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Top 10 Famous Places to Eat in Los Angeles, California
USINFO | 2013-08-12 10:25
While many of LA's more famous restaurants, like the now defunct Brown Derby, gained fame by serving lavishly prepared meals at prices only the wealthy could afford, several gained fame via word of mouth among dedicated local patrons. Eventually, the media caught the buzz and inexpensive hole-in-the-wall eateries like Pink's, Carney's and Tommy's saw even more business by tourists, movie stars and Angelenos who had previously never visited them.
Spago Beverly Hills
One of many swanky Beverly Hills restaurants that draws more than its fair share of celebrities, Spago (wolfgangpuck.com) is perhaps Wolfgang Puck's most famous restaurant in the United States. Winner of the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Service Award in 2005 and the Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2010, Spago turns out exactingly presented gourmet fare at prices to match. The executive chef, Lee Hefter, designs his menu around seasonal produce, and seafood and pastry chef Sherry Yard's desserts are worth saving room for.
Pig 'n Whistle
Featuring a soaring carved wood ceiling and several semiprivate booths, the Pig 'n Whistle (sunseteg.com) was a Hollywood icon from the 1920s --- when it hosted Judy Garland's 17th birthday party and the first Oscar party --- until it closed in the 1950s. After detailed restoration by the new owners, Alan Hajjar and Chris Breed, the restaurant reopened in 2001 to much acclaim. The Pig 'n Whistle serves common American fare such as burgers, sandwiches and tacos, all with a gourmet flair. Or diners can go traditional and order fish-and-chips or a shepherd's pie.
Yamashiro Restaurant
Looking like an out-of-place pagoda and offering excellent views of the Los Angeles Basin from its perch in the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro Restaurant (yamashirorestaurant.com) has served LA's elite for about nine decades. This has been a favorite haunt for movie stars from the silent film era to the present. Originally specializing in authentic Japanese food, Yamashiro now serves Cal-Asian fusion dishes, blending the culinary best of California and Japan.
Lawry's
Located in the heart of La Cienega Boulevard's Restaurant Row, Lawry's (lawrysonline.com) is perhaps most famous for the annual Beef Bowl, where the competitors for the Rose Bowl game square off to see who can eat the most beef. However, this is where many Angelenos go when they want prime rib, carved right from the roast at their own tables and served with traditional Yorkshire pudding and creamed corn. Everyday folk have been rubbing elbows with celebrities at Lawry's since the 1920s.
Encounter Restaurant
Centered between the terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, Encounter Restaurant (encounterlax.com) became famous not for its food or popularity with movie stars, but because of its unique architecture. Resembling a long-stranded flying saucer, the restaurant was built in 1961. In 1992, the Los Angeles City Council made it a City Cultural and Historic Monument.
Canter's Deli
One of California's oldest delis, Canters (cantersdeli.com) has served the entertainment industry and the city as a whole from its current location in the Miracle Mile since 1953. With an in-house bakery, the sandwiches feature meats cured on location with an emphasis on freshness. Open 24 hours a day, the deli has live entertainment after midnight on the weekends and is a favorite hangout for celebrity night-dwellers.
Carney's
In 1975, John and Pat Wolfe moved an out-of-service Union Pacific Railroad passenger car to the Sunset Strip, filled it with tables, booths, and chairs, and Carney's (carneytrain.com) was born. The family-owned business specializes in simple comfort food, namely hotdogs and hamburgers with large servings and fresh ingredients, all for a reasonable price. Carney's gained its fame mostly from its unique setting.
Pink's Hollywood
Possibly the most famous hotdog stand east of Coney Island, Pink's (pinkshollywood.com) has been a favorite of the Hollywood elite for years. Located on La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood since 1939, Pink's serves a wide variety of specialty hotdogs, all for reasonable prices, though they are most famous for their chili dogs. One of LA's favorite late-night destinations, Pink's is open until 2 a.m. or later.
Philippe the Original
People call Philippe the "Original" (philippes.com) partly because the restaurant reputedly invented the French Dipped Sandwich, though the matter has yet to be settled. Located on the east edge of Chinatown, Philippe is also famous for its homemade spicy mustard, but if you want to try it, you have to eat in the restaurant because it is not available in stores. Owned by the Martin/Binder/Downey family since 1927, Philippe has been in business in its current location since 1951.
Original Tommy's
Ask any Angeleno where to go for a great chili burger and the likely answer is "The corner of Rampart and Beverly," where Tommy's (originaltommys.com) has been in business since 1946. Now a chain with restaurants all over Southern California and Las Vegas, the original location is special to its longtime patrons, who line up for chili burgers around the clock.
Spago Beverly Hills
One of many swanky Beverly Hills restaurants that draws more than its fair share of celebrities, Spago (wolfgangpuck.com) is perhaps Wolfgang Puck's most famous restaurant in the United States. Winner of the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Service Award in 2005 and the Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2010, Spago turns out exactingly presented gourmet fare at prices to match. The executive chef, Lee Hefter, designs his menu around seasonal produce, and seafood and pastry chef Sherry Yard's desserts are worth saving room for.
Pig 'n Whistle
Featuring a soaring carved wood ceiling and several semiprivate booths, the Pig 'n Whistle (sunseteg.com) was a Hollywood icon from the 1920s --- when it hosted Judy Garland's 17th birthday party and the first Oscar party --- until it closed in the 1950s. After detailed restoration by the new owners, Alan Hajjar and Chris Breed, the restaurant reopened in 2001 to much acclaim. The Pig 'n Whistle serves common American fare such as burgers, sandwiches and tacos, all with a gourmet flair. Or diners can go traditional and order fish-and-chips or a shepherd's pie.
Yamashiro Restaurant
Looking like an out-of-place pagoda and offering excellent views of the Los Angeles Basin from its perch in the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro Restaurant (yamashirorestaurant.com) has served LA's elite for about nine decades. This has been a favorite haunt for movie stars from the silent film era to the present. Originally specializing in authentic Japanese food, Yamashiro now serves Cal-Asian fusion dishes, blending the culinary best of California and Japan.
Lawry's
Located in the heart of La Cienega Boulevard's Restaurant Row, Lawry's (lawrysonline.com) is perhaps most famous for the annual Beef Bowl, where the competitors for the Rose Bowl game square off to see who can eat the most beef. However, this is where many Angelenos go when they want prime rib, carved right from the roast at their own tables and served with traditional Yorkshire pudding and creamed corn. Everyday folk have been rubbing elbows with celebrities at Lawry's since the 1920s.
Encounter Restaurant
Centered between the terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, Encounter Restaurant (encounterlax.com) became famous not for its food or popularity with movie stars, but because of its unique architecture. Resembling a long-stranded flying saucer, the restaurant was built in 1961. In 1992, the Los Angeles City Council made it a City Cultural and Historic Monument.
Canter's Deli
One of California's oldest delis, Canters (cantersdeli.com) has served the entertainment industry and the city as a whole from its current location in the Miracle Mile since 1953. With an in-house bakery, the sandwiches feature meats cured on location with an emphasis on freshness. Open 24 hours a day, the deli has live entertainment after midnight on the weekends and is a favorite hangout for celebrity night-dwellers.
Carney's
In 1975, John and Pat Wolfe moved an out-of-service Union Pacific Railroad passenger car to the Sunset Strip, filled it with tables, booths, and chairs, and Carney's (carneytrain.com) was born. The family-owned business specializes in simple comfort food, namely hotdogs and hamburgers with large servings and fresh ingredients, all for a reasonable price. Carney's gained its fame mostly from its unique setting.
Pink's Hollywood
Possibly the most famous hotdog stand east of Coney Island, Pink's (pinkshollywood.com) has been a favorite of the Hollywood elite for years. Located on La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood since 1939, Pink's serves a wide variety of specialty hotdogs, all for reasonable prices, though they are most famous for their chili dogs. One of LA's favorite late-night destinations, Pink's is open until 2 a.m. or later.
Philippe the Original
People call Philippe the "Original" (philippes.com) partly because the restaurant reputedly invented the French Dipped Sandwich, though the matter has yet to be settled. Located on the east edge of Chinatown, Philippe is also famous for its homemade spicy mustard, but if you want to try it, you have to eat in the restaurant because it is not available in stores. Owned by the Martin/Binder/Downey family since 1927, Philippe has been in business in its current location since 1951.
Original Tommy's
Ask any Angeleno where to go for a great chili burger and the likely answer is "The corner of Rampart and Beverly," where Tommy's (originaltommys.com) has been in business since 1946. Now a chain with restaurants all over Southern California and Las Vegas, the original location is special to its longtime patrons, who line up for chili burgers around the clock.
