While many restaurants feature American comfort food, I notice when someone decides to bend the rules. In 2012, Eric Ong opened Humble Potato on Lincoln Blvd in Westchester. I’ve dined at two restaurants, which followed Most Valuable Playa and Mee and Greet. Thanks to my friend’s suggestion, I finally visited Humble Potato in Culver City.
Ong’s philosophy for Humble Potato was depicted on the wall of his original location “Simple food. Happy people. Humble lasts, hunger shouldn’t. Where there’s good will, there’s good eats. Eat well. Feel good. Live humbly”. A well-thought-out vision statement allows the entire team to focus on delivery.
The restaurant space is narrow, with several tables and seats overlooking the kitchen and the bar. The interior reflects Ong’s time in Japan with Japanese woodblock prints. This immediately sets the tone for the Japanese-themed menu. Even the restroom walls are adorned with Japanese pop-culture art.
While the rear patio is mainly constructed with cement, the stained wood tables, wood partitions, and plants offset the industrial look and create a pleasant environment. The building and walls effectively shield noise from the busy street, which is ideal for conversation.
The menu features American classics such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches with unique Asian touches. Hambaga (hamburger) is available in various ways with angus beef, kurobuta pork belly, and ground chicken. The Asian touches include enhancements such as Japanese curry, spam, yuku-jalapeno slaw, wonton crisps, and togarashi pepper. Hambaga choices range from $15 – 20.
If you arrive hangry, consider the Kare Loco Moco ($22) with two angus patties, yuzu slaw and a fried egg. They amp the flavor using Japanese curry over Hawaiian brown gravy. Other Hawaiian dishes include the Battle Royale hambaga with caramelized onion, garlic jam, smoked bacon, fried egg, and spicy sauce, and the Da Kine Plate with rice, topped with chicken, spam, eggs, and bacon.
The Shichimi garlic parmesan fries is an excellent starter. The fries are extremely crispy because they are twice-fried. Thinly sliced shaved parmesan is melted and seasoned with garlic and togarashi pepper. The crisp German hefeweizen paired nicely with the fries, making an excellent choice for an enjoyable after-work pick-me-up.
In addition to typical sodas, the beverage features calpico, Vietnamese iced coffee, tap (Japanese and local craft), and wines by the glass. From Monday – Friday, 5-7 p.m., Happy Hour specials include $2 off on beer and wine and discounts on small bites and selected burger combinations with beer.
I selected the Katsu Doggu ($14), which may be a Humble Potato original. Like a Korean hot dog, it is coated with panko and deep-fried. It is layered with curry, yuzu slaw, and fried egg. Think of it as a Japanese tempura curry dog.
If you are dining with someone who is risk-averse, conventional choices include the Hambaga, Jack’D (hambaga+bacon+slaw), Yardbird (chicken sandwich+avocado+tomato), and a variety of fries such as the Spudtacular (cheddar melted fries).
Humble Potato delivers reinvented American comfort cuisine that is simple, filling, and unpretentious. The Asian influences excite the taste buds, achieving its goal of having happy and satisfied customers. I believe Humble Potato achieves its vision.
Humble Potato, 12608 Washington Blvd, LA; 90066; humblepotato.com