LA & Valley Local Eats

If you’re like us, preparing three meals a day gets pretty old. Save yourself that time and order-in this week, if you feel comfortable eating takeout. It’s the perfect opportunity to support your local restaurants and explore your palate. 

Father’s Office

1018 Montana Ave

Santa Monica, CA 

This small and cozy Montana Avenue bar is best known for its burger that’s perfectly cooked and gussied up with caramelized onions, bleu cheese, and arugula. Pair it with one of 36 beers on tap and remember to order the sweet potato fries with roasted garlic aioli.

Tlayuda LA

5450 Santa Monica Blvd., 

East Hollywood, CA

Owner Laura Guerrero of Tlayuda LA, is a fierce fighter for her people and her business, posting daily across social media, private Facebook groups, community message boards, and more, all with one simple message: Come eat. So far the work is paying off, though no restaurant right now is without hardship. Go celebrate all of Guerrero’s hard work with some absolutely fantastic tlayudas, tacos, and whatever else fits your fancy. The place deserves it.

Naemo

2435 S Sepulveda Blvd

West L.A, CA

Westsiders looking for a new kind of Korean restaurant now have Naemo to look forward to. The Sawtelle Japantown-area underground pop-up is now selling on Tock, turning out gorgeous dosirak boxes that include rice, soup, and banchan galore.

Gigi’s

904 N Sycamore Ave

Los Angeles, CA

At Gigi’s it’s all classy French comfort: exquisite duck rillettes with champagne vinegar and a perfectly chewy baguette; just-crisped roast chicken with an herbaceous dipping sauce; and casual, iconic fare such as a jambon-beurre sandwich all leave us wishing we could have a Gigi’s in our own neighborhood for a bit of a casual bistro escape.

Ospi

2025 Pacific Ave

Venice, CA

Chef and co-owner Jackson Kalb’s fresh handmade pastas are of course all worth an order at this Italian spot just two blocks from the beach. The humble rigatoni in vodka sauce is just as crucial as the flashier and more labor-intensive raschiatelli, which come swimming in a melt-in-your-mouth spicy pork spare-rib sugo and topped with crema di pecorino and a showering of breadcrumbs.

Mi Ranchito Veracruz

13363 Saticoy St, 

North Hollywood, CA

When you hit the stretch of North Hollywood that’s basically just semi-trucks and loading docks, it means you’re close to Mi Ranchito Veracruz. This tiny order-at-the-counter Mexican restaurant has an excellent menu stacked with burritos and chilaquiles, but everybody’s really here for the tamales. They’re served Veracruz-style (wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks), are perfectly cooked, and slightly sweet. Sprinkling the spicy red table salsa on top is also a must. If you’re throwing a big house party, they also do catering.