WPSA Dining in Los Angeles FINAL
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W E S T E R N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E A S S O C I A T I O N 2 0 2 0 Dining in Los Angeles A S C O M P I L E D B Y M I C H A E L " S O H I P I T H U R T S " G E N O V E S E Wolfgang Puck claims Los Angeles is the best restaurant city in the world. High praise, in fact, too high. But hyperbole aside, LA truly is a GREAT and amazingly diverse restaurant city, and many of the top restaurants are in the downtown area. Olvera Street If you have a few hours, I suggest a walk to the Union Station (800 N. Alameda St.) and stroll through the magnificent building, then walk a block north to Olvera Street for some old LA and see the roots of this great city (many shops selling Mexican goods and gifts to bring home to the family), then a short walk to the Italian American Museum (644 N. Main St.) to see what is on exhibit (everything is one or two blocks away from this town). End your adventure at Philippe The Original (1001 N. Alameda St) for old LA. The restaurant dates back to 1908 and is where the French Dip Beef Sandwich was invented! Great diner-type food but you must try the French Dip Beef Sandwich (ask for a double- dip, which means both sides of the bun are dipped in the beef au jus). I always order two sandwiches (try a bit of the hot mustard... which really is hot... and you can take a jar or two home with you). Philippe the Original "LA truly is a GREAT restaurant city" W E S T E R N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E 1 Dining in Los Angeles A S S O C I A T I O N 2 0 2 0 Downtown Classics C A S S E L L ' S G R A N D C E N T R A L 3266 West 6th St. • (213) 480-8668 M A R K E T One of the best burgers in LA, this storefront is 317 South Broadway always packed at lunchtime with those who like A downtown landmark hosting a variety of food their burgers cooked to order, served with vendors, including Wexler's Deli, Sarita's homemade mayonnaise and a remarkable Pupuseria, Belcampo Meat Co., and La chunky potato salad. Tostaderia. Inexpensive E L C H O L O L A N G E R ' S 1121 South Western Ave. • (213) 734-2773 704 South Alvarado St.• (213) 213-8050 LA's oldest Mexican restaurant is famed for its Despite a dicey location from MacArthur Park, peerless margaritas, nachos, guacamole, and this is one of our most acclaimed delis; Mimi green-corn tamales (served only during the Sheraton of the New York Times praised the summer). One of the best connections we've got corned-beef sandwiches as the best in the city. between the old Spanish cooking of California And as proof that LA is the great ethnic stew of and authentic Mexican cuisine. America, chances are the people eating matzo Inexpensive balls at the table next to yours will be speaking Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, or Japanese. E N G I N E C O . N O 2 8 Inexpensive 644 Figueroa St.• (213) 624-6996 This is an American bistro; in other words, a O R I G I N A L P A N T R Y C A F E downtown citadel of Boy Food—beef, stews, 877 South Figueroa St. • (213) 972-9279 meatloaf, and the like in a former firehouse full of This old style culinary landmark has been brass and leather that's one of the busiest serving steaks and breakfast since 1924.There's businessmen's hangouts in town. always a line out front, but fans wait for meals Inexpensive that begin with heavy sourdough and continue through hearty steaks and chops. There's better beef to be had in town, but not at these prices. Grand Central Market Open 24 hours. Inexpensive Langer's W E S T E R N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E 2 Dining in Los Angeles A S S O C I A T I O N 2 0 2 0 P A C I F I C D I N I N G C A R 1310 West 6th St. • (213) 483-6000 Nick + Stef's Steakhouse Old-school atmosphere. Expensive. W A T E R G R I L L 544 Grand Ave. • (213) 891-0900 This is one of my favorite LA restaurants. many consider this LA's best seafood house. There's grazing at the oyster bar and a regional menu divided into dishes from Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, New Orleans, New England, and other locales. The setting is classic—lots of wood, leather, and brass. Expensive. MGI Steak F L E M I N G ' S P R I M E M O R T O N ' S T H E S T E A K H O U S E & W I N E S T E A K H O U S E B A R 735 South Figueroa St. Suite 207 • (213) 553- 4566 800 West Olympic Blvd. • (213) 745-9911 N I C K + S T E F ' S L A B O U C H E R I E S T E A K H O U S E 900 Wilshire Blvd. Fl. 71 • (213) 688-7777 330 South Hope St. • (213) 680-0330 L A P R I M E T H E P A L M 404 South Figueroa St. • (213) 612-4743 1100 South Flower St. • (213) 763-4600 This hugely popular, New York-style steakhouse now also serves crab and oversized lobsters. L A W R Y ' S T H E P R I M E R I B Portions are immense. 100 La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills • (310) 652- R U T H ' S C H R I S S T E A K 2827 A local institution serving near-perfect prime rib H O U S E off massive table-side carts with traditional side 224 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills • (310) 859- dishes. The creamed corn and spinach are both 8744 classics. For decades, Lawry's has been LA's Part of a quality national chain, the trademark favorite place for prime rib. here is a tender, juicy steak, which arrives at the table sizzling in butter, accompanied by one of seven different preparations of potatoes. Langer's Langer's Langer's W E S T E R N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E 3 Dining in Los Angeles A S S O C I A T I O N 2 0 2 0 Thai Koreatown J I T L A D A B E E R B E L L Y 5233 West Sunset Blvd. • (213) 667-9809 532 South Western Ave. • (213) 387-2337 Some of LA's most acclaimed Thai food is served Great beer selection here, including excellent mee krob and squid curry. C H O S U N G A L B I E . P . & L . P . 3330 West Olympic Blvd. • (323) 734-3330 603 North La Cienega Blvd. • (310) 855-9955 The new pick in town. Innovative. G W A N G Y A N G B B Q 3435 Wilshire Blvd. #123 • (213) 385-5600 M Y T H A I Great Korean BBQ 3407 West 6th St. • (213) 738-8849 I S A A N S T A T I O N Jitlada 125 North Western Ave. 111-112 • (323) 380- 5126 Great Thai grilled meats in Koreatown P A R K ' S B B Q 955 South Vermont Ave. G • (213) 380-1717 R B A R 3331 West 8th St. • (213) 387-7227 S O B A N R E S T A U R A N T 4001 West Olympic Blvd. • (323) 936-9106 Try the Ganjang Ge Jang! S T I C K Y R I C E S U N N O N G D A N 317 South Broadway • (213) 621-2865 3470 West 6th St. #7 • (213) 365-0303 N I G H T + M A R K E T 9043 Sunset Blvd. • (310) 275-9724 LA Thai street food serving all the familiar favorites, plus some innovative specialties found nowhere else. Park's BBQ W E S T E R N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E 4 Dining in Los Angeles A S S O C I A T I O N 2 0 2 0 Japanese A R A S H I S U S H I S O R A 1111 South Hope St. #100 • (213) 749-1900 900 Wilshire Blvd. Fl. 69 • (213) 688-7777 D A I K O K U Y A R A M E N T A K A M I S U S H I 327 East 1st St. • (213) 626-1680 811 Wilshire Blvd. #2100 • (213) 236-9600 K A T S U Y A T E N N O 6300 Hollywood Blvd.