62 Foods in Los Angeles - Best Authentic Restaurants - TasteAtlas
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What to eat in Los Angeles? Where to eat in Los Angeles? 62 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Los Angeles

The best traditional dishes in Los Angeles and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Sat May 18 2024
62 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Los Angeles
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01

Sandwich

BOSTON, United States of America
3.7
Roast Beef Sandwich
Roast Beef Sandwich infographic
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Roast beef sandwiches encompass a large variety of sandwiches filled with roasted and sliced beef as their main ingredient. They may be served hot or cold. The meat should be succulent, slightly pink, and thinly sliced, while the buns are typically soft and topped with sesame seeds or onion pieces.


As for the toppings, anything is possible, but in Boston, where roast beef sandwiches are one of the area's specialties, they are traditionally topped with cheese, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise (called a three way when served together).

MOST ICONIC Roast Beef Sandwich

1
Philippe the Original
2
Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant
3
Brent's Deli
4
Cole’s
02

Fried Chicken Dish

SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
4.4
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The most popular food of the Southern cuisine, fried chicken is the theme of many arguments where everyone involved seems to have a favorite, be it what their mothers used to make, a cult roadside eatery, or a bygone restaurant. However, it is universally agreed that the meat must be moist, succulent, and tender, coated with a crunchy, golden-brown crust.


It all started during the colonization period, when Scottish immigrants settled in the South, bringing their fried chicken recipes along. The African slaves then introduced new seasonings and spices, and the dish quickly gained popularity. Typical seasonings include salt, pepper, and hot chiles, and the pieces of meat should be edible by hand so that the consumer can bite both the crust and the meat at the same time. 

MOST ICONIC Fried Chicken

1
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles - Hollywood
2
Howlin' Ray's
03

Beef Dish

LOS ANGELES, United States of America
4.0
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Korean galbi includes various dishes made with beef short ribs, and this version differs in the specific cut of meat. Unlike the traditional galbi in which the ribs are sliced along the bones (also known as the English cut), in L.A. galbi, the ribs are cut across the bones into thin strips.


The ribs should be marinated, typically in different combinations of soy sauce, onions, and Asian pears, and are then grilled over charcoal. Two main theories explain the origin and the name of L.A. galbi. While the less popular claims that the name stems from the lateral cut, it has been widely accepted that the dish initially appeared among the Korean community in Los Angles. 

MOST ICONIC L.A. Galbi

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1
Soowon Galbi
2
Park's BBQ
3
Genwa Korean BBQ
4
Soot Bull Jeep
5
Ahgassi Gopchang
04

Sandwich type

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
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Achicken sandwich consists of chicken, either a fillet or patty, various toppings, and bread. The meat can be white or dark meat (usually thigh meat is used when it's dark meat) and be shredded, deep-fried, roasted, or grilled; even cold cuts can be used.


On the other hand, bread can be any bread, either bread slices cut from a loaf, a bun, or a roll. The chicken sandwich can be served hot or cold. Numerous variations exist, so there are also chicken wraps and open-faced versions of the chicken sandwich. Regarding origin, although Truett Cathy (the founder of the fast food chain Chick-fil-A) has proclaimed himself as the inventor, that is not true — the chicken sandwich is much older than the 1940s, and the truth is we do not know when and by who it was created. 
VARIATIONS OF Chicken Sandwich

MOST ICONIC Chicken Sandwich

1
Son of a Gun
2
Birdies
3
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
05

Sandwich

NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
4.2
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Pastrami on rye is New York's signature sandwich and a staple of many Jewish delis. This simple sandwich traditionally consists of delicate pastrami slices that are placed on rye bread, then topped with spicy mustard, and the whole thing is typically accompanied by kosher dill pickles on the side.


It was originally invented in 1888 by a Lithuanian immigrant named Sussman Volk, who was also the owner of one of the first delis in New York City. Today, Katz's Delicatessen is believed to be the best place for a great pastrami on rye sandwich.

MOST ICONIC Pastrami on rye

1
Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant
2
Brent's Deli
06

Pizza

CALIFORNIA, United States of America
3.6
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Invented at the same time in 1980 by Ed LaDou and the chefs at the famous restaurant Chez Panisse, this type of pizza is characterized by combining New York and Italian thin crust with unique and unusual topping combinations. The crust is light, airy, and tender, while the toppings range from chicken and shrimps to peanut sauce, barbecue sauce, goat cheese, and pineapples.


California-style pizza should be paired with beer or white wines, including the sparkling varieties.

MOST ICONIC California-Style Pizza

1
Pizzeria Mozza
2
Caioti Pizza Café
3
Spago
4
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
07

Sandwich

CALIFORNIA, United States of America
4.1
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French dip is a Californian sandwich that, despite its name, doesn't have much to do with France, except for the fact that it is served au jus, a French expression meaning with juice/broth. The sandwich consists of thinly sliced roast beef (alternatively, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey, or ham), black pepper, mustard, and horseradish on a long white French roll (or a baguette) that has been dipped into pan juices or gravy.


Sometimes, Swiss, American, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese is added to further enhance its flavors. The usual accompaniments include coleslaw, potato, and macaroni salad, hard-boiled eggs, sweet or sour pickles, black olives, and yellow chile peppers. 

MOST ICONIC French Dip Sandwich

1
Philippe the Original
2
Cole’s
08

Salad

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.5
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Despite its name, Chinese chicken salad is an American dish, believed to be invented by an Austrian chef named Wolfgang Puck who is doing Asian fusion cuisine in America. Others claim that the dish was invented during the 1930s, somewhere in the United States.


Regardless of the origins, the salad, consisting of shredded chicken, lettuce, vegetables, fried noodles, and almonds is popular throughout the States. The Chinese part in its name refers to the numerous Chinese-style seasonings such as soy, sesame, and ginger. 

MOST ICONIC Chinese Chicken Salad

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1
Joan's on Third
2
Feast From the East
3
New Moon Restaurant
4
California Chicken Cafe
5
Tender Greens
09

Sandwich

MAINE, United States of America
4.4
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Lobster roll is a Maine specialty consisting of cooked lobster meat that is, ideally, drizzled with melted butter and placed into long hot dog rolls. Additionally, the sandwich might include lettuce, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Traditional accompaniments include potato chips or french fries on the side.


Some claim that lobster roll first appeared at Perry's in Milford, Connecticut, while others claim it was first prepared at Red's in Wiscasset, Maine. Regardless of the origins, the entire state of Maine continues to honor the tradition by offering more version of lobster rolls than the first inventor could have possibly imagined, starting an endless debate over how it should be made and who makes the best rolls. 

MOST ICONIC Lobster Roll

1
Hinoki & the Bird
2
Water Grill
10

Burger

LOS ANGELES, United States of America
3.5
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Chili burger is a variety of hamburger consisting of a bun and a meat patty that is topped with chili con carne, although the chili might also be served on the side. The hamburger is served open-faced in some places, and it is often topped with cheese and onions, while fries are usually served as an accompaniment.


It is believed that chili burger was invented in the 1920s by Thomas M. DeForest in Los Angeles.

MOST ICONIC Chili Burger

1
Original Tommy's
2
Marty's Hamburger Stand
11
Wrap
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico  and  one more region
4.3
12
Breakfast
SANTA FE, United States of America
3.9
13
Sandwich
LOS ANGELES, United States of America  and  one more country
4.0
14
Sandwich
NASHVILLE, United States of America
4.3
15
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
16
Savory Pie
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  and  one more region
3.9
17
Cookie
WHITMAN, United States of America
4.3
18
Sandwich type
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.1
19
Sweet Pastry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
20
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
21
Sweet Pie
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.6
22
Ice Cream
PHILADELPHIA, United States of America
3.8
23
Sandwich type
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.2
24
Deep-fried Dessert
PENNSYLVANIA, United States of America
3.7
25
Dessert
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.5
26
Dessert
LOUISIANA, United States of America
3.8
27
Pancake
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
28
Side Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
29
Salad
LOS ANGELES, United States of America
3.7
30
Hot Dog
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.8
31
Sweet Pie
NEW ENGLAND, United States of America
3.8
32
Frozen Dessert
NEW ENGLAND, United States of America
4.0
33
Salad
HAWAII, United States of America
3.1
34
Ice Cream
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
35
Sandwich
CALIFORNIA, United States of America
4.0
36
Sweet Pie
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
37
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.6
38
Chocolate Cake
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.4
39
Cheese Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.1
40
Oyster Dish
NEW ORLEANS, United States of America
4.0
41
Crab Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.1
42
Crab Dish
MARYLAND, United States of America
4.2
43
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
44
Cake
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.8
45
Pasta
ROME, Italy  and  one more country
3.7
46
Sweet Pie
FLORIDA, United States of America
4.3
47
Sweet Pie
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.8
48
Ice Cream
NEW YORK CITY, United States of America
3.9
49
Dessert
BALTIMORE, United States of America
3.6
50
Beef Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.3
51
Fried Chicken Dish
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.0
52
Chocolate Cake
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.8
53
Snack
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, United States of America
3.9
54
Salad
NEW YORK, United States of America
3.5
55
Sweet Pastry
FRANCE  and  one more region
4.2
56
Stir-fry
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.4
57
Corn Bread
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
58
Pizza
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4.1
59
Sandwich
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.7
60
Dipping Sauce
JACKSON, United States of America
n/a
61
Rice Dish
LOS ANGELES, United States of America  and  one more region
4.3
62
Cookie
CONNECTICUT, United States of America
3.9