3-Stop Lunch in L.A

For me, there is no worthier pursuit for a foodie than driving a good distance, armed with at least 2 or 3 large cigars, in the hopes of potentially finding culinary nirvana. Last week, this came in the form of a 3-stop lunch in Los Angeles. I had the opportunity to make the 2-hour trip from Palm Springs to Los Angeles armed with food knowledge provided by ErikM (and lots of cigars). Since I was aware of Erik’s vast food experience in Los Angeles and southern Cal in general, I didn’t hesitate to pick his brain about what would make up the perfect lunch excursion. Given his list of seven potential stops, I can safely say after the fact that I regret only being able to hit just three of these gems.


My first stop was to the legendary Jewish deli, Langer’s, known for its impeccable hand cut pastrami sandwich. I’ve been to a few other places that serve pastrami in this league…..but not many and certainly not any better. The main thing, however, that separated Langer’s from the pack was the sum of its parts. Their homemade rye has a strong firmness to its crust with the inner bread being moist and flavorful. This is bread that delis dream of carrying or if they’re real serious, making themselves.
For me, their homemade sour pickles are hands down tops anywhere.



After having this sandwich and pickle, I strongly considered leaving L.A right then and there since I couldn’t conceive that any other place would heighten my sense of euphoria any further. But that was certainly not the case.



My next stop was a visit to the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. Where food markets are hastily being tossed up all over the country in every city, usually supported by relatively uninteresting venders, this market has a large array of great Mexican and Japanese shops as well as produce and fish operations that continually impress as you weave through its walkways. In continual operation since 1917, this is a must stop while in Los Angeles.
I dined at Maria’s marisco stand where I tried their scallop and fish soft tacos. While I wouldn’t say they were any better than, say, Tacos de Pacifico, they certainly gave them a run for their money.










Going to L.A and not trying a taco of some sort would border on sacrilege. Next up was El Parian, a taqueria whose wonderful aromas of freshly grilled steak and magnificent cauldrons of steaming stocks knock you over as you walk through their door. Just looking at the place, you would never assume that you were about to embark on the ultimate culinary Hispanic experience of a lifetime! After already having a full pastrami sandwich and 2 fish tacos, I limited myself to getting only two tacos, the carne asada as well as the birria. The carne asada was hands down the best taco I’ve ever had anywhere. Instead of the usual low grade basically flavorless chopped steak, this was a wonderfully marinated skirt steak chopped into larger than normal chunks with a freshness and high quality to it that made me feel as though I was eating at someone’s home instead of an inexpensive taqueria. Even though they didn’t make their own tortillas, the overall enjoyment of their tacos bordered on miraculous. This is an amazing place that shouldn’t be missed while in Los Angeles.






(Luckily, they didn't force me to have any beer)


Thanks Erik.

Great report, PIGMON.

The next time that you visit Maria's Mariscos in Grand Central Market be sure to try one of the cócteles.*


Cóctel de Ostion - Oyster Cocktail

E.M.

* Camaron, Pulpo, Ostion, Calamar, Callo y Abulone.

PIGMON, can you say anything regarding how that sandwich might compare to Schwartz' ? a *fat* Schwartz?

And E.M.-- altho' a picture is sometimes worth a kiloword, I'd appreciate your discoursing a moment or two about that oyster cocktail.

Full Disclosure: My Sonoma pal and I are surveying the eatscape in order to determine where future weekend eat-a-thons should occur. After Gold's "Out of the Flames" and this post, I'm beginning to worry that LA may need to be considered. For a guy from Sact'o, this is a hard admission to make. It really is.

Damn, we'd have to rent a car, wouldn't we? I hate that.

Geo

Geo wrote:PIGMON, can you say anything regarding how that sandwich might compare to Schwartz' ? a *fat* Schwartz?

Geo,

When I stated that "I’ve been to a few other places that serve pastrami in this league…..but not many....", the only other place that immediately came to mind was Schwartz' in Montreal. When Trix & I lived in Vermont, we wouldn't hesitate for a second to make the 2 hour drive up to Montreal for their incredible smoked meats, specifically their fatty cuts. Their meats when looked at on their own are second to none.
However, Langer's separates itself from the pack because of their other elements, such as its superb rye bread and pickles. It is the total package in every regard when it comes to the perfect pastrami sandwich.

Geo wrote:And E.M.-- altho' a picture is sometimes worth a kiloword, I'd appreciate your discoursing a moment or two about that oyster cocktail.

In Chicago, cócteles are very often dull, overly-sweet creations with seafoods of suspect provenance.

The seafoods at Maria's are pristine and the cocktail base is bright, tangy, and none too sweet.

Do you still require convincing?

If so, I can also tell you that Maria's offers perfectly decent Ensenada-style fish tacos.*

E.M.

* Maria's offers two different types of fish tacos. Be sure to ask for "tacos estilo Ensenada," if that is indeed what you are after. They are priced at $1.75ea., while the "regular" fish tacos are priced at $1.50ea.

Erik M. wrote:* Maria's offers two different types of fish tacos. Be sure to ask for "tacos estilo Ensenada," if that is indeed what you are after. They are priced at $1.75ea., while the "regular" fish tacos are priced at $1.50ea.

What constitutes estilo Ensenada and what do you get when you ask for "regular"?

kl5 wrote:

Erik M. wrote:* Maria's offers two different types of fish tacos. Be sure to ask for "tacos estilo Ensenada," if that is indeed what you are after. They are priced at $1.75ea., while the "regular" fish tacos are priced at $1.50ea.

What constitutes estilo Ensenada and what do you get when you ask for "regular"?

Maria's Ensenada-style fish tacos include thin strips of lightly battered and fried fish, shredded cabbage, and a thin mayo-based crema.*

Maria's "regular" fish tacos, on the other hand, include thin strips of marinated and grilled fish, lettuce, tomato, and standard Mexican crema.


Maria's "regular" fish taco

E.M.

* Here is a recipe page for Ensenada-style fish tacos with pictures.

Here is another option at the Grand Central Market:

Tacos Tumbras A Tomas (reviewed by Bandini @ The Great Taco Hunt)


(photo: Erik M.)

The Grand Central Market Webpage

E.M.

bump. finally, a trip back to LA in May for moi.

if i get lucky... i'll be able to find Taiwanese mango shaved ice some where in the SGV.

TonyC wrote:bump. finally, a trip back to LA in May for moi.

if i get lucky... i'll be able to find Taiwanese mango shaved ice some where in the SGV.

W/ or W/O konjac?

Bin Bin Konjac
651 W. Duarte Rd.
Arcadia
626.446.9571

E.M.