Category: food

Restaurants in Los Angeles County had barely been told they could reopen their doors before they were slammed shut again. Late last week, the county as well as the City of Los Angeles released detailed guidelines outlining how restaurants could again provide dine-in service after being shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. (And after restaurants had been reopened in other counties, including Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange County, which all met health and safety criteria.)

Then, of course, rolling county-wide curfews were implemented in response to the looting and vandalism that sadly spilled out of the protests sparked by the horrific death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. Whenever the curfews are lifted, here are a few of the modifications L.A. restaurants are required to implement:

• All employees who have contact with the public — as well as other employees during their shifts — must be provided a cloth face covering. Employees must wear them at all times during the workday.
• Symptom checks need to be administered before workers enter the business. COVID-19 symptoms include coughing, trouble breathing and fever.
• The maximum indoor seating capacity should be limited to 60 percent.
• When providing service to customers who are not wearing face coverings, the wait staff and other workers are required to don face shields in addition to their cloth face coverings. The face shields are to be provided by the restaurant.
• Live music and other entertainment are not permitted.

In a news conference, Mayor Eric Garcetti said restaurants in the city should focus on providing outdoor dining and curbside pickup. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, many chefs and restaurant owners were surprised by news of the reopening, with each business left to consider when or if to reopen. Also on the minds of restaurateurs is the chance a resurgence in COVID-19 cases results in another mandated shutdown.

It’s summer, so where there’s smoke, there’s probably a grillmaster. But whether you’re tackling steak, chicken, fish or another protein of your choice, to achieve true grilling greatness, you’ll need more than a set of tongs and lofty dreams of impeccably-charred grate marks. Here are a few hot tips (and some helpful suggestions) to consider before you fire things up.

Gas or charcoal?

Any seasoned griller realizes how you cook is as important as what you cook. So which method is better: gas or charcoal? It depends on the griller. Gas is unquestionably cleaner, producing less pollution, while charcoal grills send plumes of particulates into the air. Yet many people swear by charcoal because they believe it steeps the food in headier, smoke-filled flavors. That said, charcoal also takes more time to pre-heat. In other words: the debate rages on.

Keep your grill cleaned

Before and after cooking, clean the grill. Using a wire brush, scrape it down and then wipe it with a paper towel and grease-cutting dish soap. Avoid harsh, toxic chemicals since they could leech into the food. Older brushes can shed their bristles, which could then end up on your plate, so remember to replace them every two or three months.

Skip the skewers

Instead of putting in the painstaking effort to skewer vegetables and bites of meat, consider using a grill pan instead. For one thing, it creates less of a mess since sliced and diced food can easily slip through the grate. For another, it’s simply faster to toss all the food into a pan at once. Just make sure to grease it first, so bits of your meal don’t end up seared to the surface.

Monitor the marinade

Don’t overdo — or in this case, oversaturate. Most marinades are mixtures of oil, sugar, salt, and acids including lemon or vinegar. Marinated for the correct amount of time, tough meat becomes tender and delicious. But meat that has been soaked for too long can just as easily dissolve into unpalatable mush. In general, you shouldn’t marinate meat for more than one or two hours. And the smaller the amount of protein, the less time it requires.

Don’t go in cold

Rather than slapping your steak on the grill when it’s straight out of the fridge, leave it out beforehand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Nearly-frozen meat won’t cook evenly.

Use a thermometer

A veteran griller can tell if meat has been sufficiently cooked by touch. (In case you are wondering, the rule is, when pressed down on, a rare steak feels soft while well-done remains solid; medium falls somewhere between.) If you’re a novice cook or simply want to be certain what you are eating is safe, invest in a thermometer. A rare steak ranges from 130 to 140°F while well-done runs 170°F.

Give it a rest

Once your meat is cooked, resist the urge to immediately dig in. Instead, leave the food alone for about 10 to 15 minutes so the juices can settle. The result should be tender and mouth-watering. All good things to those who wait, after all.

Whether the beach, pier or hiking trails, these days much of what we love about Southern California appears to be under one restriction or another. That is, until you consider the food — specifically, Mexican fare. You might not be able to sit at a restaurant table to dine, but that shouldn’t stop you from indulging in cuisine that is as ubiquitous to the Valley as the Santa Ana winds themselves. Here are some of the best spots to order from now for takeout and delivery.

Conejo Valley

Casa Escobar Malibu

22969 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 310-456-1999

Curbside takeout is available Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Steeped in the Sonoran traditions of a bygone era, this family-owned restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway specializes in classic Mexican dishes. While the locale’s ambiance might be off-limits due to the coronavirus, the food continues to provide the expected flavor. Their limited menu includes family-style trays of tacos and enchiladas as well as such favorites as burritos and fajitas. Their always-popular margaritas are also available.

Cisco’s

1712 E Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks 805-288-6208

Takeout is available daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Serving authentic Mexican fare for almost 50 years, Cisco’s offers a limited menu for takeout that includes quesadillas (including the roasted pasilla chili and cheese, stuffed with roasted pasilla chili, Monterey jack cheese and green onions), fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and chimichangas (like the Ultimate, stuffed with white meat chicken, refried beans, Spanish rice and jack cheese, then topped with sauce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes).

San Fernando Valley

Mi Ranchito Veracruz

13363 Saticoy Street, North Hollywood 818-287-6911
Takeout is available Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Delivery is available through Postmates, Grubhub and UberEats.

This North Hollywood eatery remains open for takeout and delivery, meaning you still enjoy everything from their braised beef (with rice, black beans and guacamole) to their carne asada plate (grilled skirt steak with rajas poblanos, rice, beans and guacamole). And then, of course, there are the tamales, served Veracruz-style, and now including a bean and cheese vegan option.

Casa Vega

13301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks 818-788-4868
Call ahead to order takeout or delivery.

A Sherman Oaks institution for more than 60 years, Casa Vega continues to operate from their Ventura Boulevard spot with a contactless drive-on-thru menu featuring house combos, street tacos, enchiladas, and family trays. Additionally, you can pick up eggs, bread, milk, tortillas, avocados, yellow onions, limes and tomatoes from among their marketplace items.

Santa Clarita Valley

Sabor Cocina Mexicana

23953 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia 661-259-9002
Curbside pickup, takeout and delivery via Doordash are available Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Serving Santa Clarita since 2000, Sabor Cocina Mexicana continues to be open for curbside, takeout and delivery. Dishes on their to-go menu include taquitos (shredded chicken, guacamole, salsa verde, crema and queso fresco), tacos (stuffed with choices of spicy pork, ribeye steak or grilled filet mignon) and chile relleno (crispy Anaheim chile with cheese, crema and roasted chile-tomato sauce). Their family kits include a dozen tortillas, guacamole, salsa, chips, rice and beans. And to finish your meal off, try some vanilla flan or churros for dessert.

Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant 

19319 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 661-367-4945
Takeout and delivery daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dishes on their to-go menu range from soups (Albondigas or chicken tortilla) to salads (including the seafood salad with Abalone, octopus, cold shrimp and crab) to such favorites as burritos, tacos and taquitos. Items ordered from the junior menu, aimed at ages three to 10, come with rice and refried beans or French fries. If you wish to feed a lot of people (say, 15 to 20), you can choose from their selection of (very) large family platters.

Whether the beach, the pier or the hiking trails near the Hollywood sign, everything Angelinos adore about Los Angeles seems to be under one restriction or another. That is, until you consider the food — specifically, the Mexican food. True, you might not be able to sit at a restaurant table to dine, but that shouldn’t stop you from indulging in cuisine that is as ubiquitous to the region as the Santa Ana winds themselves. Here are some of the best Mexican restaurants to order from now for takeout and delivery.

Tallula’s

118 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica  310-526-0027
Open for curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. Dinner runs daily from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekend brunch goes Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With or without dine-in, this beachside cantina continues to serve up such inspired Mexican fare as its signature burritos and tacos, stuffed with meats like organic chicken verde, sauteed chili shrimp and curried beef. Also on the menu: family-sized taco platters, along with enchiladas, chilaquiles, as well as margaritas, beer and wine. They take phone orders from Friday to Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., and from Sunday to Thursday, starting at 2 p.m.

Guelaguetza

3014 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles  213-427-0608
Curbside pickup and takeout: Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For delivery, order through Grubhub or Doordash.

This authentic Oaxacan restaurant is famed for its moles ranging from the coloradito (sweet, served with chicken breast, thigh or spare pork ribs) to the amarillo (yellow mole stew offered with chicken, beef or spare pork ribs) to the rojo (spicier red mole with smacks of chocolate, served with chicken breast, thigh or spare pork ribs). Their Guelaguetza tamal de mole, cooked with banana leaves and filled with mole and shredded chicken, is one of their most popular dishes. As well, they are currently offering family-style meals and kits for takeout and delivery.

Petty Cash Taqueria

7360 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles 323-933-5300
Pick-up and delivery is available through their website and Tock.

Along with the build-your-own-taco kits, quesadillas have returned at this taqueria. Among the ones available: pork ahumada, beef brisket, jidori chicken adobo, and portobello mushroom and sweet potato. Or simply enjoy their traditional cheese quesadilla. The taco kits, by the way, include such options as beef brisket and jidori chicken as well as poblano rice and beans.

Toca Madera

8450 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles 323-852-9400
Curbside pickup and takeout: Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Delivery is offered through Postmates, DoorDash, UberEats and Caviar.

This upscale cantina’s menu for curbside includes the build-your-own taco box, which serves four to six people (with chicken tinga, carne asada, cilantro lime rice, black beans, street corn, shaved cabbage, chihuahua cheese and 12 tortillas); the grande familia, serving up to six (with American wagyu sirloin, chicken al pastor, pozole rojo soup, salad, and sides including cilantro lime rice along with a dozen tortillas); and the enchilada meal, serving four (with such options as chicken tinga, chipotle-smattered tofu and cheese-only).

On the road to recovery, Southern California’s car culture is back in the driver’s seat. After all, in your own vehicle, you never have to worry about who coughed on the steering wheel. Or about who occupied the seat next to you before you climbed in. So even in a post-COVID-19 world, most analysts expect driving to remain the preferred choice of transportation for some time to come. And with it has come the resurgence of drive-thru restaurants, currently booming as people venture outside to eat somewhere other than their own kitchens while also remaining socially distant from strangers.

Conejo Valley 

Broad Street Oyster Company

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu 424-644-0131

Drive into Broad Street Oyster in Malibu to snap up oysters, stone claw crabs, some shrimp cocktail or even their signature lobster rolls. Among their salads and sandwiches, try the lobster bisque or fish tacos. And just in case you were wondering, they do serve burgers and fries too. The drive thru is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. but call ahead to order.

Original Tommy’s World Famous Hamburgers

1290 Madera Road, Simi Valley  805-583-0514

Founded in 1946, the original Tommy’s was a stand at Beverly and Rampart Boulevards in Los Angeles. Now with locations throughout Southern California, the chain continues to serve burgers, hot dogs, chili fries and a breakfast menu that includes a breakfast burrito.

San Fernando Valley 

Chuy’s Tacos Dorados

14557 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys 747-264-1662

A fairly new entry to the scene, Chuys Tacos Dorados first opened a location in the Arts District, then expanded to its Van Nuys drive-thru digs, specializing in slow-simmered shredded beef and potato fried tacos based on a family recipe from Culiacan, Sinaloa. One note: their tomato-based salsas are served warm, with the green offering decidedly more heat than the red.

Sam’s Charbroiled Burgers

10748 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood  818-505-9070

This North Hollywood eatery is offering drive-thru service for its menu of burgers, breakfast, sandwiches and Korean barbeque. In other words, if you’re not into their New Big Boss Burger (angus beef, bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, pastrami, smothered in barbeque sauce) or their Monster Pastrami Burger, you can opt for the buffalo lemon chicken fries or French toast.

Santa Clarita Valley

Route 66 Classic Grill

18730 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country  661-298-1494

Family-owned and operated since 1999, this 1950s-style diner named for the road that linked Middle America to California offers “carhop” service. (A carhop was a waiter who would bring food to your vehicle at a drive-in restaurant.) Choose from burgers, chili, platters, pastas, sandwiches and a variety of starters, including tri-tip or cheeseburger sliders.

In-N-Out Burger

26401 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita  800-786-1000

First, some drive-thru history: in 1948, In-N-Out founder Harry Snyder introduced the first drive-thru burger stand in Baldwin Park and created a two-way speaker box that let customers order without leaving their cars. Now a local institution, the California-based chain continues to serve up fries, shakes and customized burgers like the Grilled Cheese and, of course, Animal Style.

On the road to recovery, Los Angeles’s car culture is back in the driver’s seat. After all, in your own vehicle, you never have to worry about who coughed on the steering wheel. Or about who occupied the seat next to you before you climbed in. So even in a post-COVID-19 world, most analysts expect driving to remain the preferred choice of transportation for some time to come. And with it has come the resurgence of drive-thru restaurants, currently booming as Angelinos venture outside to eat somewhere other than their own kitchens while also remaining socially distant from strangers.

Astro Burger

5601 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 323-469-1924

After opening in 1974 serving mostly hamburgers, this spot on the corner of Melrose and Gower has expanded to include soups, salads and vegetarian dishes along with a Greek menu that offers such daily specials as Yemista (rice-stuffed baked tomato or bell peppers), Spanakorizo (cooked spinach and rice) and Papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant). If it is a burger you’re looking for, they have a selection of Angus beef burgers as well as turkey and veggie options.

Rick’s Drive In & Out

2400 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles 323-660-5988

Satisfying the fast-food cravings of loyal Dodgers fans since 1981 when this location opened near Dodger Stadium, Rick’s Drive In & Out offers the comforting pre-and-post-game fare you would expect: burgers, sandwiches, homemade onion rings, among them. Not so expected: their breakfast burrito, considered among the tastiest in Los Angeles.

Patra’s Charbroiled Burgers

2319 N San Fernando Road, Glassel Park 323-225-9944

Dishing out the charbroiled fare for more than 40 years, Patra’s serves much more than burgers — from sourdough melts and grilled hot dogs to club sandwiches and taco salads, in addition to burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Then again, if you did come for a burger, you won’t be disappointed, whether you’re digging into their angus beef Revolution, meatless Happy Cow or Green Goddess with guacamole, roasted peppers and chipotle sauce.

El Huero Drive Thru

3000 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 213-747-0012

A popular draw for nearby USC students for decades, this walk-up stand and drive-thru serves fresh Mexican fare ranging from build-your-own burritos and nachos to tacos and breakfast plates. Also on the menu: burgers (such as the Mix-Up, which piles grilled pastrami on a ground beef patty), hot dogs and sides including onion rings, chili cheese fries and nacho fries.

Whether you like it heaped on a cone, stuffed messily between two slices of cookie or smothered in fudge, we can all agree on ice cream — especially as soaring temperatures spell a sweltering summer ahead. Fortunately for the Valley, there is no shortage of ice cream shops happily serving scoops for takeout and delivery. Just make sure to call ahead as hours and items are always subject to change.

Conejo Valley

Coaches Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor

3345 Kimber Drive, Unit D, Newbury Park  805-375-6555

Takeout and delivery: Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Delivery available through DoorDash and GrubHub.

Along with the shakes, malts, cookies and sundaes at this all-American, sports-themed shop, they offer various family to-go packs. The Out of the Park Home Run, for example, features three pints of your choice of ice cream, six waffle cones and oversized Oreos to make ice cream sandwiches. It also comes with your choice of three sauces and three toppings. If you prefer, you can mix and match. Call ahead so they can have it ready for pickup.

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe

652 E Janss Road, Thousand Oaks 805-497-2000
Takeout: Daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Order ahead online for curbside pickup.

This eatery serves burgers, fries and sandwiches, but it’s the ice cream that everyone comes for. Right now their most popular seasonal flavor is back: the “Cal Moo.” A nod to California Lutheran University (CLU), it is taro ice cream infiltrated by pockets of honeycomb candy. Also this weekend you can order the Mother’s Day Bouquet, which is ylang-ylang ice cream embedded with edible flower petals. For something classic, try the Moorpark Road, their take on Rocky Road, which arrives with almonds and marshmallows immersed in chocolate ice cream.

San Fernando Valley

Magpies Softserve

18971 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana 747-254-4235

Takeout and delivery: Daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-order online. Delivery available through Postmates and Uber Eats. 

Magpies Softserve bills itself as a scratch recipe soft serve dessert shop, meaning chefs Rose and Warren Schwartz create their soft serve and toppings entirely in house. Broadening both the form and flavors of soft serve, they offer everything from a sweetened Cuban espresso to a traditional Korean tea to their vegan Thai Tea which, when topped with caramel, is ideal for blazing-hot summers. If you want more than a single serving, try a pint or even a pie.

Sonny’s Handcrafted Ice Cream and Italian Ice

15030 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 17, Sherman Oaks  818-855-1587
Pickup and delivery: Sunday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Delivery is available through Postmates, DoorDash, GrubHub and UberEats.

Former veterinarians Sindy and Kelly named their establishment after Sindy’s dog, Sonny. After being rescued as a puppy, Sonny wasn’t expected to survive very long, but went on to live more than 13 years. Now Sindy and Kelly are pursuing their creative passion for creating frozen desserts. All of their flavors can be ordered in a bowl, waffle cone or waffle bowl. Flavors include Birthday Cake Cake Batter Creme Ice and Caramelized Banana.

Santa Clarita Valley

Paradis Ice Cream

24201 West, Valencia Boulevard No. 3428, Valencia  661-888-1370

Takeout and delivery: Sunday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery is available through DoorDash, Postmates or UberEats.

Having first opened a Paradis cafe in Denmark in 2000, the chain moved to Los Angeles nine years later, eventually establishing itself in Valencia in 2016. Continuing with the initial vision of replicating the ice cream found in Rome, Paradis utilizes organic cocoa, bourbon vanilla from Madagascar and almonds from Spain for its ingredients. Ice creams and sorbets are whipped up fresh every day, including dairy-free, vegan options.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

26865 Sierra Highway, Newhall 661-250-0500
Take out and delivery: Daily from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery is available through Uber Eats and GrubHub. 

This frozen yogurt chain, with more than 540 locations around the world, serves dozens of flavors and toppings — from Caramel Frappe and Chocolate Cream Pie to Blue Raspberry Tart and Dark Chocolate Mousse. Know someone who is celebrating a birthday? Consider one of their custom froyo birthday cakes, including non-fat options that are sugar-and-gluten free.