Long Beach Restaurant: Joe Jost's

Joe's Jost's in Long Beach is a family-friendly pool hall and one of the oldest bars on the west coast. The walls of this local landmark are lined with historical Long Beach memorabilia and photos. Speaking of food, their pretzels, peanuts, and signature pickled eggs provide a salty snack while drinking beer from a frosted schooner. Joe's Special sandwich makes this a great destination for your hungry friends.

Pickled Eggs ($1.25 per egg)
Joe's specially prepared pickled eggs are served on a mound of pretzels with chili peppers.

Joe's Special ($3.05)
A Polish Sausage made from our family’s own blend of spices, slice of Swiss cheese and pickle, mustard on rye bread.

Manhattan Beach Restaurant - North End Caffe

North End Caffe is a popular casual spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a close-up view of the famous Manhattan Beach coast. They serve up generous portions with high quality and diverse ingredients. The seating is tight but that doesn't stop visitors from piling in. Their appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Drive is what brings a ton of people here and leads to what most people order.

Kahlua Pig Monte Cristo Egg Rolls ($10.00)

Fettuccine Carbonara ($17.00)

San Diego Sandwich - Stone Oven

Stone Oven is a frequent find in many LA and SD mall food courts. Here you will get the speedy service of a food court but the quality ingredients of a sit-down restaurant lunch. Their large stone oven occupies the majority of the space, and this allows them to make their signature gourmet foccaccia sandwiches. Shoppers moonlighting as sandwich afficionados are guaranteed to stop by for this variation of a classic concept, and the choice of free sides amounts to a filling plate for anyone.

 BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich ($7.95)
BBQ Beef Brisket, Cheddar Cheese, Chipotle Mayo, Onion Crisps & Avocadoes. With Basil Pasta Salad.

Burbank Restaurant - Chili John's

Chili on spaghetti? Works for me. Chili John's has been serving Texas chili in Burbank since 1946, making it the city's oldest restaurant. Their chili recipe has made the place a favorite among locals and a landmark of the West Coast. The horseshoe-shaped counter allows the servers to chat with all of the customers at once. Beef, chicken, or vegetarian chili is served on a long list of menu items. Spiciness of the chili is also a choice. If you enjoy any spicy food, you can handle hot. A popular way to end the meal is with their diner-style icebox lemon pie.

Original Beef Chili ($7.85)
Regular bowl with spaghetti and beans

 Lemon Pie ($3.70)

Burbank Sandwich - Handy Market

Any market nicknamed "The Tri Tip Store" is bound to have a sandwich that I need to try(-tip). Every Saturday, Handy Market sells barbequed meats from grills in their parking lot. You can then go inside the market for a drink and the deli counter for a number of side dishes. Long lines during lunch hours indicate the reputation of this weekly event. A reputable food phenomenon is going to attract the local community and all of your friends. Get out there next Saturday so you know what they're talking about! 

Tri-Tip Sandwich ($6.99)
With BBQ sauce on a hoagie roll

Hollywood Hot Dog - Carney's

When I see a train car propped up on the side of the road, I have an overwhelming desire to eat chili there. Luckily the train in West Hollywood is home to Carney's Restaurant. Chili burgers, chili fries, and chili dogs are served by a line of speedy food artists. Often hailed as the best hot dog in Los Angeles, the Carney's Dog is the menu favorite. A necessary destination for all those who have visited Pink's.

Carney's Dog ($3.55)
With Chili, Mustard, Tomato, and Onions.

There is also a location in Studio City.

Studio City Restaurant - Hugo's Restaurant

Hugo's Restaurant was founded with the intention to serve unique and original food creations. An extensive tea selection, vegan and gluten-free options for every entree, and pasta on the breakfast menu make Hugo's a popular experience. The Pasta Mama, spaghetti fried with eggs and spices, has become an internet food phenomenon and it originated here. This dish ordered with eclectic meats forms the heartier Pasta Papa.

Pasta Papa ($12.75)
Fresh pasta scrambled with eggs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese and Hugo's special seasoning. With bacon, turkey sausage and scallions.

Hugo's also has locations in West Hollywood and Agoura Hills.

Burbank Burger - Tommy's

Original Tommy's Hamburgers are everywhere in Los Angeles and are major local favorites for a few reasons. People love hamburgers made with quality ingredients. Tommy's Famous Chili is added to everything on the menu. You will get your food within seconds of ordering. And with prices as low as they have, you won't feel guilty ordering the double.

Double Cheeseburger ($3.40)
100% Beef Patty, Double Thick Slice of Real Cheese, Tommy's Famous Chili, Hand-Sliced Beef Steak Tomato, Fresh Chopped Onions, Pickles, Mustard on a Fresh Bun

Hollywood Burger - The Oaks Gourmet

The Oaks Gourmet Fine Foods & Spirits looks like just a wine market, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming a famous burger spot of Los Angeles. They take prime cuts of chuck, shortrib, and brisket, grind them together, and dry-age the resulting patty for 30 to 40 days. This makes a hamburger with a different flavor than the usual ground chuck. While you are there, you can browse the interesting sodas, alcohol beverages, candy, and cheeses from their market or look for celebrities since you'll be in the Hollywood Hills.

The Dry Aged Burger ($11.95)
A Half Pound of Dry Aged Blend w/ Taleggio Cheese, Black Forest Bacon, Red Onion, Tomato, Baby Arugula & Smoked Jalapeno-Pineapple Compote on Toasted Brioche.

Hollywood Sandwich - Canter's Deli

Canter's Deli is a 24-hour Jewish-style New Jersey deli that has made its home in Los Angeles since 1931. This Fairfax Avenue restaurant has been frequented by dozens of celebrity visitors who come for both the food and the live music and night life of their attached bar, The Kibitz Room. They also have a popular food truck that roams the area. Their pastrami is extremely well-known, and the fanciest way to eat Canter's pastrami is on a Reuben sandwich.

Pastrami Reuben ($14.50)
Grilled Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, and Russian Dressing on Grilled Rye.

Hollywood Burger - Umami Burger

It has become apparent to me that any fancy burger must be served on a square plate and made with some kind of infused ingredient. Umami Burger is an embellished burger restaurant that has been rapidly spreading to locations throughout California and fulfills both requirements. Named for the fifth taste in Japanese, Umami Burger specializes in savory flavors. Their Umami Master Sauce is cooked into every hand-formed patty. Truffles are one unique inclusion on Umami Burger's menu, so experiencing that flavor is a popular choice.

Truffle Burger ($12.00)
House-made truffle cheese, truffle glaze

Hollywood Burger - Rounds Burgers

Rounds Premium Burgers is a successful restaurant in West Hollywood and Claremont and will open locations in several other LA cities in the near future. Their success also led to one of the most famous food trucks rolling through Los Angeles. The full menu boasts all-natural meat free of preservatives, fresh ingredients, and a long list of sauces. Fluffy challah buns give the burgers their signature round shape. You have many options if you choose to order a custom hamburger, but most people opt for their Specialty Burger menu, which has interesting names with interesting toppings.

The Executive ($9.00)
Caramelized onions, bacon, bleu cheese, garlic aioli

Santa Monica Sandwich - Bay Cities Deli

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is known as a deli of the stars in Santa Monica. Their specialty sandwiches are great choices for us normal people too. They are often regarded as having the #1 Italian sub in LA and one of the top sandwiches overall. This signature sub is known as the Godmother. Long lines are very common at this cash-only market, but online ordering and baskets of pre-made Godmothers help alleviate the wait time. Toppings cost extra but everyone will still recommend that you order your Godmother with The Works.

Godmother W/ The Works ($8.00)
genoa salami, mortadella, coppacola, ham, prosciutto, provolone W/ mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian dressing & mild or hot pepper salad.

Bay Cities Deli is closed on Mondays

Hollywood Hamburger - Hamburger Mary's

Hamburger Mary's is a lively restaurant in West Hollywood that features sexy menu items and after-hours drag show entertainment. Fancy cocktails and burgers ranging from simple to extravagant are their specialties, unless you are counting Burlesque Bingo! The Mac Daddy Burger may not be the craziest burger on the menu, but it is definitely a crowd pleaser. The post-burger check arrives inside a high-heel shoe to complete the experience.

Mac Daddy Burger ($12.99)
Your meat topped with creamy homemade Mac-n-Cheese

Westwood Sandwich - Fat Sal's

Every UCLA student with late-night munchies will probably end up at Fat Sal's Deli in Westwood Village. Fat Sal's was started by Jerry Ferrara of Entourage fame and his two food lover friends with the goal to sell sandwiches large in both size and flavor. They have a menu full of fat sandwiches with toppings that include things like chicken fingers, mozarella sticks, french fries, and potato salad. There are a lot of unique sandwich options here, but you should go with the title sandwich for your first visit.

Fat Sal ($8.95)
Roast beef, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, fries, brown gravy, and mayo made on extra-wide garlic hero bread

Hollywood Hot Dog - Pink's Hot Dogs

Pink's Hot Dogs is one of the original fast food locations in Hollywood starting as a hot dog cart in 1939. Still located on the same corner of Melrose and La Brea, Pink's continues to sell cheap chili dogs to Hollywood movie stars and tourists alike. The Super Specials menu is full of unique topping combinations with names like the Martha Stewart Dog and The TODAY Show Dog. All of your friends have tried one, so you probably should check it out too.

Chili Dog ($3.45)
With mustard, chili, & onions

Hollywood Taco - Pinches Tacos

Pinches Tacos is a family-owned Los Angeles taco shop. Their Hollywood location has outdoor seating and a view of the Sunset Strip. Cheap and authentic Mexican food isn't common in the middle of Hollywood but it works well for all the locals who are fans of the secret family recipes that fill the menu. Their marinated meat attracts a range of locals, but Pinches also has a different kind of taco that you probably won't find anywhere else.

Nopal Taco ($2.00)
Sliced cactus with onion, tomato, and cheese

Pinches Tacos also has a location in Culver City.

Culver City Burger - Father's Office

Father's Office has been a well-known bar since its involvement in the 1970s craft beer movement. Its popularity was renewed when it was purchased by a new owner and made upscale during the gastropub trend of the 2000s. With a minimal food menu and a "no custom order" policy, this hasn't prevented them from becoming a famous place to stop and order the menu's one burger, recognizable by its rare-cooked patty and exotic toppings. No question here about what your friends have had.

The Office Burger ($12.50)
With caramelized onion, bacon, gruyere, maytag blue cheese, and arugula

Father's Office also has a location in Santa Monica. Both are 21+ all day.

San Diego Burger - Burger Lounge

With locations spreading throughout both San Diego and Los Angeles, I had to get to Burger Lounge. The establishment boasts all organic ingredients and grass-fed single-source beef. Fortunately, the upscale ingredients don't elevate the prices. The Burger Lounge has only been around for a couple of years, so you might get to try this place before your friends do.

The Lounge Burger ($7.95)
Lounge bun, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, house-made 1000 Island,organic cheese - white cheddar or American, and fresh or grilled onion

Westlake Sandwich - Langer's

You probably won't find a more famous pastrami sandwich in California than Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant. Langer's has been a strong force in serving sandwiches and breakfast for more than 60 years next to MacArthur Park in downtown LA. The legendary pastrami is cut thicker than usual while still maintaining its mosture and flavor from added spices. They have a menu with a long list of numbered combination sandwiches, but the one everyone goes to try is the #19.

#19 ($15.20)
Pastrami, Swiss cheese and cole slaw with Russian style dressing