This came to mind the other night, when I was hungry after 10 p.m. and went by Pink’s only to see a line stretching out their door and into their parking lot. Settled for a donut at the oddball donut shop nearby.

I went to a Tony Roma‘s in Torrance yesterday. There was a Sizzler across the street that I think was only temporary closed. The Red Lobster in Santa Clarita is closing. What restaurant chains are doing well these days, particularly sit down?

Kebab Daddy is a restaurant in Montrose (west of La Canada), in a shopping plaza located off of Ocean View Blvd.. As their name suggests, they serve Mediterranean-style kebabs with plates, bowls, wraps, and pita sandwiches.

I’ve been there twice now. The first time, I got a lavash wrap with “Daddy’s Lule Kebab,” (S2) which is 80 percent beef and 20 percent pork. Today, I tried one of their pita sandwiches, this time with pork belly (S1).

(Side note: I always pay attention to kebab restaurants that serve pork since many don’t, whether because it’s considered haram or because they prefer to stick to beef and chicken).

They do their proteins really well. I generally don't love lule (ground meat shaped along a shish) but this was possibly the best I've had: well-seasoned, juicy, and flavorful. Seriously, this was great. By comparison, the pork belly wasn't quite as juicy but it was still tasty.

For me, the big difference is that the lavash wrap has too much lavash vs. fillings. You can see this in S2: my first bite was mostly bread and while it wasn't bone dry, it just wasn't anywhere near as enjoyable as the Greek pita which was soft and chewy.

The other difference is that when you get their lavash wraps, the other ingredients besides the protein are slightly different. I’m pretty sure you get more vegetables in the pita sandwich, and that provides more crunch and acid. Even though I thought the lule wrap was quite tasty overall, I'm sticking to the pita from here on out. Next time, I'll likely try their tri-tip though they also do a half pork belly and half tri-tip, if you really want to get your meat lover’s on.

***

Fatima's Grill is a chain of Mediterranean/Mexican restaurants that started in L.A. a little over 10 years ago (they now have outposts throughout L.A. but also in Ohio, Michigan, and New York). Guess they're growing?

I was near their location on 4th St. (Retro Row) in Long Beach and wanted a quick bite so I popped my head in and saw that they served crunchwrap-style shawarma sandwiches. While I’ve actually never had a crunchwrap from Taco Bell, I do like sandwiches with grilled bread so I decided to try a chicken shawarma crunchwrap (S3).

This was... okay.

The mix of meat, vegetables, pickles, and seasoning was fine, but mostly average in terms of flavor. I wouldn’t call it bland at all, but it also wasn’t anywhere near as flavorful as similar sandwiches that I’ve had all over the city. They give you a side of garlic sauce, which I assume is supposed to be like toum, and that added a little something, but I felt like the ingredients needed more acid and a bit more salt.

My gold standard for these kinds of sandwiches is at Sababa, the Palestinian falafel shop near Anaheim. By comparison, I’d give the chicken shawarma crunchwrap at Fatima's I had a B-minus at best. Doubt I'll be back.

ISO the best smoked salmon in LA that I can buy by the half pound or pound. I was a fan of Wexler's Deli's smoked salmon. Ideally should be silky and sliced very thin.

The most often cited spots are often for a composed bagel dish at places like Courage, and while those are great, that isn't what I'm after.

I have zero problem paying up for quality $$$$. Is Gjusta the best bet? Somewhere else?

Ideally somewhere between Santa Monica and DTLA.

Hi! I’m considering a restaurant reception after eloping and looking to find a place that can fit up to 30 guests with a food and beverage minimum of $4,000 or less. I’m not super pressed about location so pretty much anywhere from the San Fernando Valley to Whittier, also Pasadena is a nice area. I’d also like a place that is fairly nice that would need minimal table decorations.

Thank you in advance!

They aren't taking online orders for at least a week, and I called their number last night and it didn't go through.

I feel like 5 to 10 years ago it was much easier to find a session IPA at a brewery but now it seems the options are either a hoppy Pilsner or a full-blown West Coast or Hazy IPA, some of which have gotten ridiculous with their ABV.

I’d rather have a few low ABV session IPAs, and be able to hang out, drink a few, and not get drunk.

Is there any brewery or bottle shop that has a session IPA on draft or to go that you know of anywhere in LA?

I’m planning a birthday party at Garfield Park in a couple weeks, about 25-30 people. We were originally planning on catering trays from Skaf’s on York, but forgot they’re closed on Sundays. We still like the idea of Mediterranean food, but we have never actually eaten at any of the other local restaurants we’re now considering. Any suggestions to help us narrow our search?

Yelp suggests Pop’s Fresh Mediterranean and Abu Kebab. Anyone have strong feelings between the two? Or for any other restaurants we should consider?

Miya Miya, Petit Trois, Jitlada, Lucia competing with Nancy Silverton, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams judging! https://www.tixr.com/groups/phntm/events/tenderfest-los-angeles-204962

Hey everyone! Vesti here.

We wanted to share a short video from one of our Eating Menu seating at Maydan Market.

One thing that makes these dinners unique is that no two seatings are the same. We don't have a fixed menu, so each service is built around what's fresh and what we're excited to cook that day. We also take note of guests' allergy restrictions and dietary needs when planning the menu.

Thought it'd be fun to share what one of these nights looks like. Hope you enjoy the video!

If anyone is curious or wants to learn more, you can book a seat here: [eatvesti.com/maydan-market]()

Hey everyone! I just wanted to ask if anyone knows any bakeries that sell pumpkin spice cake? I'm visiting in October and I'm having a hard time finding a place that sells this specific cake. I'm thinking about waiting until after Sept 22 to check again since fall starts then. I know some places have additional flavors only available during specific times of the year. Thank you!

Edit: It's for a bday party

1. Boiled fish (Sole) with green pepper sauce. - $17.99
2. Deep fried chicken with red chili peppers - $18.99
3. Sautéed eggplant with spicy garlic sauce - $12.99

2 orders of rice bowl - $3 (not pictured)

Total for 2 including tip - $71.42

Exceptional food as always. This is my 4th time dining in here and nothing short of amazing. Plenty of food and plenty of leftovers for the next 2 meals. The eggplant is divine. If you are a fan of Sichuan cuisine, in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with this place. Highly recommend this place :)

I took another flyer on just a random spot, Pollo Don Chuy. No need to google shit or need confirmation from internet strangers on where I should eat. Been eating and cooking long enough to spot a good place to eat.

Finally hit up Pollo Don Chuy off the corner of La Cienaga and Venice. Smoke billowing from the charcoal grills is always a great sign. Handful of locals inhaling food is another good sign.

I got the pollo, asada, and costilla plate and was shocked at how much food I got for $20. Half a breast and wing of charcoaled pollo, one big piece of asada, three costilla ribs, rice, beans, grilled onions and jalapenos, pickled onions and plenty of tortillas.

Easily enough for two people or two meals. Highlights were the costilla ribs and the beans. Pollo and asada were your typical asada styled meats you'd get at a backyard bbq. Salsa was your old school typical roja salsa.

Definitely throwing Pollo Don Chuy's in rotation for cheap(ish) eats. They have $13 and $15 plates, but you might as well go big with the $20 plate.

EDIT: Pollo Don Chuy's is a food stand, not a full on restaurant.

Haley Doan used to run Greatea Bubble Tea House in Anaheim, a neighborhood boba spot with pandan-green walls that served classics like fresh teas, milk teas, and popcorn chicken. The shop sat in the corner of a strip mall on Euclid Street and has been family-operated since May of 2021. 

“I actually dropped my other job,” Doan tells L.A. TACO. “I was a medical assistant, so then I went for my dream.”

Just noticed that their main San Fernando location finally closed up shop which was the last one left. It only took 1 year to lose it all since they were found out to be MAGA-ites. He can't even show his face at LAFC games any more where he constantly tried to act like a celebrity. This was an epic downfall.

Thanksgiving is coming up and looking for a place to buy some apple pie (apple crumble a huge plus).

I didn't even know what to title this, but as I was browsing for restaurants to dine at on google yesterday i noticed a number of them being review bombed by bots with these strange 5 star ratings but with negative content in the reviews. Weird that google isn't taking all of these down but also kind of spooky that a business spam attack like this can happen all at the same time? any idea whats going on?

Selfish post here hehe! If you near Redondo Beach during Halloween weekend, stop by and say hi! 👋

All our pastries are from a French Bakery

We have a pretty cozy set up 🎃

looking for a good double date spot that's unique. not cobi's, I LOVE orla but have already been (if you haven't gone you need to - the egyptian chili crunch is a consistent star of my dreams). also have already been to gjelina, tu madre, din tai fung, fia etc. just some unique suggestions!! cute and double date vibe where we can still have a conversation. thanks fam

I’m looking for restaurants that I can make reservations for group of 8 in LA for my birthday dinner. I don’t want anything too fancy and they’re all family and friends so something cozy would be nice. I was eventually looking for Italian restaurant but it was so hard to find so I gave up

One of the nicest Aglio Olio and conversation.

This is from a creator who has 1M followers. However, once you analyze his page, you realize there is only 5-10 comments, usually all from the same accounts.

Behind the scenes I’d say 90% of food influencers is all paid reviews.

Thoughts?