Tom N Toms

Coffee shop that opens till 4a.m.? I'll try that out.

Because I work till pretty late sometimes, I decided to try Tom N Toms with my friend, because I heard it opened till pretty late. The coffee shop is more like Starbucks than the other coffee shops in K-town. There really isn't any ambiance and the service is just like you would find at Starbucks( other Korean coffee shops tend to have more service), but sometimes that can be a good thing, especially if you're looking to just grab a drink.

I got a green tea tom-a-cino (I think I'm saying that right). It was a frappuccino with green tea. It was pretty good, but nothing spectacular, and the price was decent, around $4.

Overall I have to say its a bit more of my style than other Korean coffee shops, but then again everyone has different taste.

They also seem to sell preztels too, but I guess I'll try that next time...

Outside

 Green Tea Tom-i-cino ( I forgot how they spelled it)

King Taco

Deep fried tacos?...I'll give this place a try....

I gave this place a try, and the Sopes (deep fried tacos), were pretty good. The tortilla is fried, which makes the shell some what crispy, but not too much like a hard-shell taco.

I also tried the regular tacos, but I found it too similar to other typical Mexican restaurants. The Sopes were quite good, and very unique, which is what I tend to look for in a good place to eat.

This place is more like a 3-and a half star place, but since its open late, and has a variety to choose from, I'll found up.

2020 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 384-8115

Outside

Sopes (deep fried tacos...these are pretty good)

Regular Carne Asada Taco....these are okay

Pamore Pizza

WOW this pizza is the bomb!

Pamore pizza comes across as a regular TAKE-OUT only pizza place, however, I must say that it was the BEST 5 dollars I have ever invested.  I heard the wings and bread weren't that good, so I just stuck a original pepperoni pizza. It was fresh, and not that oily.

Pamore Pizza is way better than the other 5 dollar pizzas out there. Yes I had to eat the pizza from a box off the hood of my car...but was it worth it?...Yes!

2190 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(323) 766-8868

Outside

Pizza on the trunk of my car

Coco Ichibanya Curry House

A-OK curry indeed

Having grown up in the South Bay area, one has the option of trying many different types of curry. Coco Inchibanya has some decent curry, although the one big thing that got to me was that the curry was a bit soupy.

The different levels of spices (1-10) was pretty unique. I had level 5 (I know, I should of gotten the level 10), and it was mild.

The meat is fresh, and one can tell; however at the price of the meals (   $7-10)  I thought it could of been a little better.

If you like trying different types of curry, this is the place to go, otherwise for just the standard curry there might be other places to go.

Outside

Kitchen

Pork Katsu Curry

Eboshi Noodle Bar

Well rounded ramen place that everyone can enjoy.

Having many friends that enjoy ramen, I have frequented Eboshi many times.Even though Eboshi is not my favorite ramen place to go,  Eboshi is a very well-rounded ramen restaurant, that has several different varieties of ramen to choose from. if you are looking for a safe choice to eat ramen, and live in the South bay area, Eboshi is the place to go.

Eboshi is the place for good ramen, great selection and fairly good portions!

2383 Lomita Blvd Ste 116
Lomita, CA 90717

(310) 325-6674

Chopsticks

Shoyu Ramen

Omar's Xinjiang Halal Restaurant

Not your typical Chinese restaurant...

I'm not the biggest fan of Xinjiang cuisine, but I have been to places that serve decent dishes.

When we arrived, the place RAN OUT of lamb! This was a major bummer. All we could order was the hand pulled noodles, and the lamb rib( which is more rib than lamb). Everyone was saying how the big-plate chicken was really good, but it seemed to be just normal chicken with peppers and spices, and it took twenty minutes to make, so we didn't order it.

The hand made noodles, were different, and had a authentic chewy sensation to it, but that was about it.

Average place to eat Hala food. In other words I've had better in Southern California.

1718 N New Ave
Alhambra, CA 91776

(626) 570-9778

Menu

 Hand-pulled noodles

Lamb ribs

Berlin Currywurst

A trendy place that serves German street food...hmmm....

Berlin Currywurst is not a typical restaurant that serves and displays sausages. It definitely has more of a trendy/coffee shop vibe (that serves sausages) to it.

When you order, you choose the type of sausage, and the amount of spiciness that is added to it. When it comes out, the sausage is sliced into pieces, and covered in sauce and spices. There is also a side of bread that comes with the meal. The owners are VERY nice and friendly.

Having been warned by the owner, the level 4 spice is a BIT spicy, but I had to say, the I LOVED how the flavor of the spice mixed in with the meat.

This place is a bit on the pricey side for what it is (around $5-7 dollars for a single sliced sausage), but if you're looking to try something new, or experience German street food, then Berlin Currywurst is up your alley.

3827 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Neighborhood: Silver Lake

(323) 663-1989

www.berlincurrywurst.com

Outside

 Fries, and some sausages! (Get Level 4)

Jacks N Joe

Buckwheat pancakes galore!

I first came here, having only tried a few decent pancake places. Jacks N Joe has VERY good buckwheat pancakes. These are not to be confused with buttermilk pancakes, and they're way better than your typical IHOP or Denny's pancakes.

The variety is decent, although they could try putting in several different flavors to spice things up. The price is decent too, with a typical pancake breakfast meal costing $7-10. The only complaint about this place is the parking is horrible!, but when it comes to good food, that can be overcome.

Anyways, anything on the menu can be ordered with buckwheat pancakes, but I really enjoyed the tree hugger, and the hulu girl.

2498 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 748-4565

www.jacksnjoe.com 

 

 

Outside

 

The Hula girl- coconut and pinapple

Guisados

Wow..very exotic tacos..that taste great!

Walking into Guisados for the first time, I was a bit intimated by this large chalkboard menu that mainly is "en Espanol", with no pictures. I immediately saw the taco plater (6 tacos for $6.50)  and ordered that. It turns out that the staff was extremely  POLITE & HELPFUL, and I felt completely at home.

The taco plater is like digging into a jar of jelly beans. Some you will like more than others (my friend was not too keen on the pork skin taco, while I thought it was tasty). The ones that you like, however will be awesome. Each taco has it's own unique flavor and style, such as the mushroom and cheese taco. The tamales are a bit different too, but I would come here mainly for the tacos.

I talked to someone who lived  the area (Boyle Heights), he said that even though this place was more "Americanized' than other taco places in the area, he had to admit, that Guisados made EXCELLENT tacos.

2100 E Cesar Chavez Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 264-7201

Outside

The menu

 

Tamale

The awesome Taco Plater

 A single Steak Rojo taco

Farmer Boys (Downtown LA)

Half pound cheese burgers, with bacon, double cheese and avocado! Yum!

Although there are not many Farmer Boys in the general Los Angeles area, it is a unique experience. Having been to the one in Riverside a couple of years back, I decided to try Farmer Boys once more. The restaurant is a cross between In 'n Out and Denny's. The L.A. location is in a decent part of town, and there is plenty of parking around there.

Although the menu has other items, such as breakfast, fish and chips etc..  the FARMER"S BURGER(5.69, yes a bit on the pricey side) is a must for first timers, and/or fans of  burgers. The farmer's burger is a bit like a In 'n Out's double double( sorry nothing can top that), but a little bit bigger and with avocado and bacon. I'm not so sure about the other items, and by looks of it from other users, could be questionable.

Anyways if you're in downtown L.A., want a burger that is a bit on the upscale end, but not too upscale, then Farmer boys is the place to go.

726 S Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 228-8999

Double the Trouble

Up close of the Farmer's Burger

Outside

Tiki-Ti Cocktail Lounge

Exotic bar, with very exotic drinks!

Tiki-Ti Cocktail Lounge is a very different type of bar. It's a bit on the pricey side, but the drinks are made well enough to justify the price. My friend and I tried the "Sand and Blood", which was $18 and the"Uga-Bga", also $18, both HIGHLY recommended. The process of the bartender making the drink is very UNIQUE, with all sorts of chants, massive pours of alcohol, and a toy bull (yes that's right a toy bull) The drinks are made well enough that they taste pretty good, while giving you a good "kick".

The place gets crowded, so get here early. The strongest drink I heard from the bartender is the "Stealth", but I'll try that next time.....

Great place for a date, or just kicking back with your friends. You'll think you're in Hawaii, while being in L.A.

Outside

The "Blood and Sand"

Tacos El Gallito

A great place with decent tacos, and burritos, down on PCH  (great for people who live in the South Bay area), and opens late!

Granted El Gallito is a taco truck, the food is quite good. It doesn't have "specialty" tacos, and burritos such as the Kogi truck. What it does have are the classics: pastor, tripas, carnitas, etc... The price is decent, with each taco being around 1.50, and the burritos being around 5 dollars. If you're looking for variety and taste, go for the tacos. If you are just plain hungry, go to the burritos.

I've come here quite often with my friends, late at night, and this place never disappoints!

Pacific Coast Hwy & Bixby Ave
Harbor City, CA 90710

 Outside

 Typical buritto (5-6 dollars)

Unlimited Sauces!

Gyu-Kaku (Torrance)

Happy hour is the only time I'm happy about this place.

If I had reviewed Gyu-Kaku a year ago, it would have gotten 3 stars.  The food is excellent, with a good selection of marinated meats to grill such as chicken and the Harami Miso, mixed in with asparagus and other assorted veggies. The portion, however are quite small.

The difference between a year ago and now is that, the happy hour has become much better ( with the minimum purchase per person going down from twenty dollars to ten dollars), and that there aren't as many confusing  "rules" (like a "all you can eat" lunch , that was just all you can eat salad) that sometimes made the dining experience sour.

Personally I would only go  Gyu-Kaku for the Happy Hour specials, which include, 1.50 draft beers, 5 dollar large sakes, and a variety of meats for 4-6 dollars. Dinner time can get quite pricey, but if you really insist, then I suppose you can go too.

All in all great place for a late night (after 9P.M) for a drink or snack.

24631 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505

(310) 325-1437

 Outside the place

Empty Grill

Spicy Tuna, a top of rice

Grill with meat (Harami Miso 5.99 with Happy hour)

Large Sake Bottle (4.99 with Happy Hour)

Draft Sapporo (1.50 with Happy Hour)

Wurstküche

A place with authentic sausages, with authentic beer to pair it with, what else can one want?

All sorts of sausages here, starting with classics such as a basic Italian sausage, all the way to exotic flavors such as a rattlesnake/ rabbit sausage (which I have to say is pretty good, with a good blend of spices)

The sausages are a bit on the pricey side (6-8 dollars); however if you're up for something special, I have to say, this is the place to go. Pretty cool bar, with a great selection of mainly German and Belgium Beers, which go great with the sausages.

If you're looking for quiet place to eat, there is an outside patio to eat at, and get here early, because the line fills up quite quickly.

If you want something to spice up your lunch/dinner plans, this is a place to go!

800 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-4444

Outside of the place

A very good selection

Sausages and fries!

The infamous "rattlesnake" sausage

Get here early!!!!

Spot Coffee

If you're looking for a coffee shop that is open a bit later (until 4a.m., sometimes earlier on slower nights), this is the place to go.

I have to say however, the coffee, and snacks are more on the pricey side( around 5- 10 dollars). I tried the potato cake, and several different coffees. They were decent, however I have had better at other places. The main area is partly outdoors, which is great for smokers, but not so good if you don't smoke. It's NOT the best place to study because the lighting is dim, which makes it feel more like a club.

I have to agree with most of the other Yelpers that this place is just average at best, but after a late night of work and/or play it'll be good enough.

3324 W 6th
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 380-7200

Pretty trendy; however for a coffee shop, it's the coffee that counts!

"White Chocolate", it's more like coffee... The potato cake is decent, but nothing special. 

Dino's Chicken and Burgers

This is my first post!!!!

This is by far some of the BEST chicken one will get in L.A.

Although Dino's has other offerings such as hamburgers, and tacos, for first timer's the chicken and fries combo is a must.  The chicken is marinated with seasoning and sauce very similar to that of Boiling Crab, a crayfish restaurant  (cajun spices with a hint of lime). The meat is quite tender, and your hands will become drenched with juice. The juices from the marinate drizzles on to the fries on the bottom (sorry no crispy fries here).  For 6 dollars, it really is worth every penny.

Anyways if you don't mind being a little adventurous (the neighborhood is not THAT bad, while the parking is), this is a place is truly a gem in the heart of L.A.

2575 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 380-3554

 Sorry for the sideways shot, but you get the idea.

A must have on your first visit. Chicken with fries, with a side of coleslaw

There is outdoor and indoor seating, but it does get crowded fast.