📍Added in March: When the trailblazer chef Ray Garcia closed the original Broken Spanish, I was torn up. Now that he opened a more casual concept in Culver City, I’m elated. I’ve already tried every dish—twice. The tamal in a cazuela, covered in a roasted salsa, might be my favorite. But the testaments to this menu’s greatness are the light, fluffy heirloom tortillas and the creamy lentil beans. The great cocktails also help, especially the mezcal collection saved from the previous restaurant.

📍Added in March: I popped into this Little Tokyo restaurant, trying to get out of the rain, and saw three words that piqued my interest: miso carbonara udon. Sold. Little did I know that the udon here are made from fresh dough, stretched into large, chewy strands. The noodles are served in various ways, but I’ve never gotten past the carbonara: creamy, chewy, with a slight uni taste. The noodles soak up the cream, alongside pieces of meaty bacon. It’s comforting, quick, and worth revisiting.

📍Added in March: Let me be honest: I have no clue about phrases used to describe food. I just know what’s good when I taste it. Like, the term al dente. It wasn’t until my friend brought me here, and I bit into the prosciutto tortellini, that I understood what al dente really meant. Just as I felt like I was being introduced to real Italian food for the first time, the fries took me for a spin. Thick, crispy, pillowy, and covered in balsamic, they are the best French fries I’ve ever tasted. 

📍Added in March: I’ve been following chef Enrique Soltero’s journey from cooking across the border to helping open one of L.A.’s hip Mexican restaurants to finally having his own place. I come for his take on Mexican food with global influences: ribeye steaks from Creekstone Farms served with huitlacoche; tacos (like a kurobuta pork belly marinated in pastor-chino adobo) on heirloom blue corn tortillas. Sometimes I’ll just get his menoodles, a spin on menudo with dashi and thick, chewy udon.

📍Added in March: There’s something about this deep-fried crispy fish on a soft corn tortilla, with crunchy cabbage, diced tomatoes, and crema, that makes me pull over to this old-school establishment every time I’m driving down Whittier Boulevard. Perhaps it’s the combination of it all. There aren’t as many fish tacos in Los Angeles as I would like, and that’s probably good for my health, but these get me every time. I usually grab a taco to eat right away and one of their Baja burritos to go.

You know my love for street food. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon a new sign in Eagle Rock that promised “Lebanese Street Food” at A la Beirut. Mom, dad, son, and daughters work together to take grandma’s marinades and dad’s sandwich techniques and create toasted vessels of new flavors in either a pita wrap or a flaky French baguette. The beef or chicken shawarma is magnificent, but go for the beef tongue with garlic spread and pickles—it’s a sprightly bite.

For a flavor rush of psychedelic proportions, the tikka masala at this South Bay strip mall will have you forgetting your woes—your full concentration will be on slowly tackling this vigorous dish. Order fresh garlic naan to dip into the rich, sweet, and spicy sauce as you eat or to use as a swab to comfort your taste buds between spoonfuls. If there’s room, finish off this roller coaster of flavor with a samosa served with a sweet and tangy sauce.

All Time has become a favorite spot for a lunch date with my lady: It has class and comfort without being presumptuous or showy. The chef’s offerings always seem to include a touch of genuine L.A. while feeling fresh, healthy, and filling. I’ve enjoyed tender carnitas tacos on blue corn tortillas, crispy rice breakfast bowls, and a Good Ass Salad that’s very popular. This little gem keeps it fresh with a changing menu, adding some excitement each time I return.

One of my favorite things about L.A. is that it’s a place where you can grow to love the world’s diverse ethnic foods, but it’s also a place where they find each other, marry, and find ways for their spices to work together to create new dishes. Almaya is the perfect example of how Middle Eastern dishes get a subtle Mexican sazón! I can never decide between the shakshuka or chilaquiles for breakfast, and then the asada kebab or the creamy chicken with spicy hummus for lunch.

Do I like cheeseburgers? Yes. Do I like cheeseburgers with a chunky 10 ounces of dry-aged beef cooked to a meat snob’s standards, a puffy sesame seed bun, American cheese, and a humble sauce that enhances but doesn’t overpower the burger flavor? Of course. Ask for the DH (the dry-aged patty); you can get it in different styles, but the Amboy is the best introduction. I would expect nothing less from The Burger Show’s Alvin Cailan, a true burger intellectual.

I’m always hesitant to recommend legendary places because how have you never heard of Arturo’s puffy tacos? It’s one of Texas’ most unique tacos, and you can find it here in our backyard. The freshly made tortilla is thrown in a deep fryer, puffing up like a balloon, creating a crispy shell. You can get it with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and chunky tomato salsa, but try the chunky beef guisado or tender bits of asada. It’s a unique experience worth a trip across town.

There’s always a line during lunch at Aunty Maile’s, and the wait for some of the best Hawaiian food on the mainland can take 20 minutes during a rush. Let me tell you, it’s worth it every time. The daily specials are always a treat, especially the sweet-and-sour spare ribs on Tuesdays. If it’s your first time, get a mix plate with kalbi short ribs and furikake chicken. The little mac salad completes this fork-licking meal.

One of the things I relish about L.A. is walking into a Mexican deli and finding outstanding traditional Sri Lankan food instead. That’s what I stumbled on at Baja Subs, where rice and curry topped with a medley of stewed veggies is the specialty. The flavors are so robust I usually require a minute to recover from the rush. The “short eats,” especially the buttery stuffed rolls, are a must. The Friday night through Saturday buffet is the best way to try it all.

This kitchen in Lynwood is a powerhouse of taco innovation and a celebration of L.A.’s diverse flavors. These are tacos that embrace shared tastes on handmade tortillas. There’s lots to try here, but the nutty almond mole, the vibrant chicken tinga masala, and the savory Korean asada taco are my automatic recommendations. Perhaps the most innovative item is the Tropical T taco—the hibiscus-infused jicama root tortillas with crunchy coconut shrimp are a delicious curiosity.

This hidden gem in the neighborhood I grew up in is so inconspicuous, it took one of my favorite chefs to introduce me to it recently. The embodiment of the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” Banadir is Inglewood’s best-kept secret. I go for the tender, juicy, and robust Somali-style goat with slightly roasted ends, served in a large dish with yellow rice. Drizzle lime on the meat, smash a banana into the rice, and spice it up with their relentless green sauce.

The freshly baked focaccia here lives in my dreams. If I could stuff my pillow with its fluffiness and nibble on its ends dipped in whipped ricotta and avocado-tree honey, it would be the most heavenly dream a food lover could have. Everything on the menu, though, is worth exploring. The Italian dishes are innovated on with Californian flair, like fried meatballs with a pesto-like salsa verde, California oak–grilled octopus, and paper-thin crispy artichokes over creamy aioli.

Berge’s is a neighborhood favorite for great sandwiches. Queeny, the owner for more than 50 years, has turned a dining table for her customers into her office, with paperwork, news clippings, and family photos. I come for the turkey sandwich, with globs of avocado pummeled to a creamy finish inside spongy Armenian bread. I don’t think there’s another sandwich like it: light, filling, and satisfying. If you’re going up the Angeles Crest Highway, stop here and grab one to go.

Birote is a specialty bread that’s so unique to Guadalajara, Mexico, it’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Gusto Bread in Long Beach makes the best one near L.A., and this small deli (inside Horchateria Rio Luna) from the mind of Jonathan Perez of Macheen has made a creative, birote-based sandwich menu. Imagine a Oaxacan pastrami with a honey chipotle slaw, a barbacoa dip, or a chicharron bánh mì on a unique bread style. These are some delicious sandwiches.

Can I be honest? Ever since the birria boom in L.A., I’ve become borderline sick of it. Be that as it may, I still enjoy a handful of birrias, and El Jaliciense, with its roasted goat and tomato-based broth, is one I crave. On Saturday mornings only, Hector brings a custom oven he made from a barrel, roasts the meat to give it those crispy ends, and serves it out of the driveway of a commercial laundromat where he works. This birria style takes me back to my childhood.

I’m not vegan, partly because I love meat, but also because I find most vegan places struggle to recreate the bold flavors that we carnivores find so satisfying. But this family-run vegan gem in Pomona nails it for me. Their papas con soyrizo, "re-chicken" (aka cabbage), papas con nopales, and veggie-based al pastor, to name a few, belong in the larger conversation of L.A.’s best vegan food. If you have a similarly skeptical friend, this is the restaurant to convince them.

I strongly believe that Compton is highly underappreciated as a culinary destination. The strip of Atlantic Boulevard between Compton and Alondra Boulevard is filled with some of L.A.’s best food trucks. But when I want to eat great meat, drink good beer, and watch a game, I dip into this neighborhood pub. Meats are their specialty, paired with a great selection of craft beers.

When my Armenian queen introduced me to her family, they couldn’t wait to feed me some basturma. The strongly seasoned dried beef is so pungent that Armenians joke that you’ll smell like it the next day. Even those who pass on it raw still enjoy it with eggs. That’s why l head here, where the basturma is balanced with tomatoes, eggs, cheese, and potatoes in one of L.A.’s most unique breakfast burritos. It holds its own in the great breakfast burrito wars.

This evening stand in the heart of L.A.’s trafficapocalypse is proof the west side has great tacos. It opened on my route home from my kids’ school, and it’s been our favorite taco stand. The energy from the witty taqueros will lift up your spirits, while they pull meat from the large stewing disc or the spinning trompo, chopping it up and giving it an extra sear on the plancha for crispy ends. But if you want your money’s worth, their burritos are as big as their personalities

I don’t think you can easily beat fresh-baked bread and fluffy scrambled eggs for breakfast, especially at Bub & Grandma’s in Glassell Park. Maybe that’s why I haven’t gotten past their chorizo-and-egg or bacon-and-egg sandwiches. I’m afraid if I go back for the brisket, curry chicken, or “muffuletta” sandwiches, I may never leave. Tip: Get a loaf, or relish in a pastry.

Growing up, Mexicans argued that burritos were American. That’s likely because they’d never visited northern states like Zacatecas, where I’m from. There, burritos are very Mexican, made with fresh flour tortillas and a stew filling. (Perhaps it’s the enormous size of U.S. burritos that makes them seem American?) When I need that slender, more straightforward, delicious burrito of Zacatecas, I come here and get the birria, a bean-and-cheese, and half a dozen others.

This old-school deli five minutes from the ocean is just what my mind needs when I’m a hot mess. I order the Belly Buster, sometimes with incredibly juicy chicken and sausage, other times with dipped pastrami and sausage, always with marinara sauce on top (the locals’ secret). I take that to the Korean Friendship Bell and bury my face in the sandwich, savory marinara dripping down my fingers, as the ocean breeze blows by and I appreciate how lucky I am to live in L.A.

One of my favorite tacos in Los Angeles comes from this Eagle Rock bar. They have flame-finished cocktails, local craft beers, and a great tequila selection to complement their array of gently elevated Mexican dishes. I haven’t tasted a dish that didn’t please me, but here, it’s all about the duck carnitas tacos on Kernel of Truth’s organic blue corn tortillas. I’m always impressed by how a taco can be so light and fluffy with so much flavor.

Cafe de olla, made with cinnamon and piloncillo, is my favorite of all coffees and why I started coming to this valley gem years ago. There’s usually a wait to grab a table in the cozy interior or on the sidewalk. The coffee might be the draw, but their menu is the reward, with unique offerings like poblano chilaquiles omelets and dulce de leche French toast, among other classic American staples. They also have a lunch and dinner menu, but I only enjoy coffee with my breakfast.

When I’m in the mood for a particular style of regional Mexican food from the state of Jalisco, there are only a handful of options in L.A. that I find extremely satisfying. This restaurant is a patio perched on a hillside with a vibe that reminds me of a Mexican roadside stop. I always get the carne en su jugo, a meaty soup with beans stewed in tomatillo broth. I like to dip a freshly made corn tortilla in the bowl with every spoonful I eat, just like my mom taught me.

Years before I imagined writing about food, my friends and I would head to a Hawthorne backyard early on Sunday mornings and wait quietly for the most hunger-satisfying carnitas. The glistening pork ribs, the gelatinous meat, and all its Michoacán flavor drew hundreds to this underground food destination. Now I can stop in any day of the week to the renowned restaurant that Artista is today to enjoy a carnitas flavor that is four generations deep.

Okay, this one is for all the party people who keep asking me where you can get a taco when the bars kick you out, the taco stands are wrapped up, and you find yourself in some stranger's living room making tin foil hats at 3:30 in the morning. This is one of the few spots to remain open 24/7 post-pandemic. I go at any hour when I’m in the area, but if I need a taco to save me before the birds start chirping, the al pastor, asada, and carnitas here never fail me.

I love that we can be halfway around the world from Myanmar and still find remarkable Burmese food. At this family-run shop, you’ll see Thai and Indian options, like samosas and curries (just not as spicy) alongside California-inspired dishes. Ask for the authentic stuff, like the soothingly sweet coconut soup with thick egg noodles or the flaky fried paratha bread with crushed peas. Finish it off with a faluda, pink milk filled with tapioca, jelly, egg pudding, and ice cream.

From snacking on jalapeños as a kid to conquering chile-eating challenges as an adult, I’ve scoffed at most spicy dishes like Ivan Drago looking at a short boxer from Philadelphia. But the tingly, numbing heat of the Szechuan peppercorns Chengdu Taste uses abundantly makes my lips feel electrocuted. The boiled fish with green pepper sauce is relentless; the spicy, crispy beef is a crunchy joy. But the wontons with red chili sauce pack a lovely, sweeter punch.

No matter the time of day, if I’m in the area, I stop by Cindy’s. It’s a classic café with a modern touch: bright orange booths, cool green walls, a long counter, and a case full of the most showy pies. I’ve had the Derby, made with chocolate, bourbon, and pecan; the tall, curiously pleasing Dr. Pepper pie; and the traditional pies, which are just as stunning. Enjoying a pork belly breakfast sandwich or catfish po’boy for lunch almost feels like an excuse to get to the pies.

I crave nothing more on a hot day than cold mariscos, especially Coni’s ceviche with fish, shrimp, pulpo, cucumber, and onion drenched in cold lime juice with added chiles. If I go with a group, I order ahead for a pescado zarandeado, a large marinated and butterflied fish grilled over an open flame. Everyone goes to Coni’s in Inglewood, but I recommend their lesser-known Del Rey location.

This tiny shack in Burbank is, for me, proof that you don’t have to do a hundred things to survive. Just do one thing exceptionally, and it will feed you forever. Case in point: the breakfast burrito. Eggs, potatoes, and bacon are cooked together on the griddle, blending the flavors and textures. The effect is a perfect bite every time. Now if only I could get them to serve bigger portions of salsa instead of the tiny cups they provide….

It’s easy to be seduced by the lore of L.A.’s deliciously fragrant street dogs when we’re at our weakest, but for true glizzy love, look for this hot-dog window under a heart-piercing arrow. The snappy Vienna sausages and fresh toppings remind me what a great American hot dog should be. Everyone gets the Chicago-style, but I get all four dogs. Trust me, you want them all, especially the chili dog.

My favorite sandwich is a good pastrami, and there are less than a handful in L.A. that I’ll endure traffic for; Daughter’s Deli is one of them. I get the PAPA: thick, navel-cut pastrami, crisp coleslaw, and a touch of sweet Russian dressing, all inside the softest rye bread you’ll ever bite into. If it seems familiar to Langer’s, well, you’re not off—it’s the same family. But there’s something gentler and softer about this pastrami sandwich that makes it its own delight.

I’m a bit of a contradiction: I hate wearing suits, but I also daydream about living in the days of pachucos and rat packs with my hair slicked back and a whiskey in my hand. The closest I can get to that era is Dear John’s, an old favorite of Frank Sinatra’s. Inside its windowless brick walls, you’ll find dimly lit tables, red tablecloths, waiters wearing bow tie tuxedos, and steaks so smooth they’ll have you singing “Somethin’ Stupid.”

Step into this tiny, 50-year-old Italian shack by the Van Nuys Airport and order a Large Yes Yes. It’s code for a steamed pastrami sub, yes with mustard and yes with cheese, served on cushiony bread and topped with onions, ripe tomatoes, and equally cubed deli pickles. There’s mustard and mayo, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, a dash of olive oil, and a dusting of dried herbs to give it a lively, aromatic, dopamine-inducing bite. It’s served with a spoon because topping spillage is inevitable.

Chef Jonathan Perez, a previous winner of L.A. Taco’s Taco Madness and don of burly breakfast burritos, hosts Macheen, a unique menu at this sports tavern. He expertly uses diverse techniques to brush your palate with worldly strokes of flavor that’ll leave lasting impressions. Spoil your sweet tooth with horchata French toast. Melt into a Wagyu pastrami burger. Or test his talent with my favorite, the D14 Burger with bacon beurre blanc aioli and aged white cheddar.

L.A. County’s many smaller cities often have nice community downtowns, with food and shops, where you can spend your day. When I’m in Covina, I’ll stop by Domestic for St. Louis ribs, a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, or their Chicano takes, like crispy brisket flautas. It’s a mom-and-pop operation that pours love into every drop of BBQ sauce and every bite of bacon mac-and-cheese. If it weren’t located in a walkable downtown area, I wouldn’t know what to do after a feast there.

Earle’s isn’t just a hot dog shop; it’s everything I love about L.A.: community, a passionate approach to simple food, a proud work ethic, and welcoming hospitality. The owner, Duane, is always there to greet you if you’re a regular or give you the turkey, beef, chicken, and vegan rundown if you’re new. Get any dog with sweet onions, a side of ribboned pastrami on some chili fries, and a Jamaican patty. Tip: The vegan chili might be better than the regular one.

Date nights with my lady are for trying new spots; seldom do we return to the same place twice. Chef Ulises Pineda-Alfaro’s brilliant modern takes on classic dishes make El Barrio Cantina the exception. Sometimes we’ll order tasty tapas to snack on while boozing through the cocktail menu. Other times we’ll dig right into the chef’s latest inspiration, like the birria lasagna he pulled off recently. Pro tip: Try to visit for one of the chef dinner collaborations.

This pop-up serves a simple but deeply meaningful item that triggers a lifetime of core memories for me. These are the border-style burritos that any Mexican family who grew up in the fields or gardening packed for lunch: a Sonoran-style flour tortilla with a spatula’s worth of refried beans and a homemade guisado like meat and potatoes, ham and eggs, or pork in salsa verde. Finding a couple who is serving them out of a cooler just warms my soul.

One of my favorite places to eat and drink in L.A. is at this old bar with a theme dedicated to the golden era of Mexican cinema and wrestling. I come for one of the best tequilas in L.A. At the bar, you’ll see a glass jar filled with tequila marinating in pineapples, while behind it is a selection of the finest tequilas and mezcals from Mexico. I always order a margarita featuring their housemade pineapple tequila. The tacos, carnitas, and potato flautas are the move.

You can get Mexican food pretty much anywhere in L.A., but for the kind of breakfast or lunch common only in the kitchens of abuelas, head to this gem in Lincoln Heights. Dive into the locals’ favorite—chilaquiles paired with a sweet café de olla—or ask for today’s specials. It could be a carne en su jugo, a legit Jalisco-style goat birria in a tomato-based broth, or a good picadillo. Regenerate with soul-satisfying guisados while Esther, the owner, livens the vibe with her bantering spirit.

I’ll never forget one of Evil Cooks’ last underground omakase-style dinners. The out-of-the-box dishes by these evil geniuses are the most unique I’ve eaten. None was more memorable than the “tom yum aguachile”: fresh scallops and shrimp in a sweet-and-sour reduction, presented in a beautiful clam shell. The bad news is that Evil Cooks is not underground anymore; the good news is that you can now find this dish on the dinner menu at their new brick-and-mortar.

For most of my life, I only ate what I could afford, looking for the most filling flavor for every buck. Twenty-dollar burger? Ha! Never! (At least before inflation.) That is, until I had The Office Burger. That thick patty of buttery, dry-aged beef dressed with caramelized onions, bacon, Gruyère, Maytag blue cheese, and arugula is a hundred dollars worth of flavor on a French roll. The rest of the menu is just as fantastic, including the cold craft beers on hot summer days.

L.A. is a vast jigsaw puzzle of little neighborhoods with unusual boundaries that somehow fit together, and I’m always on a mission to find each piece’s local gem. FOOD is one of those welcoming spots, thanks in large part to owner Judy Ornstein, who has been greeting everyone for the past 18 years. But it’s not just the community vibe that brings me back. I'm there for the housemade breads and pastries in the cases, along with great salads and daily specials.

When I came across this shack with Armenian lettering off Sherman Way, I wasn’t sure what I’d find. Then I walked in and saw two glistening spits of marinated pork shawarma dripping in seasoning as the pork fat melted over its seared ends. The Gharsi Shawarma is the most popular item, and I can’t get enough of it: pork shaved off the spit, diced and crisped lightly on the griddle, and wrapped in toasty lavash bread in a hefty portion. They are the kings of Armenian BBQ.

You can stand in long lines at Porto’s, or you can go to this local bakery that rivals it. Get a bolillo with plantain, frijol, and crema for breakfast; for lunch, you’ll want a classic Cubano, ropa vieja, or lechon sandwich, the bread pressed to a perfect, crisp bite, or heftier dishes served with rice and plantains. But don’t just walk past the infinite display case of sweets: Get a pastelito with guayaba and cheese or a seasoned, meat-filled potato ball to eat on the go.

When I’m hungover, I head here for a perfect Sunday revival. I start with a café de olla with Maria’s cookies. I follow it up with a michelada, a choice from the unique selection of stews, fresh tortillas, and a bowl of menudo. I’ll finish with Gloria’s taco: flame-cooked asada in a juicy, roasted-tomato-based salsa ranchera, topped off with a strip of grilled nopal and a thick cut of fresh panela cheese. You can find me at the bar, enjoying my revival with some football.

Everyone needs to try the crispy, juicy, Korean fried-chicken flavor bombs at Gol Tong. Mix and match orders of wings: the ones glazed in sweet-and-spicy sauce, the red chili, and the soy-garlic version. The owner, who goes by Gol Tong, takes your order, fries the chicken, and thanks you with a mustachioed smile. Ask for a side of his own beer honey mustard or spicy sauce sweetened with golden honey. There’s a reason why this retired cult filmmaker now has a local cult fried-chicken following.

There are a few places I’ll wait in line for; Golden Deli is one of them. The pho feels elegant and nutritious, filled to the rim with noodles, and is best accented with tender ribeye and brisket. The brothy curry chicken can chase demons out of your soul. And I always order a BBQ pork banh mi on plush, flaky bread to go, for later. But no matter the order, I must have their overly blistered, crunchy egg rolls. I don’t say this lightly: They might be the best I’ve ever had.

Glass deli cases fascinate me: They’re like treasure chests full of food. The colorful Ukrainian/Russian delicacies here make me want to press my face against the glass. There are salads, chickens, branzinos, beets! I’ve had the whole marinated roast chicken, eaten the branzino bone clean, relished in the beet salad, and enjoyed a deep-fried, cone-shaped chicken-on-a-stick, like I’m at a fair. Ask for the borscht soup with sour cream; that’s the just-like-back-home stuff.

When I’m craving Mexican food that tastes like Mexico, I head here. It’s not part of the old guard of Mexican restaurants that had to reinvent their cuisine with available ingredients back in the day, like El Coyote or Casa Vega. Guajillo is the sister restaurant to the original in Mexico City. From chilaquiles to bistec ranchero, the taste brings you closer to Mexico.

There’s a legendary dive bar just steps away from the Venice Beach pier that’s a great place to catch that California sun, relax, and make new friends. As you walk in, you’ll see the cooks busy on the grill making their beloved cheeseburgers: fresh beef, a toasted sesame seed bun, mustard, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles on the side, and a random bag of chips that you can exchange if you don’t like Fritos. Pro tip: Try the Philly cheesesteak sandwich; it’s the bartenders’ favorite.

Head to this stall in Mercado La Paloma, a bustling come-as-you-are food hall, for exquisitely crafted Mexican-style mariscos and tacos with adventurous flavors. Try a smoked kampachi tostada with a chile de árbol peanut sauce, a scallop aguachile, or a giant clam prepared as a ceviche. You’ll also find one of my favorite tacos in L.A., the pulpo en su tinta: a grilled octopus tentacle served over a reduced squid ink sofrito, giving you a unique savory flavor to surprise your taste buds.

I have a soft spot for a café with great food that’s also helping those trying to help themselves. That led me to this diner that’s also a nonprofit, providing job training to women who have experienced domestic violence. And if all I need to do to support is to eat, then serve me a giant plate of spicy chilaquiles and crispy carnitas, because I’m about to do a whole lot of supporting. Plus, nothing compares to the goodness of sugary crumbs on the thick, spongy coffee cake.

One of the best areas to find good Hawaiian food in L.A. is around Lomita in the South Bay. There are several options—at least one other is mentioned already in this guide. At this little inland “island hut,” you’ll find great teriyaki sandwiches for $7 and change. Get the katsu sandwich stuffed with egg noodles. It’s one of my favorite crispy sandwiches.

I think of this Marina del Rey kitchen as a blue-collar diner disguised as a casual restaurant. It’s one of my favorite spaces for a conversation in a comfortable setting—with consistently great dishes of elevated comfort food. If I meet someone for breakfast, I go for the huevos covered in a sultry guajillo sauce. For lunch: the Westsider burger, made with exceptional meat. And for dinner, you can’t go wrong with the St. Louis pork ribs, sourced from Niman Ranch.

I love pastrami so much that I’ve found myself in heated debates about who makes it best. We’re not discussing the navel-cut classic on rye that you get from Jewish delis; we’re talking about thinly sliced, juicy, French dip–ready pastrami, for which Johnnie's is my go-to. My mouth begins to water the moment I see the cook pulling streams of pastrami ribbons out of a steaming pot and stuffing them into plush rolls. My kids love it too, along with the tableside jukeboxes.

I have three problems with 99% of the burritos in Los Angeles: They’re stuffed with rice, the beans suck, and the tortillas are treated as nothing more than a barely edible wrap. So when I want a solid burrito, I make my way to this historic tortilleria in East L.A. and order the chile relleno burrito. Feel and taste the world of a difference a fresh buttery tortilla with delicious beans can make as the cheesy gooeyness spills out. It’s a one-of-a-kind burrito.

Suppose you asked me, “What’s the best Mexican restaurant in L.A.?” I’ll usually refer you to La Casita Mexicana. Here, you can expect to taste the most culturally defining collection of dishes from all over Mexico, curated and prepared by celebrity chefs Jaime and Ramiro. Their most popular dish, a rare chile en nogada, is a poblano chile stuffed with ground picadillo under a blanket of walnut-based creamy sauce, topped with pomegranate seeds and served traditionally at room temperature.

I still remember my grandma using animal cookies to make her mole, my favorite dish growing up. And while no two moles are alike, their thick, creamy texture, nutty undertones, and range from sweet to spicy—if not both—always intrigue me. None intrigue me more than those of La Diosa de Los Moles. Calling herself the Goddess of Moles, Rocío Camacho sets about as high a bar anyone can, and she pole vaults over those expectations.

One of my favorite taco trucks in L.A. has been on the same block since Madonna released her hit song “La Isla Bonita” in 1986 (which is how the Jalisco-born owner came up with the truck’s name). They do something so simple with their tacos, which I love: adding whole beans. It’s a common practice in parts of Mexico, but folks in the States have abandoned it. Ask for the taco of the day, which Jose, who was raised in that truck, loves to curate. The salsa is a nice kicker.

I’m a sucker for rich cultural cooking by any grandparent. That grandma level of skill and mastery is why I stop in to eat at this Ethiopian restaurant on Fairfax. If I bring others, I’ll order the Veggie Utopia, a medley of 14 sides and samples like spicy chickpea stew, collard greens, and red lentils, on injera, a sour, spongy, and porous handmade crepe. But if I’m alone, I’ll dive into the doro wot, a sultry and spicy slow-cooked chicken stew steeped in complex flavors.

For polished Taiwanese soul food, head to Mar Vista and enter a bar called Accomplice, filled with fine whiskey and mezcals. From here, you can place orders from chef David Kuo’s Little Fatty, which also operates a takeaway window out front. Share squid ink xiao long bao (soup dumplings), pork wontons in a chili vinaigrette, a barbecue pork shank served with Chinese mustard and plush marshmallow-like baos, and a side of (vegan) General Tso’s orange cauliflower.

I’m astonished there are people in L.A. who haven’t gotten hooked on our prevalent Vietnamese food. This restaurant makes for a friendly introduction for newcomers. Traditional dishes, like the crispiest chicken, lightest vermicelli, and the freshest spring rolls, are prepared and served for an American palate—without compromising the soul of the cuisine. I’m partial to the original downtown location, but I’ve found that the South Bay ones have more seating and parking.

A true Angeleno will tell anyone visiting Los Angeles to avoid Hollywood—it’s not worth it! But when I find myself in Tinseltown, I head to this little Thai street-food spot. It’s the express version of the restaurant a few doors down, with ready-to-go hot dishes of your choosing. I go for the moo hong (braised pork belly in soy sauce), spicy green curry, and a boiled egg in tamarind sauce. The flavors here are as big as Hollywood’s personalities.

I’ve grown fond of mezcal. Not the overly smoky, jet-fuel mezcal that’s been commercialized, but the very nuanced, sweet mezcals of Mexico. It’s all thanks to Ivan Vasquez, the owner of Madre Restaurants, who, with over 700 personally sourced bottles, has been an educator and proponent of this misunderstood drink. Look for his mezcal dinners, or stop by for a flight; it helps that he sources unique ingredients from Oaxaca for his menu, to complete your spirited experience.

I’ll never argue with basic coffee and American classics, but a small, chill café where I can taste intention in every aspect of the food will win me over as quickly as a free taco. Why have a BLT when you can have a savory Cuban sandwich? How do I choose between crispy chilaquiles or an eight-hour-roasted pork hash with eggs? Have you ever had the option between tiramisu and churro French toast to satisfy your sweet tooth? Well, now you will.

One of the most extraordinary dining experiences of my year was at this hidden French-Teppanyaki speakeasy at The Moxy downtown. Go to the eighth floor, where there are plenty of restaurants. For Maison Kasai, you’ll wait for a secret wall to open, leading you through a burlesque bar and another hidden door until you’re seated around a grill, where you’ll enjoy a knife-clanking show with fried rice, veggies, and steaks. It’s a delicious escapade I won’t soon forget.

L.A. can be so loud and busy that finding some serenity within this behemoth can seem impossible. But I know a spot: It’s hidden away from the madness, surrounded by sailboats, cargo ships, and bridges, a small café where coffee, beer, and comfort food awaits. It has great menudo, pozole, and clam chowder as well as omelettes, biscuits, and gravy. I usually get all of that, and the cod fish and chips. Then I can finally enjoy a calm break from the busy city.

If I’m in the Valley, and I want great tacos and mariscos, I go to this father–son duo. Most mariscos you’ll find around L.A. can feel generic (with an overuse of jaiba, or as a friend calls it, the bologna of the sea), but this place has earned my trust, with dishes rooted in tradition but bursting with playfulness. What you’ll find here is finger-licking quality—some of the best tacos in the Valley, and one of my favorite tacos de gobernador. This is my Valley oasis.

I love this city’s incredible mariscos scene, but the refreshing dishes this truck proudly prepares from Mazatlán, Mexico, have convinced me that Mazatlán is the best destination for mariscos in the world. The oyster shooters and ceviches are lavish, but I come for the rare callo de lobina tostada: a striped sea bass expertly cured in salt before it’s cut into thick sashimi slices, bathed in a seasoned lime mixture, and sprinkled with crushed chiltepin. I’m hooked.

I love many tacos, but the ones I always crave are the crispy shrimp tacos dorados topped with smooth tomato-based salsa and avocado slices from Mariscos Jalisco. It’s hard to think of a more perfect bite. As magnificent an experience as they are, I order them as a side to the Poseidon tostada: fresh whole shrimp mixed with octopus and cucumber slices in a spicy red aguachile sauce on top of shrimp ceviche spread on a tostada. I’m craving it right now just thinking about it.

If I find myself in this part of the valley, I head over to this small Argentinian café for some fresh yerba mate. This little shop led by an Argentinian single mom has a unique approach to making mate with fresh fruit flavors like mango, guava, and maracuya (passion fruit). I’ll pair the energizing drink with a pastry from the display case and treat myself to some homemade empanadas sourced from a local older lady. It’s a great place to meet with someone or get some work done.

What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day? Fresh, fruity, vibrantly colorful ice cream from any of Mateo’s four shops, which have been fun places to bring my kids over the years. Get a paleta hiding chunks of fresh fruit, be curious with leche quemada, or surprise yourself with stunning chocolate-coffee ice cream in a waffle cone. You could spend all month trying flavors you would have never imagined. Tip: I always get a sandwich and fresh juice too.

For tender meats and tasty sweets, check out this Argentinian mercado. You’ll find one long counter with a butcher, a pastry chef, and an empanada case. Sit at a dining table and order from the kitchen. If you don’t want to splurge on their entraña, a flavorful steak cooked to perfection (I recommend you do), get a $12 choripán: a grilled, housemade, juicy Argentine sausage, seasoned, flame kissed, and served on a fluffy but crisp bun with lettuce, tomato, and chimichurri sauce.

L.A. is a funny place where classy gems can be found at a Travelodge across from a gas station car wash. The vibe here is casual, and the food is robust and graceful. Every veggie and green feels handpicked that morning, the meats are of the finest quality, and the coffee is made of café dreams. I come here for all of it, but especially the Serbian influence: The Serbian sausages for breakfast or dinner are one of a kind, even if the ribeye is more popular.

The story that started my writing journey was about this hidden gem in the valley. Since then, Mi Ranchito Veracruz has gained press and popularity, giving me a little confidence to keep writing. I still stop by for one of the best cochinita pibils in the county. I’ll swoon over their chile relleno in a homestyle tomato-based sauce. But the featured event is diving into a Veracruz-style tamal drowned in spicy chocolate mole, lying in a steamed banana leaf.

Few meals can feel as gratifying as the kabob plates from this family-run hole-in-the-wall. The meats gush with flavor that only the razor-thin-sliced onions and roasted tomatoes and peppers can tame. The creamy hummus might be the best in the land, served with large blankets of thin lavash to swaddle the kabobs and their juices. All the kabobs are delectable, but a ground beef lule kabob rippling with flavor is always a favorite move. This is Armenian comfort food from a warm and humble family.

With an all-star cast from the kitchen to the bar, this ostentatious Los Feliz restaurant is a guaranteed experience. Savor a beef tongue taco árabe and a roasted kampachi aguachile, and finish with a mezcal flan brûlée. The intrepid menu is matched by an equally sophisticated bar menu. Taste the best of Mexico through its most impeccable regional mezcales, or dabble in the revived art of colonche—fermented cactus fruit drinks.

I walk into this place like a kid seeing Disneyland for the first time—every time. There’s more to see, eat, and try than your brain can process in one visit. It’s like a candy store, if candy were made of sashimi, katsu, or ramen. Maybe I’ll have a rice bowl with unagi, pair it with tempura, and walk out with some sweet dango dumplings or sakura mochi. Or how about some ramen, or better yet, some Japanese curry? It’s one of my favorite places to be indecisive.

I took a drive one day through Altadena, just me and my curious/nosy self, to see how the fire-ravaged neighborhood was doing. I drove by Miya and saw lights, smiles, and life. I stepped in and ate the most incredible Thai food possibly in all of L.A. It showed me the power of great, soulful food that can bring a community back out and bloom life again into a devastated neighborhood.

We just don’t have enough Puerto Rican food in L.A. Thank goodness for this casual North Hollywood spot that specializes in its namesake, the smashed-and-fried plantain dish that you can order stuffed with stews, meats, or veggies. If it’s your first time, just go for the mofongos. Then, move on to arroz con gandules and the daily specials. It’s the closest to Puerto Rico you can get in L.A.

Most good Texas barbecue that I enjoy is either a nomadic pop-up or a road trip away—except for one. I can always count on consistently juicy and perfectly smoked meats from Moo’s, located centrally off the 5 in Lincoln Heights. With a full complement of craft beers on draft to pair with trays of smoked meats and sides prepared with pride, it’s the perfect place to feast. Pro tip: If they have a special burger on the menu, get it.

Cafés and diners are great little windows into neighborhoods in L.A. It’s not uncommon to find some dishes representative of local demographics, like huevos con chorizo in a Mexican neighborhood or loco moco in a Hawaiian one. Here at this café in the San Gabriel Valley, I get to have my cakes with kimchi fried rice. On my last visit, I was recommended the chicken fried steak covered in gravy goodness, and it just proved what an overall great diner experience this is.

Do you love corned-beef hash? Fresh biscuits smothered in thick, creamy gravy? A nonstop flow of coffee from pot to cup? How about this city’s best ham steak? You can find these at the horseshoe counter of this old shack outside Chinatown. Nick’s is a no-thrills-or-shills place where the energy is focused on pumping out American comfort food that’s worth the wait. Pro tip: Use the salsa. The dense texture, bright tomato flavor, and subtle heat will liven up even the heaviest meals.

I went on an NY pizza binge once, and it ruined me. Like a New Yorker having tacos in L.A., it’s never the same back home. So when I have that itch for a slice of NY pie, Ozzy’s New Haven–style pizza scratches it. It starts with a toasty thin crust with a crisp bite and just a sliver of chewy dough. The Liotta pizza—their goodfella—showcases their fluffy housemade red sauce. The Bada Bing pizza may be missing some gabagool, but I’m sure Tony Soprano would approve.

I’m not big on seafood soups, but the jjampong here, full of fresh mussels, squid, and clams, is a blessing. Located in a busy Koreatown plaza, Park’s is the answer to any dull evening when an ambient neighborhood can replenish your social soul. The sweet, slurpy black bean jjajangmyeon noodles are the crowd favorite, so I recommend a bowl of those too. Service is unconventional (you press the buzzer at the table for attention), but the food comes out fast, fresh, and hot.

Fry me some crispy, juicy, well-seasoned chicken, give it to me for breakfast, and serve it at a local diner that frequently cameos in blockbuster movies: This is Los Angeles. This spot is en route to Hollywood from LAX and is a local favorite. The bright-red booths and portraits over the counter give this classic diner that Hollywood vibe, but I come here for the chicken. It’s one of my favorites in all of Los Angeles.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include this taqueria, the site of some of my oldest personal taco history. As a child, it’s where I first saw a trompo. In high school, I worked here after school, under terrible ownership who sold it to a loving and hardworking family. Strong nostalgic ties aside, it’s the salsa and chips, the home-cooked taste of the stews, and an incredible supreme burrito (that Taco Bell wished it was!) that make this my oldest go-to spot.

You don’t need a fork and knife to enjoy many of my suggestions, but you most definitely will for the burger at this classy joint. There are three burgers in L.A. that I consider top-tier. You’ll pay extra for them, but they’re worth every bite. Two are already in this guide; the third is the Big Mec from Petit Trois. It’s a single decker with a thick beef patty cooked to a perfect pink center, American cheese, and special sauce, all drowned in a gorgeous, dark, silky sauce.

Chef Bret Thompson’s new project in Pasadena is an instant favorite of mine. His inventive menus feel like colorful adventures in textures and flavors. Here, his prowess for seafood flows unconstrained, with shareable portions of perfectly seared tuna with oyster mushrooms and avocado labneh, an Alaskan halibut with an incredible Meyer lemon risotto, and even a side of hickory-smoked cauliflower steak with a spicy kumquat glaze and shallot yogurt that was a blissful surprise.

I blame my friend Javier Cabral for two things: turning me into a food writer and introducing me to his favorite pho spot. Pho Filet 2 isn’t trying to impress anyone with decor or service; you’re there for great pho and cheap beer. The beefy broth, with tender filet mignon of the highest quality, is superb. However, the option to request fresh rice noodles makes it exceptional. Pair it with a great bánh xèo and cheap beer, and you’re in pho heaven.

I’m a sucker for good burgers and old cafés, so Pie ’n Burger is my double indulgence. The burger—made with fresh ground beef, American cheese, and folded iceberg lettuce—is iconic. Soda syrup is still pumped into cups and hand blended with carbonated water to make Coke or root beer the old-fashioned way. Fluffy hotcakes and fresh pies are prepared daily, and they brew coffee that truck drivers would approve of. It’s an old-school eating experience with cabin-like charm.

Nothing makes me a regular quicker than the taste of home cooking, which is why you’ll find me so often at this pozoleria. I usually dabble in the chile relleno, the albondiga soup, or the hominy soup with chicken or pork (Doña Ana’s specialty), which is perfect for colder weather. No matter what delicious dish I order, I can never resist the temptation to add the crispy tacos dorados with picadillo, covered in a saucy tomato broth.

This restaurant at the far end of Pasadena in the San Gabriel Valley offers the complete Thai experience. From its Thai-style architecture to the decor inside its spacious dining room, everything down to the menu is meant to feel like you’re having a presidential meal in Thailand. For a flavorful show, order the tom yum soup with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms in a chili-based coconut broth, served in a dramatic flame-shooting bowl. The panang creamy red curry is also just as spectacular.

The Redondo Beach Pier is a true local destination with something for everyone. It’s a great place to spend a hot day with family or friends. Bar hop past the boats to Quality Seafood, where you can pick fresh crabs, uni, and oysters from the water tanks or order hot items like fried shrimp or fish tacos. If the line is too long, plenty of eateries are at the pier, all with fish and chips and clam chowders, but look for the crawfish platters.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Old Town Pasadena. Sometimes I do it just to pop into one of the oldest ramen houses in L.A. The mini-ritual of receiving your bowl, rubbing your chopsticks, and pulling noodles through the steam the broth releases is one of those unique zen moments that lasts minutes but relieves a week’s worth of stress. The broth leaves little to be desired, yet I can't help myself from adding an extra ramen egg, extra noodles, and extra pork belly.

There are only so many places in L.A. that make elite barbecue, and one is this shop in Huntington Park. Every time I go, I’m greeted by expertly smoked meats dripping with juicy flavor—prime smoked brisket, Memphis-style ribs with perfect smoke rings—and one of the best barbecue sauces I’ve tasted. I usually keep it light with a pair of generously filled sandwiches: one pulled pork, one brisket. On Saturdays, be ready to enjoy the only brisket pupusas you’ll ever find.

I’ve always said that the secret to a great burrito is great beans, and that’s what brings me back to this neighborhood gem: Here, the beans are refried in the same lard used to cook the carnitas. My go-to order is to mix al pastor and asada and add the extra avocado and cheese on offer. I might sometimes get a taco, but it’s the burritos and the long counter—with six to eight different fresh aguas frescas—that do it for me, especially after a night out at venues in Inglewood.

As a person fond of trying new things, I head to places that aren’t afraid to push the limits. Like Rose City Pizza, a shop that goes beyond the pineapple-on-pizza debate. How about pineapple with al pastor? Birria? Spam and musubi? Yes to all, including a Taiwanese pizza with five-spice popcorn chicken, chili oil, and fried Thai basil. But it’s more than experimentation; whatever the special is, they’ve invested dozens of trial-and-error runs to produce pie perfection.

Inside this corner café on the west side, a mother and son are focused on nixtamalizing and grinding their own blue corn from scratch for their freshly made tortillas. The earthy blue corn tortillas are delicacies and are offered in a variety of forms. I especially enjoy their Mexico City–style quesadillas, which are machete-sized and filled with fresh Oaxacan cheese and your choice of squash blossoms or a meat. It’s a blue corn oasis in L.A.

There’s a place for every occasion in L.A., and then there are places that can serve most any occasion, like this Valley Mexican restaurant that’s a staple in the area. The only thing that matters here is filling your belly with micheladas, margaritas, and generous portions of heavy Mexican food. The decor screams rancho, and the air is noisy with conversations. It’s the type of Mexican restaurant Hollywood idolizes in their movies, except with real Mexican flavors.

I’m here because it’s the weekend, and I want to eat like I just arrived as a guest at someone’s castle and they’re throwing a feast for my friends and me. Imagine a tray full of seasoned shrimp, sausages, fried red snapper, and some garlic bread—you must get the garlic bread. Or be like me, and also get tortillas so that you can make endless amounts of tacos from the seafood cornucopia in front of you.

I love that two of L.A.’s most celebrated pop-ups teamed up for their first brick-and-mortar, but what I really love is their combined Indian-Mexican menu. I usually order a spread of pibil-pulled rotisserie, jeera rotisserie, and goat birria tacos so that I can enjoy them with their unique sauces, like a tamarind ambli molasses, raita yogurt, and a superb salsa macha. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the smoked wings flavored with their sauces—take these home for the game.

A Filipino client and respected surgeon always brought me the most delicious Filipino empanadas. They were fluffy, soft, and sweet, with generous meaty fillings. After years of my asking, he finally took me to this chain supermarket. Seeing how surprised I was, he told me, if you want good Filipino food, look near the hospitals. I think about that whenever I come back to enjoy the incredible selection of ready Filipino food here; he was right—at least, about this place.

This tropical Panamanian restaurant, half a block from the ocean, is my kanpachi paradise. Look, it’s a perfect place for a date, but I’ll shamelessly sit at the bar alone, order a fine tequila, the sweetest coconut shrimp dumplings, a kanpachi ceviche, and their specialty: a banana leaf–wrapped kanpachi coated with a brisk, herbaceous spread. You’re not just eating steamed fish. It’s so meaty and juicy, it’s like eating a perfectly cooked steak from the sea.

I’ve been diving into Indonesian food through the vibrant flavors and expressive dishes at this Palms gem. My son’s go-to is the towering cone of festival coconut rice served with chicken sate in peanut sauce, a beef skewer, and fried noodles. I’ve been stuck on the nasi bungkus, a banana wrap of egg and beef rendang, but next time, I’ll try to break that spell with an oxtail soup paired with martabak telor: sandwich bites stuffed with ground beef, eggs, and shallots.

Give me a michelada from I Love Micheladas, made with one of L.A.’s finest craft beers, surround me with the most talented food pop-ups this city produces, and I’m in gluttony heaven. I think it’s safe to say that micheladas have become the unofficial drink of L.A., perfect for a hot day or a hangover as you walk around eating everything from award-winning tacos to fan-favorite lobster rolls. This is one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday.

When you think of a typical Mexican restaurant, you envision sombreros, murals, and margaritas. But Sol 626 is anything but typical. It specializes in southern Mexican cuisine with ornate dishes from areas like Puebla, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. From juicy cochinita pibil served on black bean–filled panucho to velvety moles like the pipian made from toasted pumpkin seeds, everything is prepared with intention and care. The pulpo jarocho (marinated octopus) is my favorite.

I always get asked, “What’s the best taco in L.A.?” It’s impossible to answer, but I like to tell folks new to the taco scene to start at Sonoratown. The handmade flour tortillas have literally changed the taco scene in this city, along with their flame-grilled meats and vibrant red salsa. I always get a bunch of chivichangas: delicious stewed chicken or beef tightly rolled in a fresh flour tortilla and toasted on the grill. They’re great to go for later or for parties.

When I need to relax and get some work done with a robust but gentle cup of coffee, I head to this community café. It’s a welcoming space to meet up with friends or recharge with some great quick bites. I pair my coffee with an incredibly cushiony bagel topped with a generous spread of avocado, a perfect over-medium egg, salt, and pepper. But the real treat is the dense coffee cake, which could make any LAUSD alum relive a moment of their childhood.

This area of Pico Boulevard in Mid-City has always fascinated me with its unique Creole comforts from the Caribbean to the Cajun south. This café is an L.A. institution, winning people over, including me, with a palate-pounding gumbo soup. The plump shrimp and crab legs sit on chicken and sausage in the thick seafood stock, which is seasoned to a demon-repelling level, making sure your soul feels cleansed, if not awakened, after a hearty bowl with toasted French bread.

I don’t think any sushi bar feels more L.A. than this Little Tokyo gem: It’s busy, loud, and delicious. Sitting at the bar is especially fun as you watch masters of their craft fling mouthwatering sushi onto little rice lumps placed directly in front of you. The vibe is as vibrant as the delicate sashimi. It’s one of the best sushi bar experiences in this city, and I’m convinced the quality is among the highest in L.A.

The community of Montrose can feel like a quick getaway packed with little gems, like Sushi Monster. This small kitchen makes incredible fresh-cut sashimi, a catalog of creative hand rolls, and daily specials like smooth, rich bluefin with shishitos. The skill and mastery of the itamae come through with each perfectly crafted item you order. A walk down Honolulu Avenue’s boutiques, bookstores, and bars makes this a perfect destination for a family night out or a cute date.

If there’s a taco I find particularly addictive, it’s the fluffy tacos al vapor from Tacos Estilo Guadalajara. These are consistently some of L.A.’s most underrated and underappreciated tacos. The textural variety of the protein—made with all the meats from the cow’s head—is the only complex part of this simple taco, served on sand-dollar-like tortillas softened with steam and finished with habanero salsa. You should have no problem putting down at least a dozen of these.

This taco truck on the Paramount and Long Beach border is making itself known with its mesquite-grilled asada tacos splattered with a signature Sinaloan brothy tomato sauce. (La Carreta recently took home Best in Show at L.A. Taco’s Taco Madness.) A piece of fatty meat is used to brush asiento (toasted buttery lard) on the tortillas, adding to their robust flavor. Try the Torito taco: a large flour tortilla cradling a roasted Anaheim chile with melted cheese, grilled asada, and fixings.

We’re going through a small Sonoran taco renaissance around Los Angeles, and this taquería in Bellflower is among the recent notable additions. The flour tortillas, charred bits of beef, creamy guacamole, and that bright Sonoran salsa roja are easy to become a fan of. The caramelo with added Anaheim chile, beans, and cheese is a filling meal, but I always leave room for a Sonoran Doggo, served with fixings on unique fluffy bread.

When I can’t decide between prime steak or tacos, Tacos Los Cholos is the answer. They offer regular, premium, and prime meats as well as tripas and chorizo, all grilled over a mesquite fire. The shaved beef ribs, lime-cured buttery ribeye, and lean filet mignon are a carnivorous dream on a tortilla and what won them L.A. Taco’s Taco Madness 2023, defeating champions Villas Tacos. Originally from the O.C., they’re slowly finding their place as one of L.A.’s favorite tacos.

For those of you who follow my daily reporting, you’ve seen the toll this year has taken on our resilient city. I leave the studio late every night, hungry and tired. Almost nightly, I have the al pastor at Tacos Tamix. If it’s in a taco, I like to top it with the pickled habanero onions and avocado salsa. It reminds me that no matter what, tacos are always here for us in L.A.

Six a.m. in L.A. is for the contractors, doughnut shops, old-school dive bars, and Tacos Villa Corona. Anytime my landscaping work brought me within the vicinity of this literal hole-in-the-wall was a good day for me. Not only was their chilaquiles burrito one of the first I could find in this city, but it also was one you could add nopales to, the cactus delicacy we from Zacatecas call a poor man’s steak. For me, this was and is the only breakfast burrito that matters.

This hidden coffee shop behind Crenshaw Square is a time capsule. The loco moco, the bacon fried rice, and the wall of Maneki-nekos behind the counter point to an era when this strip of Crenshaw was heavily Japanese. Now the menu includes American classics like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits too. Tak’s is a piece of forgotten L.A. history, and the best way to get a taste of it is the sweet BBQ noodle soup. It’s a must.

This place is pretty new, but after only one bite of their al pastor taco topped with salsa and unique cilantro cream, I’m already a regular. I’ve eaten over 1,000 tacos in L.A., many incredible, but this one stood out right away. Taqueria Frontera is a direct descendant of one of Tijuana’s most formidable taquerias. You don’t need to cross the border anymore; just come to Cypress Park.

Whenever I drive down the 10 freeway, I fight the urge to exit on Crenshaw and visit this West Adams gem. It’s Mexican food made by true craftspeople of the cuisine. There’s a balance of flavor to every dish, a soft touch to the handmade tortillas, and a quality cut of meat with every bite. It’s one of the few places I come to for cochinita pibil, meaty marinated barbacoa, or a small rack of ribs in salsa verde. This little gem is one of the best Mexican restaurants in L.A.

Every Friday for the past 27 years, Ted Delgado has served thick, crispy, golden, beer-battered, meaty fish-and-chips at the request of his loyal customers at this old-timey café on the west side. The sound of crunchy bites exposing the pillowy cod from its protective shell can be heard through the clamor of dishes as the waitstaff hustles back and forth from the kitchen to the tables. Order extra lemon and tartar sauce; there’s never enough for these large, jagged ore–like pieces of fish.

This restaurant inside one of the California coast’s oldest hotels has one of the best views over the Santa Monica State Beach, boardwalk, and pier. I encourage you to bring a special someone, get a table by the windows, and order from their exquisite menu of dishes. The pastas are succulent, the octopus is incredible, and, paired with a sunset, it’s a full Great Gatsby experience.

You can find New York, Chicago, and Detroit styles of pizza everywhere, but Thai Curry is uniquely Los Angeles. It’s served from a hole-in-the-wall family-run business in Long Beach that has become a local legend, with its sweet, smooth Thai curry pizza and the livelier, more intense tom yum pizza made with lemongrass, ginger, and shrimp paste. These flavors on crisp pizza dough are a remarkable experience that others might scoff at until they try it. Pro tip: Get an extra side of curry.

This hefty bowl of thick noodles, housemade chashu pork, fresh garlic, and umami flavors brought me new friends this year. Despite Los Angeles dealing with fire and ICE, it was a good reminder that this city, for all its struggles, will always have great food to help you make new friends. All it takes is asking: “Want to try the best ramen in the city? Meet me at Tsujita.”

No place is more timeless for my grown children than Apple Pan. Visiting this old converted house on Pico Boulevard—with its white horseshoe counter serving burgers, pies, and coffee—is a family tradition. The thick and crispy fries, that hickory sauce, the good meat, and the decision of finishing off with a pie or another burger is an experience worth reliving time and time again. Apple Pan will always be my and my kids’ favorite burger joint.

Dinners with family are usually at one of our homes, but when we want to meet up for a birthday or other event, this beloved corner a few blocks from LAX has become our favorite spot. What started as a coffee counter has taken over three storefronts next door to keep up with the neighborhood’s demand for lively breakfast-and-lunch dine-in service. Say yes to the soothing coffee, bubbly mimosas, fresh eggs, shrimp and grits, and warm, crisp, fluffy biscuits—with some gravy.

This little pizza joint has been my favorite since my sister introduced me to it more than 20 years ago. For 50-plus years, this local spot has made New York–style pizza that rivals that on the East Coast—I’m baffled that more foodies haven’t recognized Coop. But what makes the difference is the humbleness with which Christina (who runs the place with her husband, Mike) treats every customer, or “sweethearts” as she addresses everyone. They’re such sweetie pies.

Walk through the doors of this “little jewel” in Chinatown and you’ll find yourself in New Orleans. The busy and colorful decor and polka-dotted menu are as exuberant as the more than 25 different po’boys. Last time, I had the Soft Shell Crab Siciliana, which I still think about. Whichever one you choose, the star of the show here is the Leidenheimer bread from New Orleans. Its cotton-like plushness and toasted shell make for an incredible first bite.

One thing outsiders don’t expect from L.A. is our diverse diner scene, and none is more exemplary than this bustling eatery in Inglewood. It hits all the marks of a fantastic café: endless coffee, great staff, and neighborhood vibes. But the soul-food focus here makes it sensational. Don’t disappoint me by ordering eggs and pancakes; dig into the menu. I’m a sucker for the crispy fried catfish, the thin waffle with cinnamon, and the best grits in L.A.

My dad’s stressful work life was fueled by fast food until early cholesterol problems forced him to change. This Mexican grill saved him while also introducing me to eating out. We would make the drive here for guilt-free dishes that don’t sacrifice flavor. I still go back, not just out of nostalgia, but because sometimes you just need proper Mexican food with a healthy approach that won’t empty your wallet. Plus, the fruit with crema they give you at the end is a nice treat.

There are sandwiches, and then there are sandwiches with self-respect. Uptown Provisions’ artisanal-level sliced loaves take a spare-no-crumbs approach to sandwich building and ingredient sourcing. In other words, this isn’t your average ham and cheese on wheat. Instead, it’s beautifully rendered fatty pastrami sourced from the same purveyor as Langer’s. Or it’s a Japanese egg sandwich so hefty, I’m sure it caused the recent U.S. egg shortage.

Uruapan Taco is an Easter egg. The windowless walls covered in graffiti hide a Compton gem inside. A team of moms and tías serve saucy guisados behind a glass window that’s fogged up by the collective steam of flavors. The carnitas and chile relleno burritos are the most common, but their huevos en salsa roja, chicharron, machaca, and the rest are all fantastic! The tacos are great, but honestly, you’re here for burritos.

You can’t be from L.A. and not love pupusas, the Salvadoran cheesy, stuffed balls of masa flattened with palm slaps and grilled to a glistening finish. I go to Vchos, which shares an outdoor location at BLVD MRKT with other great food stalls. Their technique doesn’t rely on over-buttering the masa but pulls flavor from the fillings instead. Eat with your hands, ripping the hot, cheesy pupusa and using it like a tortilla to grab the bright, crunchy slaw.

No place is closer to my heart than Venice Bakery. Since 2009, I’ve enjoyed fresh pan dulce and a sugarless café de olla almost every morning. Everyone comes for the crispy chilaquiles served with black beans and fried plantain, a remnant of the bakery’s Cuban past. I’ve argued they’re the best chilaquiles on the west side. For Día de los Muertos, I go to them for a traditional pan de muerto. Pro tip: Ask for the specials; sometimes they have homey pozole verde.

With all its quirky characters and street vendors, Venice Beach is where I go for therapy. Walking with the ocean at your toes, catching a basketball game, or watching acrobatic skateboarders, it’s the perfect place to disconnect. I like to pop into this old beachfront dive bar, drink a beer, and enjoy bites on the boardwalk, especially, surprisingly, their takes on tacos, as street performers rip through Jimmy Hendrix classics or live bands play inside.

There are street tacos on every corner, from every region of Mexico. But you’ll never find a taco like Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park. Villa’s declares it “L.A.’s first L.A.-style taco”: grilled cheese, black bean smear, meats perfected on a Santa Maria grill, chunky guacamole, cotija cheese, and grandma’s salsas, all on a handmade blue corn tortilla. It’s why I nicknamed it the seven-layer taco of your dreams and why it’s L.A. Taco’s back-to-back Taco Madness Champion for the last two years.

At first my interest here was only in the 30 taps of brew from all over California. But one order of freshly fried pickles, and I can’t get my head out of their kitchen. The pizza is among the best in this area, and the long list of perfect bites could keep you pleasantly busy. While I’ve enjoyed practically the entire menu, the Nashville hot chicken sandwich is what I keep going back to. The thick, crunchy fried shell hugging the juicy chicken is outstanding.

It’s a good sign that this old Chinatown gem is so busy fulfilling orders for its dim sum that the general upkeep of the dining rooms has suffered a bit. But the move here is the walk-up window, where a line forms to order from a vast assortment of dumplings for less than a dollar each. Order the fluffy steamed barbecue pork buns. Choose from pork, chicken, and shrimp dumplings. Grab a chicken curry pastry and an egg custard. On busy nights, you might have to settle for whatever is left.

L.A. is the kind of magical metropolis where you can find chorizo kebabs and falafel tacos from two Oaxacan brothers. Felipe and Ignacio Santiago serve Lebanese staples with Oaxacan flavors out of a daytime walk-up window in Boyle Heights. Try the kabobs with a side of black bean hummus, or go straight for a chicken or beef shawarma taco. It’s not the first time Lebanese food has changed Mexican cuisine (see: al pastor), but whenever these two cultures meet, wholesome new food awaits us.

Every time I passed this place, I wondered what was inside. Now I know: The dark windows and old exterior hide one of the best Chinese restaurants in L.A. Inside, you’ll find white linen tablecloths topped with piled-high plates of shrimp fried rice, noodles, and so much more. The star here is the Slippery Shrimp: golden, sweet, spicy, crispy, saucy, and delectable. It’s like orange chicken, only exceptionally better.

One of L.A.’s greatest offerings is its plentiful Korean BBQ options, and when my daughter craves it, we’ve found this South Bay spot to be one of the most consistent. The beautifully marbled, thin-sliced prime brisket, the unctuous bulgogi, and the boneless short rib are top-notch, and the perfectly prepared sides round out the experience. But there’s more: The kimchi soup is deliciously wholesome, and the marinated pork ribs will make you want to lick your chopsticks.

Anyone can make a sandwich, but the best ones always seem to be hidden. Case in point: this gem in Gardena. Breads like fluffy marble rye, dark and dense squaw bread, or sweet French bread form the base for original sandwich creations like the Blazin Cajun’, which does a flavor waltz between its honey mustard and spiced turkey. Even a classic Italian gets a unique spicy treatment in the Pops Italian. Sandwich connoisseurs, add this to your list.