Visiting LA? Where to go? What to do? Ask here

[Lt Dan]

El Cholo, maybe?

I second El Cholo

Although most Mexican places will be very good and authentic

Try to go to the El Cholo in Santa monica over the one by Staples

 

[Bandit]

I'm thinking of finally visiting your great city. Probably gonna stay at the W in Hollywood at the beginning of December.Trying to hit roscoes and canters, are there any other food spots I have to hit for the authentic LA experience? One of my good friends lives in Glendale, so I figure I have to stay in the Hollywood area over Santa Monica

If you’re gonna be in Glendale, you gotta hit up El Tapatio. Taqueria El Tapatio · 4.3 ★ (691) · Mexican restaurant

Also plenty of good Armenian food practically anywhere.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Definitely eat at Carousel if you're in Glendale. If you want some Cuban, try Porto's, but expect to wait in long lines. That's pretty much the Porto's experience.

El Cholo in Downtown LA sucks. I ate there once, and the food is bland, flavorless, and overpriced. You're much better off finding a taco stand anywhere else. Bandit's suggestion for El Tapatio is a good one.

 

[Lt Dan]

I'm thinking of finally visiting your great city. Probably gonna stay at the W in Hollywood at the beginning of December.Trying to hit roscoes and canters, are there any other food spots I have to hit for the authentic LA experience? One of my good friends lives in Glendale, so I figure I have to stay in the Hollywood area over Santa Monica

Not brought up yet, but LA has incredible Asian food. If you have never had Korean BBQ, definitely try it

 

[Bandit]

Second the suggestion for Carousel. Sahara on Colorado blvd in Pasadena is pretty good too. And yeah I’d go to Don Cuco in Toluca Lake over El Cholo, not too far from Glendale. K town can be an adventure but rocket legs is right. Korean bbq shouldn’t be missed.

 

[93LEAFS]

Not brought up yet, but LA has incredible Asian food. If you have never had Korean BBQ, definitely try it

I'll def keep it in mind. I'm born and raised, and currently live in Toronto, and while you guys probably have a slightly stronger Korean food scene, Asian food is general is one of the areas Toronto really excels in (especially Chinese, Indian, Korean, some Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese), so I've def had Korean BBQ. We def punch near the top of NA cities in Asian food (only comparables I would think would be you guys, the Bay, and NYC, especially when factoring in diversity of asian cuisines). The one area we'd notably lack compared to you guys from all I've heard is Mexican (which makes sense, our mexican population is non-existent, wheres Mexican Americans and first generation-mexicans make up a massive percentage of So Cal).

Thanks for the advice. What's the tailgate scene like at SoFi for Rams games? I would think Cleveland will have a decent percentage of fans just due to how many people from there have moved to the west coast over the past 30 years and support the team.

Thanks for the tips so far. Will absolutely keep an eye on this thread, and will check in time to time from now until December. Really look forward to seeing your city, and while December weather in LA may not be ideal for you, it's gonna be very welcome to this Canadian coming from a Great Lakes city.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

El Pollo Inka for Peruvian routisserie chicken. Zankou Chicken is also good for routisserie chicken. I think that's Lebanese.

As far as dell's go, Langers is another that famous for pastrami. Another pastrami spot that's definitely unique to LA is the Hat. The Hat is the only restaurant I've ever seen have Fanta wild cherry soda and it's my favorite of all time. I'm not much of a soda guy but if I pass a Hat restaurant I gotta get one because you literally can't find it anywhere else that I know of.

I would recommend something other than El Cholo even though I like it. If you do go get their tamales. Those are the best thing on the menu. Definitely get some street tacos. They're everywhere and most spots are pretty legit. Drive down Alameda in Compton and you'll find thousands of them.

Gladstone's in Malibu for seafood. You're there for the location more than the food. Maybe just grab a drink and an appetizer.

You're obviously welcome to stay where you like but I'd recommend staying in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches) over Hollywood. Much cleaner, safer and you're next to the beach. Plus all kinds of dining options and night life.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

On and the Grand Central Market in DTLA is an experience. This is the best taco place there:

Tacos Tumbras a Tomas

Tacos Tumbras a Tomas - Los Angeles, CA

Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, 317 S Broadway, Spc A-5, Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA 90013, Mon - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Tue - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Wed - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Thu - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Fri - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sun - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

yelp.to

Don't order more than one taco.

 

[Bandit]

El Pollo Inka for Peruvian routisserie chicken. Zankou Chicken is also good for routisserie chicken. I think that's Lebanese.

As far as dell's go, Langers is another that famous for pastrami. Another pastrami spot that's definitely unique to LA is the Hat. The Hat is the only restaurant I've ever seen have Fanta wild cherry soda and it's my favorite of all time. I'm not much of a soda guy but if I pass a Hat restaurant I gotta get one because you literally can't find it anywhere else that I know of.

I would recommend something other than El Cholo even though I like it. If you do go get their tamales. Those are the best thing on the menu. Definitely get some street tacos. They're everywhere and most spots are pretty legit. Drive down Alameda in Compton and you'll find thousands of them.

Gladstone's in Malibu for seafood. You're there for the location more than the food. Maybe just grab a drink and an appetizer.

You're obviously welcome to stay where you like but I'd recommend staying in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches) over Hollywood. Much cleaner, safer and you're next to the beach. Plus all kinds of dining options and night life.

Oh man… The Hat.

“Pastrami cheeredaaar cheeeeese pleeeeeeeze”

Perfect.

Also Zankou chicken plate. Damn sometimes I really miss LA.

 

[Lt Dan]

Oh man… The Hat.

“Pastrami cheeredaaar cheeeeese pleeeeeeeze”

Perfect.

Also Zankou chicken plate. Damn sometimes I really miss LA.

LA>>>>Greenland.

 

[Carbooja]

You're obviously welcome to stay where you like but I'd recommend staying in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo beaches) over Hollywood. Much cleaner, safer and you're next to the beach. Plus all kinds of dining options and night life.

Funny you say this, this is why we're staying in West Hawthorne (near the 405) when we come down from Toronto in August.

This thread has some great suggestions.

 

[SmytheKing]

Thanks for the tips so far. Will absolutely keep an eye on this thread, and will check in time to time from now until December. Really look forward to seeing your city, and while December weather in LA may not be ideal for you, it's gonna be very welcome to this Canadian coming from a Great Lakes city.

If you like movies, check out the New Beverly in December. They're a revival house and show older movies. December is typically a good month too. Here's their schedule from last year.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

If you like movies, check out the New Beverly in December. They're a revival house and show older movies. December is typically a good month too. Here's their schedule from last year.

View attachment 728318

They're actually playing Slap Shot tonight at the New Beverly.

 

[SmytheKing]

They're actually playing Slap Shot tonight at the New Beverly.

Yeah I was going to get tickets but the drive in the middle of the week from OC is too tough for me at the moment. It's ALMOST worth it though.

 

[93LEAFS]

If you like movies, check out the New Beverly in December. They're a revival house and show older movies. December is typically a good month too. Here's their schedule from last year.

View attachment 728318

Thanks for the advice. Def on my list of things to keep an eye on. I'm a huge film buff which is adding to the intrigue of seeing LA. Seems there are 10000's of options of things to do, so far my absolute must see list consists of going to Sofi for the Browns game I have tickets to and Langers (This man's a sucker for Jewish deli's). But, figuring out the rest is gonna be difficult, not for lack of options but because there are too many.

 

[Lt Dan]

Definitely go to Huntington Beach for a day. It's orange county but IMO the best Beach in the area

 

[Carbooja]

Thanks for the advice. Def on my list of things to keep an eye on. I'm a huge film buff which is adding to the intrigue of seeing LA. Seems there are 10000's of options of things to do, so far my absolute must see list consists of going to Sofi for the Browns game I have tickets to and Langers (This man's a sucker for Jewish deli's). But, figuring out the rest is gonna be difficult, not for lack of options but because there are too many.

FYI, I went to Langers, its okay (i think it's over-hyped) we got better joints here in Toronto and especially Montreal.

 

[93LEAFS]

FYI, I went to Langers, its okay (i think it's over-hyped) we got better joints here in Toronto and especially Montreal.

Just curious, where in Toronto (I haven't been to Summlicious yet), I find our Jewish Deli scene pretty lacking especially relative to MTL and NYC.

 

[Carbooja]

Just curious, where in Toronto (I haven't been to Summlicious yet), I find our Jewish Deli scene pretty lacking especially relative to MTL and NYC.

Summlicious is great and according to my good friend who is Jewish and from Montreal, better than some of the places there. Other places he's introduced me to are Center Street Deli and Pancer's Original Deli.

There was this place on Dundas and 427 which I really liked, but sadly the owners retired/closed

Either way if you want to try Langers, go ahead it's an institution. But I was honestly underwhelmed.

And like what the others said, don't stay in West Hollywood. I can DM you the place i'm staying at next month, it was quite reasonable.

 

[Lt Dan]

Definetely don't stay in WeHo

 

[Buddy The Elf]

FYI, I went to Langers, its okay (i think it's over-hyped) we got better joints here in Toronto and especially Montreal.

I've actually never been there before but it does get a ton of hype. The other famous Jewish deli was already mentioned (Canter's) which I've been to and it wasn't anything special. Although, the building itself is a throwback and there is lots of musical history there. The bar inside host music and the current owner Marc Canter was a childhood friend of Slash from Guns N Roses. They used to hang out there frequently in the 80's. Tons of other famous bands have played there while getting started. It's worth a visit just for the history. The Sunset Strip is just up the road from there.

Back to staying in the South Bay, it's kind of been hinted at but aside for the quality of life issues, the South bay is central to just about everything in the LA metro area. Your a short drive to Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown and Orange County (all depending on the time of day).

 

[Bandit]

Definetely don't stay in WeHo

I dunno they have a Guisado’s.

 

[Schrute farms]

Father’s Office - Burger and beers

 

[93LEAFS]

I've actually never been there before but it does get a ton of hype. The other famous Jewish deli was already mentioned (Canter's) which I've been to and it wasn't anything special. Although, the building itself is a throwback and there is lots of musical history there. The bar inside host music and the current owner Marc Canter was a childhood friend of Slash from Guns N Roses. They used to hang out there frequently in the 80's. Tons of other famous bands have played there while getting started. It's worth a visit just for the history. The Sunset Strip is just up the road from there.

Back to staying in the South Bay, it's kind of been hinted at but aside for the quality of life issues, the South bay is central to just about everything in the LA metro area. Your a short drive to Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown and Orange County (all depending on the time of day).

Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna stay in Hollywood simply because I want to be in a relatively convenient place to meet up with my friend in Glendale. Everything people have said in this thread indicates to stay in Long Beach, Santa Monica or in OC at Newport or Huntington.

I'm open to staying slightly outside of that, but in your guys opinion, what is the most walkable part of LA? I legit just want to hit the local spots and be able to roam.

 

[Choralone]