JazzBeau's Profile
Soul Food in Carson
I've never been, but many friends rave about R&R.
Family Fish Market is the best of the three in Carson (Louisiana Home and Anna being the other two)...but other places that don't specialize in fish are MUCH better than any of them !!
Venni Macs M&M has been going downhill for some time now. Perhaps since his murder no one takes care of QC the way he did.
Haven't tried Bertha's either...but many folks speak well of the L.A. location. And they are apparently doing quite well...since they are opening a spot in one of the LAX terminals.
Chicken Fried Steak
Though known as a BBQ place...Chris & Pitts serves a very good CFS w/brown gravy. Not being a fan of their BBQ'd goods....all I would ever order there was the CFS or their excellent grilled fish (w/fruit salsa) when I worked nearby.
Save me from the horror that is Benihana. I need a PLAN B fellow hounds....stat.
I don't know if you have a specific area you're looking for, but I'd highly recommend
Sambi of Tokyo in Downey. (8600 block of Firestone) It's almost like 2 restaurants in one. There is the main dining area with beautiful lighting and a piano bar...and another area with teppan. The food is excellent and not too overpriced.
"Food Truck Village" in SM
According to the report I just heard, though the trucks have the proper licenses and permits, the LOT doesn't have the necessary (Santa Monica) permits to serve food. I think Steve Taub is gonna get his lawyers involved in order to get absolute clarification from the city (cuz it sounds like a crock).
Perdue's BBQ is great -- Pasadena
WOW. Good reviews...I'm shocked. Perdue's WAS on Western in L.A. at one time. After they were ranked #3 in L.A. via the Steve Harvey "Hoodie Awards" I gave them a shot & came away quite disappointed (as were many others). Maybe they have perfected their recipes (their side dishes were either straight out of the can or slightly modified Smart & Final) AND system.
Best Mexican in Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Whittier, La Habra?
And we can't forget about Enrique''s.....Artesia Blvd, @ Downey (shares strip center with Pep Boys). The Long Beach location has gotten great reviews on this board...but the Downey location is the original and every bit as good !
Tex-mex in LA?
Cybernaut:
As a Texan, I know exactly what you mean ! That said, though not in LA, I wholeheartedly recommend Casa Garcia of Anaheim. Their food is true TexMex & well worth the drive. Will post links or address later. (But they have 2 locations...the closest being approx.1/2 mile East on Lincoln off the 5 Fwy.
Stevie's Creole-Encinco?
I've been several times (for the entertainment), but only dined once. The entree tasted like a box of salt had been spilled in the batter..so I sent it back. I must have ticked someone in the kitchen off, because they sent my plate back with the entree 'perfect"...but with extra salt on the side orders. On the flip side, some diners were quite happy with their meals...but I'll never eat there again. On a side note, IF you do go...go early or NOT on a night when they have live entertainment, Neither the kitchen or waitstaff handles crowds well.
Big Mista's BBQ at your local farmer's markets
Unfortunately, many establishments buy brisket "points", which are trimmed of most fat instead of buying the cryovac sealed whole brisket....which will give you a nice fat layer (nad better marbling). Also, Orange County does not allow "real" wood burning pits in restaurants (or didn't when I was involved in a Seal Beach establishment) ...and L.A. County only allows them when "grandfathered" in or when used to Que outside. This faxctor alone...being forced to use a pellet type smoker or other...can definitely affect the end product....such as "mushy" brisket when trying to reach the proper tenderness.
Where is the "real" cajun/Creole in LA county?
My favorite spot was the now long gone Jonake's (Manchester at the 405 off ramp)....but I have heard good things about La Louisianne.
http://lalouisannela.com/
RESTAURANT SUPPLY IN L.A.?
Chello's on Bellflower Blvd. in Bellflower is also a good source. Small, yet well stocked family owned establishment. If they don't have it, they will happily go through their various catalogs to find exactly what you need and order it for you.
Barbecues
United Rentals has the large OPEN grills....but I'm not aware of any company that rents real smokers.
Best Steakhouse for someone who doesn't enjoy steak?
And you might consider Clearman's Northwoods Inn in La Mirada. Excellent steaks and great salads....just don't get full on the bowls of peanuts on your table.
Texas-style BBQ brisket in OC?
Texas BBQ is not that difficult if you have (1) Time (2) A great RUB (3) the right equipment ! Brisket needs to smoke low & slow....so not too close to the heat source, and few pits allow that much area or even a firebox that is offset from the cooking chambers. "Bessie" (attached) will get 'er done though !
Pepsi and Mountain Dew Throwback
BTW...what is the supposed difference between Throwback (cans) and Natural (bottles) ??
Pepsi and Mountain Dew Throwback
For whatever reason, the Coca Cola plant that services the Monterey (NoCal) area still bottles the original formula (w/real sugar). Thirsty, I bought a can out of a vending machine and almost choked...because it had the "bite" that Coke used to have. Thinking it was a fluke, I bought a 2nd one and....YEAH it was REAL COKE !! KMart was having a sale on Coke prods....so I loaded up the SUV and had a Coke & a smile al the way back to L.A.
Enrique's in Long Beach
I've been a fan of Enrique's since they opened the original location on the corner of Artesia and Downey. The food is ALWAYS excellent and the staff is ALWAYS nice. Enrique's is family owned and managed....so if you have a special request, there is always someone on site that can make a decision right away.
BTW...if you order the revuelta salad, get it with chicken...it's solid meal all by itself. (And their creamy cilantro dressing is KILLER !!) AND...if you happen to catch the tomato/roasted garlic as the soup of the day...don't even hesitate ! (I've often bought two quarts at a time...)
Barbie's Q BBQ Truck
I'm intrigued as well. It's usually pretty difficult to avoid the loss of smoke flavor with a mobile set-up (if it's REAL smoked 'Que).
Sugarless Red Velvet Cupcakes At Cobbler Lady
The regular red velvet cake is EXCELLENT !! I'm "borderline" diabetic...so I only "treat" myself to it once in a blue moon...but it's good stuff. (And I've informed the staff that it's SOOO good, that my epitaph will read, "The Cobbler Lady did it !")
Where can I find some good southern/soul food?
All Roscoe's are not created equal. I only dine at the Long Beach location...usually order the Scoe's Special (smothered) and both the chicken AND waffles have been great.
Re: M&M
Some M&M's were franchised and their was no consistency between locations....and it's gotten worse since the Vennie Mac (the guy who started M&M's was murdered).
Re: Johnny Rebs
Note that they have two different hams on the menu (at least for breakfast). The sugra cured ham is always great...but the other one truly is foul !
And The Creole Chef is terribly over-priced...and not even half as good as Harold & Belle's (who's clam chowder rivals that of the Los Al Fish Company !!)
Toa's Hawaiian BBQ in Long Beach
No...the only BBQ at the Carson FM is "Texas Style".
OC MEXICAN IDEAS?
Try La Casa Garcia. Larger location in Anaheim on Chapman near Disneyland and a smaller location on Lincoln near the 5 FWY. (also Anaheim).
Stevie's Creole Cafe in Encino
Underseasoned ? I would have welcomed that ! When I was last there, my entree was totally inedible because they seemed to dumped a box of salt in it. I sent it back and it was replaced by something equally as gross. The music was great though....
