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LA's Most Iconic Dishes And Eats

short rib tacos kogi 610
(Credit: Annie J./Yelp)

(Credit: Annie J./Yelp)

As one of the top foodie cities in the world, Los Angeles offers a myriad of options when it comes to good eating. But, what are the most iconic dishes that just seem to remain constant year after year? From delicious short rib tacos to sushi, Mexican chopped fruit and more, we've rounded up the best of the best.

spicy tuna crispy rice katsuya
(credit: Theresa L./yelp)

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Katsuya
6300 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 515-8782
www.katsuyarestaurant.com

One bite into this delicious sushi concoction and you'll soon realize why it became an instant hit as soon as it was rolled out at Katsuya. Since then, it's also been a favorite at West Hollywood sister restaurant Izakaya by Katsuya. The delicious menu option is exactly what it is: spicy tuna with a jalapeño on top and crispy white rice underneath. One order of these and you'll be hooked. Make sure to also order their baked crab handroll too.

short rib tacos kogi
(credit: Sarah D./Yelp)

Short-Rib Tacos
Kogi Truck
Various Locations
Alibi Room
12236 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 390-9300
www.alibiroomla.com

By now, most LA residents have tried the short-rib tacos at either the roaming Kogi food truck or at Culver City's Alibi Room. So, it should come as no surprise that this dish has made our list of the most iconic and always dependable eats around LA. It should also come as no surprise that this taco helped launch the food-truck craze LA is now known for. Co-founded by chef Roy Choi, Kogi BBQ offers its signature taco with double-caramelized Korean BBQ short ribs, salsa, cilantro relish and its Kogi slaw, all served on corn tortillas.

bay cities godmother
(credit: Michael D./Yelp)

Godmother
Bay Cities Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-8279
www.baycitiesitaliandeli.com

Opened in Santa Monica in 1925, Bay Cities has become one of LA's legendary deli's. Specializing in homemade Italian sub sandwiches, The Godmother is by far the option most come here for. With Genoa salami, mortadella, prosciutto, ham and provolone cheese on Italian bread, it's offered in both small and large sizes and can be topped with a variety of options like mustard, onions, pickles, Italian dressing, tomatoes and more.

pinks hot dog
(Credit: Pink's Hot Dogs)

Hot Dogs
Pink's Hot Dogs
709 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 931-4223
www.pinkshollywood.com

Most locals and almost all L.A. visitors have stood in line at Pink's at least once. The winding wait in front of the stand gives you time to figure out which of the 35 hot dogs you'll order. The Millennium Dog is a 12" jalapeno-studded hot dog with tomatoes, chili, guacamole, grilled onions and lettuce. There's the Three Dog Night, which comes with three franks snuggled in an oversized tortilla with cheese, bacon, chili and onions, and the menu also boasts a Martha Stewart--a 9" stretch dog topped with relish, onions, bacon, tomatoes, sauerkraut and sour cream. The Lord of the Rings is another stretch dog covered with bbq sauce and onion rings, so you won't have to order a separate side.

la scala chopped salad
(credit: Nathalie R./Yelp)

Chopped Salad
La Scala
434 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 275-0579
www.lascalabeverlyhills.com

Available in half or full size, residents from all over the city have been frequenting Beverly Hills' La Scala for years for their great Italian fare. But, in particular, they come for the La Scala Original Chopped Salad. A favorite, it comes with chopped lettuce, salami, mozzarella cheese, marinated garbanzo beans and leon dressing. What makes it so much better than other chopped salads in LA? You'll have to just trust us and swing by to have a bite and find out! You'll be hooked for life!

fathers-office office burger
(credit: Rob D. / Yelp)

Office Burger
Fathers Office
1018 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 736-2224
www.fathersoffice.com

The original Fathers Office location in Santa Monica practically started the gourmet burger craze here in LA. Created by chef/owner Sang Yoon, the burger is undoubtedly on everyone's minds when you think of great burgers. Created with a charbroiled patty of dry-aged chuck, caramelized onions, applewood bacon, Gruyere cheese and blue cheese, as well as arugula on a toasted bun, it's truly mouthwatering and worth the visit. The one condition patrons will have to get used to though is that the restaurant offers no substitutions. Don't even think about asking for ketchup or asking for the burger without cheese! Since its debut, the burger has gotten major media attention and been praised throughout the world for its deliciousness.

langers deli 19
(credit: Jack R./Yelp)

Original #19
Langers Deli
704 S Alvarado St
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 483-8050
www.langersdeli.com

Since 1947, Langer's Deli has been home to the world's best pastrami and the Original #19 sandwich. What makes it so special? Patrons claim it's the best pastrami sandwich in LA for its hand-cut pastrami, coleslaw, Russian dressing and a slice of fresh Swiss cheese. Served on double baked rye bread, its popularity comes from the pastrami being treated with more care than more restaurants. Specially cured, smoked and steamed, it comes out juicy and flavorful. Add to the fact that the bread is toasted and crispy, and you've got a winner on your hands.

the-pie-hole
(credit: The Pie Hole)

Apple Pie
The Pie Hole
714 Traction Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 537-0115
www.thepieholela.com

Serving gourmet pies throughout LA, The Pie Hole consistently makes our best of lists for any type of pie out there. Whether it's an apple pie or other flavor, this downtown bakery serves up pies like no other.

Umami Burger
(credit: Umami Burger)

Umami Burger
Umami
1520 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 469-3100
www.umamiburger.com

With locations through Los Angeles, Umami Burger has blown up in popularity throughout the past several years. While the menu is vast, and the eatery offers several off-shoots of its original burger with different fixings, The original Umami Burger remains a favorite. Served with parmesan frico, shiitake mushrooms, roasted tomatos, caramelized onions, and Umami house ketchup, it's something you must try. Don't forget to order a beer and their tasty fries to go along with it!

Roscoe's Chicken Waffles - Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles
(Credit: Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles)

Chicken & Waffles
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
1514 N Gower St
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-7453
www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com

By now, most LA residents have gotten over the shock of mixing fried chicken and waffles and have joined in on the craze. For those who haven't, it's almost a right of passage to stop into one of their many locations and try this over the top dish. Fried chicken, toasted waffles and syrup make up this simple, yet mouthwatering item.

shrimp toast sandwich son of a gun
(credit: Vivian L./Yelp)

Shrimp Toast Sandwich
Son Of A Gun
8370 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-9033
www.sonofagunrestaurant.com

West Hollywood's mostly seafood based restaurant Son Of A Gun serves up a tasty shrimp toast sandwich thanks to chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Featuring a savory and sweet shrimp paste spread over buttered bread, other ingredients include Sriracha mayo and hoisin sauce. It's a perfect bite-sized starter at this marine-themed eatery.

l12
(credit: Tiffany V./Yelp)

Sausage
Wurstküche
800 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-4444
www.wurstkuche.com

Who would think a sausage joint would make such a splash. But, dubbed the top sausage spot and biergarten in LA, Wurstküche offers exotic grilled sausages in all types of flavors and sizes. From brats with exotic links ranging from rattlesnake to crocodile and duck to great beer and more, it's a must try for anyone looking for some Bavarian eats in their life.

Tsujitaannex
(credit: Dominic Riley)

Ramen
Tsujita LA
2057 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 231-7373
www.tsujita-la.com

Right in the heart of Sawtelle's Little Osaka neighborhood is favorite Tsujita LA. Offering delicious ramen of all kinds, the dish, or should we say bowl that keeps people coming back is the tsukemen. While it's only served at lunch, the tsukemen (pronounced "skemen") is a dip ramen where the noodles are given in one bowl, and the sauce is presented in a dish alongside it.

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