chowchi1's Profile
Versailles
The Encino location was sub par last time I visited. Had the pork but it was more fat than meat and seemingly undercooked. It was so disappointing and vowed not to return here. I will say that the Culver CIty location is considered the best location. Had roasted pork dish at Porto's in Burbank yesterday -- much much better -- muy bueno!
800° Degrees Pizza is now officially open for business - YAY!
Tried the sausage/peppers, margherita and non red sauce pizza today. It reminded me of naan with toppings. I was sort of disappointed as it was soggy and the sauce on the bland side. I have had Settebello which I would say is a little better but they are almost triple in price for similar pizzas. The space is nice with an upscale feel and reasonable priced -- which is it's greatest selling point.
Italian Beef in SoCal
Portillo's is the best of all your options. It's the same as in Chicago and the prices are reasonable. Taste Chicago in Burbank is ok. QT Chicago Dogs in Sherman Oaks has a beef sandwich on the menu that is pretty good. http://qtchicagodogs.com/users/awp.php?ln=710033&p=home
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QT Chicago Dogs
4344 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Taste Chicago
603 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
Best Mexican Homestyle in LA?
The cocido here is the best and most authentic.
http://www.barragansrestaurants.com/products/-Cocido.html
Hollywood Pies - FINALLY some decent Chicago Pizza in LA
I tried the pizza -- sausage & peppers -- last evening. It was good -- the look and feel of Lou Malnati's and a very tangy, pronounced sauce that reminds me of Pequod's. Two slices can fill you but I almost ate the whole thing -- in a good way. I do feel the sausage needs a little more zest, flavor but all in all, I would definitely go back -- my taste buds are already craving the stuff. It is better than Masa and for me, someone has finally brought the essence of Chicago deep dish to LA.
Best Pizza in Los Angeles (& surrounding)????!!
Pittfire is unremarkable which is being kind -- will not return. As for Bella VIsta, again nothing remarkable -- very average. DId try the Chicago Deep Dish at Oak Fire in Sherman Oaks. The sausage had no flavor as well as the sauce on top of a tasteless crust. -- a try at Chicago style but not. I will say the thin crust pizzas did look good and were very popular with patrons the night I was there.
Chicago Deep Dish in Sherman Oaks
Now it's supposed to open Wednesday, April 6th. Drove by and saw workers putting on finishing touches to outdoor patio.
Mishi's Strudel in San Pedro
Wonderful strudels! Having grown up with strudels, Mishi's does it right in old world fashion. I don't think anyone makes a strudel like this in SoCal nor do most even know what it is. It is worth the drive for a touch of Europe in San Pedro. I enjoy the mouth-watering apricot and apple strudels. The owner is also very nice and welcoming.
La Joconde Pastry- La Crescenta
Try Leon Bakery & Cafe in Glendale just a little further south of Berolina. Really good soups, breads and pastries as well. It has good seating and is relatively new opening in the latter part of 2010. http://www.leonbakeryandcafe.com/
Did a Restaurant Replace Wiener Factory?
Have driven by over the past few month and the Vibe Cafe looks like a "No-Vibe Cafe". Unfortunately, it looks dark and dreary and feels disconnected from the area. Belongs more in a dark corner of downtown LA, than the former spot of Weiner Factory. We'll see how long this place makes a go of it once it opens.
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Weiner Factory
, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Has anyone tried the new Magnolia Bakery
I went for the cupcakes and they were just "ok" given the hype. I found the cupcakes sort of dry and not strong in flavor -- the red velvet without the cream cheese tasted like every other cupcake. I actually have been to the NYC location and found New Yorkers all caught into the hype of Magnolia. But I thought it then and still do now that Sprinkles is by far the leader of the cupcake pack.
NY+C Pizza -- 1 out of 2 ain't bad
Love Casa Bianca as it is the closest to Chicago style thin-crust as well as the Italian sausage in LA. FInally tried Masa again after many years and was pleasantly surprised. The crust and flavor reminded me of a cross between Malnati's and Giordano's. After having the pizza I did not have my craving for Chicago deep dish which a good thing. I've never heard of of thick style Chicago pizza maybe deep dish and stuffed as well as thin crust but not thick style!
need tamale take out for thanksgiving
Go authentic -- the real deal:
Tamales Lilianas
4629 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 780-0989
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Tamales Lilianas
4629 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022
NY&C/NY-Chgo Pizzeria OPEN?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/658668 Apple -- what is good Chicago style thin crust here in LA? Also, what do you consider good thin crust in Chicago? Domenico's is very average and on the bland side.
Mazzarino's opening soon? Sherman Oaks
They are running an ad in the current local Sherman Oaks/Studio City newspaper as if they are already open.
NY+C Pizza -- 1 out of 2 ain't bad
Had the deep dish pizza today with a fairly large crowd for Sunday lunch. What sticks out immediately is the chunky tomato sauce with a good bite that definitely defines this pizza. I had sausage and green peppers but pretty much had to search for the sausage which has some flavor but not robust by any means. The green pepper had flavor but not very visible. Agree with the comment on the crust -- it is sort of doughy, fluffy with little taste, and is not a firmly defined crust albeit Lou Malanati's or Gino's East. Overall, I enjoyed the pizza given I have not found much like this anywhere in LA. What was most interesting to me was observing the crowd was definitely here for the pizza and seemed enthused by the experience. I'll try the NY style at a future date.
NY&C/NY-Chgo Pizzeria OPEN?
They will be open for business tomorrow 10/8/09 at 11:30am -- though they were open this evening when I called.
1120 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310 393 9099
Wedding help . . . venue Twin Palms has closed
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13493972
Chicago Sports bars in L.A. and/or Santa Monica?
Tin Horn Flats is the place for the Bears games in Burbank. Also, check out meetup.com as there are groups as well in the area.
Tin Horn Flats Bar & Grill
(818) 567-2470
2623 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
NY&C/NY-Chgo Pizzeria OPEN?
As far as thin crust, Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock is the only Chicago-style pizza in LA, especially the sausage pizza. http://casabiancapizza.com/ Just had it last evening and it was great. BJ's, Fresh Bros. and Unos are not even close to Lou Malnati's. They use the Chicago pizza marketing slogan but they are not even close to what deep dish pizza is. And Malnati's is well-known in Chicago. The only area where it is sort of unknown is the south and southwest suburbs -- but a new location just opened recently in Tinley Park.
Pastrami Dip in San Fernando Valley
The Hat is worth the drive -- the onion rings are great as well.
Good pizza in Glendale/Montrose/La Crescenta?
Actually it is called Richie Palmer's -- he is one of the owners of Mulberry Street NY pizza in Beverly HIlls and Encino. I have enjoyed Mulberry Street for many years as it is one of the better NY pizza's in LA -- finally some good pizza in downtown Glendale.
Good pizza in Glendale/Montrose/La Crescenta?
Casa Bianca is in Eagle Rock right down the street from Glendale. http://casabiancapizza.com/ IMHO -- The best of all mentioned. I found North End pizza bland. Two Guys is very average.
NY&C/NY-Chgo Pizzeria OPEN?
Anyone aware if NY&C has opened in Santa Monica? It is supposed to feature both Chicago Deep Dish & New York Thin Crust at 1120 Wilshire. The restaurant will be split down the middle with a New York theme on one side and Chicago on the other. The owners supposedly visited both Chicago and NY pizza places to get the right recipes and techniques for the pizza. Look forward to checking it out especially with so little Chicago pizza in Los Angeles.
Portillo's, Buena Park OC
You can't go wrong with Portillo's. I always tell myself I will try something new on the menu however I simply order the Italian Beef or hot dogs and love the fries. Would be nice if their was one in the LA area -- 50 mile treks to Buena Park for food is a chore. However, you can't beat good Chicago chow in SoCal.
Pavich's Brick Oven Pizzeria in San Pedro
I don't live near San Pedro but decided to make the drive and try Pavich's based on the reviews here. Had the cheese and sausage pizza. I agree that the crust was good however the sauce was more on the bland side -- overall ok but nothing out of the ordinary.
Help! Where To Get The Best Cake?
I recently bought the coconut cake from Susie Cakes for a bday having read all the positive comments here on this board, It was awful -- to mix in pineapple pieces with the overly sweet/sugar laden frosting was way too much taking away from the overall taste of the cake, Afterward our stomachs and head were reeling from the sugar buzz - needless to say we tossed half the cake in the garbage can. Have had better cakes at the Phoenix Bakery in downtown LA and Porto's Cuban.
BEST CASUAL CUBAN RESTAURANT???
A simple, unassuming place -- all you can eat buffet of Cuban foods. Feels like your visiting tia's kitchen for a homemade meal.
Lili's Cuban Buffet
3887 E Sierra Madre Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 351-1020
Best hot dog in LA?
I think the Chicago dog at Portillo's is one of the best in LA. Also, QT Chicago dogs in Sherman Oaks are good as well. I do not understand the fascination with Pink's other than for nostalgia -- they are average at best.
