Tamales in San Fernando Valley

One of the best and hidden secrets for large moist chicken tamales wrapped in banana leaves and tomato sauce is at a small obscure Mexican grocery store in Tujunga on Foothill Blvd.

We stumbled upon this place searching for great local carnitas and not only did we find great carnitas - we found the motherlode of amazing handmade Mexican cuisine.

They have normal standard tamales wrapped in corn husks but these monster chicken/banana leaf versions are what we drive many miles from the valley for. They are simply amazing.

La Vaquita Farm
818-352-1415
7031 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga, CA 91042

(near Pinewood Ave & Marcus Ave)

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and one more thing - these giant amazing tamales are only $2 each. Which gives you extra change to buy the amazing Mexican sour cream to put on top of your giant tamale. WOW!!

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La Vaquita Farm
7031 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA 91042

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Tamales in San Fernando Valley

One of the best and hidden secrets for large moist chicken tamales wrapped in banana leaves and tomato sauce is at a small obscure Mexican grocery store in Tujunga on Foothill Blvd.

We stumbled upon this place searching for great local carnitas and not only did we find great carnitas - we found the motherlode of amazing handmade Mexican cuisine.

They have normal standard tamales wrapped in corn husks but these monster chicken/banana leaf versions are what we drive many miles from the valley for. They are simply amazing.

La Vaquita Farm
818-352-1415
7031 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga, CA 91042

(near Pinewood Ave & Marcus Ave)

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Aussie Meat/Seafood Pies In Los Angeles?

I still have not been able to find anything in Los Angeles that resembles this place in Sydney, Australia http://www.jesters.com.au/pies.php

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Does Great Korean BBQ Exist in SFValley?

We just moved to the NoHo/Burbank/Toluca Lake area and have started our search for great local Korean BBQ. We saw a place in Studio City that does Hawaiian/Korean BBQ but would like to find somewhere strictly Korean BBQ.

Any clues?

dmax in Los Angeles Area

New Cajun/Creole in NoHo

Very interesting - I had no idea it's the same people who had the previous Q joint there...............thanks for the heads up.

dmax in Los Angeles Area

New Cajun/Creole in NoHo

We haven't tried it yet since they just opened but we're wondering if anyone has tried it and what you think? Their grand opening is next Saturday - June 7, 2008

Creo's Southern Kitchen
4715 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA
818-980-7427

We in NoHo now have Creo's - KC BBQ Company and Miss Peaches

Kansas City BBQ Company
10863 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood , CA
(818) 754-0030

http://www.misspeachesrest.com

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Great Chili in Hollywood - HUSTON'S

I'm not aware of them having any other location but I highly recommend their chopped BBQ chicken breast sandwich or plate. Directly across from the Hotel Cafe (live music venue). Amazing chili well worth checking out.

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Great Chili in Hollywood - HUSTON'S

Great chili - no beans - all beef and shredded chedder - spiced perfectly....

Huston's Pit BBQ
1620 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 464-3972‎

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Wiener Factory Updates?

Does anyone have any updates on when and where the Wiener Factory will open/locate? We just returned to LA after a year away but were able to stand in the long lines around New Years Eve before they closed.

Until they open, that must mean that Carney's is the only game in the valley for a decent dog and/or Polish.

I've yet to return to Cupid's after the one and only visit - still amazed they stay open with such un-crunchy dogs. Really miss Wiener Factory's mild Polish - steamed buns - etc.

Any alternate dog eateries would be greatly appreciated.

We also noticed The Dip in Sherman Oaks has either closed or underging renovation. What's up with that???

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Las Vegas Sushi Help....Which one is the best?

Try Naked Fish sushi - excellent!!

http://www.nakedfish-rikyu.com

dmax in Southwest

BUZZ BBQ in Las Vegas - The Real Smoky Deal!!

Does anyone have any other recommendations for this kind of real smoked BBQ in the Vegas area? Surely BUZZ is not the only place. I tried Salt Lick at red Rocks and it was rather weak and a real ddisappointment. Famous Dave's was not much better. Searching for more Mom & Pop places. Any clues would be most appreciated!

dmax in Southwest

BUZZ BBQ in Las Vegas - The Real Smoky Deal!!

I am originally from KC and my wife is originally from Texas so we both grew up on serious BBQ before moving to Vegas a few months ago.

The first question we asked when we arrived "where's the real smoked BBQ?" Not where's the best "grilled" or "boiled" or "baked" or "liquid smoked" or "fried".

But SMOKED....real slow...real long. With great love, care and patience.

Yesterday upon reading this forum I read a thread about a place called BUZZ BBQ. The wife and I were on our way to try some other recommendations. Mom & Pop places - not chains.

After reading the post about BUZZ BBQ, it sounded too tempting and we drove there to discover THE BEST slow smoked BBQ we've found in Vegas so far. Highly recommended!!

Large portions for reasonable prices. Great non-corporate homey atmosphere created by 2 brothers with tons of personality and relaxed vibes. Love it!! Very clean and professional without the hustle and hassle of 50 waiters and 100 tables of screaming toddlers.

Highlights are the brisket, spare ribs (no babybacks here but you won't miss them), chopped pork and even the chicken. The true real highlight though is the SMELL and the FLAVOR of real hickory smoked high quality meats.

The sides are tasty too - potato salad, bbq beans, ice water cole slaw and great collard greens. And righteous sweet tea just like back home.

Entertaining and informative too. Ask the brothers how they ended up with the name BUZZ. Very clever and creative. (hint: it used to be a coffee place).

For dessert, try the homemade apple pie with homemade (very) vanilla ice cream.

The instant....the second you open the door and walk in you know you're in the right place, even though the location is out of the way, non-mainstream. It's well worth the drive and not that far away from anywhere since Vegas is relatively small. Close to the freeway too. And close to perfect BBQ. What a treat and a rare find. Thank you Chowhound!!

Forget the chains - forget the big budget hype:
http://www.buzzbbq.net/menu.html

dmax in Southwest

Best Vegas Burger at Bradley Ogden? BBQ at CJ's?

Forget the rest and try the best Vegas BBQ. You have to try this place:

http://www.buzzbbq.net/menu.html

dmax in Southwest

Carrabba's? How Does It Rate?

Thanks for your responses.

dmax in Chains

Carrabba's? How Does It Rate?

This is an Italian place in Las Vegas called http://www.carrabbas.com

Does anyone have any kind of review of this place and if so, any dishes to recommend?

dmax in Chains

Help!! Zankou/Garlic Sauce in Vegas???

Los Angeles has the great Armenian chain called Zankou chicken http://www.zankouchicken.com/chicken_zankou_ourmenu.html that features their incredile garlic sauce/paste and their one of a kind tahini sauce.

Their chicken tarna is marinated and tastes like no other I've had before.

We live in Las Vegas now and we're experiencing withdrawals from the garlic sauce.

Does anyone have any clues on where to find something similar here in Vegas?

Thanks for your help!

dmax in Southwest

Best Hot Dogs/Burgers/Chili in Vegas?

Thanks for more of your ideas - Manhattan Franks in Summerlin sounds like the real deal. Yes, I've been to Pinks in Hollywood countless times, but the Aladdin is closed and turning into Planet Hollywood.

dmax in Las Vegas

Best Hot Dogs/Burgers/Chili in Vegas?

Thank you for all of the info. Much oblidged and I look forward to any photos you can post.

As for "beyond the chains, casinos and burbs" comment, I hear what you're saying and that about describes all of Vegas. In LA, you can always find a hidden gem in little strip malls in the older parts of town or odd out of the way places and that's what I'm referring to.

I think Vegas will be fine. Dogs, burgers and chili are all carnival food anyway and Vegas seems like one big circus.

Just searching for the snappiest, garlic-infested juicy dogs and Polish that would make the Weiner Factory in Sherman Oaks sit up and take notice.

dmax in Las Vegas

Regular-Size Hot Dogs

That's the reason I always ask for chili or any other topping to be on the side. That way you can add whatever you want without any mess. Works every time!

There's also an excellent hot dog place in Sun Valley on Glenoaks called The Hound Dog. Snappy dogs with tasty chili and mustard on the side.

The place has a classic vibe and has been there for years with classic autographed celeb photos on the wall.

Hound Dog Hot Dog Shop
8749 Glenoaks Blvd.
(818) 768-9712

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Best Hot Dogs/Burgers/Chili in Vegas?

Thank you - that article is very helpful.

dmax in Las Vegas

Best Hot Dogs/Burgers/Chili in Vegas?

My wife and I are into American food in a big way. BBQ, Cajun, Soul/Southern. That also includes natural casing hot dogs - snappy Polish sausage - cheeseburgers and chili.

We are leaving Los Angeles for Las Vegas and are searching for the best hot dogs - burgers and chili available in Vegas.

In LA, we have always loved the Weiner Factory in Sherman Oaks for their amazing Polish and hot dogs - Carney's too. This is a place for LA dogs http://hotdogspot.com

For chili there's a great place in Hollywood called Huston's and of course, for burgers there's always In-N-Out.

Recommendations for any of the above would be greatly appreciated - LA will be missed but there must be some great places in Vegas beyond the casinos, chains and suburbs.

Any clues?

dmax in Las Vegas

Help! - Best BBQ/Soul Food in Vegas?

Thank you for the help. I wonder if M&Ms is affiliated with the one in Los Angeles?

dmax in Southwest

Help! - Best BBQ/Soul Food in Vegas?

So far we've found TC's Rib Crib at 8470 W Desert Inn Road H3...702-451-7427. We haven't eaten there though and wondered if anyone has any reviews on this place.

We've already read some reviews for The Salt Lick at Red Rocks which is nearby.

There has to be some great hidden obscure little places as well as in the local casinos. Any help would be greatly appreciated because we are newly moved to Vegas and have a serious jones for the Q, Soul food, Southern, New Orleans, etc....

dmax in Southwest

Best Cajun/Creole???

Mardis Gras is no longer there in Toluca Lake. The only SFValley Cajun places I know of is Stevie's in Encino and Le Sister's in Chatsworth.

dmax in Los Angeles Area

New BBQ in Burbank

Does anyone know the name of the new BBQ restaurant in Burbank on San Fernando Blvd. where Tony Roma's used to be? If so, has anyone been there yet with any kind of review? I hear their babyback ribs are $28, which sounds a bit pricey.

dmax in Los Angeles Area

Best Cajun/Creole???

So there aren't any other recommendations for Cajun in LA? How about the SFValley or Orange County? Ventura County?

dmax in Los Angeles Area

What's Best At Porto's?

Both locations in Glendale and Burbank are always packed. Any clues about what is the best item to try there for a first-timer?

http://www.portosbakery.com/lunch.htm

dmax in Los Angeles Area