Sam D.'s Profile
Where to Find Wood Chunks for Smoking
I would suggest doing a web search for "firewood in Los Angeles" and then making some calls to see if they have the kind of wood chunks that you want.
Best $25 Steak dinner?
Taylor's no longer includes soup or salad in the dinner price. They also have a second location in La Canada.
Anyone knows what's the marinade on the chicken of Dino's in Pico Los Angeles?
I'd say that marinade also contains plenty of orange juice.
vegas happy hour hot spots
So many choices. Here are just three ideas.
Level 107 Lounge, so-called because it is in the 107th floor of the Stratosphere Tower, has 1/2 price martinis drinks and ½ price appetizers from 4-7 PM. No charge for Tower admission and the spectacular views are also free.
http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Tower/Nightlife/Bars-Lounges/Level-107-Lounge
At P.J. Clarke’s in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, you can get freshly shucked oysters on the half shell for just a dollar every day of the week during happy hour from 2:45-6 pm. These are high-quality oysters served with an impressive set-up of lemon, cocktail sauce, horseradish, and a vinegar-and-shallot mignonette, and there’s no limit on how many you can order. And during happy hour, a draft Sam Adams, Blue Moon, or Coors Light is only $3.
The Pub at Monte Carlo has happy hour 3-6 pm, Mon- Fr, excluding holidays and special events. They feature $1 wings, $1 sliders and 2 for 1 well drinks and selected domestic draft beers.
Oil Drum BBQ Grate for Pig Roast
Sorry, I can't. Over the years I have seen plenty of random places along the business streets of south central L.A. that sell them and have them displayed out on the sidewalks in front of their shops. I don't remember any specific locations. I think that if you drive along streets like Central Avenue or Century Blvd. after the rain moves out you'd be likely to spot a few of them.
Oil Drum BBQ Grate for Pig Roast
Have you tried contacting any of the places that sell oil drum BBQs to see if they will sell you a grate for yours? That would be the first thing I would do.
crumble coffee cake
Earlez on Crenshaw in SLA is the only place where I've seen it served but that's not in the SFV. Theirs is the same as the coffee cake that used to be served in the LAUSD school cafeterias.
Top 10 Chili Dogs in LA
The reviewer used to be a frequent poster here on CH. Pink's was briefly mentioned in the body of the article as were Dodger Dogs. But I think it was just to show they weren't overlooked because neither was rated in the top 10.
Recent Las Vegas Dining
Thanks for the report. I'll be looking to try at least one of those restaurants on my next Vegas trip.
Canned jackfruit?
It's much easier to find canned jackfruit packed in syrup than in brine. I have found it packed in brine at A Grocery Warehouse in Echo Park and at the Hawaii supermarket in San Gabriel.
General Tso's Chicken
I posted this recipe once before and got positive feedback, so here it is again.
General Tso's Chicken
1 lb chicken thighs, boned and cubed
3 eggs, beaten
½ cup cornstarch, plus
2 teaspoons cornstarch
5 dried chili pods
1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons rice wine
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
(Optional) sliced green onions and/or cilantro for garnish
In a bowl, blend the ½ cup of cornstarch and the eggs; add the chicken and toss to coat. In a small bowl (I use a coffee mug), prepare the sauce by combining the 2 tsp cornstarch with the wine, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce. Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a wok or skillet to medium-high heat (350-400). Fry the chicken in small batches, just long enough to cook the chicken through. Remove the chicken to paper towels and allow to stand .
Leave a tablespoon or two of the oil in the wok. Add the pepper pods to the oil and stir-fry briefly, awakening the aroma but not burning them. Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until the pieces are crispy brown. Add the sauce-mixture to the wok, tossing over the heat until the sauce caramelizes into a glaze (1-2 minutes). If desired, garnish with some sliced green onions and cilantro. Serve with steamed rice.
Steakhouses In Los Angeles County near the beach
Here's the Geoffrey's menu with prices
http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurants/geoffreys-malibu/menu
Looks like they're not really big on steaks and what they do offer is very pricey.
AYCE Mid Wilshire $
King Buffet
1375 North Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 468-9398
This is a huge buffet consisting of mostly Asian dishes. I thought it was good but not outstanding. Lunch was under $10 and I believe the dinner price was about $16. Drinks are extra.
Where to find authentic Spanish chorizo?
Spanish for sure. I'm well aware of the difference. Mexican chorizo is sold everywhere.
911! Surprise guests coming in on the train: where to eat close-ish to Union Station?
Philippe's
Spring Street Smokehouse
Several Mexican places along Olvera Street
Homegirl Cafe
Where to find authentic Spanish chorizo?
And at least at one place inside the Grand Central Market downtown. I don't know the name but itt's a stall which sells mostly spices and dried items and is located against the south wall of the market.
Short Order....Any Word???
I think you're right about it being early. All the mixed reviews indicate that the place is way too new to have all the kinks worked out. I plan on giving them at least a couple months to smooth out their routine before heading there.
Good Pie
I think their pies are very good too. But most of the other food they serve there is nothing to rave about.
Slumming it in the Kitchen
Surprised that none has mentioned Top Ramen. (6 pkgs./$1). Just add some chopped veggies and chopped leftover beef, pork, chicken, or seafood.
Also fideo soup made with diluted tomato sauce spiced with salt, chile powder, cumin and garlic powder. Add some sauteed finely chopped onion and other veggies. Lightly fry the fideo and boil it in the sauce mixture for 4-5 minutes and it's ready.
Potato Salad
In all of the L.A area I have found just three places that serve a potato salad that I like.
Yorkshire Grill
Philippe's
Billy's Deli in Glendale
I modeled my own recipe after the version at Phillipe's
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Yorkshire Grill
610 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Merken (Chilean Spice Blend) ?
Disregard Spice Station. I was there Friday and they don't have it.
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Spice Station
3205 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Merken (Chilean Spice Blend) ?
This week the L.A. Times food section carried a feature article about this spice. The only place specifically mentioned of where it is available was Whole Foods. It's interesting now to find out that info was not correct.
You could try Spice Station, 3819 W Sunset Blvd, L.A. (323) 660-2565
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Spice Station
3819 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Favorite recipes featuring beer as an ingredient?
Beer can chicken on the bbq grill.
Hot mustard. It's simply dry mustard powder mixed with stale beer.
MAKING PICKLES! Reliable source for kirby cucumbers?
Super King is my source also but they are not labeled as "Kirby" cucumbers there. They are labeled by the market as either pickling cucumbers or California pickles but they are definitely Kirbys. They are stocked on a daily basis there and the huge sales volume and rapid turnover at Super King's produce department is a pretty reliable assurance of freshness. They usually sell for 50-69¢/lb. SK also carries fresh dill, garlic and a wide variety of spices.
I have been making my own kosher style dill pickles for quite a few years just because it is nearly impossible to find acceptable pickles at the market. In fact, there are only a handful of restaurants I know of that serve decent kosher style dill pickles.
where to buy really interesting/cute cupcake liners?
Bakers Nook
http://www.shopbakersnook.com/CupcakeLiners.html
Top Five L.A. Sandwiches?
1. #7 at Eastside Italian Deli (Pastrami, Roast beef, provolone cheese, bell peppers, sauce)
2. #1 Combo at Billy’s Deli in Glendale (Pastrami, turkey, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing on rye)
3. House Cured Pastrami or the Cuban Sandwich at Beach Citiy Market Deli in San Pedro
4. Big Steve Combo Sandwich at Pasadena Sandwich Co. (Corned beef, turkey, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese & Russian dressing on rye)
5. Pastrami dip at Dino’s on Pico & Berendo (Yeah, IMO it really is better than ALL its similar rivals!)
Honorable mention - Torta from El Atacor #11 on N. Figueroa near Ave. 26.
And sorry, but I’m just not a fan of Langer’s.
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Pasadena Sandwich Co
259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107
El Atacor Restaurant
3520 N Figueroa St Ste 3, Los Angeles, CA 90065
An End of An Era @ the Original Pantry: Coffee No Longer Free
I couldn't care less because I'll never eat there again. The Pantry passed its prime 10-15 years ago and it;s been on a continual downhill slide ever since. They seem to draw ample business from the nearby Conv. Ctr, Staples and Nokia Center, etc to sustain them without caring about quality.
Wow! Best Cuban Sandwich I have had in a long time,,
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try the Cuban next time I'm there. Lately I've been spending more time in the Harbor area and found the all sandwiches I've had from Beach City to be first class.
best pastrami
You had pastrami at Philippe's?
Pardon me if I'm wrong but I don't think that in their 100+ year history they have ever served a pastrami sandwich.
