Joan’s on Third
By Carole Dixon
For dineLA.com
The holidays are upon us and for some locals that means just one thing: relatives and friends are coming to town for a visit. Where will you take your brood or the gang to keep them entertained and satiated during the season? The city holds many favorite multi-cultural, dives, dinners and classic eateries that are ‘must sees’ for out of town guests and part of the eclectic landscape and fabric of the community.
The Original Pantry Café
Walking distance from STAPLES Center and sparkling new L.A. LIVE, it’s wonderful to see that this 24-hour landmark has survived all the Downtown LA revitalization. The classic American menu, featuring rotisserie chicken and rib roasts, hasn’t changed much in since 1924, and some of the waiters have worked here for over 40 years. Mayor Richard Riordan is a regular – so much so that they added an unofficial tag line of ‘Riordan’s Tavern’ to their name. USC alumni flock here after games to celebrate and lawyers drop by for a hearty breakfast before heading to their nearby offices. And, if you don’t have time to cook for the holidays, not to worry, the pantry is open on Christmas day and serving a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
For a quirky Hollywood institution, try Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles. Their first soul food location opened on Gower Street in Hollywood in the mid 1970’s by Herb Hudson from Harlem. The most ordered item is the ‘number 13’ which is a tender, spiced chicken breast set atop a fluffy waffle, drizzled with maple syrup, or you can order the dish with three chicken wings instead. It might sound like a crazy combo, but somehow it works.
Amid the colorfully chaotic pathways leading to the clusters of food stands and walk up counters at the 75-year-old Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, head for the middle section to Lotería Grill. Sit on a red bar stool or at one of the small fold up tables and enjoy one of the best representations of authentic Mexican fast food from burritos to crispy taquitos and sopes. Plus, you can’t beat the people watching.
Pink's
It may look like just another hot dog stand but the crowds can wind all the way up La Brea at any given time of day or night. Owners, Paul & Betty Pink opened the stand in1939, and just celebrate their 70th anniversary. The secret? According to their son Richard Pink, who runs the operation with his sister Beverly and wife Gloria, “We steam our hot dogs and they have a natural casing from lamb or cow, so when you bite into it there’s a snap and a great burst of flavor.” Celebrities like Bill Cosby drop by and Tom Hanks has been known to wrap his movies with Pink’s dogs. Unique creations include an Ozzy (Osbourne) spicy dog with nacho cheese and guacamole to a Martha Stewart dog with sauerkraut and sour cream. If you’ve really worked up an appetite waiting, order the 12 inch jalapeño dog, but when in doubt, the standby chili cheese dog (the ingredients are a family secret) is always a crowd pleaser. “The line is part of the experience and great people watching,” says Pink. Soon LA travelers will be able to grab a dog at the LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Joan’s on Third
Whether you sit inside at a communal table, dine alfresco on the sidewalk or take a basket to go, this beloved family run café using fresh, homemade ingredients should keep your guests happy. From comfort foods like mac-n-cheese and award winning turkey meatloaf to cupcakes and cookies, the take away counter is like a giant picnic basket come to life with a cheese case selling every kind of fromage.
Father’s Office
This simple modern pub style venue is for the beer lover in the family with over 36 brews on tap. They also serve one of the best burgers in town topped with caramelized onion, bacon, gruyere, Maytag blue cheese, arugula, and fries are served in adorable mini-shopping carts. The original location in Santa Monica (the second one is in Culver City), is still cozily crowded by late afternoon and a perfect ending to a shopping excursion on Montana.
Gladstone’s Malibu
After a long scenic drive west to the end of Sunset Boulevard, this is one of the few places along the Pacific Coast Highway where you can actually have a sit down meal and cocktail with an ocean view. There is usually a wait outside for the picnic style benches where patrons munch on a pile of jumbo nuts and a bowl of clam chowder. Recently taken over by SBE (Katsuya, XIV, Hyde and The Abbey), the 32-year-old landmark is poised for a revamp and a younger, hipper crowd should follow.
Pie’n Burger
At first glance, it might appear to be a little worn around at the edges, but this throw back to a neighborhood coffee shop in Pasadena offers friendly service at the long counter where you can tuck into the award-winning old school style burgers, fries and apple pies. Generations of family’s flock here and some nostalgic regulars, who have since moved out of state, return when they are back in town with their children. Owner Michael Osborn’s Grandmother started bringing him here in 1963 when they first opened. He started working here as a cook in 1972 and eventually took over in 1992. “When people have moved away and they come back, the greatest accomplishment is that it tastes the same as it did 10 years ago. To be able to duplicate the flavor and ingredients 46 years later is a testament and validates people’s reasons for coming back. It’s part of people’s lives,” says Osborn. Apparently, you can go home again.
The Ivy
Behind the distressed white picket fence on Robertson, famous faces pick at grilled veggie salads and crab cakes while the swarms of paparazzi across the street are stopping traffic trying to get that million dollar shot. Since the 80’s this spot has been an LA must see and be seen eatery.
Dan Tana’s
Another celebrity spotting haunt, ‘Tana’s’ is till packed every night 4 deep at the tiny bar, and this nostalgic Italian ‘rat pack’ style joint shows no signs of fading quietly into the scenery even after 40 plus years. An intimate setting with great service, strong drinks and large portions, such as the veal salt ‘n buca and linguini with clams, might be part of the charm.
Spago Beverly Hills
In the 80’s Wolfgang Puck changed the way we eat in Los Angeles and created casual gourmet dining with his genius pizzas. While the original Sunset Blvd. location is long gone, this upscale Beverly Hills spot has carried the torch since 1997. The smoked salmon pizza is still a top seller, and on any given night you just might catch the jovial chef dropping by tables and shaking hands with happy customers.
Dan Tana’s, 9071 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.275.9444
Farmers Market & Loteria Grill, 6333 West Third Street, Los Angeles, 323.933.9211
Father’s Office, 1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.736.2224
Gladstone’s Malibu, 17300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 310.454.3474
Joan’s on Third, 8350 West Third Street, Los Angeles, 323.655.2285
Pie‘n Burger, 913 E California Blvd., Pasadena, 626.795.1123
Pink’s, 709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, 323.931.4223
Roscoe's House of Chicken ‘n Waffles, 1514 N. Gower St., Hollywood, 323-466-7453
Spago, 176 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.385.0880
The Original Pantry Cafe, 877 S. Figueroa St.; Los Angeles, 213.972.0187
The Ivy, 113 N Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.274.8303
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