the some of the best rotisserie chicken and next door is a very nice gelato place that is owned by the same people who own the Zankou franchise and sometimes you can get coupons for a free gelato-nice!

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Watching Travel Channel at the moment, and they've just profiled The Castaway in Burbank (for brunch) and Gaucho's Village in Glendale (for Brazilian-style meats, etc.)

Are these any good?

Cheers,

Joe

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I can't believe I forgot to list Roscoe's! They are definitely a good place to try once and then not think about what you've done to your arterial health.

Here are some photos of Roscoe's House Combos and Carol C. Special, if you would like to see what their food looks like?

And in case there are those curious, here's In-and-Out's "secret" menu for the fun of tweaking what they offer. My favourite burger to get is a 2x2 extra crispy animal style with no sauce... it's fantastic

The simplicity of the In-N-Out's menu with what we ended up ordering.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Thanks for that link to the "secret" menu, Kristine. I should've Googled around to find that long ago--nice to see it 'all' in one place.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Mmm: In and Out 2x2 and Neopolitan Shake. My favorites!

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

the 100x100 does exist!

Kodakgallery.com*Slideshow

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I'm going to agree w/ fish up there and say Roscoes Chicken and Waffles. Everyone should try it. Sounds bad, but is delicious. Little pricey, though.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Not sure when you guys are going to be in town but I thought this bit of info would interest you: On October 22nd, it will mark the 60th Anniversary of In and Out Burger. All burgers will be 25 cents, cheeseburgers, 30 cents and fries will be 15 cents. The lines will be long though...

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

+1 for Roscoes. I don't remember how pricey it is, it's been a few years, but a half chicken + waffles was like $15 from what I remember, and that is waaaaay more food than any person should eat in one sitting. They offer a 1/4 chicken + waffles for around $10-$11, but I usually order the half chicken and get 2 meals out of it. Travelers who don't want take-home should order the 1/4 chicken.

I think the In-N-Out thing turned out to be an internet hoax, but I could be wrong. Otherwise the lines would be so far out the door it wouldn't be funny.

For anyone into fine coffee houses [a bit pricey, a buck fifty more than Starbucks], I went to the Funnel Mill recently in Santa Monica and loved it. They make their coffees using a Syphon, one cup at a time. And their espresso based drinks were ridiculously good. But again, only for those who love fine coffee and are willing to pay $3 for a cup of joe, and $5 for an espresso based drink.

I see a lot of you watch food shows, so for those who like Daniel Boulud's "After Hours" on HDNet, they profiled Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali's Pizzeria Mozza. I've been there twice and loved it. A few bucks more than California Pizza Kitchen, but much better quality. Very crowded and small, though. Best to go during off hours (i.e. 3PM) though it will still be crowded. They do take reservations.

For upscale burgers, try Father's Office which was also profiled on After Hours. The original Santa Monica location is popular, but they just opened up a second restaurant in Century City.

+1 for Versailles for cuban food. The Venice store is busy but the one you saw in "The 40 Year Old Virgin" as Andy rides his bike to cross the street to "Smart Tech" (and no, there isn't a Smart Tech there ). There's a lesser known one in Manhattan Beach which is more suited to house large groups.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

We did In and Out last night and it was better than I remembered. How can you go wrong with a Double Double, fries and a soda for under $5.50???

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Double double? Weak sauce! You need to go back there and do it right...4x4!

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I have a surgically altered stomach, so no can do!

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

I wasn't able to join in the HTF Hollywood Meet, but I will be in the area between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, so these suggestions are great!

I picked a hotel in the Los Feliz area, so I'll be checking out Fred 62. I'll also hit an In N Out and get a burger Animal Style and get to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles. I'll take the cheeseball stuff over the fine dining every time.

I hit Pinks when I visited about six years ago, and my first "celebrity" sighting was Chris Connelly having a dog. I used to watch him on MTV's "The Big Picture" all the time!

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

The two best meals I had in LA last week....

Two visits to In and Out Burger. Their double double with fries and
chocolate shake is an indulgence that must be experienced by everyone.
I am not one who eats fast food, but I consider this burger joint to be
an experience above.

Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse in Beverly Hills was just a non-stop
eating experience for our small group. All the meat you can eat off
the skewer plus unlimited salad bar and sides. We all ate silly without
breaking our wallets.

Re: Restaurant/eating establishments talk

Ron,

I second that opinion on Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse. Thanks again for recommending and taking us there. It was a lot of fun and great food. What a great value for a lot of food.

In and Out.....forget about it. I had my first I&O experience ever in Vegas about 2 months ago. I finally knew what everybody was talking about. So to get to go there twice in one week.....what a treat! And again, what a great value. How do they stay in business with those kinds of prices. But I guess they do a lot of volume. Just by looking at the drive through line alone.....