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Eater
11 hours ago
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- Eater
25 Outstanding Los Angeles Restaurants to Eat at for Under $25 This Summer
This embedded content failed to load. Dining out in Los Angeles has become increasingly expensive as inflation soars and restaurant operating costs continue to rise with it. But there are still plenty of spots across the Southland to score an excellent meal that won't break the bank. Fortunately, LA's dining scene is home to an unrivaled diversity of cuisines, vibes, and price points. Eater LA editors scoured the city to find 25 noteworthy spots where it's easy to fill up for less than $25 per person, from jambalaya in the Valley, to mapo tofu deep in Torrance, and spicy Thai cooking in Hollywood. For even more affordable restaurants in Los Angeles, head to this map; for under-the-radar openings in Los Angeles, visit this monthly column. Mixtape — Thousand Oaks Saturdae from Mixtape. Mixtape It's a wonderful thing when something delicious also happens to not include a crucial or typical ingredient, like the fried chicken sandwiches at Mixtape, a menu section of the popular Neighborly food hall-in-one in Westlake Village. Artist/musician Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson himself popped in shortly after the opening without any fanfare to check up on his restaurant, which serves fully gluten-free tenders, sandwiches, and dairy-free Saturdaes (not sundaes, get it?) made with coconut milk soft serve. Fried chicken sandwiches are crispy and juicy, hemmed in by plush rice-flour-based buns sourced from an unnamed but well-known gluten-free bakery in LA. The chicken burgers are a little bit less interesting, lacking the profundity that beef brings, but they work for those eschewing red meat. The Saturdaes are probably the best thing on the Mixtape menu, unbelievably rich and smooth, built with fruit, chocolate, or salty caramel and topped with dusty toffee-covered peanuts. I'd order one daily if I lived closer and could handle the caloric assault. 4000 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village, CA 91362. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Fried chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, salted caramel Saturdae Les Sisters — Winnetka Les Sisters has been bringing a bit of New Orleans to the San Fernando Valley since its opening in 1986. Settle into the simple dining room with what may be one of the best po' boys west of the Mississippi, filled with a choice of shrimp, catfish, oysters, and more. Other house specialties include jambalaya, fried chicken, and a smothered pork chop with rice and gravy. Make a point to go on a Sunday for freshly-fried, puffy, hot beignets. 20450 Nordhoff Street, Winnetka, CA 91311. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Po' boy, jambalaya, gumbo, beignets Dama Grill — Palms Dama Gril. Matthew Kang Redditors have posted their lineup of favorite shawarma spots in Los Angeles so I had to check out the top pick, Dama Grill, located in Palms just east of Culver City. EDM blares on speakers while large screens display the Syrian-influenced menu inside; the patio is a nicer place to enjoy the meal, though cars zoom by on Venice Boulevard. It's pretty bare-bones otherwise, but the star is the thinly-shaved seasoned beef tucked into thin flatbread scorched vertically on the shawarma hotplate with criss-cross marks. Mayo-like garlic sauce and spicy sauce are the only other interior components, leading to a fairly thin box-pressed tube that's either kept whole or sliced into finger-food sized pieces. The meat is aggressively seasoned and not quite dripping with fat or juices, but very tasty (I might give the slight edge to the lamb-beef blend served at Gardena's Borjstar). Dama Grill is a little easier to get to than Gardena, and the chicken shawarma is near equal to the likes of Sincerely Syria, also a worthy destination for thin-shaved meats. The fries are also very good, certainly the frozen variety but crispy, golden brown, and well-salted. Dama Grill does, however, have an X-factor with service, as first-time patrons are graced with sample-sized bites of the shawarma wrap of their choice. 10821 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90034. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Chicken and beef shawarma, french fries Cafe Brasil — Culver City Culver City Brazilian restaurant Cafe Brasil runs weekday lunch platter specials from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for only $15. The generously portioned platters come with a choice of sirloin steak, well-seasoned fish, a pork chop, grilled chicken, or vegetables, with black beans, rice, salsa, and plantains on the side. The plates are so well-priced that one can add a Brazilian pastel with ground beef and cheese, or the empanada pie stuffed with chicken or hearts of palm. It's not uncommon to see groups watching a futbol game while dining in one of the neighborhood's oldest spots for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 11736 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90066. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dish: Pork chop platter, linguica sandwich The Jerk Spot — Culver City Though Culver City's casual Jamaican restaurant, the Jerk Spot, leans into jerk seasoning on various proteins like salmon, shrimp, and pork, the chicken is the specialty. Every menu item (except the oxtails) is under $25, and the 10-piece jerk wings meal comes with rice and beans, steamed vegetables, and plantains. Always ask for extra servings of hot sauce, which will fire up the nostrils with its spicy Scotch bonnet peppers. The Jerk Spot's compact menu is ideal for anyone craving a cold sorrel drink or food that's packed with flavor, whether sitting down for a full meal or just passing through Culver City. For the unaware, leftover jerk anything gloriously packs extra heat the following day. 9006 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dish: Jerk chicken platter, brown stew chicken Tacos Por Favor — Santa Monica Tacos Por Favor, which has a handful of locations across Santa Monica and Venice, is a longtime local favorite for tacos, burritos, and combination plates. The asada is consistently tender and well-seasoned, and the staff never skimps out on burrito fillings. In the morning, breakfast burritos come stuffed to the brim with eggs, bacon, potatoes, cheese, and salsa, or huevos rancheros with rice and refried beans. The chile relleno burrito, stuffed with cheese and chile, is a standout on the expansive menu. 1408 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Breakfast burrito, chile relleno burrito Luv2eat Thai Express — Hollywood Luv2eat Thai Express. Matthew Kang Luv2eat Thai Express, the new outpost of Luv2eat Thai just a few doors down from its Hollywood strip mall restaurant, could be the aggressively seasoned, highly spicy Thai take on Panda Express. The bright, spacious dining room offers a bit more in the way of creature comforts compared to the similarly delicious Northern Thai Food Club, like substantial rows of tables and chairs that can withstand an hour-long meal. Luv2eat Express dishes have a nice balance between familiar (chicken panang and green curry, pad kra pow) and the more obscure (sour fish stew, tamarind eggs). I really like how the food is served on pressed metal plates, like a cafeteria or quick lunch in a Bangkok back alley. Expect everything to have a relatively high level of spiciness from the start, which means those more accustomed to the sweeter, milder Thai flavors will likely find Luv2eat Express too intense. But this is Los Angeles, and everyone here graduates to a master's level of Thai food knowledge in a short time. 6666 W. Sunset Boulevard, Unit L, Los Angeles, CA 90028. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Chicken green curry and tamarind eggs Heng Heng Chicken Rice — Thai Town Heng Heng Chicken Rice. Heng Heng Chicken Rice Heng Heng Chicken Rice is churning out some of LA's best Thai-style Hainan chicken at the front of the Dixie Hollywood Hotel. The steamed chicken sets, priced at under $20, come with a generous portion of dark or white meat and a choice of garlic rice or noodles on the side. The Hainan chicken is a must-order for first-timers, but upon return visits, expand to the crispy fried chicken, pork belly, or Thai chicken noodle soup. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Hainan chicken, crispy chicken K Pasa — Koreatown Koreatown is a haven for late-night diners looking for a bubbling pot of budae jjigae or skewered pork belly after a few drinks and karaoke at the Brass Monkey, or fried chicken after one too many martinis at the Normandie Club. K Pasa, a newer Koreatown taqueria, brings a new option into the mix, open from 11 a.m. to midnight every day. The tacos are solid, but it's the specials that stand out, like birria-filled taquitos with consomme and crispy vampiros topped with diced onions and cilantro. Make sure to try the Krunchy Wrap — K Pasa's take on the Crunchwrap Supreme — filled with a choice of meats like spicy pork belly, carne asada, or birria. 3958 W. Sixth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Taquitos with birria, Krunchy Wrap Yama Sushi Marketplace — Koreatown Now with three locations across Los Angeles in Koreatown, West LA, and the San Gabriel Valley, Yama Sushi Marketplace has solidified itself as the best place to get restaurant-quality sushi at an approachable price. Each location offers a cooler full of pre-cut rolls like salmon and toro, alongside pickled garlic and assorted nigiri, so it's easy to assemble a little at-home omakase without dropping a significant amount of rent. Spam musubi and crispy karaage are stacked in an adjacent hot rack, which is constantly refreshed with new batches from the kitchen. Staff behind the counter can help with larger cuts of fish meant for sashimi, or party trays that would be welcome at any event. Make sure to explore the rest of the shop, beyond just the sushi, which has imported Japanese snacks, hard-to-find ingredients, and fun tchotchkes that would make ideal housewarming gifts. A meal here won't break the bank either; there are plenty of rolls that come in for less than $10 each, and even vegan options for those who don't eat fish. 3178 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90006. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Toro roll, Spam musubi, karaage Combo A — Echo Park One of LA's best Chinese takeout spots, Combo A, is tucked into an Echo Park strip mall, at the heart of the rapidly changing neighborhood. Originally called Chinatown Express, the family-owned restaurant changed its name to Combo A in 2017, and redid the dated interior while retaining the recipes that have been bringing locals back since the early 2000s. The restaurant still serves its classic combo plates, stacked with crispy orange chicken, chow fun, beef and broccoli, and more. The Combo A, with two entrees and one base, comes in at under $16 and is usually filled with so much food, the lid struggles to stay shut. 1411 Echo Park Avenue #101, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dish: Combo A with orange chicken and chow fun Happies Hand Made — Arts District Smoked double-fried chicken wings from Happies Hand Made. Matthew Kang Joshua Skenes' Happies Hand Made has caught the social media crowd, with influencers declaring the chef's fried chicken some of the best in Los Angeles. Happies was quietly supposed to open with crispy-patty cheeseburgers, but Skenes shifted last minute to spicy fried chicken tenders, which are unnaturally large and unreasonably delicious. Coated with a blend of dried chiles and sporting ultra-crisp breading, the tenders are the main draw. Depending on the day, one can also find double-fried cherrywood-smoked chicken wings on the menu, served over golden-brown waffles. The wings are juicy and sweet with smoke flavor, cracker-like on the outside, and incredibly satisfying to eat. Maybe those burgers will show up someday, but Skenes really understands comfort food. 427 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Waffles, chicken tenders, chicken wings Komal — South LA Komal. Wonho Frank Lee Set in South LA's Mercado La Paloma, Komal serves a menu highlighting indigenous corn and pre-Hispanic dishes from Mexico City and Oaxaca. The restaurant comes from partners in business and in life, chef Fátima Juárez and Conrado Rivera, who both previously worked at Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Holbox. At Komal, Juárez draws on her upbringing in Mexico City, serving dishes like molotes de platano (fried plantain balls) in a rich Oaxacan-style mole and oval-shaped tlacoyos with ayocote beans. The plate-sized Taco Sonia, inspired by a Mexico City taquero that Juarez used to visit, comes on a tender blue corn tortilla topped with beef shoulder, housemade pork chorizo, and mashed potatoes or cactus. The quesadillas, all priced at $10 or under, include fillings like pork chorizo, sweet corn sofrito, and chapulines (grasshoppers). Every dish on the menu comes in at $11 or less, so don't shy away from trying a few things, even if dining solo. 3655 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Taco Sonia, quesadilla Won Kok — Chinatown Look for the line crawling its way around the standalone building, and then the sign at Won Kok. Regulars wait at all hours for a platter from Chinatown's popular dim sum spot, thanks to the offerings and the price. The outside dim sum ordering station is an efficient setup, with staff assuming guests already know what they want to order when they approach the window. Any lollygagging is discouraged by staff, who pile dim sum into boxes at almost impossible speeds. The menu can be overwhelming, so study it beforehand. Steamed buns range from $1.20 to $2.50, while chicken sticky rice is a whopping $2.50. Custards, cakes, and cookies are never more than $2, and some very respectable siu mai is $1.10. It's also possible to get barbecue duck for $18. Though there's indoor dining, it's always a good idea to take some buns or sesame balls home for further noshing. 210 Alpine Street, Chinatown, CA, 90012. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Shrimp or pork siu mai, coconut bun, congee, barbecue duck Arroz and Fun — Lincoln Heights Bolo bao breakfast sandwich at Arroz and Fun. Rebecca Roland Brunch, the weekend meal that's meant to be relaxing, has become a bit of a blood sport in LA, with extensive lines and ever-increasing prices. Arroz and Fun, with its sun-drenched Lincoln Heights patio, is a good reminder that brunch doesn't have to be a whole affair — it can just be a breakfast sandwich with some friends and great coffee. Opened by Humberto Leon, a multi-hyphenate creative who founded the fashion brand Opening Ceremony, opened Peruvian Chinese restaurant Chifa, and is currently the creative director of girl group Katseye, Arroz and Fun blends Asian and Latin flavors and ingredients on its daytime menu. The bolo bao sandwich, served on a crackly sugar-topped pineapple bun, comes stacked with fluffy folded egg, American cheese, and the choice to add on meats like bacon, Spam, or a Salvadoran chorizo patty. For something sweet, try the French toast made with Japanese milk bread, or the youtiao (Chinese doughnut) Chinchurro tossed in cinnamon and sugar. The bolo breakfast sandwich starts at under $10, and nothing on the menu breaks $20. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Bolo bao breakfast sandwich, Chinchurro Taquería Frontera — Cypress Park Taqueria Frontera. Matthew Kang It's been quite a year for Taquería Frontera. Since opening in mid-2024, the Cypress Park restaurant has stayed busy, garnering local and national attention, including a recent glowing review from the New York Times. Frontera has a pleasant counter-sitting area, which offers an ideal vantage point of the open kitchen. Visitors can, and should, take a front seat to watch each dish being prepared, especially the al pastor. It's hypnotizing to watch workers manning the trompo, carefully cutting a slice of pork and pineapple onto a tortilla or bread. Two can easily dine for under $25 at Frontera, which will always be playing local sports teams on the indoor TV. 700 Cypress Avenue, Cypress Park, CA, 90065. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Al pastor taco, asada quesataco, both with all toppings Mala Class — Highland Park Beef noodle soup at Mala Class. Mona Holmes Set along the quieter end of York Boulevard, Mala Class is a jewel box-sized restaurant serving peppercorn-laced Sichuan dishes that all come in below $20. While it may be tempting to jump to the heartier mains like mapo tofu or shrimp in garlic sauce, the restaurant really shines in its smaller places, which include dumplings in a shallow puddle of chile oil and sweet soy sauce, as well as refreshing cucumbers and beancurd. To try two items off the menu, and still keep the meal under $25 pre-tax, go for the crispy dry pepper fried tofu and outstanding dan dan noodles. 5816 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Dry pepper fried tofu, dan dan noodles Delicias Bakery & Some — Highland Park Open since 1991, Delicias Bakery & Some is one of LA's oldest Mexican bakeries. It's on a popular stretch of Figueroa Street where high-priced meals from newcomers are the norm. But every year, Delicias reminds Los Angeles of why this family-operated bakery has staying power. It's unpretentious, busy, and makes stellar pan dulce, conchas, and some of the neighborhood's most refreshing drinks with aguas frescas, cafe de olla, cappuccinos, and cold brews. The breakfast burritos, chilaquiles, and open-faced mollete sandwich with beans, cheese, crema, and salsa will make anyone's day. It's one of the best deals in town, and everything is made in-house. 5567 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park, CA, 90042. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Tortas, conchas, puerquitos, and breakfast burritos Byblos Bakery — La Crescenta Ajarski khachapuri. Matthew Kang. A few years ago, I wrote about the tasty lahmajune (sometimes spelled lahmajoun) at this humble neighborhood bakery in La Crescenta, a place I lived in before moving to Torrance. Last year the building burned down but the restaurant has fully reopened down the street with a huge menu of baked Armenian specialties. The lahmajune is tasty as ever, still under $3 apiece, spread thin and baked to a tender pliancy. The tomato-meat topping comes with strong dried herbs, making every bite heavenly and comforting. Ajarski khachapuri ($16) comes with runny egg yolks, meaty basturma rounds, a layer of melty cheese, and fresh spinach for balance. Warm spinach and cheese mini-boeregs are good for sharing, too. It's wonderful to see this family-owned bakery back on the block with reasonably priced fare, the place bustling with take-out orders and families just trying to feed the kids before the sun goes down. 3115 Foothill Boulevard, Suite O., La Crescenta-Montrose, CA 91214. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Lahmajune, ajarski, spinach and cheese mini boeregs Potato Powder Love Noodle — City of Industry Potato Powder Love Noodle. Rebecca Roland In Los Angeles, steaming hot bowls of spicy noodles are a year-round affair, whether it's a 50-degree California winter day or temperatures are pushing the triple digits. For something with a serious kick that's also kind on the wallet, seek out Potato Powder Love Noodle, a Chinese noodle shop with locations in Koreatown and Industry City. The Sichuan spicy noodles, with a choice of slippery potato noodles or chewy hand-cut noodles (or both), are the restaurant's signature, dotted with enough peppers to make the broth a fiery red. For those looking for less spice, the restaurant also offers a tomato broth base, as well as a milder version of the Sichuan soup. 18222 Gale Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91748-1220. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dish: Premium beef belly hot pot Roti from Trinistyle Cuisine — Gramercy Park Trinistyle Cuisine owner Merlin Garcia has a legendary story. Working as a City of Los Angeles employee for her day job, Garcia prepares her Trinidadian dishes on a street corner every weekend. Set up at a semi-permanent location on Century Boulevard and Van Ness in the Inglewood adjacent neighborhood of Gramercy Park, she serves doubles along with chicken, goat, curry goat, beef, or shrimp roti. On Saturdays, Garcia's stand serves a weekend Trini tradition: soup. There's covered seating and a refreshing ginger-pineapple drink to wash everything down. Don't order the dishes here to-go; instead, sit down and take in the scene. 2159 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90047. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Curry goat roti, scorpion pepper wings Carnitas El Artista — Inglewood Carnitas Al Artista owner owner Gustavo Chavez is a beloved member of the Inglewood community. Locals make regular pit stops for the restaurant's specialty: slow-cooked, Michoacan-style carnitas served as tacos, nachos, and on traditional plates piled with meat alongside rice and beans, salsa, and pico de gallo. Chavez prepares up to 220 pounds of carnitas in a day. On weekends, order the carne en su jugo stew with pinto beans, blistered scallions, quesadillas, cilantro, and onions. El Artista's chilaquiles are made with tortillas from Tortilleria de Bajio in Boyle Heights. All combination platters are under $20. 510 N. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA, 90301. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dishes: Chilaquiles, carnitas platter Sue's Kitchen — Torrance Mapo tofu from Sue's Kitchen. Matthew Kang Longtime blogger and food photographer Dylan Ho recently shared a visit to deep Torrance strip mall gem Sue's Kitchen, where a somewhat cranky Taiwanese chef churns out some tasty and hugely portioned Sichuan food. Expect a bit of a struggle if the chef is running the place solo and you don't speak good Mandarin, but point to things on the menu and dishes will arrive with incredible speed. Ho recommended skipping the cold appetizers and opting for the beef noodle soup. On my visit, I tried the numbing mapo tofu, boiled pork and chive dumplings, shrimp fried rice, and dan dan noodles, each costing around $11 or $12. The dumplings were juicy and hefty, the noodles nutty and laden with Sichuan peppercorns, their heat only tempered by rough-julienned cucumbers. There will be leftovers, because the plates are portioned for about five people to share. Do not expect Panda Express-level sweetness — everything has ample 'yum yum' (MSG) and spice, which I really like (my father-in-law was not quite a fan). Even wok-fried bok choy gets a dusting of MSG and heat from dried chiles. Sue's Kitchen is probably designed to be unaccommodating to an unfamiliar crowd, and it's not about hospitality or ambience. It's about hosing down massive plates of flavor-packed Chinese food in a true hole-in-the-wall and hoping for a sweet boba drink down the block after lunch to wash down the cavalcade of salt, umami, and spice. Must-try dishes: Mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, shrimp fried rice Go Go Curry — Gardena Go Go Curry. Matthew Kang Japanese curry chain Go Go Curry quietly opened at Tokyo Central, the first West Coast outlet for the Japan-based restaurant. The chain boasts a ridiculous 55-hour process for its dark, almost blackened curry, dense like veal demi-glace, and almost chocolatey. It's not quite the more heady, spice-forward stuff at the now-gone Curry House or the still-kicking Coco Ichibanya. Like Oaxacan mole, in which the liquid is the star over the solid, Go Go Curry is more about the sauce than the fried cutlets, which are serviceable but act more as vehicles. One wishes the kitchen were more liberal with their curry ladles, but it suffices like a proper Japanese portion. The Home Run combination plate comes with a tasty sausage link and crispy tempura shrimp in case munching on tonkatsu slices dipped in curry starts to feel boring. Hard boiled eggs add…nothing? But they're nice to have for protein's sake. Maybe the world is telling me to order the massive Grand Slam or World Champion combos just for myself. 1740 Artesia Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90248. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Must-try dish: Home Run combination plate Bread Head — Manhattan Beach BLT from Bread Head. Bread Head The Los Angeles sandwich superstars behind Bread Head opened a second location of their focaccia sandwich shop in Manhattan Beach just steps away from the water. Here, you can get summer's ultimate sandwich — a peak-season tomato BLT, obviously — on salty, crackly bread that texturally crosses somewhere between focaccia and ciabatta. The Bread Head BLT, swiped with garlic mayo and piled with iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, and Nueske's bacon, makes for near-ideal picnic fare once you add companions like the store's 'picnic nachos,' really a small pint of homemade pimento cheese with Have'a tortilla chips, and an icy Arnold Palmer. Go for the half-sandwich option to keep it under $25 (most range between $14 and $16 for a sizable half). For a lighter lunch, the much-talked-about vegetarian sandwich features mozzarella stacked high with springy alfalfa sprouts. 1129 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266. — Nicole Adlman, Eater cities manager Must-try dishes: BLT, vegetarian sandwich Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Highly Opinionated: An Eater Editor's Favorite Barbecue in Los Angeles
When it comes to barbecue, there are as many opinions as there are styles. Los Angeles might not be the hotbed of barbecue like Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, or the Carolinas, but there is still plenty of top-quality smoked meats to be found. Southern California pitmasters have to deal with stringent air quality standards and often difficult permitting processes, but once set up, there's no reason why the barbecue can't be as good as the best in Austin or Dallas. Those places certainly have a deep, decades-long tradition of barbecue with hundreds of practitioners, but I would submit any of my favorite places in Los Angeles as top-tier. Don't just take my word for it, even famed Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn has praised these restaurants. Here are my favorite barbecue places to try around town. Waiting for barbecue at Snow's in Lexington, Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The counter at Snow's BBQ in Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The overall favorite: Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights Meats and more from Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Matthew Kang In 2021, Andrew and Michelle Muñoz's longtime pop-up Moo's Craft Barbecue established a permanent home in Lincoln Heights, capturing a casual blend of walk-up-style Texas barbecue sprinkled with a good dose of California and Mexican flavor. Their brisket is irreproachable, balanced with juiciness and heavy oak smoke flavor without being overwhelming. Ribs, turkey breast, and jalapeño cheddar sausages are also fantastic, everything smoked to a high-level of detail in large pit smokers in the back. What I especially enjoy about Moo's is the sides, like esquites, tangy and crunchy coleslaw, and saucy brisket beans. Andrew takes on LA-style flavors with the Korean barbecue pork belly burnt ends, which tug at my Korean heart with a balance of sweetness and rich smokiness. Sitting out on the patio with a dozen friends, diving into the Muñozs' barbecue with my hands, and experiencing all of it together, I feel an incredible amount of comfort and joy. Michelle especially brings a welcome level of service to the barbecue experience that's rare in the mostly male arena. A meal here is the exact kind of seasoning, smoke, and creativity that Moo's brings to every tray, and what makes this place a world-class barbecue destination. Worth a journey and a wait: Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano Smoked meats, brisket, chicken, sides, and beef rib at Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Stan Lee It was very difficult to make a choice between Moo's Craft Barbecue and Heritage Barbecue, Daniel Castillo's immense smoked meat destination down in San Juan Capistrano. The drive down takes about an hour for most Angelenos, and probably even half that for those living in the more densely populated parts of Orange County. Once there, Heritage captures the feeling of Austin, its mostly outdoor seating sprawled across a skinny plot of land, the big steel smokers billowing out wood aromas throughout the morning. Folks line up for hours just like in Texas, marinating in the smoke while they work up an appetite. Yet instead of cattle auctions or warehouses (like at Snow's in Lexington), there's a historic California mission across the street, its church bells ringing right when Heritage opens at 11 a.m. Castillo and his team's prowess with the smoker is evident with the entire array of the dishes at Heritage of which there are something like 19 depending on how you count. The smoked meats are much more diverse than what one would find in Texas, including whole smoked chicken, maple-glazed pork ribs, and even tri-tip, something more associated with Central California/Santa Maria-style barbecue. Depending on the day, char siu pork belly, whole beef ribs, and a burger will show up as specials. Across the board, Heritage's meats are amazing, deeply smoky, highly peppered, and well-seasoned. Close your eyes, and the brisket is as luscious and evocative as the best in Texas. The beef rib doesn't reach the heights of say, Black's Barbecue in Lockhart, but it is also terrific. Instead of turkey breast, it's nice to see chicken here for non-red-meat eaters, and the heavy herb seasoning balances nicely with the smoke. The sides are also highly complementary, like Korean-style chile pickles that would please a grandmother (kimchi and American food usually spooks me out but it really works here). The spiral macaroni and cheese is dense and salty and hearty beans almost look like Texas chili until you look at the actual cheese-topped chili, rich enough to feed a trucker for an entire day. Queso comes with crisp tortilla chips, while a peach and cherry tomato salad brings a welcome summery freshness. Castillo and the kitchen go absolutely beyond the call to create a meal brimming with excellence, so it's not hard to imagine why he was a 2025 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: California. Will Heritage eventually join the four Michelin-starred barbecue spots in Texas (LeRoy & Lewis, Interstellar, La Barbecue, and Corkscrew)? I definitely think it should. Another excellent spot for Texas-style barbecue: Ray's Barbecue in Huntington Park Smoked meats and sides from Ray's Barbecue. Matthew Kang Ray Ramirez was one of the most consummate hospitality professionals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Prior to his untimely death in 2022, he served my wife and me an ample tray of Texas-style brisket, ribs, sausage, and pulled pork. His sides of macaroni and cheese, vinegary cole slaw, and potato salad were great but I most loved the Salvadoran-inflected rice and beans studded with bits of meat. Ramirez left behind an amazing legacy of working-class barbecue in the heart of Huntington Park, a neighborhood just south of Vernon set in the middle of an industrial zone. His two sons Raul and Sebastian along with his wife Anabell, continue his work serving barbecue worthy of Texas Monthly's Vaughn. A recent visit confirmed my first experience. The brisket here is juicy and well-smoked while the ribs are competition-level. The well-browned jalapeño cheddar sausage is also delightful. The damp coleslaw still conjures pupusa-style curtido, while the seasoned rice remains difficult to stop eating. Ramirez taught his sons well, and Ray's continues to be one of the best barbecue places in Los Angeles. Pro tip: out of the top three barbecue spots I selected, Ray's is the only one open on Tuesdays. Other excellent barbecue spots around town: Domestic BBQ in La Puente. Matthew Kang Domestic BBQ La Puente (and Covina) barbecue destination Domestic straddles that happy medium between Texas and California, serving well-smoked meats and very good sides like bacon-topped macaroni and cheese. The tri-tip here hews closer to Santa Maria-style, slightly dried out (dip it into the side of jus to re-moisten) but smoky enough, while the brisket will certainly be tender. The ribs were a standalone, as was the extra-long smoked sausage. In all, its very handy barbecue hangout with an impressive craft beer selection for those located in east San Gabriel Valley. Bludso's BBQ I've always enjoyed Bludso's, a place very conducive to hanging out with friends and catching a ballgame on the screens. Founder Kevin Bludso's Texas-style barbecue is very consistent, with moderate smoke and high-quality meats. The beef ribs are probably the best overall meat (as they are at most barbecue joints) but the turkey is a nice respite from beef. Smoked wings are another specialty worth trying as an appetizer. Maple Block Meat Co. Finding good barbecue in central parts of Los Angeles isn't always easy. Maple Block Meat Co. has been a reliable place for smoked meats since it opened in Culver City in 2015. Recently, the menu, under the direction of talented pitmaster Rudy Suazo, has taken a turn to Mexican flavors, like brisket tacos, smoked carnitas tortas, esquites, and smoked carne en su jugo, but the main part of the smoked meats leans Texas-style. Smoke Queen Barbecue Winnie Yee's distinct Asian-style barbecue comes out of three massive 1,000-gallon smokers and a welcoming cottage in the city of Garden Grove, where fans line up to try the pitmadam's smoked char siu, crispy siu yuk pork belly, and beef brisket. Yee's approach aims for balance, with sweetness and smoke interplaying with spice and texture. Her mapo chili will bring on a flavor likely unseen in places like Texas, while spicy cucumber pickles wouldn't look out of place at a Sichuan restaurant. Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Eater
Will Starbase, Texas, Be the Location of the Next Tesla Diner?
is an editor for Eater's Texas region. She lives in Dallas, where she's written about James Beard-celebrated and Michelin-recognized restaurants and she loves nachos. Following the opening of the first Tesla Diner in Los Angeles this week, it looks like Texas may be next. Or, at least, Texas is on the list. If you haven't heard about the Tesla Diner, it is part of Musk's plans to give Tesla drivers a spot to recharge both themselves and their cars. Eater LA described the look of the place as 'retro-futuristic' with 'a curved metal exterior that resembles a spaceship but falls closer to evoking the design sensibilities of an Apple store or Disneyland's Tomorrowland.' It has Superchargers galore, with 45-foot screens that play movies. It is open 24/7. Word on a Starbase location, which is deep in South Texas near the Gulf and the Mexico border, comes via a Twitter request to put a diner in the little city on the tip of the Texas border. While simply saying 'ok' to an idea might not feel like a firm affirmation, the blog Not a Tesla App points out that tourism around Starbase has grown thanks to fans who want to watch SpaceX launches. Musk's aeronautical company has purchased much of the land in the town, which measures a flimsy 1.5 square miles and largely houses company employees. A $22 million development for a community center is underway, and that's just part of a list of projects the city has undertaken, which, according to My San Antonio, also includes a $20 million school for kindergarten through 12th grade, a medical clinic, and a $2 million multi-family development. The spread at the Tesla Diner in Los Angeles. Matthew Kang Hamburgers, hot dogs, and all-day breakfast are on the menu at the Tesla Diner in Los Angeles, along with a note that the foods are 'responsibly sourced' and 'sustainable local products' are acquired within the range of a Tesla. In South Texas, that's just over 300 miles in a Tesla Model S. If the Starbase diner follows the same model, that means foods within range of San Antonio, down to the Monterrey and Tamaulipas areas of Mexico, would be covered. The LA diner also has technology that tracks Tesla drivers within a certain range and triggers cooks to begin their order when the drivers are 15 or 20 minutes away, reportedly guaranteeing fresh, hot food. Eater LA editors noted that the diner's biscuits and red gravy were 'fairly excellent' and called the tuna melt 'the best item on the menu.' It also features something called 'epic' bacon, which harkens to a directive from Musk that everything on the menu should be epic, or it shouldn't be on the menu at all. Eater Austin All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Eater
The Full Tesla Diner Menu, Revealed
In advance of its opening at 4:20 p.m. today, July 21, Eater LA got a hold of the full menu at Elon Musk's Los Angeles Tesla diner. As expected, the retro-futuristic diner is set to serve run-of-the-mill diner classics, like hamburgers and hot dogs, alongside all-day breakfast. According to Bill Chait, lead operator and longtime LA restaurateur, Musk said that everything on the menu has to be 'epic,' or it doesn't make the cut. What he considers an 'epic' Greek yogurt parfait is yet to be seen. The menu kicks off with a burger and sandwich section comprised of a Tesla Burger, hot dog, Diner Club, tuna melt, fried chicken and waffles (which is not a sandwich), and grilled cheese. All-day breakfast options include an egg sandwich, avocado toast, a Greek yogurt parfait, breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy, and a house-made cinnamon roll. Sides like fries, hash brown bites, a wagyu beef chili cup, a buttermilk waffle, a market salad, and of course, 'epic' bacon can be added on. A kids menu, desserts, coffee, tea, and sodas are also available. A note on the bottom of the menu says that the majority of ingredients used at the diner are 'responsibly sourced' and 'sustainable local products' from within the range of a full charge of a Tesla. It does not indicate which Tesla's range is used as reference, as distances vary vastly between models. The kitchen is being led by Eric Greenspan, previously of the Foundry, Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, and numerous other restaurants. He is also the founder of New School American Cheese. Ordering at the new Tesla diner will go live at 4:20 p.m. to coincide with the opening. Tesla drivers will be able to order from their cars for pick-up or car delivery through the in-car app. Once they enter within 15 minutes of the restaurant, the diner's geofence will be triggered, and a notification will be sent to the driver and the cooks to begin preparing the order. Ordering will also be available on-site, and the interior is rumored to include humanoid robots serving popcorn. Additional reporting by Matthew Kang. Tesla diner. Matthew Kang Tesla menu. Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: July 21
The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week. Lamprais from Baja Subs in Northridge Lamprais from Baja Subs in Northridge. Wonho Frank Lee I finally went to Sri Lankan restaurant Baja Subs after Eater LA contributor Fiona Chandra helped put a spotlight on it back in 2020, after which it's received accolades from numerous other publications. On a sleepy afternoon last week, I stopped in for the lamprais (also spelled lumprais or lump rice), a baked packet of short-grain rice, sambal, meat curry, eggplant curry, a boiled egg, and frikadeller, a fried ball of minced meat. The entire package is fragrant with banana leaves, balanced with spice (though there's certainly a good amount of heat throughout the dish). The name, taken from the Dutch word lomprijst, and that hefty meatball, are vestiges of colonization, but really the dish doesn't need that moniker or the meatball. Lamprais is a great first-time dish when eating solo, but on weekends, a wider array of curries and other flavors go on full display in a reasonably priced buffet. Which means I'll have to make the trek to the deep San Fernando Valley on a Friday or Saturday, certainly not an onerous task knowing that this calvacade of deep, spicy, comforting flavors awaits. 8801 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA, 91324. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Goldong naengmyeon from Seogwan by Yellow Cow BBQ in Koreatown Goldong naengmyeon at Seogwan by Yellow Cow BBQ in Koreatown. Matthew Kang Every month, a new Korean barbecue spot opens in Koreatown, but it's not often that a specialist in naengmyeon arrives here, especially a heralded one from Seoul. Seogwan Myeokok, a well-regarded Pyongyang naengmyeon shop in Seoul, quietly expanded to Southern California with a partnership with Monica Kim, the chef and proprietor of Yellow Cow Barbecue in Gardena. Together, they took over the former Magal BBQ on Eighth Street with a sleek but smoke-filled dining room featuring Seogwan's elegant, fully organic U.S. buckwheat noodles served in the ethereal and subtle Pyongyang broth. Though my ancestors hail from the now North Korean capitol, I'm not sure I'll ever truly understand the subtlety of its famous cold noodle soup. I did, however, love the goldong naengmyeon, a drier set of tossed buckwheat noodles wrapped in a tight bun, topped with thin beef slices and surrounded by earthy banchan like seasoned mushrooms, sliced mu radish, and cucumbers. Texture and nuttiness come from toasted perilla leaves and ground sesame seeds. Mix it all together and enjoy for a satisfying precursor to the top-notch tabletop barbecue, or just have it as a light lunch. 3460 W. Eighth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Tuna dan dan noodles from Jon Yao served at Callie in San Diego Tuna dan dan noodles from Jon Yao served at Callie in San Diego. Matthew Kang Since its opening nearly a decade ago, Kato has always made a strong impression with familiar, simple dishes that lean on Taiwanese cuisine. Chef Jon Yao has garnered so much praise in the past few years, including at the top of the Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants, a Michelin star, and most recently as the Best Chef: California by the James Beard Award Foundation. Yet, Yao continues to push boundaries, and one wonders what he could accomplish with a more casual restaurant that served something like this tuna dan dan noodles. Using meaty tuna from a six-foot-long line-caught fish just off of San Diego and serving them at a collab dinner with Callie chef Travis Skiward at his Petco Park-adjacent restaurant, these noodles were a revelation. Dense umami flavors from doubanjiang and preserved bean brought the trademark dan dan flavor without making it too heavy on the nuttiness (which came from Taiwanese sesame paste). Elegant pasta strands lapped up the chunky sauce, with the tuna almost falling into the background to the spices, rather than asserting itself. Tangled shreds of allium and cilantro brought freshness and crunch. It's a brilliant dish that I would gladly pay $30 for at Kato's bar (here's to hoping...) or a daytime menu if that ever materializes. 1195 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Caprese melt from Milestone Tavern in San Luis Obispo Caprese melt from Milestone Tavern in San Luis Obispo. Rebecca Roland Road trip eating is a unique challenge in itself. You want a meal that's filling enough to last for a few hours, but not so filling that driving becomes unpleasant. And a restaurant nice enough to take a break for a few minutes, without it turning into a two-hour affair and derailing any sense of urgency. On a recent trip back home from the Bay, I found myself searching for a dinner break around San Luis Obispo and stopped at Milestone Tavern, just down the street from Cal Poly. The expansive restaurant feels very brewpub-y, with plenty of beer taps and a menu of burgers, sandwiches, street tacos, and artichoke dip. I ordered a caprese melt, which was essentially a caprese sandwich on toasted sourdough. While it wasn't anything groundbreaking, the tomato was ripe, and the cheese sliced just thick enough. The balsamic was a touch sweet for my taste, but the drizzle wasn't too heavy, so I had no real complaints. A side of thick-cut fries and crispy Brussels sprouts made it an easy dinner that I'm sure I'll return to next time I'm passing through town. 972 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest So Mush Love from Wallflour Pizza in Eagle Rock So Mush Love from Wallflour Pizza in Eagle Rock. Mona Holmes Good pizza resides in every corner of Los Angeles. That's not hyperbole; that's simply the application of tested technique surrounding dough, toppings, and different styles in a region known for being loyal to trying something new and delicious. One of the newest entrants to the scene is Wallflour Pizza, the former pop-up turned permanent restaurant by Carolina Pedroza-Conaway and Brandon Conaway that has proven to be one of 2025's standouts with a crust that rivals any competitor in the Southland. The duo took over the former spacious Azlan space on Colorado, near Eagle Rock Boulevard, and transformed it into a colorful and cozy room where diners can enjoy expertly leavened sourdough pizza. Although this is truly some of my favorite crust, the former Quarantine Pizza Co. made a name for itself by experimenting with toppings. Definitely share the al pastor pie, but the mushroom-topped So Mush Love is where it's at for me. The owners procured the primary ingredient from local vendor Long Beach Mushrooms, which is spread across the pie alongside Grana Padano cheese, roasted garlic cream, and fresh arugula on top. As always, this is the type of crust that's best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Wallflour is not on any third-party delivery apps, but takeout is available by placing an order for pickup online. 2128 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90041. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
