BBQ in Highland Park

i stopped by recently with high hopes for some texas bbq! it's definitely fusion of some sort because the bbq is served covered in a bbq sauce made with pineapple. don't really find sauced bbq in texas. the homemade hot links had a nice heat to them--i would get those again. but i gotta say...the brisket was way off. the main issue being that it was sliced with the grain (eek), so it ended up being stringy and tough. who knows. might be way better if they sliced it correctly. hope they realize that soon!

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Fishlips Sushi Truck ~ Short review + pics

Lvgoodfood, those are beautiful photos!

For what it's worth, here's my take on Fishlips, which I tried earlier today:

http://www.thehungryghostkid.com/2009/07/mother-trucker-fishlips-mobile-sushi.html

Big Ghost

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

New 21 Choices Location Near USC

thought i'd share that i saw students lining up for job interviews today at a new 21 choices outpost near usc! the store will be near the intersection of hoover and jefferson boulevards in a former payless shoe store. excited that there is finally more good eats coming to the area!

post has some proof in the form of fuzzy cell phone pictures: http://www.thehungryghostkid.com/2009/06/im-so-freakin-excited-21-choices-coming.html

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Return of Garfield/Garvey night market...?

i drove around garfield and garvey last night (sat) around 8 pm with the hope of finding the night market, but no sign of it! someone bring it back, please!

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

140 San Gabriel Square

I don't think this qualifies as great because there are better places for dim sum, but maybe New Capital?

There are a couple decent Taiwanese joints too like Nice Time Deli and Ay Chung. Aside from these and Sam Woo, I haven't had any too many mind blowing eating experiences at this plaza.

There used to be an Islamic Chinese restaurant that wasn't bad as well, but I think it closed down and/or moved to another location.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Lunch in East LA/monterey park?

Thanks Chow! I've been to Noodle House a few times, just forgot to mention it.

And I agree, Yum Cha is not the best dim sum but may be a good option given the time constraint.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Lunch in East LA/monterey park?

Oh, sorry you don't like Foo Foo Tei or Thai House! I like 'em both!

Of course neither is the best you can have in the category, but I guess options are kind of limited as far as MPK.

It seems like you know your way around MPK pretty well, so you probably have not missed much then. :P

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Lunch in East LA/monterey park?

I'm personally not a fan of Mexi-Catessan! Just my two cents.

El Tepeyac in Alhambra may be a bit of a hike, but they have relatively good Mexican food for the area. It does have sit down seating, but takeout might be ok.

As for Chinese, there are some great options in MPK like Yun Chuan for sichuan, Yum Cha Cafe for quick and cheap dim sum, Kam Hong for niu ro mien.

Other Chinese restaurants I've heard/read good things about and have been meaning to check out: Qingdao Breadfood, Dean Sin.

As for non-Mexican or Chinese: Oasis Pupuseria and Thai House, both in Atlantic Square. I think Thai House is the best Thai in MPK, of the 4 places I've been to. Service at Thai House is great as well.

I know you'd like to avoid Japanese sit down, but I've always been able to get in and out fairly quickly at Foo Foo Tei for ramen. Service is usually very prompt and attentive.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Korean tacos at La Taquiza of all places

Hi mikeop34, I just tried these yesterday too! I went to La Taquiza for chilaquiles when I saw signs plastered all over the place with the Korean flag on them advertising Korean tacos! So i had to try one.

I only got the short rib taco. Like you said, more meat than average, and I TOTALLY agree that this is what I originally envisioned a korean taco to be like...throw some marinated bbq meats in a tortilla and top it with some kimchi. it's pretty rustic...like something you could make at home. but i actually like this version better than kogi. It's a little pricey though bc w/ tax, the short rib taco ended up almost $3.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

$1 wonton noodle soup!

I will definitely have to check this out. A friend of mine went yesterday, and they still had the deal going on.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

is THE STAND any good?

2nd monku, jaykayen, swim and ipsedixit especially! I love Costco dogs!

Ok, this is a bit off topic, but the only dogs I've had in LA that I truly enjoy are Costco dogs and LA style bacon wrapped street vendor dogs. Am I missing something here??

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Korean Food in K-Town

i love manna! and, thus, second servorg's suggestion!

a lot of people hate on it, but it's a fun place to eat because of the boisterous atmosphere and the korean-techno happy birthday song they blast on the PA system.

a lot of non-Koreans eat there now, so i would say it's also "beginner" friendly in that respect.

i've also been to (Castle BBQ, Chosun, Gui rim 1, Gui rim 2, Mu Dung San, Park’s, Sa Rit gol, Soot Bull Jeep), but as others have mentioned, some of these are a bit more pricey. in terms of quality, i like Park's the best, but unfortunately it's not AYCE.

pepper, i've heard great things about tahoe, and would like to try it sometime.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

San Gabriel: state of play

These are some of my faves:

Pa Pa Walk - spicy beef and tendon noodle is my favorite
Litz Restaurant - try the laksa
Yun Chuan Garden - love the cumin lamb and spicy dumplings
Pho 79 - try the Banh Mi Bo Kho (beef stew with french bread)

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Kogi - the Korean BBQ taco truck

2nd JayKayen and hppzz.

I really admire what the chefs are trying to do, but i feel that the buzz surrounding this food phenomenon has more to do with the novelty of the items being served, rather than their spectacular taste.

I think it's worth trying at least once, but not something I would line up regularly for.

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area

Taco Truck Crawl Suggestions

funny, i just saw an article on CNN about LA taco trucks! yes, CNN! they mention taco arabes and give the details:

"Northwest corner of Sunset Blvd. and Logan St., Echo Park, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mon.-Sat. Dishes $2-$4."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/getaways/01/26/tacos.los.angeles/index.html

thehungryghostkid in Los Angeles Area