LA/OC area thread

[FBIinformant]

I've been loading up on HPB releases because they're pretty ******* delicious.

 

[arren]

So change of plans; SO doesn't necessarily want to eat burgers in LA, but would rather eat something "fun." Anyone here have any suggestions? She mentioned something like quirky food trucks and whatnot.

I see Churro Borough is right around the Greek, so we may stop by there, but the Yelp reviews are pretty underwhelming...anything cool and gimmicky like that, but still worth the visit?

 

[sb67]

So change of plans; SO doesn't necessarily want to eat burgers in LA, but would rather eat something "fun." Anyone here have any suggestions? She mentioned something like quirky food trucks and whatnot.

I see Churro Borough is right around the Greek, so we may stop by there, but the Yelp reviews are pretty underwhelming...anything cool and gimmicky like that, but still worth the visit?

The only things that come to mind aren't anywhere near the Greek... Animal is Fairfax and Petty Cash is on the other side of Hollywood.

How does she describe "quirky food trucks"?

 

[arren]

The only things that come to mind aren't anywhere near the Greek... Animal is Fairfax and Petty Cash is on the other side of Hollywood.

How does she describe "quirky food trucks"?

We're willing to drive. I wanted to go to Boyle Heights to get burritos and fish tacos, after all.

Is Animal worth it? I was looking at the menu a week ago and nothing on it really grabbed me; a lot of it is stuff that I'm sure some SD restaurants are doing too.

Quirky food trucks = trucks that serve something different or with a twist. Something a little more farfetched than, say, Kogi, although I would finally like to try one of those stupid tacos.

 

[sb67]

I was supposed to do dinner at Animal, but backed out. Didn't seem that "interesting" to me in that it seemed like they dumbed down the "scarier" animals parts, and then overcharged for the privilege of having said you'd eaten there. I was feeling poor at the time, so shelling out for it didn't seem worth it, though my friends said they enjoyed the meal, despite the parts not really being what they expected. (e.g. tendon was served like a chicharone, all puffed up; I'm used to it being full of gelatinous goodness in my pho.)

There are a bunch of Top Chef restaurants around. ink.sack might be up your alley -- fusion and interesting twists on sandwiches from Michael Voltaggio. His normal restaurant is right there as well.

Kogi is good, but if it's not right where you are, I wouldn't hunt it down. As far as quirky... the only other one that comes to mind is the truck doing sushi burritos, though I still fail to understand how it's not the same as an uncut roll. I'm sure there are plenty more, but I don't tend to seek out food trucks too often. Resources for you: http://www.findlafoodtrucks.com/la-real-time-food-truck-list/ and http://roaminghunger.com/la

There's a truck out by Filipino town that serves all manner of animals parts on sticks for about a buck apiece, but I'm not sure how meal-worthy it is.

 

[sb67]

Danny Trejo (yes, *that* Danny Trejo) just opened a taco shop on Mid-Wilshire.

edit: Maybe it's not open quite yet. Boo.

 

[ficklenicholas]

arren I've been to Animal multiple times and really enjoyed it. Their other restaurant Son of A Gun is more seafood based and also delicious. Both are really worth trying.

I don't really do the Food truck thing so i can't help you there.

 

[arren]

Sweet thanks. Didn't realize they were only open for dinner though, so they're out of the question.

 

[BeerHatesRob]

Do you have time on your hands? Are you willing to wait a bit? Do you want the best ramen....nay....Asian food in the country? Then hit up Tjusita in West LA. They have two locations literally across the street from each other and serve similar yet distinctive dishes. And you will never be able to eat another bowl of ramen again without comparing it to a porky tsukemen bowl of noodles from Tjusita!

 

[sb67]

Do you have time on your hands? Are you willing to wait a bit? Do you want the best ramen....nay....Asian food in the country? Then hit up Tjusita in West LA. They have two locations literally across the street from each other and serve similar yet distinctive dishes. And you will never be able to eat another bowl of ramen again without comparing it to a porky tsukemen bowl of noodles from Tjusita!

It's Tsujita, if you want to look it up.

 

[DCLA]

Lovepea Hope you enjoy them. Uncontrollable and Cherry Spazz are two of my three favorite beers Highland Park Brewery has done so far, with the third being Lazy Susan.

Just had Uncontrollable last night and it was really good. I continue to be impressed with HPB. I think if it was in SD it would be so hyped up. I can't wait to try Spazz and Lazy Susan. I'm in as a fan.

 

[arren]

Just had Uncontrollable last night and it was really good. I continue to be impressed with HPB. I think if it was in SD it would be so hyped up. I can't wait to try Spazz and Lazy Susan. I'm in as a fan.

Heading there today. If they're good, get ready for the SD hype train.

 

[sb67]

Just had Uncontrollable last night and it was really good. I continue to be impressed with HPB. I think if it was in SD it would be so hyped up. I can't wait to try Spazz and Lazy Susan. I'm in as a fan.

They've got some interesting stuff on tap right now. Any particular standouts that you'd recommend over the others?

 

[DCLA]

They've got some interesting stuff on tap right now. Any particular standouts that you'd recommend over the others?

I wish I could but I had a bottle at a friends house so I wasn't at the brewery. Perhaps swivelhips can make a recommendation.

 

[EliotRosewater]

They've got some interesting stuff on tap right now. Any particular standouts that you'd recommend over the others?

I was there yesterday and tried Yard Beer, Uncontrollable, 1UP, Wake up, and Sun-Soaked. All were very well made with 1UP probably being my favorite. Wake up was the weakest but had a great aroma. I thought uncontrollable was good but not anywhere near a Sante saison. I thought it might be because it was on tap but drinking a bottle now and it's about the same. This isn't to take anything away from the brewery because, like I said, they're making some really solid beers and will be exciting to watch.

 

[cquiroga]

So change of plans; SO doesn't necessarily want to eat burgers in LA, but would rather eat something "fun." Anyone here have any suggestions? She mentioned something like quirky food trucks and whatnot.

I see Churro Borough is right around the Greek, so we may stop by there, but the Yelp reviews are pretty underwhelming...anything cool and gimmicky like that, but still worth the visit?

Guerrilla Tacos

 

[DCLA]

I was there yesterday and tried Yard Beer, Uncontrollable, 1UP, Wake up, and Sun-Soaked. All were very well made with 1UP probably being my favorite. Wake up was the weakest but had a great aroma. I thought uncontrollable was good but not anywhere near a Sante saison. I thought it might be because it was on tap but drinking a bottle now and it's about the same. This isn't to take anything away from the brewery because, like I said, they're making some really solid beers and will be exciting to watch.

Yeah, I wouldn't go so far as saying it's as good as a Sante saison but they've been putting out better stuff than more established (read: hyped) breweries out there.

 

[Tyrsis]

At a backyard wedding. Thankfully, they have 4 full kegs of Alesmith flowing. 394 for daaayyyys

 

[sb67]

Tried 5 beers at HPB today; 2 IPAs, a saison, a Berliner and a Belgian strong. Given that IPAs aren't my scene, Uncontrollable was the winner. What a delightful beer! The guy beertender was friendly; girl couldn't be ******* bothered. Food was good. Will return/10.

 

[arren]

Uncontrollable was solid. A step below Casey stuff and Council Nicene, but a definite step above Beatitude.

Funny thing though: I finally took my bottles out and noticed this:

Should I be concerned that all the caps are concave?

 

[swivelhips1]

Was out of town so I couldn't give any recs but I'm glad everyone that went had a nice time.

Re concave caps: All their bottles are that way. Not sure why but they seal as they are supposed to. Never opened one that was flat or tasted like it was oxidized.

And yeah the woman who works there is so cold. She has seen me at least once a week for the last two years and still can't be bothered.

 

[Kane3]

Uncontrollable was solid. A step below Casey stuff and Council Nicene, but a definite step above Beatitude.

Funny thing though: I finally took my bottles out and noticed this:

Should I be concerned that all the caps are concave?

They cap the bottles by hand so its from the wing capper applying force.

no need to worry.

 

[trippytbta]

Hey, I have yet to visit an "iron press" location. I am in Irvine. Does one of the locations usually offer better beer? And is it an overly crowded place (I have a 1 year old that I drag along my beer excusrions).

 

[StarRaptor1]

Hey, I have yet to visit an "iron press" location. I am in Irvine. Does one of the locations usually offer better beer? And is it an overly crowded place (I have a 1 year old that I drag along my beer excusrions).

I only avoid the Iron Press in the packing house but only because the packing house is always a **** show

 

[DCLA]

Stopped in to HPB yesterday to pick up bottles of Uncontrollable and also got a couple of Nebraska bottles that were leftover from Saturday. The Achiever (Nelson hopped DIPA) was very solid. I didn't really like the regular Nebraska all that much so I'm hoping the brett does some wonders to it (bottle version). 1Up is a very nice mosaic hopped beer. Also had some food to go with the beers and I have to say their food is pretty damn good. The fried chicken sandwich was excellent. Looking forward to my visit to pick up bottles of Spazz.

 

[ficklenicholas]

This year's Heal The Bay IPA is the best beer Golden Road has ever brewed. Seriously, scoop those up.

 

[swivelhips1]

Noble I Love It is miles beyond any hoppy beer they have ever brewed.

 

[sb67]

Noble I Love It is miles beyond any hoppy beer they have ever brewed.

Should I have picked some up tonight to send to my trading partners?

 

[wuntrikpony]

Noble I Love It is miles beyond any hoppy beer they have ever brewed.

Nelson Showers man.

 

[swivelhips1]

I had two bottles of nelson showers. one was on point and the other was very off. the off bottle kind of ruined it for me.