Guy Fieri is unmistakeable: bleach-blonde, spiky hair coupled with his black goatee, his sunglasses flipped over the back of his head, and his chubby, yet lovable face (though he does suspiciously look like a hedgehog…). The host of the hit Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri gallivants around the country from restaurant to restaurant, pulling up in his red sports car in order to taste the best of the best. Although he never happens to stumble across horrible restaurants (shocking!), he manages to represent small, mom-and-pop shops who do produce excellent grub. Check out Guy’s pick hits for where to eat in the City of Angels.
1. Baby Blues BBQ
Photo courtesy of tastingsf.blogspot.com
Look no further for the ultimate North Carolina-style BBQ at this Venice smoke shack where diners pile in for a taste of the most luscious pulled pork and other reasonably priced plates.
Must try: Pulled pork, ribs, BBQ, Triple-X sauce with roasted hot peppers
www.babybluesvenice.com
2. Beer Belly
Photo courtesy of beerbellyla.com
Craft beer isn’t the only reason to stop at this modestly-priced Koreatown gastropub, where they boast crazy good duck fat fries in the cool urban-industrial space.
Must try: Duck fat fries, duck French dip, spicy chicken wings
www.beerbellyla.com
3. Bludso’s BBQ
Photo courtesy of bludsosbbq.com
Rib lovers flock to this hole-in-the-wall Compton location, which is nothing more than a window and a waiting area, for genuine Texas BBQ take-away.
Must try: Ribs with spicy BBQ sauce
www.bludsosbbq.com
4. Brats Brothers
Photo courtesy of goodtogrub.com
Looking to introduce gourmet bratwurst, ranging from elk to alligator to venison, to the people of California, owners Roland and Peter set up shop at this Sherman Oaks joint where it’s a party any day of the week.
Must try: Sausages, truffled cheesesteak empanadas, duck confit pot pie
www.bratsbrothers.com
5. Chili John’s
Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com
The oldest, continuously running restaurant in Burbank (in the biz for 65 years!), Chili John’s specializes in real Texas-style chili at a good price.
Must try: Texas style chili, chili dogs, chili tamales
www.chilijohnsca.com
6. Don Chow Tacos
Photo courtesy of Twitter
Chinese-Latino fusion comes together in Don Chow’s taco truck where kung pao chicken tacos and meat-stuffed, masa-wrapped in corn husks tamales are the norm.
Must try: Tacos, chimales (Chinese-Mexican tamales)
http://donchowtacos.com
7. Eastside Market Italian Deli
Photo courtesy of esmdeli.com
One of the last remaining Italian delis in Downtown Los Angeles, Eastside Market is considered a landmark, boasting hot sandwiches and the best pastrami around town.
Must try: D.A. Special (sausage, meatball, roast beef and pastrami sandwich)
www.esmdeli.com
8. Fab Hot Dogs
Photo courtesy of fabhotdogsreseda.com
Fab hot dogs elevates the ordinary dog into a whole other universe, offering a huge variety of fairly priced franks and the best spicy relish.
Must try: Deep fried hot dogs, burritos, sweet and spicy onion relish
www.fabhotdogs.com
9. Gloria’s Cafe
Photo courtesy of gloriascafe.corg
Serving up authentic Mexican and Latin American grub, Gloria’s Cafe features amazing guac and tortillas, plus Gloria will greet you at the door with a smiling face.
Must try: Stuffed tortillas, carne adobada
www.gloriascafe.org
10. Jay Bee’s Bar-B-Q
Photo courtesy of cholicholi.blogspot.com
Jay Bee’s may just be a small shack, but their BBQ sandwiches are to die for. Good luck finding parking though, since the lot is super small.
Must try: BBQ sandwiches, ribs
11. Mambo’s Cafe
Photo courtesy of Mambo’s
Cuban food lives up to high standards at this Glendale joint where rice and beans and ceviche shine.
Must try: Pork, ceviche
www.mambosla.com
12. Mom’s Tamales
Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com
Tamales are done right at this hole-in-the-wall, family-style joint delivering the best tamales (and they’re pretty cheap, too!).
Must try: Tamales, chile relleno
www.momstamales.com
13. Nickel Diner
Photo courtesy of nickeldiner.com
Decadent desserts, like the housemade bacon-maple doughnuts, take the cake at this affordable, vintage downtown diner.
Must try: Mac and cheese, fried catfish, doughnuts
www.nickeldiner.com
14. North End Caffe
Photo courtesy of eisforeat.com
Family owned and run, North End Caffe dishes out its famous Kahlua pig egg rolls which unsurprisingly leaves the restaurant crowded, but they’re totally worth the wait.
Must try: Italian pasta, Kahlua pig egg rolls, pasta carbonara
www.northendcaffe.net
15. Patrick’s Roadhouse
Photo courtesy by Kelly of browniesandzucchini.com
Right off the Santa Monica beach, Patrick’s Roadhouse features pretty good breakfasts and diner food, but what it’s really known for are its quirky antiques hanging from the ceiling.
Must try: Governator’s special breakfast
www.patricksroadhouse.info
16. Polka Restaurant and Catering
Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com
Polish cuisine meets a mom and pop dining experience where authentic pierogis shine.
Specialty Dishes: Pierogis, stuffed cabbage, goulash, nalesniki (crepes)
www.polkarestaurant.com
17. The Golden State
Photo courtesy of doobybrain.com
Revelatory burgers and incredible sweet potato fries keep diehard fans coming back at this moderately priced restaurant with amazing owners and staff.
Must try: Pulled pork sandwich, grass-fed lamb burger
www.thegoldenstatecafe.com
18. The Oinkster
Photo courtesy of midtownlunch.com
Can’t-beat pastrami and pulled pork sandwiches have the hipsters waiting in long lines at this always busy, cheap joint featuring a stellar patio and craft beers.
Must try: BBQ pulled pork with Carolina sauce, Oinkster pastrami sandwich
www.theoinkster.com
19. The Park’s Finest
Photo courtesy of theparksfinest.com
Filipino-inspired BBQ and unique beers are stars at this easygoing, cheap restaurant featuring communal tables to create a familial atmosphere.
Must try: Ann’s cornbread bibingka, BBQ
www.theparksfinest.com