glutenfree Archives

Where’s the Beef? Bite Into DTLA’s Best Burgers

Let’s face it, sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a big ole juicy burger! Living in downtown LA, you don’t have to travel far to wrap your chompers around some of the best hamburgers in town. From venerable icons like the Original Tommy’s and George’s Burger Stand, to sleek gastropubs, casual joints, and classic diners, you’re in for some mighty good eating! Meat not your thing? Many restaurants offer plant-based options, along with salads and veggie sides. We’ve found the beef – so get ready to bite into DTLA’s best burgers!

Cassell’s DTLA 421 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

When Al Cassell opened Cassell’s Hamburgers in 1948, it became an instant icon in the LA lunch counter scene. Cassell’s DTLA stays true to the founder’s original principles of being a hamburger shop with a focus on premium beef, ground daily in house. Cassell’s uses many of the legacy recipes, but the menu has been expanded to classic milkshakes and malts, a 50s breakfast menu, coffee bar, house made pies, and a fully stocked bar.

Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburgers 2575 W Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026

We dare you to deny that you’ve never wended your way to Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburger after an appetite-inducing night on the town! Open 24 hours, the Shack, as it’s affectionately known, is a favorite of the nocturnal crowd, especially after Dodgers games. Since 1946, the Original Tommy’s hamburger stand has been serving burgers, fries and hot dogs, topped with their signature chili, from a walk up window where the only dine-in option is a stainless steel countertop. While there are dozens of locations in California and Nevada (including imposters), Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburgers on Beverly Boulevard in Westlake is the bomb. Not a night owl? Tommy’s serves breakfast, lunch dinner, and coffee.

Buddy’s DTLA 363 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Ready for some classic affordable diner-inspired grub? For the traditionalist, Buddy’s offers a mouthwatering cheeseburger (lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and American cheese, served on a Martin’s potato roll) for just $7. For a vegetarian option, try the Impossible Burger – a classic cheeseburger made with Impossible™ plant-based patty, with lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and American cheese on a Martin’s Potato Roll. Other items include the Chicken Parm Sandwich and the Hash Burger veggie patty (roasted cauliflower, mushroom, farro), caramelized onion, fried onion, American cheese). The default is vegetarian, but can be made vegan on request.

George’s Burger Stand 2311 East Cesar E Chavez Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033

Located on Cesar E Chavez Ave, formally known as Brooklyn Ave, George’s Drive In was a place made for the simple things in life – burgers, pastrami, shakes and fries – serving the community since 1960. Under new ownership and management, this neighborhood staple has returned to its roots in the beautiful East Los Angeles community of Boyle Heights. Featuring a classic menu, similar to one that once graced 2311 Brooklyn Ave, “Georges Burger Stand” is officially back in business. Offering a menu that serves no frozen meats, they are proud to serve simple, fun, quality food at an affordable price.

LA Cafe 639 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014

LA Café strives to give you the freshest and best experience possible, using organic ingredients whenever possible, and all natural meats roasted in-house. Soups, sauces and salad dressings are all made from scratch. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well. Please be advised that LA Cafe is not a vegan, vegetarian or gluten free establishment – all products are prepared and cooked in the same kitchen using same utensils and equipment.

Everson Royce Bar 1936 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Be prepared to check all formalities at the door when you enter Everson Royce. This lively bar offers a vast selection of hand crafted cocktails, beer and wine in their “Big Book of Spirits.” Patrons are encouraged to try their signature boilermaker, consisting of a beer and a shot, because “God gave you two hands for a reason.” To anchor all these righteous beverages, Everson provides a sticks-to-your-ribs menu featuring burgers, Kennebec French fries, corn dogs, smoky potato taquitos, and more.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar 1111 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar serves modern American comfort food, along with unique cocktails and craft beers. Founded by Terry Heller in 2012, the Plan Check name and brand stems from its first location in West LA, adjacent to the Building and Safety Department, where hundreds of architects, developers, designers and engineers would flock daily to get plans reviewed for permitting. Plan Check Kitchen + Bar is the home of Ketchup Leather™. This innovative square of deliciousness makes the Plan Check signature burger unique – not only does it add great flavor, it also prevents the burger buns from getting soggy!

The Escondite 410 Boyd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Escondite ( The Hideout ) opened its doors in Los Angeles, CA in 2011. This hidden roadhouse has since then committed its efforts to create an environment for Downtown locals to eat, drink, and listen to free live music daily. They pride themselves on having deliciously scrumptious food, but at an affordable and reasonable price. There are no substitutions on the house created burgers. All burgers are served with a choice of 6oz beef patty, chicken breast, or vegetarian patty, as well as a choice of either fries or salad.

The Black Sheep 126 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

This welcoming gastropub features craft brews on tap, and hearty burgers and bar bites with an Asian twist. Sandwiched between the fancy Mignon Wine and Cheese Bar on one side and the venerable Cole’s on the other, this super casual joint could very well be the black sheep of the neighborhood – except for the lines that stretch down the street. Try the eponymous Black Sheep burger (gouda, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, a couple thick slabs of bacon, and some arugula to keep it fresh). If you’re not feeling the beef, you can swap in a veggie patty. Pair your burger with Black Sheep’s truffle or carne asada tater tots, or just go for some good old-fashioned French fries!

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Image courtesy of Original Tommy’s

Photo #2: Image courtesy of Cassell’s DTLA

Photo #3: Image courtesy of Original Tommy’s

Photo #4: Image courtesy of Buddy’s DTLA

Photo #5: Image courtesy of George’s Burger Stand

Photo #6: Image courtesy of LA Cafe

Photo #7: Image courtesy of Everson Royce Bar

Photo #8: Image courtesy of Plan Check Kitchen + Bar

Photo #9: Image courtesy of The Escondite

Photo #10: Image courtesy of The Black Sheep

Something’s Fishy! DTLA’s Best Sushi, Sashimi & Sake

First settled in the late 1800s, Little Tokyo has grown into a bustling hub of delectable food options, exciting nightlife, world-class museums, and eclectic shopping. A major attraction is the restaurant and bar scene, offering an authentic Japanese experience in the heart of the city. From cozy family-owned sushi bars, to hipster hangs, exclusive high-end establishments, and even Japanese cooking classes, you’ll find the best sushi, sashimi, and sake in DTLA!

Hayato 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

This small gustatory gem is all about creating a personal connection and intimate dining experience, as if you were invited into a friend’s home. Dinner is served by the chefs themselves, at one of eight counter seats in front of an open kitchen. For guests who prefer more privacy, a single table in a private tatami seating area is available by special request. The nightly omakase tasting menu menu consists of approximately ten dishes focused on the best fresh seafood available. Hayato uses the five Japanese cooking techniques (sashimi, grilling, steaming, frying and simmering) to produce simple dishes that derive their complexity from the quality of the ingredients. Dinner usually lasts about two and a half hours, but guests are welcome to ask the staff to pick up the pace or slow things down, as they wish.

Third Generation Sake Bar 808 W. 7th St. Los Angeles, Ca 90017

Located in the heart of DTLA’s Financial District, 3rd Generation Sake Bar serves small plates of popular Japanese dishes and sake in a simple, polished wood-infused room. Specialties include ramen, sushi hand rolls, poke bowls, dumplings, and octopus fritters. Wednesday is Sake Night, featuring $3 Sake Glass & 1/2 off Sake Bottles from their excellent selection of Japanese imports.

Sake Dojo 333 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

From the owners of Far Bar (and just a few doors down), Sake Dojo is an immersive dining and drinking sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of DTLA’s Little Tokyo. The name Dojo means a hall or space for intensive learning or meditation – the term literally means “Place of the Way” in Japanese. The food is authentic Japanese-style, with a modern culinary twist. Beverages consist of a large selection of craft Japanese sakes, whiskeys and beers.

Sushi Zo 334 S Main St, Los Angeles 90013

Sushi Zo features “Omakase,” a Japanese-style chefs’ choice meal, presenting customers with seasonal dishes, using the highest quality and freshest natural ingredients. The balance between the neta (seafood) and shari (sushi rice) is the most important aspect of sushi. Each day, seafood products are carefully selected, prepared and served at their flavor peak, using a perfectly matched accompaniment for the particular neta, which may include a unique soy sauce, sea salt and other ingredients. The shari (rice) is meticulously cooked, seasoned with a unique blend of vinegars and served at body temperature, to create the perfect partner to the nata. The goal is Ittai-kan – when the neta and shari unite in perfect harmony.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar 421 South Main Street, Los Angeles 90013

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar was created with the idea that the experience of eating hand rolls is truly something special and worthy of its own restaurant. Created by Sushi Nozawa Group, the Los Angeles-based restaurant group behind Sugarfish and Nozawa Bar, KazuNori is the first restaurant of its kind to focus exclusively on hand rolls. The restaurant serves only the freshest fish, along with specially harvested seaweed, house made sauces, and their signature warm rice.

Japanese Cooking Classes at Foodstory 810 S Spring St #1204, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Yoko Isassi came up with Foodstory cooking classes as a way to pass on what she learned about Japanese food culture from her grandmother, great Japanese chefs in Japan and the US, her friends, favorite books, and fellow food lovers. Foodstory offers more than a dozen cooking classes including ramen, bento box, plant-based dishes, noodles, and the art of tea. She also organizes cooking and tasting tours at Japanese markets in Little Tokyo. Most classes are limited to 10 people with some exceptions. Classes usually last around 3 hours including dining time. Book your class here.

Sushi Go 55 333 S Alameda St, Ste 317 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located on the top floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria Market, Sushi Go 55 has been a Little Tokyo fixture for nearly 60 years. Owned by the Morishita family, “America’s First Family of Sushi,” Sushi Go 55 was a pioneer in bringing sushi to America, with the mission to provide a memorable experience as if you stepped into a sushi bar in Japan. This cozy establishment focuses on the highest quality fish, flown in fresh from Japan and all over the world.

Shojin 333 Alameda St #310, Los Angeles 90013

Fish not your thing? Shojin is a vegetarian option, serving organic, gluten free Japanese vegan and macrobiotic dining, washed down with a heady selection of sake, beer and champagne. Their vision is to provide the most flavorful and naturally preserved meals using natural foods with no chemical seasonings and harmful additives. With personal service in a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere, Shojin offers a community setting to help guests understand the importance of healthy eating habits to achieve a rewarding lifestyle.

Private Chefs for Holiday Entertaining

With the holidays upon us, busy professionals like you may crave a sumptuous home-cooked meal or want to throw a fabulous soirée, but don’t have the time (or motivation) to plan, prepare and execute. This season, consider hiring a private chef! Depending on your needs, private chef services can range from meal planning, grocery shopping and meal preparation to creating a dazzling special event in your home or workplace. LA has some great resources, including celebrity chef agencies, private in-home cooking classes, and even gluten-free and vegan options.

Big City Chefs

You may remember Big City Chefs from the reality show Private Chefs of Beverly Hills on The Food Network. Although this tasty docu-soap was cancelled, Big City Chefs is still cooking up a storm, staffing hand-selected, restaurant-quality, and celebrity private chefs for fine dining experiences, all with a touch of culinary theatrics. Whether you’re looking to host an unforgettable dinner party or hire a chef for long term private placement, the agency will personally match you with the perfect hand-selected, restaurant-trained private chef for your needs. Custom Crafted Dinner Parties include Rat Pack Dinner, Romantic Dinner for Two, Girls’ Night Out, Wine Country Dinner, or create your own theme. Big City Chefs also offers Custom Cooking Classes and Weekly Menu Planning.

Haute Chefs LA

Haute Chefs LA is a single resource for boutique private chef services, stylish catering, and chef-prepared meal delivery. Founder/Owner Chef Jeffry Nimer is a James Beard-nominated chef who ventured from top culinary positions into the private chef sector, and has been the go-to private chef for Forbes list regulars and celebrity clientele ever since. A Miami native of Lebanese background, Chef Nimer is known for experimenting with Middle Eastern and Latin-influenced ingredients, and the skill of perfecting recipes with seafood. Not to mention a mean salsa move or two! The core of Haute Chefs is the Private Chef Experience, providing personalized luxury private chef services in your home or the location of your choice. A-List clientele includes Nicole Richie, Bruno Mars, Jessica Alba, Jason Stratham, Ben Affleck, Kirsten Dunst, Sumner Redstone, David Geffen and Jennifer Lopez.

Cozymeal

Ever wanted to take a cooking class with a professional chef? Learn how to make the perfect homemade pasta, decadent chocolate desserts, luxurious Spanish paella, and more with Cozymeal, a leading provider of culinary experiences. Cozymeal brings you top local chefs with expertise ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to best-selling cookbook authors and celebrity personal chefs. All chefs are vetted in person to ensure that the highest standards are met, including requirements for food safety certifications. Cozymeal experiences are hosted at the chef’s place or yours. To have the chef come to you, simply select “My Place” when booking. Chef’s locations are all pre-approved and range from premium venues to event spaces and private homes. At the end of the class, everyone sits at a table and enjoys the dishes they have prepared together.

Gluten Free with Emily

A private home chef based in Santa Monica, Emily Turner specializes in gluten free, vegan, as well as allergy friendly cooking. Working with a variety of dietary needs, Emily will come into your home and create fresh, healthy meals that even the carnivores in your life will love. A health and nutrition activist for over 20 years, Emily studied plant-based nutrition at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics and has a broad and extensive knowledge of raw food cooking, western herbology, polarity, aromatherapy, flower essences, homeopathy, massage, and sports therapy. Her specialty is making comfort food that’s surprisingly healthy and nutritious, with unique menus culled from Thai, Indian, Asian. Mediterranean, Ethiopian, Italian. Middle-Eastern, Mexican, American, Raw Food, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Plant-Based, Allergy Friendly, and many other requests.

For more questions about private chefs, including prices, contracts, staffing, insurance, and references, check out these tips from Angies’ List.