Category: food

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.

If you were waiting for news about when restaurants might reopen, it’s not much of an appetizer. But Gov. Gavin Newsom — while insisting California will not follow other states in lifting restrictions — suggested this week that progress is being made. (And when restaurants do reopen, it will be in a modified capacity — likely meaning masks for servers, temperature checks for patrons and a reduced number of tables.) In the meantime, you can support restaurants in the Valley that are still open, offering curbside and delivery. Remember to confirm by calling or checking online as everything is subject to change.

Conejo Valley

Braxton’s Kitchen

317 Carmen Drive, Camarillo 805-384-7566

Curbside: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

This eatery’s menu now includes family-style dinners for four. Choose from chicken piccata with linguine, parmesan crusted tilapia with linguine, meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes or the fried chicken dinner. Breakfast and lunch items range from burritos and pancakes to burgers, wraps and salads. Along with some grocery items (including eggs, bread and hand sanitizer), they also offer a “pup” menu with the signature Braxton Special: ground beef, brown rice, butternut squash, green peas, carrots and kidney beans. Call or order online.

Mama’s Hummus

779 N Wendy Drive, Thousand Oaks 805-480-0888
Curbside and pickup: Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Promising a “novel approach to fresh and flavorful Lebanese food,” this Mediterranean restaurant serves up no shortage of variations on kabobs, shawarma and falafel. For those self-isolating, the family meal for three will be hard to resist: three skewers of kabobs, chicken, kafta, filet mignon on a bed of rice served with hummus, baba ghannouj, tabouli or salad, as well as pita bread.

San Fernando Valley

Verse

4212 Lankershim Boulevard, Toluca Lake 818-747-2135

Curbside: Order, pay and schedule pickup or delivery at www.verse.la

Known for their rice bowls (with such protein possibilities as hanger steak, salmon, pork belly and poached egg), Verse now offers a burrito-to-go for those sheltering in place. Stuff it with any number of meats — from hanger steak to shrimp to pork belly — or opt for the vegetarian.

Gino’s East of Chicago

12924 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles 818-788-5050

Carryout and delivery: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

This newly opened pizza place is offering carryout and delivery from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the shutdown. Signature pies include the Meaty Legend (pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon and bacon), Gino’s Supreme (pepperoni or Italian sausage with onions, green peppers and mushrooms) and the aptly-named Chicago Fire (spicy sausage, whole roasted jalapeno, fire-roasted red peppers and red onions).

Santa Clarita Valley

Rose and Crown British Restaurant

24246 Lyons Avenue, Newhall 661-255-5048

Curbside: Tuesday through Sunday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The takeout menu can vary, but usually features such British staples as shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and, of course, fish and chips. Specials include corned beef and cabbage with caramelized onions and horseradish as well as the shamrock pasty, an Irish pot pie stuffed with beef, cabbage and potatoes. For something unexpected, seek out the fish tacos.

 

Salt Creek Grille

24415 Town Center Drive No. 115, Valencia 661-222-9999
Curbside, takeout and delivery: Lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner begins at 2 p.m.

In addition to limited lunch and dinner menus, this steakhouse offers a family meal deal: family-sized entree, house or Caesar salad, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables and brownies. Availability is limited and the menu is updated daily, so call or go online to pre-order. On Mondays and Wednesdays, kids eat free. For adults, beer and wine is available for curbside.

If you were waiting for news about when restaurants might reopen, it’s not much of an appetizer. But Gov. Gavin Newsom — while insisting California will not follow other states in lifting restrictions — suggested this week that progress is being made. (And when restaurants do reopen, it will be in a modified capacity — likely meaning masks for servers, temperature checks for patrons and a reduced number of tables.) In the meantime, you can support restaurants in Los Angeles and the Westside that are still open, offering curbside and delivery. Remember to confirm by calling or checking online as everything is subject to change.

Lawry’s

100 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills 310-360-6281
Curbside: Tuesday through Sunday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays. Pre-orders begin at 12 p.m.

For curbside, this Beverly Hills chophouse serves a prime rib dinner that comes with a choice of five cuts as well as salad, mashed potatoes, whipped‑cream horseradish and Yorkshire pudding. If you feel like tackling the work yourself, they will send you home with some of their steaks to be prepared in your kitchen, along with seasonings and cooking suggestions.

Broken Spanish

1050 Flower Street, Los Angeles 213-749-1460
Curbside: Go online or call to make a reservation. Sunday through Thursday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

For curbside, this downtown restaurant’s entrees have been pared down into family-style meals, all of which include tortillas, lentils, hongos, salsa verde, pickled cabbage, flan and one of three options: pork chile verde, calabasitas or achiote roasted chicken. On Tuesdays, they serve a build-your-own-taco set. The grocery list includes tamales by the dozen and Margarita kits.

Bavel and Bestia

Bavel: 500 Mateo Street, Los Angeles 213-232-4966 Bestia: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles 213-514-5724
Curbside: Prepaid orders will be available for curbside pickup Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis are serving up shareable family-style meals from both of their restaurants: the Italian favorite Bestia and the Middle Eastern-themed Bavel. The menu changes every week, but always features dishes specifically designed to be enjoyed at home. They tend to sell out, so be sure to book in advance.

Locanda Positano

4059 Lincoln Boulevard, Marina Del Rey 310-526-3887
Curbside and delivery: Monday through Saturday: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Go online or call to order.

Pasta at this Marina Del Rey eatery include pappardelle with braised wild boar, spinach and red wine reduction sauce; lasagna with veal ragout and fontina cheese; spaghetti with fresh cherry tomatoes; and linguine with Manila clams. Among their non-pasta dishes, consider the breaded chicken breast in melted mozzarella cheese or the grilled New York steak.

 

Don’t look for the dining-out experience you remember to be back on the menu anytime soon. Even as restaurants across Los Angeles and California innovate to stay open, it’s clear the shelter-in-place orders sparked by the coronavirus pandemic won’t be entirely lifted until a vaccine is available to the public. Instead, as outlined by state and city officials, even when restaurants reopen at an as-yet-unspecified date, it will be with stringent social distancing guidelines. In the meantime, be sure to support any of the restaurants throughout Los Angeles and the Westside that continue to keep their doors open by offering curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. Always call ahead as hours and menu items are subject to change.

Olivetta

9010 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood  310-307-3932
Pickup and delivery: Thursday through Saturday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday: closed.

This spot in WeHo’s Restaurant Row draws inspiration from Italy, Greece, France and Spain for its coastal cuisine. From the delivery and curbside pickup menu, start off with the toasted sourdough or fried meatballs in rustic tomato sauce before moving onto one of the entrees, such as the “all-day” lamb bolognese or jumbo shrimp with tomato, olives, white wine and feta cheese.

Ima

9669 S Santa Monica Boulevard, No. 1, Beverly Hills 310-734-7829
Takeout: Tuesday through Sunday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday: closed. Call ahead for details. 

This Beverly Hills restaurant offers a high-end take on traditional Japanese hot pots, shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. Along with house-made sesame and specialty ponzu sauces, they feature their own brand of wagyu beef. The takeout menu includes assorted sukiyaki bento, ground wagyu cutlet, shrimp and grilled beef tongue as well as salad.

 

Hotville Chicken

4070 Marlton Avenue, Los Angeles 323-792-4835

Takeout and delivery: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

Who doesn’t love their chicken spicy? Kim Prince brought Nashville-style heat to Crenshaw late last year and for heat-seekers looking for true Southern spice, it does not disappoint. Choose your meat and then choose your heat: from West Coast Plain and Cali Mild to Music City Medium and, lastly, Nashville Hot. Failure to burn is not an option.

 

Hill Street Bar and Restaurant

200 S Hill Street, Los Angeles 866-445-5781
Curbside, takeout and delivery: Monday through Friday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: closed.

Whether you’re mildly hungry or absolutely starved, this restaurant probably has a dish for you — from the miso-infused black cod, served with pumpkin puree and vegetables, to the Hill Street burger, smothered in gruyere cheese, blue cheese, bacon and caramelized onion, to the miso salmon salad with grilled marinated salmon, greens and miso balsamic. They serve curbside pickup service, to-go ordering and free delivery within a two-mile radius.

Don’t look for the dining-out experience you remember to be back on the menu anytime soon. Even as restaurants across Southern California innovate to stay open, it’s clear the shelter-in-place orders sparked by the coronavirus pandemic won’t be entirely lifted until a vaccine is available to the public. Instead, as outlined by state officials, even when restaurants reopen at an as-yet-unspecified date, it will be with stringent social distancing guidelines. In the meantime, be sure to support any of the restaurants throughout the Valley that keep their doors open by offering curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. Just always call ahead as hours and menu items are subject to change. 

Conejo Valley

Al Mulino Italian Restaurant

Paseo Marketplace, 3709 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village  | 805-379-0016

Takeout and delivery: Daily: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Offering authentic Italian food with ingredients imported from Italy, this eatery’s takeout and the delivery menu promises a feast for pasta lovers. After sampling such starters as the bruschetta or the beef carpaccio with sliced Angus beef and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, choose from entrees including the Rigatoni Strascicati (imported Napoletana pasta with Italian sausage) and the cappellacci ossobuco (ravioli stuffed with veal ossobuco).

 

Holdren’s Steaks and Seafood

1714-A Newbury Road, Newbury Park  | 805-498-1314

Curbside pickup: Daily: 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

You don’t walk into a steakhouse looking for a salad (although they have those, too). Likewise, their curbside menu offers such options as a Kobe beef burger with a 10-oz. patty to their signature “Cowboy Cut” — a 24-oz. bone-in ribeye, served with jalapeno and onion rings. If you aren’t in the mood for meat, try the seafood linguini with scallops, mussels, clams and tomatoes.

San Fernando Valley

Prime Pizza

603 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank   | 818-736-5120

Curbside pickup and delivery: Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This latest addition to the chain opened in Burbank earlier this year, generating excitement among fans of its pizzas, sandwiches and garlic knots. Round pies come with toppings ranging from sausage and kale to spicy arrabbiata and pepperoni. Square pies include their classic Brooklyn with mozzarella and grandma sauce. As for the garlic knots, they live up to fresh-baked, buttery expectations.

Olive & Thyme

3821 Riverside Drive Toluca Lake  | 818-557-1560
Curbside pickup and delivery: Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Sunday: closed.

The modified menu at this family-owned market and cafe features all-day items ranging from salads and sandwiches to pastas and baked goods to “Grab N’ Go” meals like the Santa Fe bowl with free-range chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, house-made avocado pico de gallo, tortilla chips and cilantro dressing. If you need groceries, their market-fresh selection includes chicken, salmon, eggs, bread, milk and vegetables.

Santa Clarita Valley

Brewery Draconum

24407 Main Street, Santa Clarita   | 661-568-9160

Curbside pickup: Thursday through Saturday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Expect organic, house-made comfort food infused with house brews at this family-owned brewpub, which centers its dining experience around craft beer. That includes a hot dog smothered in homemade chili topped with cheddar cheese and onion, the shepherd’s pie with gravy made with in-house stout and the grilled salmon, topped with white wine cream.

 

Crepissima

28166 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia   | 661-670-8770

Takeout and delivery: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This locally-owned spot offers every kind of delicious twist on the crepe you can think of — from Nutella with strawberry to shrimp with chipotle to tuna melt to pizza, stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni. But even among this abundance of riches, the signature dish is unquestionably the goyi crepe, crammed with apples and splashed by chopped walnuts and dulce de leche.