In May 2021, the LA County Department of Public Health announced that indoor dining may be open at a maximum of 50% occupancy. This is good news for the restaurant industry and as I drive around town I’ve observed “now hiring” signs on windows. Memorial Day is Monday, May 31 and it’s an excellent opportunity…
Uncle Darrows Delivers True Cajun Experience
Uncle Darrow’s was around long before the latest group of po-boy shops entered the LA market. Prior to their current location in Carson, they originally opened in Mid-City in 1994 and moved to Marina del Rey in 2001. Their planned expansion to Carson quickened after the Marina Del Rey landlord suddenly raised the rent to…
Anzu Gourmet Scores with Japanese Fusion in Sawtelle Japantown
A ¾-mile stretch of Sawtelle Ave in West LA has an amazing collection of Japanese eateries. Named Sawtelle Japantown, you can find restaurants specializing in sushi, ramen, tsukemen, udon, Japanese curry, yakitori, and bento. One of the more recent restaurants to open is Anzu Gourmet, a place specializing in karaage fried chicken. Karaage is a…
Katsu Sando Features Japanese Katsu Sandwiches To-Go
Three years ago, one of the most popular sandwiches to appear on Instagram was the katsu sando from Echo Park’s Konbi. In fact, Bon Appetit featured the recipe for their pork katsu sando. While I haven’t frequented Konbi, I recently visited Katsu Sando, a restaurant located in downtown LA’s Chinatown. If you aren’t familiar with…
Torta Movil Delivers True Mexico City-Style Tortas
A good sandwich begins with the bread. It should not overpower the sandwich and yet be sturdy enough to hold the contents without falling apart in your hands. That said, I happen to have a liking for Mexican tortas. One vendor that does it extremely well is Torta Movil, a business that runs out of…
Smhokin Pot Brings Cajun Cuisine with a Southern Twist
I used to chase food trucks across the city. The craze has mostly worn off and the ones remaining are producing solid cuisine without gimmicks. Many of them aspire to earn enough capital to open a brick-and-mortar. The latest one to do it is Chef C’s Smhokin Pot. Chef Calvin Alexander hails from Shreveport LA….
Birdie’s for Fresh Artisan Coffee, Donuts, and Chicken
Fried chicken is trending in LA and many Angelenos are now willing to pay for better quality fried chicken. What makes for good fried chicken? The exterior should be crunchy and not be glistening with oil. The coating should completely cover the chicken. Finally, the inside should be moist and tender. Since my wife and…
Nomad Eatery Brings Bold Flavors to the South Bay
Owner and chef Scott Cooper is a veteran in the South Bay. Back in 2007, he and his wife Sharon opened Jackson’s Village Bistro in Hermosa Beach which quickly gained popularity. Most recently, he owned and operated Jackson’s Food and Drink. Cooper comes roaring back from the pandemic with his latest concept, Nomad Eatery. Cooper…
La Princesita Tortilleria Continues its Focus on Taste and Quality
When you bite into a taco, you will first notice the aroma and taste of the tortilla. Until recently, I only had Mission and Guerrero tortillas because those brands are readily available in LA grocery stores. Thanks to taquero Wes Avila, I learned about La Princesita Tortilleria and discovered how a tortilla can transform a…
The Standing Room Opens in Torrance
Often it is best to test the new business concept by partnering with an existing business. Lowell Bakke did just that when he converted the back-end of his family liquor store into a burger restaurant. He named it The Standing Room probably because it lacked chairs and it was exclusively a take-out establishment. Chef Thomas…