LA's Top Chefs Name Favorite Hole-In-The-Wall Eats

Some of LA's tastiest bites hail from random tiny, divey, ethnic abodes scattered all around (and outside of ) town from Little Saigon to San Gabriel to Artesia to East LA. Jonathan Gold has mastered many of these locales, but today we turn to the chefs of this great city and say, hey, which dives do you prefer? Glance down below for favorite cheap eats from Vinny Dotolo, Eric Greenspan, Ludo Lefebve, Casey Lane, Mary Sue Milliken, Suzanne Goin, and Alex Reznik.

1) Chef: Vinny Dotolo of Animal
Restaurant: El Cochinito (3508 Sunset Blvd.)
For: Breaded steak and roasted pork.
Restaurant: Ed’s (460 North Robertson Blvd.)
For: Breakfast.
Restaurant: Apple Pan (10801 West Pico Blvd.)
For: Burgers.
Restaurant: Dino's Burgers (2575 West Pico Blvd.)
For: Chicken with fries and vinegar.

2) Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose
Restaurant: Al Noor (15112 Inglewood Ave.)
For: Eggplant, tikka dishes, and garlic naan.
Restaurant: Ocean Star Seadood (145 N Atlantic Blvd.)
For: Dim sum, soft tofu in ginger syrup, and soup dumplings.
Restaurant: Los Tacos (1 W California Blvd.)
For: Chorizo and egg burritos.

3) Ludo Lefebvre of LudoBites
Restaurant: Five Guys Burgers and Fries
For: Cheeseburgers.

4) Casey Lane of The Tasting Kitchen
Restaurant: La Playita (3306 Lincoln Blvd.)
For: Burritos.
Restaurant: Jitlada (5233 W Sunset Blvd.)
For: Chili drumsticks and sticky rice.

5) Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill
Restaurant: Izayoi (32 South Central Ave.)
Restaurant: Raku Restaurant (11678 W Olympic Blvd.)
For: Sushi.
Restaurant: K-Zo
For: Sushi, especially the octopus carpaccio.
Restaurant: Kobawoo House (698 S. Vermont)

6) Suzanne Goin of Lucques
Restaurant: Dan Sung Sa (3317 W 6th Street, K-Town)
For: Steamed pork belly with oyster kimchi, blood sausage with dipping salt, scallion pancake, "Korean gnocchi" that's like a thick cut rice pasta in a spicy sauce.
Restaurant: Ruen Pair (5257 Hollywood Blvd.)
For: All of their curry and pork dishes are great, and the fried morning glory.
Restaurant: Jitlada (5233 W Sunset Blvd.)
For: Anything on the Southern Thai menu.
Restaurant: Cemitas y Clayudas Pal Cabron (2560 Gage Ave)
For: Cemitas and michelada. Love the la mas cabrona—with pork Milanese and head cheese and the la de barbacha (bbq lamb).
Restaurant: Tacos Delta (3805 W Sunset)
For: Sunday morning selection of tacos or chorizo and eggs, kids love sitting outside in the "Garden"/parking lot.

7) Alex Reznik of Cafe Wa s
Restaurant: Cactus (950 Vine St.)
For: Cabeza (beef head) tacos.
Restaurant: Honey Pig (3400 W 8th)
For: Kimchi and rice are fried in pork drippings!
Restaurant: Soi 56 (1556 N. Cahuenga)
For: The beer selection and for the Butternut Pumpkin Curry, Spicy Frog Legs and Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich with sticky rice.