Lately, all I can think about is food. Last week I was really bitchy and depressed. I've been on a low carb diet which I think was what finally sent me into an Easter candy-buying frenzy. Then I read this article and it made me feel better that my depression and subsequent frenzy was diet-related more than anything else.
So when I read this article on Tasting Menu about In-N-Out Burger, the classic Southern California fast food joint, I started salivating immediately. I don't know what it is about the food at In-N-Out but it tastes fresh and doesn't leave that fast-food film all over your teeth. I don't think I've read such a wonderful ode to fast food. The site has a lot of great food-related articles on it. Just don't read it if you're hungry. It got me thinking about what my favorite (mostly cheap) L.A. places to eat, and I came up with this short list.
1. Chicken Baja burrito from Baja Fresh — the Baja Fresh on Sunset in Hollywood in particular, because there are always hot guys, models, and celebrities there. Jeff Probst from Survivor is there all the time. My new favorite is the Bare Burrito, which is basically the burrito without the tortilla, in a big bowl.
2. Spicy fried chicken at Cynthia's. These are big, boneless breasts of chicken, crispy, spicy, juicy. Huge portions. A total must-eat. The pork chops here are incredible fat pieces of meat too.
3. Chinese chicken salad at Chin Chin. This is one of my and Paris Hilton's favorites. It's like crack for rabbits.
4. Grilled chicken, rice and beans from Bossa Nova. There's not much better than the garlicky, marinated, olive oil-soaked chicken at Bossa Nova. But watch out, the beans may make you fart all night.
5. Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich from Diddy Riese in Westwood. Today, it's amazing. For $1 you get two big fresh oven-baked cookies with a slab of ice cream in between them.
6. Broiled rib-eye steak on arugula from Cheebo. I LOVE Cheebo. It used to be a take-out place but they closed for a while and re-opened as a bright orange, cozy, Hollywood joint. The maitre'd Todd is a stud, but what's really delicious is this steak. This is what Atkins is eating in Heaven.
7. Tito's Tacos on Washington near the 405. There are always lines at this place. My friend Phil showed it to me and I've been going ever since. Once again, simple food. Crunchy, corn tortillas, beef dripping with juice, lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
In other dietary news, don't miss The Cult of Diet Coke. I worship every day.
So that's all I can think of at the moment. Anybody else have any favorite L.A. meals?
