First Timers to SoCal! HELP! Where do the locals dine?

[SandraC]

Hi all ~ I've been watching Food Network shows hoping to catch any episode of any show reviewing awesome restaurants in Hollywood area! We are looking for a few of those great finds that the locals know, fab food, great prices. PLEASE HELP me find them! Thanks! Sandra

 

[DLSuperVet]

Hi all ~ I've been watching Food Network shows hoping to catch any episode of any show reviewing awesome restaurants in Hollywood area! We are looking for a few of those great finds that the locals know, fab food, great prices. PLEASE HELP me find them! Thanks! Sandra

This is a pretty broad question. There are so many places. I recommend patronizing the smaller restaurants rather than the trendy, chain restaurants you can find anywhere. My recommendation is to take a shot in the dark. You've got a lot of city to explore.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I posted a similar thread a couple of weeks ago, since we are driving to the mouse on Feb 1st. Here is the info that I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks. These are in random order, as they are in my folder. Johnny Rockets - have locations in San Francisco, Concord, Fresno, and a few other places. In-N-Out burger, all over CA and the western USA. I've heard that their burgers are awesome. The Hat Restaurant, great food, and locations in CA. Tommy's Original Drive In...greasy chili burgers, but have been told they are a classic, and not to be missed. Locations all over CA. Mel's Drive-in. Located in primarly on the coast of CA. Ruby's Diner, located on the coast of CA. Sonic is also supposed to be excellent as well. If you are driving down, I've got a few more non chain restaurants I can forward on to you as well. Hope that this helps you out. I haven't been to any of these restaurants, but am planning on visiting as many as we can when we are down stateside. Have a great day!!

Trish

 

[Zoemakes5]

Hmm, Hollywood area is kinda tough to think of. There used to be a couple of places I'd recommend, but they aren't there anymore. Huge plates of food, for very little cost.
I LOVE Lawry's (of the lawry's seasonings fame). I think it's on LaCienega, but it most definitely isn't cheap. I do like Disney Soda Shoppe for dessert. The food is only okay, but it's got great atmosphere. The places I tend to eat when I'm up there tend to be the more "chain like". We eat at the Cheesecake Factory at the Grove and California Pizza Kitchen in the Hollywood and Highland complex. I've heard great things about Canters, but have never been myself. It's a jewish deli that's open 24/7. I think it's like a coffee shop/deli.
If you're into Ethiopian food, there's Little Ethiopia right on Fairfax close to the Grove/Farmer's Market.
King's Hawaiin in Torrance has GREAT breakfast. I've not been so keen on their dinner/lunch, but love their breakfast (oh, and a phenominal bakery!).
If I think of more, I'll let you know.

 

[DLSuperVet]

In-N-Out = Gooooood
The Hat = Goooooood
Tommy's = Gooooood

Mel's = Good atmosphere but ho-hum food and a C grade from the health department usually.
Ruby's/Johnny Rockets = Generic diner type restaurant. Decent food but nothing special. Plus these can be found in malls everywhere I think.
Sonic = Same as Ruby's and Johnny Rockets. Not really a California dining experience. It's like going to New York and getting Pizza from Sbarro.

There are some fantastic one of a kind restaurants all over the place and are worth seeking out. People visiting Orange County should really take advantage of the awesome Mexican food places all over the place. I'm talking real Mexican food not like Chipotle.

I actually just gave some out of town family a hard time for making it a point to go to California Pizza Kitchen considering they have one back in Nebraska minutes from where they live.

If you want good California style pizza I recommend Zito's or First Class Pizza which are also popular in Orange County. Thick crust, lots of sauce, cheese, and toppings. I have yet to find anything really similar in other states.

If you're doing Disneyland and want Italian food I recommend Luigi's D'Italia in Anaheim. It's relatively close to the park and the food is phenomenal.


I'm not trying to be cranky. I work in the restaurant industry so I'm very picky when it comes to picking out unique, local cuisine while traveling. A lot of people miss out on some real gems by hitting up the large chain restaurants.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I have to agree. Bein a native Californian and whenever I make a trip to Southern California from Boston where I live now. The 3 places I need to go and eat are In-N-Out, The Hat, and Tommy's. All three of them are excellent places to eat. Heck, the first stop of the plane is the nearest In-N-Out.

 

[Tina]

I also give a big thumbs up for In N Out. Its always my first stop straight from the airport. I also really like Marie Callender's. I know its a chain, but I really love that turkey croissant on their menu. I also think its a great family type of restaurant with average prices. I lived in southern California for about a year in the mid-90's and these are the 2 places I miss the most (aside from DL!). I've eaten at a lot of mexican restaurants all around the SoCal area and haven't had a bad one yet.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I forgot to post this in Belledozer's thread, but a really good place for Mexican food is Pepe's. It originated in the 60's and the original one is located in Alhambra (never been to that one), but I've been to the one in Fullerton & Temple City. Their website only shows 4 of their locations for some reason in the OC; they don't even mention their original restaurant! Anyways, their food is cheap and they give you decent/big portions. I love their taquito combo & guac!

 

[DLSuperVet]

I forgot to post this in Belledozer's thread, but a really good place for Mexican food is Pepe's. It originated in the 60's and the original one is located in Alhambra (never been to that one), but I've been to the one in Fullerton & Temple City. Their website only shows 4 of their locations for some reason in the OC; they don't even mention their original restaurant! Anyways, their food is cheap and they give you decent/big portions. I love their taquito combo & guac!

Los Cabos in Orange is pretty darned good and they have a gigantic burrito. Very authentic food. If you want the best street tacos in the area I recommend Taqueria Mexico in the corner or Katella and Glassell in Orange. They're open 24 hours a day which is a bonus. None of the employees speak English but you're pretty much ordering in Spanish anyway. Pretty much any taqueria connected to a doughnut shop in Southern California means that the food will be good.

 

[Zoemakes5]

These are all good ideas for near Disneyland, but the OP was asking about places in Hollywood, that's why I was making recommendations that could be found there.

 

[jlmarr]

Here are a couple of threads that cover places to eat in the LA/Hollywood area:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19491898

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29316501

The Pantry is a good choice as I mentioned in both threads...

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I've been living in Vegas for a while now so I don't know how close this is to Hollywood, but my dad worked in LA for 30 years and this was the one spot he always took us when we were kids. That and Olvera street.

www.philippes.com

 

[jlmarr]

I've been living in Vegas for a while now so I don't know how close this is to Hollywood, but my dad worked in LA for 30 years and this was the one spot he always took us when we were kids. That and Olvera street.

www.philippes.com

Phillippe's is on the far side of downtown LA from Hollywood, but the good news is it's very close to Union Station, which is the east terminus of the Red Line subway that runs under Hollywood, so it would be easy to get to from there. Ditto Olvera Street, which is literally across the street from Union Station. Phillippe's is a short walk north on Alameda from Olvera Street.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

If you're traveling anywhere past Long Beach we love Bake and Broil!!