See it as a thought experiment.
Among the thousands of restaurants in L.A. and O.C., which three would you pick to eat at for the rest of your life?
That doesn't necessarily mean the "best" restaurants — because could you really stomach eating in the fanciest restaurants for the rest of your life? (Be honest.)
It means the ones that, time after time, deliver just what you need. The ones that make you smile when you think of going there. The ones that have some kind of ineffable SoCal spirit that fills you up in body and soul. The ones you may never get sick of (well, a lifetime is a long time, but go with us).
It's a difficult choice, we know. But when a recent Reddit post posed the question, we figured it was a sneaky way to get some insight into your gastronomic true loves.
As for my three ... well, I mulled it over endlessly, and I confess it seems to change daily. But currently, I'd say these:
- Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights
- Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock
- Nick's Deli in Seal Beach
I chose Marisocs Jalisco because I can never get enough of their crispy shrimp tacos, dorados, and ceviches. Casa Bianca for the eggplant, sausage pizza, and antipasti salad for a great dinner, and Nick's Deli for their breakfast burritos. I could see myself munching happily on each of these for the rest of my days.
I'd love to hear your choices. Email me at gchabran@scpr.org or hit me up at @gabchabran on social media.
To get things going, I posed the question to my social media followers. There were some surprising choices — and also names that kept coming up. See what you think:
- Teriyaki Bistro in Uptown Whittier
- Tam O’Shanter in Los Feliz
- Mijares in Pasadena
-Elizabeth Sanchez, Whittier
- Chi Spacca on Melrose
- Sadaf/Taste of Tehran in Westwood
- Dan's Super Subs in Woodland Hills
-Joon Gozarkhah, Sherman Oaks
- Amigos in Pasadena
- Pizzanista in the Arts District
- Golden Deli in San Gabriel
-Jessie Nicely, Pasadena
- Baco Mercat in DTLA (RIP)
- Musso and Frank in Hollywood
- Estrella’s taco trucks in Highland Park
-Emily Rosen, Highland Park
- Found Oyster in East Hollywood
- Found Oyster in East Hollywood
- Found Oyster in East Hollywood
-Sterling Reed, Long Beach
- Highland Park Brewery in Highland Park and Chinatown
- Bacetti in Echo Park
- Quarters Korean BBQ in Koreatown
-Mega Couch- Edwards, Los Angeles
- 4th Horseman in Long Beach
- In-N-Out (various locations)
- Awesome Sushi in Long Beach
-Chad Keller, Long Beach
- Juanita’s on Olvera Street
- Dal Rae in Pico Rivera
- Noriega Hotel in Bakersfield (the original one, not the new one)
-Mary Arranaga Landis, Long Beach
- The Dough Room in Palms
- Farmhouse Kitchen Thai in West Adams
- Darya in West L.A.
-Sufia, Palms
- Kimmies Coffee Cup in Orange
- Jenny’s Country Kitchen in Whittier
- Tamales Lilianas in East Los Angeles
-Tasha Castellanos, Whittier
- Hiko Sushi in West L.A.
- Musso & Frank in Hollywood
- Sonoratown in DTLA
-Elizabeth Parks- Kibbey, Long Beach
- Roots Indian Bistro on Melrose
- Banana Bay in Rowland Heights
- Pijja Palace in Silver Lake
-Priya Sharma, West Hollywood
- Pepes Finest Mexican Food in Temple City
- Poke Rainbow in Whittier
- Taco/Social in Eagle Rock
-Julie Brehove
- El Taurino in Pico Union
- Mancora in Alhambra
- Tropicana in Downey
-Khristian Diane, Long Beach
- Al & Bea's in Boyle Heights
- Tacos Los Guichos in South L.A.
- Tender Greens (various locations)
-Wes Avila, Glendale
- Mitsuwa Food Court in Torrance
- Tasty Choice in San Gabriel
- Sonoratown (various locations)
-H.C., San Gabriel
- Otafuku in Gardena
- Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica
- Aunty Maile’s in Torrance
-Scott Sullivan, Old Torrance
- Al & Bea's in Boyle Heights
- Kaiba Sushi in Monterey Park
- Bestia in the Arts District
-Laura Tejrina, East Los Angeles
- K Bakery on Temple & Beaudry
- Nick's in Chinatown
- Sonoratown (various locations)
-Lexis Olivier Ray, Historic Filipinotown
- Raffi’s Place in Glendale
- Eagle Rock Italian bakery in Eagle Rock
- Langer's Deli in MacArthur Park
-Tommy Mofid, Long Beach
- In-N-Out (various locations)
- Tire shop Taqueria in South L.A.
- Pho 87 in Chinatown
-Jose Miranda, Boyle Heights
- Szechuan impressions in Tustin
- Holbox inside Mercado La Paloma in South L.A.
- Dan Sung Sa in Koreatown
-Evette Estrada, Long Beach
- Awash in Mid-City
- Al-Noor in Lawndale
- Golden Deli in San Gabriel
-Javeck Verdugo, Mount Washington
