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Dishes You Can't Stop Ordering in Los Angeles, Mapped

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Dec 12, 2013, 9:46am PST

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by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Dec 12, 2013, 9:46am PST

7 comments / new

A few weeks ago, Eater asked readers to suggest the dishes that they simply cannot stop ordering when dining out. These are plates that don't even require a look at the menu. They're the automatic, must order bites that define a restaurant. Here compiled, 27 dishes that simply must be ordered in Los Angeles, mapped.

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Seafood Lemongrass Soup at Sanamluang

The seafood lemongrass soup, studded with crispy wonton pieces, at this late night Thai Town haunt is a must order, along with many of the soulful noodle soups and stir-fried dishes.

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5176 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Beef Heart Tartare at Bestia

The beef tongue and beef heart tartare were two dishes that were suggests as dishes that are constantly ordered at this Arts District Italian restaurant. Given chef Ori Menasche's obsession with perfecting dishes, it's no surprise to see these two things ordered so often.

2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

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Hainan Chicken at Sticky Rice

The hainan chicken and rice is a very simple, but well done dish at this new stand at Grand Central Market. The rice is packed with flavor, from the stock used to boil the chicken.

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317 S. Broadway #C-4-5, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Smoked Bucatini at Superba Snack Bar

The smoked bucatini carbonara at Jason Neroni's new-style pastaria on Venice's Rose Avenue is one thing that will never go off the menu. Rich, packed with flavor, and laced with gentle smokiness, it's a definitive dish.

533 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

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Chicken Pot Pie at Kate Mantilini

The chicken pot pie at this new classic late night diner in Beverly Hills is one of the most popular things to order on the menu. With a flaky crust and heavy filling, it's sure to kill a hangover.

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9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Canele

The fried chicken sandwich is so popular that it sells out almost every brunch service on the weekends at this Atwater Village farm-to-table eatery.

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3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

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#19 Sandwich at Langer's Deli

The #19, made with fresh house-baked rye, coleslaw, russian dressing, and cheese, along with the most perfect pastrami ever, is the point of entry for most Langer's addicts.

704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

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Gnocchi with Pink Sauce at Fritto Misto

The gnocchi with pink sauce at this Italian restaurant in Pasadena is a popular order. In fact, anything with the pink sauce is bound to be delicious here.

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601 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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Oxtail Poutine at Animal

The oxtail poutine has been an enduring dish ever since this meat-centric restaurant opened on Fairfax. Shareable, comforting, and always predictable, it's a solid thing to have for any meal here.

435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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Locro de Quinoa at Picca Peruvian Cantina

The locro de quinoa is a classic dish by chef Ricardo Zarate that always tastes like pure comfort. Topped with a fried egg, studded with pumpkin pieces, and laced with a flavorful sauce, it's hard to not have this dish for every meal.

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9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

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Fried Chicken Sandwich at Plan Check

The chicken fried sandwich, perfectly crisp, slightly smokey, and placed between two plush, tasted buns, is one of the things that are most crave-worthy at this burger-centric comfort food restaurant.

351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

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Washugyu Beef Pho at Phorage

The $9 pho shouldn't be worth that much if it wasn't made in a textbook fashion from high-quality, all natural beef. The beef is so good that it's essentially served raw and then cooked by the heat of the broth.

3300 Overland Ave #105, Los Angeles, CA 90034

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Hickory Burger at The Apple Pan

The hickory and steak burgers are those simple marvels of old-school shacks that are enduring, constant in flavor, and a must order at least every few weeks for fans of The Apple Pan. Don't forget the banana cream pie!

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

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Hot Mama Soup at Emporium Thai Cuisine

Perhaps the most requested dish for this Open Thread, the hot mama soup at this Westwood Thai restaurant is basically a spicy tom yup noodle soup, served with a choice of meat.

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1275 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

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Grilled Octopus at Osteria Mozza

The grilled octopus with potatoes, celery, and lemon is a slight twist on the classic Italian grilled octopus dish, with the crunch of celery to add a different element.

6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

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Cheesy Scrambled Eggs at Roscoe's

The cheesy scrambled eggs at Roscoe's are as simple as a dish could get, but it's also one of the most requested dishes. Topped with onions, it's a satisfying complement to chicken and waffles.

5006 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

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Pappardelle al Fumo at Osteria Mamma

The pappardelle al fumo at this Italian restaurant is the most talked about dish, an ideal blend of mozzarella, pink sauce, and pancetta blended into fresh house-made pasta.

5732 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

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Seared Beef Lengua at Bar Ama

The seared lengua at Bar Ama is served with crispy potato, avocado, and charred crema, a creative take on Tex-Mex by chef Josef Centano in Downtown's historic core.

118 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Sooo Cali Dog at Dog Haus

The Sooo Cali Dog at this Pasadena hot doggery is made with arugula, tomato, crispy onions, and a slathering of spicy basil aioli and then studded with avocado. It's a fresh answer to the typical fast-food hot dog.

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105 N Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

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Fried Brussels Sprouts at Freddy Smalls

The fried brussels sprouts are one dish that will be at virtually every table at this Westside farm-to-table restaurant cheffed by Charlie Parker. Laced with cider glaze and smoked goat cheese, it has everything going for it.

11520 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

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Mentai Uni Butter Udon at Marugame Monzo

The mentai uni butter udon comes in a wide bowl, made with freshly cut noodles and tossed in a rich sauce at this Little Tokyo udon specialist.

329 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Maple Custard Pie at The Pie Hole

The maple custard pie, placed on a thick, buttery crust, at this Arts District pie specialist, is among the many fantastic, artisanal pies available.

714 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Oysters Casino at L&E Oyster Bar

The oysters casino, a classic baked oysters with bacon, butter, lemon and paprkia, are a great thing to share at this Silver Lake seafood restaurant.

1637 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

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Slippery Shrimpat Yang Chow Restaurant

The slippery shrimp at this Chinatown restaurant is something that almost everyone orders, and for good reason. Covered with a sweet sauce, and fried to a nice crisp, they're addictive and thankfully, shareable.

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819 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Char Siu Pork Chop at Jar Restaurant

The char siu pork chop is a Chinese nod to a classic mid-century dish at Suzanne Tracht's modern steakhouse on Beverly. Covered with barbecue sauce and cut thick, it's a nice change of pace from the steaks commonly ordered here.

8225 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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Nam Kao Tod at Night + Market

The nam kao tod at Kris Yenbamroong's art gallery-like space in West Hollywood is one of those street food dishes that might be at every table. The crispy rice salad is packed with flavor, and acts as a nice starting point to any meal.

9041 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

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Truffled Brussel Sprouts at La Poubelle

The truffled brussels sprouts have such a strong aroma that the entire place smells of truffles whenever anyone orders them. Just crisped and basted in truffle oil, it's hard to resist for lovers of anything truffle.

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5907 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

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Seafood Lemongrass Soup at Sanamluang

5176 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The seafood lemongrass soup, studded with crispy wonton pieces, at this late night Thai Town haunt is a must order, along with many of the soulful noodle soups and stir-fried dishes.

Open in Google Maps

5176 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Beef Heart Tartare at Bestia

2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

The beef tongue and beef heart tartare were two dishes that were suggests as dishes that are constantly ordered at this Arts District Italian restaurant. Given chef Ori Menasche's obsession with perfecting dishes, it's no surprise to see these two things ordered so often.

2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Visit Website

Hainan Chicken at Sticky Rice

317 S. Broadway #C-4-5, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The hainan chicken and rice is a very simple, but well done dish at this new stand at Grand Central Market. The rice is packed with flavor, from the stock used to boil the chicken.

Open in Google Maps

317 S. Broadway #C-4-5, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Visit Website

Smoked Bucatini at Superba Snack Bar

533 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

The smoked bucatini carbonara at Jason Neroni's new-style pastaria on Venice's Rose Avenue is one thing that will never go off the menu. Rich, packed with flavor, and laced with gentle smokiness, it's a definitive dish.

533 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Chicken Pot Pie at Kate Mantilini

9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The chicken pot pie at this new classic late night diner in Beverly Hills is one of the most popular things to order on the menu. With a flaky crust and heavy filling, it's sure to kill a hangover.

Open in Google Maps

9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Canele

3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

The fried chicken sandwich is so popular that it sells out almost every brunch service on the weekends at this Atwater Village farm-to-table eatery.

Open in Google Maps

3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website