The chef may want to consider a last name change for sales/ marketing purposes.
2 Likes
Haha the chefās first name is Okay (pronounced āoh-kaiā) but I imagine it can be tiringly confusing.
The location is definitely a little sketchy ā and I live in downtown LA. Most of his entrees are <$20 so itās not very expensive. Iād be curious to see what he can do with higher-end ingredients as well but heās not aiming for that right now. Feels like it could be the beginning some something interesting, but itās so early yet because itās just literally just the chef at the restaurant with no other help.
3 Likes
Punjabi Daba in Bakersfield.
Aloo Paratha, Muttar Paneer, Samosa Chaat, and Roti. And pickles.
Donāt understand why places like India Sweets and Spices arenāt this vibrant and rich.
18 Likes
Cool little story (at least to me)
I forgot where I was exactly but I was driving across the country when I stopped at a gas station slash dhaba. The owner asked me where I was from and where I am going. Told him Southern California!
He mentioned Bakersfield and the dhabas there has really great food! Gave me a free cup of chai for the road! Much respect to these truck drivers that help keep our country running.
If you guys ever drive across the country or go on a road trip keep an eye out for these dhabaās. Never took the northern route but I seen them on the southern route and even in middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania.
I donāt know when Iāll be up that way. Driving thru the grapevine is not fun for anyone. I definitely want to try them.
13 Likes
Theory: Punjabi food is tastier and/or easier to make than most Indian regional cuisines.
2 Likes
where does the pastor rank in the LA hierarchy tho?
was the investment in temporary work visas worthwhile??
4 Likes
Breakfast burrito with green chorizo from Chori-Man. Maybe I ordered wrong (self-victim blaming) but the chorizo is pretty forgettable. Like, hard even to detect. Also a very grey shade of green.
The tortilla is fine. I prefer my BBs to kiss the griddle once theyāve been wrapped, but this one has a nice chew. The standout element is the jalapeƱo salsa, which is a nice balance between spicy, sweet, and pickle.
I got a lilā pre-bang croissant from colossus that really makes up for any burrito shortcomings.
*For $14 Iām not sure Iāll be running back, even though the view from Point Fermin is gorgeous.
6 Likes
I wish they put the burritos on a plancha
3 Likes
Possible! But that wouldnāt explain why this place is better than many North Indian places in LA.
Iād guess it has more to do with the clientele. Standards are usually higher and maintained when serving a community that has experience with the cuisine.
3 Likes
Iāve been throughly underwhelmed by Chori Man. I much prefer Peads and Barnetts chorizo or even Bristol Farms who will add some extra heat if you ask.
5 Likes
Youāre probably right about the clientele thing. Other places Iāve lived had a higher percentage of Indians and had better Indian food. See Opinionated_Urbanistās post below.
Why is Indian food in Los Angeles so mediocre? : r/FoodLosAngeles (reddit.com)
Anyway, yeah, I agree that Punjabi Dhaba in Bakersfield is better than the Punjabi food we have here in LA.
1 Like
Wait, where is this?
2 Likes
Cypress Park
2 Likes
Memelas at Carnal in highland park were killer. The huitlacoche omelette was okay, but honestly a mis-order on my part. Stick to the straight oaxacan dishes.
For context, that memela trio (thanks to @ShadrackToussaint for snitching haha) is probs my fav bite all year in Highland Park
Ps Iām getting a new phone soon Iām sorry for these photos I hate them too
11 Likes
Ohmigod, that looks SO good. Whatās the last pic of?
1 Like
Appreciate your posts on this spot.
And not tryna snitch but arenāt those memelas? Or am I misremembering trips to Oaxaca?
Either way looks great.
5 Likes
Definitely memelas. I think the menu had tetelas and my brain was gone after playing pickleball in the heat.
2 Likes
This was a pickled pineapple situation that was complementary!
I also want to shout out a great tepache that they served. Sadly we were the only ones in there, and I really want this place to succeed!
4 Likes
Where do you play pickleball in highland park
1 Like