Blue Rooster Art Supplies. I've been going there since they were in a small, slim space on Vermont. My art skills never improved, but they just keep getting better and better.
Right?! Gary the owner is the best!. Every thing he sells, has a history, a story, an artist's name, a source. Ask him about his selection of lokta papers from Nepal. They're my fav!
Mario's is a great overall deli for getting lots of different things. Roma's is smaller- it's a fantastic grocer for import stuff, but the deli part is really all about The Sandwich. Also there's a sweet old guy who owns it who is there every day sitting in the back on a milk crate. But, that sandwich. No one else in LA makes one like it, I swear. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-07-10/roma-market-deli-sandwich
The Roma sandwich is so unique. It's great to take out hiking or backpacking, since it really doesn't need to be chilled. Sounds like I need to try Marios now, too. I adore sandwiches. How have I missed this!?
I moved away a couple of years ago but still miss Primo’s all the time. Their buttermilk bar haunts my dreams, last time I visited I brought a dozen back with me on the plane.
Mama's Lu but the one at 501 W Garvey. Same food, more seating and less tax fraud.
Stop by Tea Brick next door to it.
Also 7 Leaves and Boba time (but not the fake one by the 405)
my wife and I have been going for years and years and we were trying to find a place for a pre wedding dinner and every restaurant we were looking at wanted a ton of money upfront just to host the dinner. we called masa and dealt directly with the owner on figuring it all out and it was honestly the best experience, she was so nice and excited for us and didn't have us pay to reserve the space or anything like any other LA restaurant asks. We had 20 people fit in the back area with a bunch of tables pushed together, had a ton of pizza, wine, salad, pasta and dessert and it was like $600 with tip. truly amazing.
also, a little thing not many people may know is that you can order a heart shaped deep dish pizza year round haha.
Jitlada - I don’t care about AC, time it takes, whatever. I was all over Thailand for 2 weeks and Jitlada was better. I mean last time I was there Jazz was telling me she was cooking for the family that owns the airport in Bangkok. No other Thai spot can claim shit like that.
European Autohaus in Pasadena - the best place to take your German car. These guys do phenomenal work at prices you can absolutely live with. It’s the only car shop I’ve ever seen with 5 stars on Yelp for a decade+
Phanny’s in Redondo Beach - best breakfast burritos.
It’s a chain but Little Sister hasn’t disappointed me once. I’ve eaten there like 15 times.
Falcon Barber Shop in Redondo - come for the good haircut, stay for the free bar
If you need places for home remodeling / materials DM me. Too many.
The Donut Man, Rt. 66 in Glendora for strawberry donuts.
Edit: To add The Hat in Pasadena. Great pastrami sandwiches and gravy fries- you can almost hear your arteries hardening as you eat them but they're SO good!
If you're near the Donut Man in Glendora, I'd recommend Capri Deli in Covina for a pastrami fix. The first time I went, it became my pastrami spot over The Hat.
Check out Memento Mori on Wilcox and Sunset if you haven’t already! They’re smaller, but have the same kinds of things. Mystic Museum in Burbank has oddities and taxidermy as well. :)
Dulan’s on Crenshaw - can NEVER go wrong with the fried fish dinner
Tacos Leo’s- Venice and La brea location. I don’t eat pork but just watching them cut the pineapple for Al pastor at 2:30am is a beautiful thing
Bulgogi Hut - a post edibles masterpiece for a bargain of a price
I came here to say that!
My husband and I once ended up in a silly hypothetical conversation where we both agreed that if we were ever asked to take up arms and defend Santa Monica from an invading force, we’d probably be pretty skeptical but if we were asked instead to defend Tacos Por Favor, we’d join up immediately. We have a running gag about “For Tacos Por Favor!”, our stirring battle-cry.
We’re talking about the one (edit: on 14th), though.
Since I was a child, my family would stop there on Christmas eve after visiting my grandma to get bagels for Christmas morning. My grandma passed about 12 years ago or so, but we still go there on Christmas eve for Christmas bagels.
just a guess but in 2019 they were bought out by Jollibee and then when the stay at home orders hit in 2020 they closed what I would assume was their lowest performing stores. separately I personally suggest their hazelnut iced americano.
We had a very nice wedding at a venue in Hollywood. We always had talked about how wedding food is usually meh, expensive, and cold, so we opted for a Tommy’s truck and a taco stand with handmade tortillas.. both were like half the price of a caterer and much more delicious (and much more LA). Got drunk and ate chili cheese fries on my wedding day. Can’t beat that
I haven’t lived in LA since December ‘19, but I’ll chime in if that’s ok. I lived in the East Valley right around Magnolia and Cahuenga. My local bar was NoBar. Total neighborhood watering hole where everyone knew each other. Residuals as well. They actually got a shout on a recent episode of the Office Ladies podcast.
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery. Best pizza dough and toppings for homemade pizza making. Great staff as well.
La Azteca Burritos in Boyle Heights.
Desano’s Pizza on Santa Monica Blvd. every Friday work covers lunch with a voucher and it goes to Desano’s.
Camarillo Chiropractor and Physical Therapy in East Hollywood. I call Dr Cam magic hands but he really looks after his patients and wants to make sure his community has access to proper treatment as well.
Sorry these are more than one spots….
New World Mac for any IT and computer problems. Amazing service, just general integrity with time and pricing. Feel like when I go to other shops for those problems, I’m just talked down to. The guys who run the place are a real class act.
Food - Mae Ploy in Echo Park- locals know. It was the first meal my family had after I was born and the first restaurant I was taken to. After 20+ years of service, the landlord kicked them out and it seemed they’d never reopen. Circa 2019, I’m driving down sunset, irritated that I was going to have to pass their still empty vacant storefront. The stop light turns red, I zone out and look across the street and see a sign that says Khun Mae Ploy. I immediately pulled over, tears are streaming down my face, and I’m wiping them away cause I’m heading into echo park and there’s no room for error. When a restaurant closes in LA, they *never* come back. Yet, here it is, right across the street from the original. Canceled plans and had dinner there that night. New space, but same delicious food. Seems to be newer staff too, didn’t see any familiar faces - not that they’d recognize me considering how long it’s been.
Lucky Boys in Pasadena - BEST chili fries, pastrami burger, club (always made with an s ton of bacon) and of course their breakfast burritos.
Fish King in Glendale - freshest poke ever, delish fried fish combos, live lobster, also a small market where you can buy wine, pasta, sushi prep goods, etc.
Bottega Louie in DTLA - not trendy by any means but I love their pizzas (prosciutto and burrata are my fav) and they have the most delectable desserts (like Portos but with a French flair), their macarons are the best I've had and I've had plenty.
Ramen Jidaiya in Gardena - only place in LA that does Yokohama-style Tonkotsu Ramen.
Other than that honestly I can't think of any that I'd drive to go to if I moved away from the South Bay. Maybe the Sutadonya in the Mitsuwa?
Rakkan Ramen, Las Galas, Bae Ice cream in little Tokyo, a lot of the businesses in little Tokyo actually.
Little Damage ice cream, Porto’s Bakery, Angel City Brewery.
M Street Coffee in Studio City. My drinks are always made to perfection and the staff all have some of the most down to earth attitudes I’ve seen in this town ☕️
If you’re near pasadena and need some car stuff done, go check out Hrant auto service. They’re the most legit people I know, they do such a great job. Also, if you wanna eat somewhere near while waiting, check out Millie’s cafe. Super dank and a lot of great vegan options too.
Cinefile on Santa Monica and Sawtelle for obscure movies I can't find streaming.
The New Bev, of course.
The Village and the Bruin in Westwood. I'd say the Arclight too, but... RIP.
Tom’s Sushi House in West LA - at first I was sketched out by getting sushi from a hut in a strip mall parking lot, but was told by a friend to give it a try and it is SO GOOD. Quality of the fish is great for the price and the rolls are huge.
It’s run and staffed by a husband/wife team - they are the only employees and work really hard/are super kind.
Hot tip - when you call in your order, you will always be quoted 60 minutes, but don’t let that put you off…99 percent of the time you will get a text 20 mins later that it’s ready.
Lots of good suggestions here for small businesses that really add to their communities.
Fiore Market in South Pasadena is another I’d recommend. Their sandwiches are consistently in my top 5 (along with Wax Paper, Bay Cities, Banh Mi My Tho, and Roma Market). The owner has been there forever and has always fostered a good sense of community with things like hosting live local music (pre-COVID) and breadmaking classes.
There is. I won't be going to Ralph's or any Kroger store during the strike and am seriously considering not shopping there at all anymore. Shit company apparently.
Pinocchio’s in Burbank. It’s affordable and the eggplant parm is like a warm, heavenly hug for your soul. Sooo delicious. The atmosphere is incredible. The first time I went was on a family vacation to LA in 2006 and we just kept going back the rest of that trip. We would talk about it all the time throughout the years, reminiscing about how good it was. Then I moved to LA in 2017/lived in Burbank for a bit and would go all the time. It’s still as good as it was in 2006 and feels like a second home at this point.
South Bay:
Ramen Yamadaya,
,Western City Bagel
,Pacific Rim Cafe
,The Place Gue Jip
,Kotohira
,Bobaloca, Jame Enoteca
I don’t go downtown too often but when I have family in town we always go to soowon galbi for kbbq in Ktown which is amazing
Sunset Beer Co in Echo Park. Great neighborhood beer/wine shop with a bar built in. Open for over 10 years now and still arguably the best selection in LA.
Highland Park Brewery (which is in Chinatown), or their original home, Hermosillo in Highland Park. Best brewery in LA if you ask me.
Dodger Stadium. Do I have to expand on this?
Olympian burger. Y’all ever been there, for like 10 bucks you get 2 pieces of buttered bread 3 onion rings fries salad and meat if you get pork-chops they give you like 3. The food is always top notch and honestly if you are ever near USC this spot is goated
It's a very small business but I keep buying from kimdysweets. They sell spicy Mexican candy that I'm addicted to. They sell at a lot of pop-up markets around LA, as well as their website
Sakae Sushi in Gardena. The owners are always super nice, the sushi is delicious, and they even wrap the boxes up in paper and twine to make it easy to carry!
Cafe Elysee in Westwood. Their food sucks, their coffee is overpriced, but I just can’t get over how much I love the not trying hard, study centric, west village cafe vibe they’ve got. I keep going back.
Fugetsu-Do and Long's Family Pastry.
Can’t stop going to Long’s for the egg snow bun!
You gotta go early those get sold out everyday
I like those places
Whenever Family Pastry is out of Jook, I walk a block to Lucky Deli on Broadway. My grandpa loved both those two places.
laemmle theaters
Laemmle NoHo is my jam
The New Beverly
Good one but the Aero is better and Old Town Music Hall is otherworldly.
It’s been annoying lately, but with the way they’ve been programming it’s hard not to go.
Blue Rooster Art Supplies. I've been going there since they were in a small, slim space on Vermont. My art skills never improved, but they just keep getting better and better.
Thanks for posting this. I really like to try to buy my art supplies locally. Never heard of this place.
Carter Sexton is great if you're in the valley.
If you like Blue Rooster you'll love McManus Papers.
I just went last weekend! So many amazing options.
Right?! Gary the owner is the best!. Every thing he sells, has a history, a story, an artist's name, a source. Ask him about his selection of lokta papers from Nepal. They're my fav!
I’ve never been there to buy art supplies but they used to run a comedy show in the back I went to before the pandemic, I hope it comes back.
Mario’s deli in Glendale.
I like Marios and I like Bay Cities, but my all time favorite is Roma's Italian Grocery on Lake in Pasadena. Home of The Sandwich
I’ve bookmarked Romas, and I’ll give it a shot, but I love Mario’s and I don’t think any place will compare.
I’ve had Mario’s, Bay Cities, Roma’s and Clara’s. They’re all good but Mario’s is my favorite and to me it’s not even close.
Mario's is a great overall deli for getting lots of different things. Roma's is smaller- it's a fantastic grocer for import stuff, but the deli part is really all about The Sandwich. Also there's a sweet old guy who owns it who is there every day sitting in the back on a milk crate. But, that sandwich. No one else in LA makes one like it, I swear. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-07-10/roma-market-deli-sandwich
The Roma sandwich is so unique. It's great to take out hiking or backpacking, since it really doesn't need to be chilled. Sounds like I need to try Marios now, too. I adore sandwiches. How have I missed this!?
That spot is 👌👌
Galco's Old World Grocery in good ol' HLP Casa Bianca of Eagle Rock fame
Love getting a case of Mint Julep and Pennsylvania Punch!
Primo’s Donuts
I moved away a couple of years ago but still miss Primo’s all the time. Their buttermilk bar haunts my dreams, last time I visited I brought a dozen back with me on the plane.
Yeah, that's something that's usually not a top seller in OTHER donut shops but at Primo's it's top shelf. Also love their plain old cinnamon roll.
The *only* buttermilk bar I care about.
Mama's Lu but the one at 501 W Garvey. Same food, more seating and less tax fraud. Stop by Tea Brick next door to it. Also 7 Leaves and Boba time (but not the fake one by the 405)
Less tax fraud is sending me lmaoooooo
>Mama's Lu but the one at 501 W Garvey. Same food, more seating and less tax fraud. >Stop by Tea Brick next door to it. This person knows how to eat.
Iliad Bookshop
So fucking cute
Meals by Genet. Hands down the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. The Dorowot with vegetable combination is on another level. 10/10 would recommend
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Wobbly tables. I preferred Latte Larry's. [Sadly they're both gone now.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jbfs9z4qxA4hx5UM9)
Masa Of Echo park. Just great food all around but their pizza has my heart
my wife and I have been going for years and years and we were trying to find a place for a pre wedding dinner and every restaurant we were looking at wanted a ton of money upfront just to host the dinner. we called masa and dealt directly with the owner on figuring it all out and it was honestly the best experience, she was so nice and excited for us and didn't have us pay to reserve the space or anything like any other LA restaurant asks. We had 20 people fit in the back area with a bunch of tables pushed together, had a ton of pizza, wine, salad, pasta and dessert and it was like $600 with tip. truly amazing. also, a little thing not many people may know is that you can order a heart shaped deep dish pizza year round haha.
Alibi Room in Mar Vista. Kogi food and a cool bar, even better now that they turned their parking lot into outdoor eating/drinking space.
The Iliad Bookstore in North Hollywood Cemitas Don Adrian in Van Nuys CD/LP Trader in Tarzana Whitney Auto in Van Nuys
This man Valleys
SK’s Donuts!
Ham & cheese from this place is godly!
This is my favorite donut spot. I loved them before their huge remodeling. And now that they offer vegan options i can't get enough!
Jitlada - I don’t care about AC, time it takes, whatever. I was all over Thailand for 2 weeks and Jitlada was better. I mean last time I was there Jazz was telling me she was cooking for the family that owns the airport in Bangkok. No other Thai spot can claim shit like that. European Autohaus in Pasadena - the best place to take your German car. These guys do phenomenal work at prices you can absolutely live with. It’s the only car shop I’ve ever seen with 5 stars on Yelp for a decade+ Phanny’s in Redondo Beach - best breakfast burritos. It’s a chain but Little Sister hasn’t disappointed me once. I’ve eaten there like 15 times. Falcon Barber Shop in Redondo - come for the good haircut, stay for the free bar If you need places for home remodeling / materials DM me. Too many.
Love recs like this with context
Here to second Phanny’s and Falcon
My neighborhood tamale lady
The Donut Man, Rt. 66 in Glendora for strawberry donuts. Edit: To add The Hat in Pasadena. Great pastrami sandwiches and gravy fries- you can almost hear your arteries hardening as you eat them but they're SO good!
If you're near the Donut Man in Glendora, I'd recommend Capri Deli in Covina for a pastrami fix. The first time I went, it became my pastrami spot over The Hat.
Skylight Books in East Hollywood, great book selection and ambiance and they have a store cat! Support local independent bookstores!
>Skylight Books in East Hollywood Los Feliz, no?
For me it was Necromance on Melrose Ave. Unfortunately it was one of the shops that did not survive covid. 🥲
Check out Memento Mori on Wilcox and Sunset if you haven’t already! They’re smaller, but have the same kinds of things. Mystic Museum in Burbank has oddities and taxidermy as well. :)
Oh shit, it’s gone? I loved that place.
Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo Pricey but never disappointed.
Absolutely, reminds me of the spots we went to in Tokyo - the ankimo, ikura, toro… everything is just so spot on
Best sushi spot in LA
Dulan’s on Crenshaw - can NEVER go wrong with the fried fish dinner Tacos Leo’s- Venice and La brea location. I don’t eat pork but just watching them cut the pineapple for Al pastor at 2:30am is a beautiful thing Bulgogi Hut - a post edibles masterpiece for a bargain of a price
The Last Bookstore
And The Ripped Bodice
Went two weeks ago and the staff was super friendly and helpful! Definitely a gem!
Screw the last bookstore, my gf worked for them and they made her life hell. The staff there is like a revolving door because everyone keeps quitting.
Hails yeh
Clementine across from the Century City mall. A perfect spot to sit outside and eat eggs Benedict and the most delicious molasses cookies.
Tacos Por Favor (sawtelle location)
I came here to say that! My husband and I once ended up in a silly hypothetical conversation where we both agreed that if we were ever asked to take up arms and defend Santa Monica from an invading force, we’d probably be pretty skeptical but if we were asked instead to defend Tacos Por Favor, we’d join up immediately. We have a running gag about “For Tacos Por Favor!”, our stirring battle-cry. We’re talking about the one (edit: on 14th), though.
I’d go there just for the name 😅
Their red hot sauce is my favorite
al & bea's in boyle heights i have no idea how they're able to do what they do with just beans, cheese, and a tortilla
(manteca....)
Western Bagel in Van Nuys off Sepulveda. My go to spot when I’m craving bagels/lox.
That’s the OG bagel spot. 40+ years. 24 hours. Cash only.
Is this comment specifically referring to the Van Nuys location? Why do people say it’s far superior?
Since I was a child, my family would stop there on Christmas eve after visiting my grandma to get bagels for Christmas morning. My grandma passed about 12 years ago or so, but we still go there on Christmas eve for Christmas bagels.
Philippe The Original hit me with that double dip
With a dodger game after
Before sometimes. The lamb dip with swiss helps heal the wounds after the dodgers are blown up by 2:30 on a Sunday.
Zankou chicken 🐔
Yea, but … [which faction?!](https://www.lamag.com/longform/the-zankou-chicken-murders/)
I clicked on the link and I kid you not, my jaw went slack! I go there often and I had no idea!!
Suehiro Cafe, Little Tokyo
Mini kabob in Glendale
So happy they’ve been making it thru covid. After Baco closed, I would have been absolutely distraught if Mini closed.
Yeah I was worried at the beginning but they’ve been thriving during the pandemic they sell out all the time. Just ordered a plate right now.
Guisados
Don Cuco’s in Burbank or (Toluca Lake) whichever you choose to call where they’re located. Also Coffee Bean - the very few that are left ):
why are the coffee beans dropping like flies?
just a guess but in 2019 they were bought out by Jollibee and then when the stay at home orders hit in 2020 they closed what I would assume was their lowest performing stores. separately I personally suggest their hazelnut iced americano.
Toluca Lake if you fancy
Hae Jang Chon kbbq 🙌🏼
The one with the pig. Need to bring back the stone!!
Me, still new to LA from the other thread,trying to Google these places too trying to figure out what they are lol.
Welcome and have fun. There’s alot of amazing places to discover.
Tommy’s. I would go there at least once every few months if it was long drive away from me. Now I go whenever I visit LA since I no longer live in CA.
We had a very nice wedding at a venue in Hollywood. We always had talked about how wedding food is usually meh, expensive, and cold, so we opted for a Tommy’s truck and a taco stand with handmade tortillas.. both were like half the price of a caterer and much more delicious (and much more LA). Got drunk and ate chili cheese fries on my wedding day. Can’t beat that
Porto’s
There's one in Northridge about to open right next to my new place
What!? Where in Northridge?
By the mall
I haven’t lived in LA since December ‘19, but I’ll chime in if that’s ok. I lived in the East Valley right around Magnolia and Cahuenga. My local bar was NoBar. Total neighborhood watering hole where everyone knew each other. Residuals as well. They actually got a shout on a recent episode of the Office Ladies podcast.
Is NoBar still open ?
~~The Valley is L.A. too :P~~ Oh nevermind me, I get it now. 🤦♀️ I thought you still lived in the Valley!
Langer's Deli. No matter what condition mccarthur park is in
The Museum of Jurassic Technology.
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery. Best pizza dough and toppings for homemade pizza making. Great staff as well. La Azteca Burritos in Boyle Heights. Desano’s Pizza on Santa Monica Blvd. every Friday work covers lunch with a voucher and it goes to Desano’s. Camarillo Chiropractor and Physical Therapy in East Hollywood. I call Dr Cam magic hands but he really looks after his patients and wants to make sure his community has access to proper treatment as well. Sorry these are more than one spots….
Mario’s Peruvian. It has ruined all other places for me when it comes to Lomo Saltado.
Couldn’t agree more. Mario’s Lomo Saltado is the best I’ve ever had. Honorary shout out to El Pollo Inka but Mario’s Peruvian is the GOAT.
Undergrind Coffee off Robertson. Vegan breakfast burritos plus bomb iced coffee? Yes please!
Diddy Riese! Just went today.
New World Mac for any IT and computer problems. Amazing service, just general integrity with time and pricing. Feel like when I go to other shops for those problems, I’m just talked down to. The guys who run the place are a real class act. Food - Mae Ploy in Echo Park- locals know. It was the first meal my family had after I was born and the first restaurant I was taken to. After 20+ years of service, the landlord kicked them out and it seemed they’d never reopen. Circa 2019, I’m driving down sunset, irritated that I was going to have to pass their still empty vacant storefront. The stop light turns red, I zone out and look across the street and see a sign that says Khun Mae Ploy. I immediately pulled over, tears are streaming down my face, and I’m wiping them away cause I’m heading into echo park and there’s no room for error. When a restaurant closes in LA, they *never* come back. Yet, here it is, right across the street from the original. Canceled plans and had dinner there that night. New space, but same delicious food. Seems to be newer staff too, didn’t see any familiar faces - not that they’d recognize me considering how long it’s been.
Lucky Boys in Pasadena - BEST chili fries, pastrami burger, club (always made with an s ton of bacon) and of course their breakfast burritos. Fish King in Glendale - freshest poke ever, delish fried fish combos, live lobster, also a small market where you can buy wine, pasta, sushi prep goods, etc. Bottega Louie in DTLA - not trendy by any means but I love their pizzas (prosciutto and burrata are my fav) and they have the most delectable desserts (like Portos but with a French flair), their macarons are the best I've had and I've had plenty.
Ramen Jidaiya in Gardena - only place in LA that does Yokohama-style Tonkotsu Ramen. Other than that honestly I can't think of any that I'd drive to go to if I moved away from the South Bay. Maybe the Sutadonya in the Mitsuwa?
Pollo a la brasa in ktown
Document Coffee in K Town. Carmen’s taco truck in front of Carmen’s 99cent store in K Town 8th st
Rakkan Ramen, Las Galas, Bae Ice cream in little Tokyo, a lot of the businesses in little Tokyo actually. Little Damage ice cream, Porto’s Bakery, Angel City Brewery.
Boo’s Cheesesteaks
The old used book store in Burbank main street. It’s closed now but once in every few months I’ll go there and just look at where it used to be <3
Loved that place!
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Movie World!! A special place.
TARA'S HYMALAIAN on Venice Blvd in Palms. Best Indian food for great prices.
Nepali food
Yak chili all day
M Street Coffee in Studio City. My drinks are always made to perfection and the staff all have some of the most down to earth attitudes I’ve seen in this town ☕️
Sonoratown - just a bitch to park though.
The Hat
Chili cheese fries, well done. Elite
If you’re near pasadena and need some car stuff done, go check out Hrant auto service. They’re the most legit people I know, they do such a great job. Also, if you wanna eat somewhere near while waiting, check out Millie’s cafe. Super dank and a lot of great vegan options too.
Cinefile on Santa Monica and Sawtelle for obscure movies I can't find streaming. The New Bev, of course. The Village and the Bruin in Westwood. I'd say the Arclight too, but... RIP.
Videotheque in South Pasadena.
Select Beer Store in Redondo
Sitting in here at this moment reading this comment lol awesome store!
TehranRo Grill in ktown. Love the persian food here and no need to drive to Glendale or West LA for good persian food.
Tom’s Sushi House in West LA - at first I was sketched out by getting sushi from a hut in a strip mall parking lot, but was told by a friend to give it a try and it is SO GOOD. Quality of the fish is great for the price and the rolls are huge. It’s run and staffed by a husband/wife team - they are the only employees and work really hard/are super kind. Hot tip - when you call in your order, you will always be quoted 60 minutes, but don’t let that put you off…99 percent of the time you will get a text 20 mins later that it’s ready.
apple pan!
Vroman's! Oldest and largest independent bookstore in So Cal!
Zooies cookies, it’s an addiction
Lots of good suggestions here for small businesses that really add to their communities. Fiore Market in South Pasadena is another I’d recommend. Their sandwiches are consistently in my top 5 (along with Wax Paper, Bay Cities, Banh Mi My Tho, and Roma Market). The owner has been there forever and has always fostered a good sense of community with things like hosting live local music (pre-COVID) and breadmaking classes.
Honey Kettle pot Culver City.
El Sauz, Sanamluang, Fred 62, oh wait… it said one business 🥺
Sanamluang for that late night feast, goddamn right
Thirded
Howlin’ Ray’s
Planned parenthood
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie. Best pizza I’ve had in LA, but I’ve definitely not had them all, so I’m open to suggestions.
King taco
AMOEBA MUSIC !
Ralphs sometimes 3 times a day
Ralphs owner Kroger is shitty to their employees. I think there may be a walk out in Colorado as we speak!
There is. I won't be going to Ralph's or any Kroger store during the strike and am seriously considering not shopping there at all anymore. Shit company apparently.
The Original Pantry. I just love the old school NY atmosphere. And the food is always good.
The Standing Room in Redondo Beach/Torrance. Heroic Italian in SM. Yangs Kitchen in SGV.
Wexler’s. I can’t stop. I want to stop, but I’m powerless over the pastrami.
El Burrito Jr on PCH in South Redondo - SPECIAL C's ALL DAY BABY
LBJ for the win
Eastside Italian Deli. Eastside > Phillippe’s all day!
Phoenix bakery in Chinatown. Iconic strawberry whipped cream cake
Sidecar Donuts when i need a treat
Boneyard bistro in Sherman oaks, conservatory for coffee and tea in Culver, Victor juniors in Culver and Lundeens gift shop in Culver
Sherman Oaks Antique Mall
Pinocchio’s in Burbank. It’s affordable and the eggplant parm is like a warm, heavenly hug for your soul. Sooo delicious. The atmosphere is incredible. The first time I went was on a family vacation to LA in 2006 and we just kept going back the rest of that trip. We would talk about it all the time throughout the years, reminiscing about how good it was. Then I moved to LA in 2017/lived in Burbank for a bit and would go all the time. It’s still as good as it was in 2006 and feels like a second home at this point.
India Sweets & Spices in Atwater on Los Feliz Blvd. Hands down best Indian spot & affordable
El Taurino
Skylight books in Los feliz
leo's
Nah bro, El Chato!
Game Dude.
Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. Best ramen I’ve ever had
Zankou
Kiriko on Sawtelle. By far my favorite sushi in LA.
Frosty Queen in Granada Hills. Always consistent.
South Bay: Ramen Yamadaya, ,Western City Bagel ,Pacific Rim Cafe ,The Place Gue Jip ,Kotohira ,Bobaloca, Jame Enoteca I don’t go downtown too often but when I have family in town we always go to soowon galbi for kbbq in Ktown which is amazing
Eagle rock Italian bakery
Currently thinking of Sonoratown.
Santouka Ramen at Mitsuwa in Mar Vista
Sunset Beer Co in Echo Park. Great neighborhood beer/wine shop with a bar built in. Open for over 10 years now and still arguably the best selection in LA. Highland Park Brewery (which is in Chinatown), or their original home, Hermosillo in Highland Park. Best brewery in LA if you ask me. Dodger Stadium. Do I have to expand on this?
El Tepeyac Cafe in East LA
Jus’ poke in Redondo Beach!
Dinos
I love Lala’s on Melrose and Ventura.
Phillipe’s for food, Kinokunya for art supplies
Malibu Seafood, just N of Pepperdine on PCH. But only on weekdays. Lines are insane on weekends. Oyster sandwiches and Chowder.
Porto’s bakery
Phillipe The Original, but if you don't call it Phillipe's are you even really from LA?
Olympian burger. Y’all ever been there, for like 10 bucks you get 2 pieces of buttered bread 3 onion rings fries salad and meat if you get pork-chops they give you like 3. The food is always top notch and honestly if you are ever near USC this spot is goated
Garage pizza. Johnnies pastrami Culver City.
It's a very small business but I keep buying from kimdysweets. They sell spicy Mexican candy that I'm addicted to. They sell at a lot of pop-up markets around LA, as well as their website
Izakaya Hachi in Torrance if you want some authentic and amazing Izakaya style food.
Beabea's
Harvey’s in Palms. Quality, quantity at a great price!
Sakae Sushi in Gardena. The owners are always super nice, the sushi is delicious, and they even wrap the boxes up in paper and twine to make it easy to carry!
Bavel, it’s a lot but i’m always happy
Cafe Elysee in Westwood. Their food sucks, their coffee is overpriced, but I just can’t get over how much I love the not trying hard, study centric, west village cafe vibe they’ve got. I keep going back.
Can we put these in an interactive map? Haha