There are so many places to eat from street food to Michelin-star restaurants in Los Angeles that it can be hard to know where to start. Everyone has their own taste in food, but these are some of the places I usually take my guests.
In-N-Out
This is such an iconic LA place that you can't miss it. In-N-Out has now expanded to many different states, but it is still a must-try for many visitors from outside California. You can't bring someone to LA and not take them to In-N-Out. It's basically a rite of passage.
Half the fun is watching first-timers realize that the menu on the wall is not the whole menu.
So before anyone orders, I give them the rundown on a few things that aren't on the regular menu.
Animal Style: If you want the classic In-N-Out experience, get it Animal Style. You get grilled onions, extra spread, and a mustard-fried patty. They also add sliced pickles, so if you have a cucumber allergy, make sure to ask them to leave the pickles out. I always ask for my bun to be toasted extra. I like that little bit of crunch when I bite into the burger.
Protein Style: If you're watching your carbs, this is the way to go. They skip the bun and wrap the burger in lettuce instead. I would get at least a Double-Double this way.
4x4: If you're going big and don't mind the challenge, you can order a 4x4. That's four patties with four slices of cheese. I've never tried it myself, but if you're really into protein, go for it.
Fries Well-Done: This is another move regulars know about. I don't like soggy fries, so I usually order one regular and one well-done. The well-done fries get much crispier and almost taste like potato chips.
Banana Peppers: You don't have to ask for these unless you're going through the drive-thru. You can find them next to the ketchup stand. I don't know when they first started offering them, but I really like having them with my burger. They can be a little spicy, so keep that in mind if you're not good with chili peppers.
Click HERE for more detail on "Not-So-Secret-Menu".
It's fast food, so there's no real trick to timing it. Just know that the drive-thru line usually looks worse than it actually is. It moves pretty quickly, and if the line looks really long, walking inside and ordering at the counter can be faster than sitting in the car.
They also stay open late, often until 1 AM, so you know where to go when you need a late-night burger.
Price has gone up over the past few years, but it is still relatively cheaper than any other place you can get a hamburger. I would say budgeting about $10 per person would be a good bet these days.
BCD Tofu House — 북창동순두부 (Bukchondong Sundubu)
K-pop has become incredibly popular around the world, and K-food has followed right behind it. This is one of the places I take people when they want something that isn't exactly "LA food," but is definitely part of LA's food culture.
BCD Tofu House is known for its bubbling-hot tofu stew served in a stone pot. They bring it out boiling, along with a raw egg that you crack into the stew yourself and let cook in the residual heat.
You can adjust the spice level, and I always tell first-timers to order regular or even one level milder than they think they want. It comes out hotter than it looks.
And then there are the banchan — all the little Korean side dishes that come with your meal. They keep coming whether you ask for them or not.
You also get small fried fish with your meal. There are tiny bones in them that might make you think they're difficult to eat, but the small ones are soft enough that you can just chew and eat them. Just don't do that with the thicker bones.
Their meat is also really good. LA Galbi is beef short ribs marinated in a sweet sauce. You really can't go wrong with it.
It's an easy, filling meal for the price, and it's one of those places where I've watched people who say they "don't really like spicy food" clean out the entire bowl anyway.
The place is so popular that even visitors from Korea come here to eat. I've heard Korean visitors say they think the food is even better than some places in Korea.
Price is a little more expensive than at the other places on this list. You will have to budget about $30 to $40 per person depending on what you order. You should get a combo when you can, because you can get stew and meet together smaller portion, but will still make you full.
Click HERE for the Menu.
Mendocino Farms
For a lighter lunch, I recommend Mendocino Farms. They have good sandwiches and salads, so it's a nice option when you don't want something too heavy before spending the afternoon sightseeing.
Most of their sandwiches are good, but I personally really like the Vegan Banh Mi. There was a time when I tried being vegan, and that's when I tried this sandwich. Honestly, I thought it was better than a pork belly banh mi.
I usually get either that or the "Not So Fried" Chicken. The chicken sandwich isn't vegan, obviously, so if you prefer chicken, give that one a try.
The Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada is another must-try. The chipotle sauce goes really well with the avocado and quinoa. You just have to try it. Please do!
It's a chain, so there are locations all over the city. That makes it an easy stop to fit into your day without making a special detour.
It's not necessarily a destination restaurant. It's more of a reliable answer to, "I don't know. What do you want to eat?" And if you've ever hosted visitors before, you know that's half the battle.
Just like any other sandwich shop, the price is decent. I would budget $20 per person. There's nothing you can get for under $20 these days.
Click HERE for the Menu.
Pink's Hot Dogs
This is the old-school Hollywood stop.
I'm not quite sure why people are so crazy about this place, but since pretty much all of my guests have wanted to check it out, I had to put it on my list.
Pink's is a hot dog stand that has been around since 1939. It's famous for its chili dogs and the line that seems to be out the door no matter what time you show up.
It's one of those places where the wait is part of the experience. People have been lining up here for decades, including a long list of celebrities over the years.
If you're only getting one thing, I'd go with the chili dog. It's not fancy, it's not healthy, and that's exactly the point.
They have parking area behind the building, but it is not that big. Many people park on the street and if you see an open spot, I would park there rather than try to park in the designated parking area.
I personally think the hot dogs are over priced due to hype, but come bigger than you think. I would budget $15 per person.
Click HERE for the Menu.
Tacos
As an Angeleno, we basically live with Mexican food all around us. I'm not going to pretend there is just one taco place you need to visit. There are tons of great taco spots throughout LA, but here are a couple of places I usually go to.
El Taurino
Located near Koreatown, El Taurino serves a really good carne asada taco. The meat is well-marinated and tastes even better with their hot sauce. And their hot sauce is something else. It's very spicy but incredibly tasty at the same time.
That red sauce that makes you huff and puff, but you just can't stop going back for more.
They are designated parking area, so you don't have to worry about the hassle of street parking.
Price is about $3 per taco, which is standard. They also have beer on tap, so it's good place to be.
Click HERE for the Menu.
Taco Stand in Front of Whole Foods Market (Al Vapor El Colimon)
At this Taco Stand, located in 122 Lincoln Blvd., the al pastor is the one I always tell visitors to try first. The meat is cooked on a vertical spit and shaved off to order. They also slice a little pineapple on top, which adds a bit of sweetness to the meat.
But honestly, my favorite part is the little condiment bar. Sliced onions, jalapeños, carrots, and spicy sauce all mixed together — I will die for it. It is so spicy that you'll probably be drinking a lot of water, but I can't stop eating it.
They also have five different sauces to choose from. Get as much as you want and try them all until you find your favorite.
Street tacos are meant to be cheap and fast, so don't expect a sit-down restaurant experience. Grab a stack, stand around, eat, and go back for more.
Price is pretty standard on taco trucks these days, unless you visit on Taco Tuesdays. $20 per person will be more than enough.
Porto's Bakery
If you only have room for one dessert stop in your itinerary, make it Porto's.
It's a Cuban bakery famous for its cheese rolls and potato balls. And yes, the line will probably be long no matter which location you visit. Don't let that scare you, though. The line moves pretty quickly.
Cheese rolls and potato balls are non-negotiable.
We usually get a dozen of each because I can easily eat three or four pieces every time I open the box. And so can everyone else who happens to put their hand in there.
The pastry case is also worth taking a slow walk past before you order. There are so many things to look at that it's easy to add a few more items than you planned.
They taste best when you eat them right after you buy them. But if you happen to bring some home, put them in a toaster oven for a minute or two. It brings the crispiness back to the crust and makes them taste almost fresh again.
They are cheaper than most other places. You can get dozen cheese rolls for less than $20. There is a catch though. You tend to get more and eat way more than you have to. But sugar makes me happy, so it's all good.
Click HERE for the Menu.
So, Where Would I Take You First?
If you are visiting LA and only have time for a few quick bites, these are some of the places I would put on your list. They aren't all fancy or trendy, and that's actually the point.
Some are iconic LA spots, some represent the incredible mix of cultures we have here, and some are simply places I keep going back to because I like the food.
And if you ask me where I'd take you first?
That depends on what you're hungry for.
LET'S GO!
If you are interested in my LA Tour Guide, please click HERE to see.
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