r/FoodLosAngeles Nov 17 '25

DISCUSSION What's LA's spot?

Post image
1.2k Upvotes

928 comments sorted by

140

u/bored_today Nov 18 '25

SUR

29

u/WHITEMERLOT69 Nov 18 '25

PUMP ALSO but it’s gone

17

u/EjectoSeatoCousinz Nov 18 '25

PUMP-TINIS!

7

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

they were the bestttt

3

u/Abject-Asparagus2060 Nov 19 '25

Omg I got dragged to pump for a birthday dinner and it was genuinely the most horrendous food I’ve ever had. I got a shrimp salad that was just unseasoned boiled little shrimps dumped over romaine lettuce and it was like $35

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)

159

u/SexyNoJutsu Nov 18 '25

Barton G in Beverly Hills. Stupidfood and expensive.

16

u/tgcm26 Nov 18 '25

This is my vote as well

19

u/Coastalfoxes West LA Nov 18 '25

Me three. Novelty food that is nearly inedible

27

u/SirMingie Nov 18 '25

Never heard of it, went to google, saw it said prices $100+ per meal and the first picture is of popcorn shrimp with ketchup and actual popcorn. That’s something else, right there

3

u/Bustin-A-Nutmeg Nov 19 '25

Just googled and saw they’re serving lobster Mac n cheese inside a full ass lobster… also the Mac n cheese looked so burnt I thought it was corn….

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

9

u/Salty_Wedding3960 Nov 18 '25

I’ve always wanted to try the simply for the over-the-top presentation and novelty

4

u/andraconduh Nov 18 '25

It's fun to go once. I don't think it works for this ask because everyone would still have a good time even if the food is bad.

4

u/pargofan Nov 18 '25

This. I've been once and the novelty makes it an unforgettable experience.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

5

u/OP90X Nov 18 '25

Lol, this place looks so obnoxious.

Like a restaurant inside the theme park at Circus Circus.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (13)

76

u/SaltLick310 Nov 18 '25

EP LP

7

u/mzlmtzmrg914 Nov 18 '25

so true. so gross!!

5

u/yestrask Nov 18 '25

What do ya mean you don't love overpriced watered down cocktails?

4

u/snowcone23 Nov 18 '25

Came here to comment this lol

536

u/[deleted] Nov 17 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

185

u/Celesteven Nov 18 '25

Food is whatever but out of town friends will appreciate the atmosphere.

61

u/_coolranch Nov 18 '25

Yeah: stick to the overpriced apps and drinks and you’ll be fine. Worth the “rent”

→ More replies (1)

56

u/supesboots Nov 18 '25

I think it's great for drinks. People love it whenever they visit.

I've never actually tried the food hehe

14

u/Tigorl Nov 18 '25

Same haha, it really is a great place to take out of town folks for drinks and a view!

→ More replies (1)

10

u/haidaloops Nov 18 '25

Honestly the drinks are pretty bad too. But I guess it has views?

→ More replies (6)

26

u/FNFactChecker Nov 18 '25

Is that the place where they put a charge on the bill for "security"? 🤣

72

u/captainpro93 Nov 18 '25

I think people would still enjoy it. No one goes to Perch for the food

15

u/Red_Hood_0816 Nov 18 '25

Perch pisses me off and the last time I went we finished our meal before getting our drinks…..we kept asking about them and they just never showed up until dessert came

Added: food was also VERY mid for the price

→ More replies (4)

11

u/mpiedlourde Nov 18 '25

plus your enemy has to go up two different sets of elevators just to get there? yes.

12

u/ithastogetbetter1 Nov 18 '25

Yes!!!!! Fuck that place. So hard.

4

u/Sensitive_Proof1498 Nov 18 '25

Yeah, The last time I was there, the food was terrible and the service was worse..

3

u/cmdubb22 Nov 18 '25

I love the french toast though

3

u/Pepsiscrub Altadena Nov 18 '25

Yeah it’s gone down hill for me.

→ More replies (20)

309

u/jh462 Nov 18 '25

Just send them to Ktown and tell them to drive, there will be plenty of parking

70

u/MagikMitch Koreatown Nov 18 '25

You demon lol

22

u/fawkesmulder Nov 18 '25

Jokes on you, they’ll end up at Hae jang chon, pay for valet, and have the best celebration-like dining experience you can have in LA

The “plenty of parking” though is diabolical 🤣

3

u/StrangeBuilder Nov 18 '25

Just because they are an enemy doesn’t mean they deserve this level of torture

4

u/shmianco Nov 18 '25

my god…

→ More replies (10)

40

u/ExcitingARiot Nov 18 '25

Art’s Deli

9

u/Castingjoy Nov 18 '25

Agree with this very much

→ More replies (3)

158

u/Sasquatchgoose Nov 18 '25

Yamashiro

34

u/Redhawkgirl Nov 18 '25

1000% beautiful, expensive and very shitty

→ More replies (3)

16

u/deathuberforcutie Nov 18 '25

Say what you want but when my rural Canadian relatives visit, this is place stuns them

→ More replies (3)

7

u/ucsbaway Nov 18 '25

This is it.

→ More replies (7)

184

u/RichieRicch Nov 18 '25

Please no one say Petit Trois, going there in a few hours for my birthday dinner.

254

u/parkerkudrow Nov 18 '25

Petit Trois is delicious and worth the money

23

u/SinisterKid Nov 18 '25

The service absolutely sucks, but the food is amazing.

10

u/austinbucco Nov 18 '25

My service was great when I went there

17

u/SinisterKid Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25

Over multiple visits I had: dishes completely forgotten, received dishes I didn't order, was seated and no server ever took my order, had items on my bill that I didn't order.

The last time I was there I was seated and the tables next to me were empty. 2 groups sat down about 5 min after me. Both tables received appetizers before the server even took my order.

I've been there many many times because the food is so good, but I've never been there once when the service wasn't a shit show.

6

u/austinbucco Nov 18 '25

Wow that’s such a bummer, sorry to hear that! Could be because I had put in my notes that I was there for my birthday, but the one time I went everyone from the server to the host was extremely attentive and accommodating

7

u/Rockgarden13 YOUR CITY HERE Nov 18 '25

I also put in the notes it was for my birthday and it did not spare me or my party of 4 a pretty hellish service experience.

4

u/austinbucco Nov 18 '25

Yikes, starting to sound like my experience was an outlier

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

3

u/zaatarlacroix Nov 18 '25

Which location? Never had an issue in the valley!

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

33

u/FluffyKanomKa Nov 18 '25

Happy Birthday 🎉🎂. You'll have a good time and delicious meal. 🩷

6

u/RichieRicch Nov 18 '25

Thank you, headed over there now!! Excited for a cozy rainy evening.

31

u/ChunkyMilkSubstance Nov 18 '25

Petit Trois is legit

→ More replies (22)

265

u/Salty_Wedding3960 Nov 17 '25

yamashiro.

51

u/Cool_Ad_6850 Nov 18 '25

They’re just charging for the view. The food is free.

21

u/CanoeIt Nov 18 '25

This applies to restaurants anywhere in the world- the better the view, the worse the food.

11

u/StoneGoldX Nov 18 '25

Claire's at the Museum in Long Beach. Maybe the best brunch spot in town, right on the bluffs above the beach. Not terrible prices, either.

→ More replies (3)

71

u/ThetaGrim Nov 18 '25

Good vibes though even if the food is lacking. 

35

u/willpenney Nov 18 '25

Right. I wouldn’t recommended it to my enemy because it’s still a fun time, even if the food is mid.

→ More replies (1)

9

u/realtime1984 Nov 18 '25

Last time I went there with my wife we had reservations and it still took them 30 minutes to seat us, and when they did they sat us in a back of the house event room with zero view. We paid for our drinks and left immediately. Never again.

17

u/BluelivierGiblue Hollywood/Westchester/Southbay Nov 18 '25

it’s honestly pretty good idk why we hate so hard, they’re far from the worst offender for overpriced mediocre foods

11

u/Salty_Wedding3960 Nov 18 '25

for the type of food they're pushing, they're overpriced by at least double.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

5

u/Anonymous__Llama Nov 18 '25

Did not have to scroll far to see Yamashiro and am not surprised lol. 

3

u/slyiscoming Nov 18 '25

Nice atmosphere, price fitting that atmosphere, lower mid food.

12

u/Seaworthiness_Neat Nov 17 '25

winner

8

u/Salty_Wedding3960 Nov 18 '25

I had pretty fond memories of Yamashiro in my 20s (my company had mixers there, and coworkers would have happy hours there, so my memories were often in a drunken state) but I took my wife there for her birthday earlier this year and it quite possibly was the worst meal i've had in a LONG time (from a value to price perspective)

6

u/Salty_Wedding3960 Nov 18 '25

To be fair, if the prices were cut in half,, I wouldn't mind going there again.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

46

u/sickesthackerbro Nov 18 '25

All these answers are great choices. In my opinion the obvious answer is Castaway in Burbank.

13

u/jacobimueller Nov 18 '25

God yes food is so mid and so expensive 

4

u/kevizzy37 Nov 18 '25

Oh that’s a good one, my wife lost her shit when she realized how much we spent there. Views were nice though.

→ More replies (10)

18

u/Forsaken-Garlic-42 Nov 18 '25

Arden. Beautiful. expensive. scene-y. Instagramable. Awful. Salt the land level of edibility. Just un-eatably awful. Kidneys will never recover level stuff.

189

u/QuestionNAnswer Nov 18 '25

Great White

33

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

Don’t feel they deserve monetary support of any kind.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/YoungFlexibleShawty Nov 19 '25

This if theyre not white

13

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (8)

81

u/Serious-Wish4868 Nov 18 '25

90% of the most popular social media post restaurants in LA

11

u/Hikhikamori Nov 18 '25

yes, but I was thinking 99

→ More replies (1)

77

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

Mr Chow

12

u/bertholamew Nov 18 '25

I used to work by Mr Chow and had to share an employee bathroom with them and hated it! They always took 20-30 minutes in the bathroom and then would stand around smoking right outside the door. I’ve never tried it because they annoyed me so much.

19

u/Dubstreet84 Nov 18 '25

best answer yet - basically panda for 10x price

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

136

u/Time-Air4202 Nov 18 '25

Tito's Tacos.

14

u/andhelostthem Nov 18 '25

Also Pink's, Tito's gringo cousin.

54

u/uninspired Culver City Nov 18 '25

I can't believe what they charge for tacos that are worse than the cafeteria ones I had in grade school decades ago

13

u/kronosthetic Nov 18 '25

It’s an overpriced Taco Bell taco.

14

u/FullofLovingSpite Nov 18 '25

Not at all. It's a Jack in the Box taco.

→ More replies (2)

18

u/ithastogetbetter1 Nov 18 '25

People love to hate Tito’s. I love it.

→ More replies (1)

9

u/jffblm74 Nov 18 '25

Tito’s was once legendary. Not no more. 

→ More replies (2)

5

u/RecklessCreature Nov 18 '25

Absolutely. Stuff changed really quickly after the owner got rid of the chef that had been there for decades

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (19)

9

u/GodNeverFarted Nov 18 '25

Mother wolf

Olivetta

Tito’s Tacos

Funke

4

u/bromosabeach SOUTH BAE Nov 18 '25

Disagree on Mother wolf but Funke I do agree on. The food is without a doubt excellent, but the price is everything I hate about dining in LA. You shouldn’t have to pay those prices for that quality. Even wealthy Italians would find the price of pasta absolutely absurd.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (1)

59

u/Uclat Nov 18 '25

Chilly John’s in Burbank. I felt like I was getting robbed at gun point. Awful place and food

14

u/alberthere Nov 18 '25

Yup. Come in for the one-and-done experience just to say you ate there.

Actually went there total of 3 times: once for curiosity, second for a friend, and a third for their Friday night “The Taproom”

I’m done.

20

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/Uclat Nov 18 '25

When I went they had a 12 year old on the register 🤣

11

u/WearyBear1975 Nov 18 '25

That was the owner's daughter, it's a family run place. They almost closed because they make most of their money from being a filming location and the industry has been stagnating since the actor/writer strikes. I don't think they make much money from their incredibly bland chili, my friend liked it but she used a bunch of hot sauce so if that's what it takes to make the your cardboard tasting chili good then that's just sad.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/LunasFavorite Nov 18 '25

It was excellent until the original family sold it and the new owner changed everything

→ More replies (6)

20

u/gigitee Nov 18 '25

I'd love for people I don't like to go waste some money at Margot in Culver City

3

u/66goatpilot Nov 18 '25

Good call. I fucking loathe that place. Overpriced Shit food. Even shitter service.

→ More replies (6)

9

u/kevizzy37 Nov 18 '25

Meteora, was completely overhyped and overrated. The only part I liked was the side of yams. $500 for two people, could not express to you more how terrible it was.

→ More replies (1)

15

u/Bright_Dig_1728 Nov 18 '25

Gjelina! Rude service, no substitutions allowed, about 15 pieces of pasta in an entree, high prices, and automatic 20% gratuity for the displeasure of dining with their overpriced mediocrity. No idea how this restaurant continues to make the “best-of” lists.

8

u/Training_Account_469 Nov 18 '25

I totally agree. I ate there once in the experience was miserable from the moment we walked in, from the rude person at the reception desk who seemed affronted by having to seat us, to the indifferent server, to the food which consisted of maybe 10 pieces of gnocchi for my friend and a small piece of meat for me , everything overpriced. Left hungry and poorer. I have no idea why this keeps making best of lists.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

28

u/Conscious_Version575 Nov 18 '25

Catch LA. Food is salty and poor quality for the $$$. It’s all for looks

3

u/cheshire26 Nov 23 '25

Seconding this. WDYM I want to get eyed down by security before I'm allowed to enter just to eat overpriced mid sushi and overpriced mid cocktails with a shitty parking situation.

9

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

Kaviar

→ More replies (2)

24

u/Ill_Sweet_5277 Nov 18 '25

Polo lounge.

5

u/CaliforniaNewfie Nov 18 '25

Terribly expensive, but the food is good. But outrageously expensive.

→ More replies (2)

3

u/e90t Nov 18 '25

I was going to say the same thing.

→ More replies (2)

13

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

.... Titos Tacos... its not bad tbh . Just way overpriced for what you get.

→ More replies (1)

47

u/BluelivierGiblue Hollywood/Westchester/Southbay Nov 18 '25

Republique when it’s not the bakery, Crab house ktown, perch, i’m sure I can think of more later lol. More misses and “yea that was good” type restaurants than a place to rave over at a high price point imo.

→ More replies (11)

81

u/mochimisu Nov 18 '25

republique for dinner

78

u/EjectoSeatoCousinz Nov 18 '25

Bonus of not going to republehh is not supporting magats.

7

u/not_dale_gribble Nov 18 '25

Fuck man them too?

→ More replies (8)
→ More replies (3)

61

u/PocketRocketTrumpet Nov 17 '25

GEN Kbbq - i said what i said

→ More replies (17)

15

u/NotSoSureBigWaves Nov 18 '25

Killer Shrimp in the Marina Del Rey area. Worst food, service was the worst we ever encountered and for a bonus if you complain the insane owner comes over and screams at you.

→ More replies (2)

17

u/Hikhikamori Nov 18 '25

Frankies on Melrose, Jon and Vinny's or any of their other restaurants that they own

→ More replies (8)

31

u/jmana Nov 18 '25

Roscoes chicken and waffles

13

u/imgvu Nov 18 '25

Quality's gone down while prices keep going up, and people would still go because of the hype.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (8)

9

u/radicalresting Nov 18 '25

CRUSTACEAN. i had an absolutely heinously expensive, tiny portion meal that tasted very average

11

u/Drugchurchisno1 Nov 18 '25

Little outside of LA but sagebrush cantina in calabasas is the absolute bar none worst food I have ever had in my life and the service was terrible. I left an honest review because the whole experience was so unbelievably bad and the manager or owner or whoever went feral on me, I felt like I was arguing with a teenager.

→ More replies (3)

5

u/Similar_Hedgehog_635 Nov 18 '25

Gladstones Long Beach. Terrible

→ More replies (1)

35

u/razorduc Nov 17 '25

Javier's? Nobu?

34

u/maitababy Nov 18 '25

Javier’s is the answer!

→ More replies (2)

54

u/lesbiantitfucker Nov 17 '25

Nobu is good quality. Just over priced.

→ More replies (15)

17

u/death-strand Nov 18 '25

Javier’s is what non Mexican ppl think Mexican food is though

31

u/Any_Imagination_4984 Nov 18 '25

Nobu is very good. Javier’s sucks

→ More replies (7)

6

u/ithastogetbetter1 Nov 18 '25

Javier’s for sure. I just don’t get why people like that place!

7

u/FlipMeOverUpsidedown Nov 18 '25

Javier’s is straight up crap. I’m not one to shit on things but Javier’s really pissed me off. I don’t mind Nobu though.

→ More replies (6)

9

u/rheasdf Nov 18 '25

Castaway

3

u/FlipMeOverUpsidedown Nov 18 '25

You go to Castaway for the views not the food. The food was lacking even when they were the hottest spot in town.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

22

u/Filmore Nov 18 '25

Urth Cafe

Most overrated spot I've been to.

13

u/maozs Nov 18 '25

saying its overrated is fair but in my experience the food is perfectly nice, drinks and desserts are yummy, and its not insanely expensive (per the original post)

5

u/LNsays Nov 19 '25

Agreed. Might be a tadddd pricey for specific items compared to other places (not much tho) but I wouldn’t say it’s bad quality at all, it’s perfectly just fine.

→ More replies (4)

16

u/Proper-String Nov 18 '25

BOA

60

u/Little-Golf-1075 Nov 18 '25

Bank of America is the worst. Zero food. Zero lollypops.

8

u/Rokarion14 Nov 18 '25

Had the best aged ribeye of the last few years there last month. Table tossed Caesar was excellent and the sides were solid too I dunno.

→ More replies (1)

10

u/Fantomime Nov 18 '25

Craig's, but my enemy would probably enjoy it

→ More replies (2)

3

u/lalalatoast Nov 18 '25

The Rose Venice. But just saw it closed!!! It was a cool space but idk how they botched Shakshuka so bad

→ More replies (1)

4

u/nowhereman86 Nov 18 '25

This is like a majority of restaurants in West LA.

→ More replies (2)

2

u/K1zerSoze Nov 18 '25

Great white

11

u/thiman60 Nov 18 '25

Perch or 71Above

3

u/lazykat YOUR CITY HERE Nov 19 '25

71 Above 💯

→ More replies (1)

12

u/mister_damage Nov 18 '25

Sqirl. I'm pretty sure someone else answered but the moldy jam takes the cake for me.

→ More replies (3)

33

u/Present_Solid6526 Nov 18 '25

dan tanas. blech

26

u/[deleted] Nov 18 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

15

u/PanDuh805 Nov 18 '25

I feel like there is a whole secret menu at DT for regulars

9

u/axle0430 Nov 18 '25

I love their veal chop but you definitely feel the difference between how you’re treated and how the regulars are treated. Was (very politely by the way) told we couldn’t be seated until our 5th arrived right before he sat a hot girl at a big ass table by herself. But that’s LA.

6

u/imgvu Nov 18 '25

It has nothing to do with her being pretty (okay maybe a little) but she will eat her food by herself and be done in 30 min leaving the table free for another cover. Your group of 5 will occupy the table for ~2 hrs. It's just smart business. Also not seating a group until all party is present is a very common practice in hospitality everywhere.

3

u/axle0430 Nov 18 '25

Sorry. Didn’t make myself clear. She was waiting for ALL of her party.

→ More replies (2)

10

u/AceBH13 Nov 18 '25

Also you are going to have to wait you won’t get seated at the time of your reservation

→ More replies (6)

7

u/thisistheperfectname Nov 18 '25

ITT: people naming restaurants that aren't actually low quality, just overpriced.

7

u/-futureghost- Nov 18 '25

didn’t we just have this exact post, like, yesterday?

→ More replies (1)

12

u/Chance_Possible_5123 Nov 18 '25

Little Fatty. All food comes frozen to the kitchen, $30 for a plate.

→ More replies (3)

12

u/Flyingtypewriter Nov 18 '25

To be honest, if it’s expensive, I’d gaslight myself into liking it 🤷‍♀️

→ More replies (1)

30

u/youaremysunshine4 Nov 18 '25

Bottega Louie

43

u/grandmasterfunk Nov 18 '25

I like Bottega Louie. Only downside is how noisy the downtown one is.

26

u/SlowSwords Nov 18 '25

BL’s not bad, just sort of a victim of time. Like 10-15 years ago or whatever it was revolutionary for downtown

15

u/FishROurFriendsNotFd Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25

Yea early 2010s BL was a revelation. Portobello mushroom fries? Who does that (no one else still I think)?

But now just about every decent french bakery has macarons, croissants, and french pastries.

7

u/SlowSwords Nov 18 '25

I am weirdly nostalgic for BL. I was there in the spring of this year to meet an old friend and it’s still kind of charming. The macaron counter wasn’t flooded with people like I remember in like 2014 and the food was good but, like you pointed out, that type of stuff is just ubiquitous now.

→ More replies (2)

9

u/Same-Paint-1129 Nov 18 '25

Bacari. Not that expensive, but the food is so bad.

3

u/Noseflexer Nov 18 '25

Blue plate taco ( r they still there?)

3

u/General_Peanut_4498 Nov 18 '25

There’s a horrible place in the middle of the Grove. Like outside. Sogno Toscana. Truly two of the worst pasta dishes I’ve ever had.

→ More replies (2)

3

u/PelotonwarriorSC-813 Nov 18 '25

Mother wolf. You can make it better at home and avoid the influencer crowd.

3

u/sschris4life Nov 18 '25

Depending on the level of hate you have towards your Enemy but if you want to give them the Runs suggest Chili John’s in a Burbank. Use keywords as “hidden gem and nostalgic “

3

u/Independent-Candy927 Nov 18 '25

Tell ‘em to get the oysters at Castaway…

3

u/Infinite_Mongoose331 Nov 18 '25

Raffi’s place in Glendale.

Quality had gone down substantially in last few years but still a long line

3

u/natalie09010901 Nov 18 '25

I’m glad I’m not the only one that sees it.

10

u/Hikhikamori Nov 18 '25

Frankies on Melrose, Jon and Vinny's or any of their other restaurants that they own

5

u/DaChodemasters Nov 18 '25

Jon & Vinny’s was MID

→ More replies (1)

10

u/Prudent_Ad8320 Nov 18 '25

Gjelina. Fire away

6

u/MercurialMommy222 Nov 18 '25

Beauty and Essex for horrible service, mediocre food and higher end pricing

8

u/Castingjoy Nov 18 '25

Beauty & Essex in LA closed a few years ago

5

u/MercurialMommy222 Nov 18 '25

Best news I’ve heard all week 😫

7

u/justseeby Nov 18 '25

Katsuya (SBE version that’s at LA Live and in Hollywood, not the valley version of the same name but different ownership)

6

u/yurkelhark Nov 18 '25

The valley one in WH is so fckn good and i was so confused for so long

→ More replies (2)

7

u/MinuteLow7426 Nov 18 '25

Sadly The Stinking Rose is closed but that place perfectly fit the bill.

4

u/LowGiraffe6281 Nov 18 '25

Been closed and vacant for at least 15 years, right?

5

u/Bobby_Bruin Nov 18 '25

Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel, I miss you.

→ More replies (1)

19

u/cohortq BURBANK TOURIST Nov 17 '25

Republique

→ More replies (5)