Three years ago, one of the most popular sandwiches to appear on Instagram was the katsu sando from Echo Park’s Konbi. In fact, Bon Appetit featured the recipe for their pork katsu sando. While I haven’t frequented Konbi, I recently visited Katsu Sando, a restaurant located in downtown LA’s Chinatown. If you aren’t familiar with…
Torta Movil Delivers True Mexico City-Style Tortas
A good sandwich begins with the bread. It should not overpower the sandwich and yet be sturdy enough to hold the contents without falling apart in your hands. That said, I happen to have a liking for Mexican tortas. One vendor that does it extremely well is Torta Movil, a business that runs out of…
Smhokin Pot Brings Cajun Cuisine with a Southern Twist
I used to chase food trucks across the city. The craze has mostly worn off and the ones remaining are producing solid cuisine without gimmicks. Many of them aspire to earn enough capital to open a brick-and-mortar. The latest one to do it is Chef C’s Smhokin Pot. Chef Calvin Alexander hails from Shreveport LA….
Birdie’s for Fresh Artisan Coffee, Donuts, and Chicken
Fried chicken is trending in LA and many Angelenos are now willing to pay for better quality fried chicken. What makes for good fried chicken? The exterior should be crunchy and not be glistening with oil. The coating should completely cover the chicken. Finally, the inside should be moist and tender. Since my wife and…
Nomad Eatery Brings Bold Flavors to the South Bay
Owner and chef Scott Cooper is a veteran in the South Bay. Back in 2007, he and his wife Sharon opened Jackson’s Village Bistro in Hermosa Beach which quickly gained popularity. Most recently, he owned and operated Jackson’s Food and Drink. Cooper comes roaring back from the pandemic with his latest concept, Nomad Eatery. Cooper…
La Princesita Tortilleria Continues its Focus on Taste and Quality
When you bite into a taco, you will first notice the aroma and taste of the tortilla. Until recently, I only had Mission and Guerrero tortillas because those brands are readily available in LA grocery stores. Thanks to taquero Wes Avila, I learned about La Princesita Tortilleria and discovered how a tortilla can transform a…
The Standing Room Opens in Torrance
Often it is best to test the new business concept by partnering with an existing business. Lowell Bakke did just that when he converted the back-end of his family liquor store into a burger restaurant. He named it The Standing Room probably because it lacked chairs and it was exclusively a take-out establishment. Chef Thomas…
La Carreta Serves Stand-Out Mexican Breakfasts
When many people think of Mexican food, they automatically think of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Mexican cuisine varies greatly, but one type of Mexican food I enjoy is breakfast. Chile Rellenos, Chilaquiles, and Huevos Rancheros are just some of the items you can expect to see. I recently visited La Carreta to try their famous…
Stop Bye Cafe Gourmet Food Truck Features New Menu
Stop Bye Cafe is a popular Indonesian fusion gourmet food truck co-owned by Justin Tulus and Tom Tee. I first learned of them when I visited their brick and mortar in Lawndale and I’ve frequented them ever since they transitioned to a food truck. Since that time, they have taken their food to the hungry…
National Cheesesteak Day is Wed. March 24
National Cheesesteak Day is Wed. March 24. In recognition of this event, Figueroa Philly is offering $2 off their “Famous Figueroa Philly” Cheesesteak to all of their customers on March 24. Figueroa Philly is located on Figueroa St across from Exposition Park. Because good sandwiches begin with quality bread, owner Danny Hizami imports his rolls…