LA's Michelin-cited Texas-style BBQ — brisket that smoke pilgrims drive across town for
Must-try: Brisket, St. Louis ribs, House-made sausage
📍 2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Michelin Bib Gourmand Pasadena — Italian-inspired Old Town anchor since 2014
Must-try: Housemade pasta, Roasted chicken, Seasonal vegetable dishes
📍 37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Inglewood's soul food institution since 1983 — the turkey chops and grits that built a legacy
Must-try: Turkey chops, Mac & yams, Grilled cornbread, Catfish & grits
📍 1403 Centinela Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
Michelin-listed ramen in Long Beach — 20-hour tonkotsu broth and fresh-made noodles every morning
Must-try: Tonkotsu ramen with black garlic oil, Crispy chicken karaage, Spicy cold dipping noodles
📍 610 E Carson St, Long Beach, CA 90807
LA's legendary deli since 1947 — the Number 19 pastrami on rye that James Beard called the best sandwich in America
Must-try: Number 19 pastrami on rye, Corned beef and Swiss, Matzo ball soup
📍 704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Boyle Heights' braised taco original — slow-cooked guisados on handmade masa tortillas, served the way East LA families cook at home
Must-try: Tinga de pollo taco, Chiles toreados, Sampler of six tacos
📍 2100 E César E Chávez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Homestyle Korean in K-Town — the soondubu jjigae that locals swear by
Must-try: Soondubu Jjigae, Doenjang Jjigae, Banchan spread
📍 4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Pasadena's Southeast Asian bone broth temple — pho, congee, and market cooking
Must-try: 24-hour bone broth pho, Oxtail congee, Crispy garlic noodles
📍 67 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
West Adams' beloved all-day diner with a Southern California soul
Must-try: Pancakes, Fried chicken sandwich, Breakfast burrito
📍 5410 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Michelin-recognized Rosemead dim sum — the SGV's gold standard for Cantonese dim sum
Must-try: Truffle siu mai, Shrimp har gow, Egg white custard tarts
📍 3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770
Michelin-recognized Alhambra dim sum — cart service, fresh Cantonese classics, and huge portions
Must-try: Har gow, XO turnip cake, Soup dumplings
📍 500 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
LA's only authentic Greek barbecue — Sunday lamb on the patio on Venice Blvd
Must-try: Sunday Greek BBQ lamb, Grilled octopus, Spanakopita
📍 12249 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066