it’s challenging to understand why Salvadoran cuisine is pretty bad in LA. lots of Salvadorans, high quality produce, but no stellar Salvadoran spots. admittedly, i haven’t tried every salvi resto in LA – but the ones i’ve been to have not compared to Salvadoran restaurants i’ve eaten at in NYC or DC.
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I haven’t been yet, but this sounds like it could great Salvadoran food.
In other eastside food news - I picked up lunch at Vallarta. I picked the carne asada plate and added the 40oz cucumber lime agua frescas for under $20 total. Given the choice between regular and spicy beans, I picked spicy. The plate came with made-to-order asada, rice, beans, small green salad; grilled warmed corn tortillas, parsely, chopped onions and limes separarte for garnish.
I declined the hot pepper [I still don’t understand why I would have declined] and the nice lady working the counter popped in a tiny bit of guac in my bag.
Really worth it, and I’ll likely be back one morning to try the Vallarta breakfast burrito.
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Have you eaten on the corridor? (Vermont south of Olympic). Curious what someone with experience with Salvadoran thinks.
I love the east coast but there is nothing like it in DC/DMV area. Or even in Queens. You could make a case for Roosevelt along the 7 but even Roosevelt is more spread out with vendors.
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I’ve had pupusas and riguas from the vendors, but never any of the soups or seafood dishes. The food was good. Admittedly, it’s been a few years since I patronized that market. It’s definitely unique in the States.
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The sopa de gallina and blood clams were pretty good!
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Finneys Crafthouse is Orange. This is a mini chain but new to us. They are opening in downtown Brea where Rubys used to be. Kids wanted burgers and wings so we gave it a try. Very happy with our meal. Excellent tap list. Would recommend for pub food. Gotta get the pretzel and nachos next time.
Reuben with chips and wedge salad. Did anybody know they source their pastrami from RC Provisions? As close to Langers as you’ll get in the OC.
Whoever is frying stuff back there is doing a really good job. Everything was well fried and crispy.
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My kids said they make better smash burgers. They like the potato roll and the spicy peppers. Very similar to Shake Shack.
Each table has its own tablet where you pay the bill whenever you want. Very convenient.
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6th and LB Blvd, LBC.
Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm. Auntie was kind enough to make me a vegetarian plate. Come on Belizean auntie cooking all her life you already know!
Underrated is the variety of LA’s Afro-Caribbean/Latin, African, and African-American food you can find in South Central, Inglewood, Crenshaw, Leimert, LBC, etc.
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Coffeedrunk, Retro location. It’s still ice coffee season. Long lines across at Gusto. Grabbed a local poetry book from Page Against The Machine.
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…and even Palmdale.
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Marugame has a summer combo for cold noodles. $16 for a cold nikutama udon with tempura and a drink, $10 for BK udon. It was pretty good and a decent value if you’d get a drink otherwise! All the add-ons can start to add up. We grabbed a bite before watching Didi at Alamo Drafthouse. (I hope alamo stays open and doesn’t get gobbled and eaten alive by private equity …)
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Shins Pizza Anniversary x @JLee collab was bumpin’. Great people, tasty pizza…
Chef Johnny Lee’s Nasi Lemak pie proved to be a huge hit!
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a few days in LA → Paso Robles
wednesday dinner: melisse
josiah was very nice and gosh the turbot was dialled in AF.
thursday dinner: sawa
the vibes at sawa are top notch. anthony’s knives lookin’ sharp.
friday morning coffee: alchemist
competent coffee.
friday lunch: gjelina
gjust the best vegjetables in los angjeles
friday afternoon: quick hangout at japanese knife imports
jon is one of the coolest people in LA.
friday dinner: here’s looking at you
if you’re looking to have fun at a resto, it’s gotta be at HLAY. the best combos of cocktails and food (burger is a MUST).
saturday lunch: amtrak lunch on the way to paso robles
vegetarian chili with a side of bacon lol. tastes better than it looks to be honest.
saturday dinner: six test kitchen (paso robles)
if you haven’t gone, go. what a cool concept. ricky and christian are a dream team.
sunday brunch: brunch (paso robles)
(spinach inside a burrito is…a choice; hash was kind of bad)
sunday dinner: amtrak dinner back to the bay area
shrimp was kind of creative I guess. steak was ok. potatoes and vegetables were god awful.
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Nice weekend! Jealous of that Friday. I also just recently had that Amtrak food and… lol. The puffed rice pearls in the tempura was definitely interesting and unexpected, but mine was terribly soggy and like 80% batter. Chili was solid though, they both beat the microwaved cafe-car stuff by a mile
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lol the microwaved pity hot dog was a hard pass
Wait is this business class amtrak food ?? Where can you get these meals on amtrak ??
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this was in the coast starlight line’s dining car. if you get a roomette or a room, it comes included with your fare. if you are in coach, you can also pay to dine if there’s room!
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Amtrak from Paso Robles to Oakland is a good idea. The trip from Los Angeles is too long and starts too early.
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Sony Pictures bought Alamo Drafthouse, so it should be safe!
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… and we reach that time of year. Yes, I am talking about the few precious days when PEACH and STRAWBERRY donuts overlap at The Donut Man!
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Cuban sandwich and a cortadito from Café Cuba & Cakes on Hawthorne Blvd.
Filings weren’t bad— I would’ve loved more mustard and more pickles. I’m usually a black coffee drinker, so this milky espresso drink tasted like a delicious treat.
I thought the bread was light and crispy, just on the cusp of destroying the roof of my mouth. I don’t have a deep roster to compare to, but this was very tasty.
$17 and change. If I was in the neighborhood and hungry I’d stop by, but I won’t be rushing back.
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