This is my favorite salad in the world—anybody have a bead on the recipe? I know for sure they use tomato vinaigrette, definitely parm, possibly anchovies? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A really nice treat and worth getting, esp if you find it hard to go out to a restaurant with kids.

Hello, I’m taking my partner out to a movie in the park style event with a live orchestra for her birthday. I’m looking for a good take out restaurant near la state historic park that would be a nicer meal that would work well picnic style (maybe a charcuterie thing but still a full meal). Event is a little nicer and we plan on dressing up a bit so nothing messy. Sorry if this is a bit vague. We have no dietary restrictions or anything just maybe something with veggies. Budget is ~$60 per person not including drinks. TIA!

are there any restaurants you've been to and been surprised by the food and how good the servie really is ? i really love a place that serves more than just food to people the service is really what makes the time worth it . any suggestions ?

I have a 5 hour layover next Saturday at LAX. I’m looking for a great place to eat and get a drink then go back to the airport. Any recommendations would be great! Thank you!

Got lots of work to do but would rather do it at a steakhouse that I can work at into the night while digging into a steak. Any suggestions? Thanks

Going to two Hong Kong movie screenings in Whittier and have a gap in the late afternoon to grab an early dinner. Where is the best place in downtown Whittier that is walking distance to the Starlight Cinemas on a weekend? Preferably in the $$ range, and nothing too hot for a hot day. Thanks!

First off, I acknowledge SoCal's esteemed place in the history of ice cream. All I am saying is the vast majority of celebrated places currently existing are either poorly executed novelty flavors or terrible, icy texture. My feeling is that ice cream in Los Angeles kind of sucks by any reasonable standard.

I used to get down with Saffron & Rose but the texture is a weird icy-melty, and it just doesn't hit the spot if you are hankering for dairy-forward ice cream

I dig Kinrose in Pasadena but it doesn't blow me away. McConnell's is also fine, but imo pretty forgettable for a region's flagship brand.

Handel's and Jeni's are both good, and both from Ohio. Redditors in Columbus barely even mention Jeni's because there are a million better options. Van Leeuwen is also pretty good, but it's from NYC. Salt & Straw, Portland... Each of these places have better homegrown options that are not franchised, and yet their seem to be the

I had what Reddit deemed the best gelato (Ecco un poco) and I honestly thought it was super underwhelming for the price.

I thought Long Beach Creamery was one of the most disappointing scoops of ice cream I have ever had.

It's telling (and embarrassing) that people fawn over Thrifty. I get the nostalgia, but, like, does everyone secretly know that it sucks? Am I not supposed to say that out loud?

I live around Sunset/Echo Park so there's no shortage of $$$ cafes near me.

But what if I just want a simple cup of bitter coffee? Something slightly better than Echo Park Donuts (gets the job done but too simple). Because sometimes I am just not in the mood for a sour single-origin drip coffee lol.

edit - thanks neighbors for the great recs!

Have a reservation for 4 tonight at 7:30. One of our party came down sick this morning. Would love to hand it off!

A few years back Border Grill was serviceable maybe even “border”-line good. You could get a drink and some carnitas and it was ok. It’s awful now and has been for a few years like I don’t think the staff even take orders they force you to download an app on your phone and they stare off into space while one person makes a 3 inch thick quesadilla that will give you a bowel obstruction. I moved on to 800 degrees and it was never “good” but it was once edible. two weeks ago when I flew it wasn’t even open and I didn’t even care. Beechers is an option but not to the point where you’re happy you ate there. The only thing even remotely civilized is PF Changs which feels like an insane thing to say. If Mayor Karen Bass wanted to improve her ratings, she’d declare martial law and let some taquerios get TSA precheck and let them feed us. Honestly I’d rather risk dying in a plane crash bc terrorist snuck a IED inside a box of avocados than eat the food at Terminal B. It’s just so, so bad. Is there any hope?

I used to often visit Mandarin Bay in Rowland Heights often (pic) for their $11 lunch special until they closed down during covid. Any comparable recommendations are much appreciated!

I’m looking for the best place with a tasting menu under $200 pp. A Michelin star place would be preferable but not a must. This is for my gf and I’s anniversary. She’s a foody and I wanna make it special. West of western ave is also preferable but not a must. Thanks in advance!

I want to do one so badly but does anyone know of a gluten free friendly option? Open to any style of food

I love my pizza thick and cheesy, everywhere I go is just thin crust and okay cheese/taste. Any suggestions around DTLA? I’ll be willing to venture out to other cities if it’s worth the drive. Thanks.

We are having our annual backyard work dinner (a small event, like 20 people) and I have been tasked with finding an in-person, on-site catering option. In previous years we used a paella chef but he's unavailable on the date of the party. I have a portable pizza oven (an Ooni), so I floated the idea of make-your-own pizza, but I think most people want to have someone on site preparing food.

I've read through a bunch of threads on this sub and have written down several options, but the vast majority of these are ones where we go get the food and put it out on a table buffet style--not someone preparing on site which is what people want.

The budget is around $20-40 per person. The paella guy we used to use was around $20pp if I remember correctly and it seemed like a great deal honestly...

My thoughts are: a different paella person, a pizza caterer, a taco stand. I've googled and have found some options for each of these, but do y'all have any specific recommendations or perhaps cuisines or types of food I'm not thinking about that would be well-suited to this?

Thanks!

Coming down from 805 to LAX - want to take my 21 yr old for a killer meal before I put her on a plane to UK for her 21st bday… 🦋

Just read this piece which reminded me how uncommon places like Cafe Tropical are, in silver lake. https://on.ft.com/3HyebLr

What are other places like it (bars, cafes, bakeries, restaurants etc) that are beloved like that, that have such a strong tight knit vibe? Also are there other places in LA where the customers took over?

I'm back in L.A. for work, and my latest food blog review is of a beloved local restaurant that I tried for the first time yesterday: Howlin' Ray's, the first place to make Nashville hot chicken in Los Angeles. It first opened ten years ago as a food truck, but now has three brick and mortar locations in L.A.'s Chinatown, Pasadena, and even Las Vegas.

I had it delivered to my job site, and I definitely tried a lot of things. I appreciated that Howlin' Ray's serves bone-in chicken, not just tenders, so I got a dark meat quarter-chicken that was hot, and their version of hot is HOT. I also tried the "Mario Style," which is a mountain of seasoned fries topped with chopped fried chicken breast (this time medium-plus for the heat level), vinegar slaw, pickles, and creamy comeback sauce. All that, and collard greens and macaroni salad too? You better believe it!

I first experienced Nashville hot chicken IN Nashville at the legendary Hattie B's, and I'm a huge fan of Chicken Fire and JAM Hot Chicken back home in Orlando, Florida. How did Howlin' Ray's compare? You have to read my full, detailed review on The Saboscrivner food blog to find out!
https://saboscrivner.com/2025/08/22/howlin-rays-los-angeles/

Spoiler alert: I thought it was very similar to Hattie B's, and as much as I love my hometown places, they just serve hot chicken tenders and sandwiches, so I really appreciated getting a hot leg and thigh at Howlin' Ray's. Needless to say, regardless of heat level, they fry their chicken to perfection, and everything was still hot and crispy even after being delivered. I've also never had collard greens cooked with tomatoes before, so that was a nice surprise too.

My previous L.A. reviews:
Langer's Deli:
https://saboscrivner.com/2023/08/27/langers-delicatessen-restaurant-los-angeles/
Philippe the Original:
https://saboscrivner.com/2024/02/18/philippe-the-original-los-angeles/
Genghis Cohen:
https://saboscrivner.com/2024/12/21/genghis-cohen-los-angeles/
The Prince:
https://saboscrivner.com/2025/02/15/the-prince-los-angeles/
Bob's Big Boy:
https://saboscrivner.com/2025/04/12/bobs-big-boy-los-angeles/
Baar Baar:
https://saboscrivner.com/2025/05/31/baar-baar-los-angeles/

Hey everyone, Halloween is my favorite time of the year, I go to all the theme parks but this year I’d like to know of any spooky themed bars or restaurants, I already know of The Beetlehouse and The Obscure. Any help is appreciated

I am looking for a caterer or restaurant who can make posole for a party for 50, one with meat and one vegetarian. Any places you love and can recommend?