What are your favorite dives and cheap eats WORTH THE DRIVE?

Love this question & all the great answers - I'd second:
uncle bill's
pie 'n burger
portos
john 'o grotes
roscoe's

and if you love a dive up PCH or are on the way to Santa Barbara, this one's right off the beach:
Mrs Olson's Coffee Hut
117 Los Altos Street, Oxnard, CA 93035-3935

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Need 1 more recommendation for a coffee shop/diner in Santa Monica

The Bookmark Cafe inside the Santa Monica Public Library courtyard -

Also, the library has free wifi & private meeting rooms upstairs that can be reserved in blocks.

601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90025
(310) 587-2665

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GOOD gluten-free hamburger buns. Any in Hollywood?

Haven't tried them, but Amazon sells Ener-g hot dog & hamburger buns in bulk. Amazon's gluten-free selection in general is pretty great. Good luck!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_p_4_0?rh=n%3A16310101%2Ck%3Agluten+free+food%2Cn%3A%2116310211%2Cn%3A16318751%2Cp_4%3AEner-G+Foods&bbn=16318751&keywords=gluten+free+food&ie=UTF8&qid=1277233937&rnid=203034011

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Huckleberry, anyone?

Stopped in for a late afternoon weekday lunch and as everyone has noted, it was a madhouse. But a quick moving madhouse with friendly counter service and happy locals filling every single seat. The buzz of the crowd created a fun atmosphere, but made it really hard to hear. Great energy, though.

Luckily, by the time my party made our way through the line, a table was available. We lingered over our food, and since you pay at the counter and tip the tip jar, there was no fight for the check (yay!) and nobody hurried us along for our seats.

Delicious salad with quirky fresh ingredients and generous portion sizes & a self-serve drink... $15 + tip for a breezy, beachy lunch close to the promenade.

A great treat. I'll definitely be back soon.

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ISO wedding location with a coast view

A friend had a gorgeous wedding in the Redondo Beach Historic Library: http://www.spectrumcatering.com/redondo.html

I'd second the Queen Mary as worth a call. Another friend hosted a lovely (prix fixe $39) Champagne Sunday brunch as a day-after-wedding wrap up there & they do wedding ceremonies as well: http://www.queenmary.com/index.php?page=sundaybrunch

Also second Trump in PV – friend's wedding there a few years ago was impressive and surprisingly low cost.

Haven't been to these for weddings, but I hear they're not too expensive:

Duke's Malibu is popular and affordable for weddings: http://www.dukesmalibu.com/

The Beau Rivage Malibu is another go-to: http://www.beaurivagerestaurant.com/client/beaurivage/homepage.htm

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe Malibu sounds good for kitch + a private beach (note parking can be pricy): http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/

Good Luck!

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Dinners in Santa Monica

Ditto The Lobster... but I'd second Ivy at the Shore, and I Cugini too (though it does make me think business lunch, depending on the time of day.)

If not Catch, maybe one of the neighboring hotel restaurants? I'm a fan Coast at Shutters for the beachy ambiance – the menu even has a side of mac & cheese. http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/restaurants/menus/coast_dinner.php

And I love Whist at the Viceroy for brunch. What do people think of it for dinner? http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/santamonica/dining-and-nightlife/whist.php

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Suggestions for Westwood and surrounding?

After lunch / dinner, if you're looking for something sweet, don't miss Diddy Riese on Broxton for $1.50 build-your-own ice cream sandwiches and fresh baked cookies: http://www.diddyriese.com/home.php

Also, Stan's Doughnuts on Weyburn is a local treasure: http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/location.html

Enjoy your stay.

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Help! Where To Get The Best Cake?

I'd second Porto's - it's always a favorite.

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