Uncertain times call for tried-and-true standbys. From crispy shrimp tacos to juicy pork dumplings to the most memorable stack of pancakes in town, the dishes featured on this list have endured passing trends and withstood the test of time. Here now are 20 of LA’s most iconic dishes available for delivery and takeout through the pandemic.
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20 Iconic LA Dishes Still Available For Delivery and Takeout
Garlic cheese bread, shrimp tacos, and deep-fried potato balls

Black pastrami Reuben at Brent's Deli Northridge
The black pastrami Reuben starts with house-cured meat that’s seasoned heavily with spices so that a black crust forms. The rye bread, which comes par-baked from a nearby bakery, gets another trip to the oven to create a crispy crust. House-made Russian dressing, and some crunchy sauerkraut round out the ingredients, but it’s all about the technique and quality of the meat.
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Potato balls at Porto's Bakery and Cafe
From cakes to pastries and Cuban sandwiches, Porto’s is famous for many of its reasonably priced offerings but the papa rellena or potato balls is beloved most of all. Each mashed potato ball is filled with picadillo (seasoned ground beef, onions, and bell peppers) and fried until perfectly crisp-golden.
Koobideh at Raffi's Place
When the craving hits for heaping plates of grilled koobideh and fragrant basmati rice, beloved Persian-Armenian specialist Raffi’s Place is the go-to spot. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner for takeout and delivery through third-party services.
Garlic cheese bread at Smoke House Restaurant
There are few greater, more warming pleasures than diving into a basket of the garlic cheese bread from the historic Smoke House in Burbank. The nearly 75-year-old restaurant is so famous for its decadent, garlicky bread that it ships the stuff nationwide via its own website, and is currently still offering full meals (with said bread) for takeout and delivery.
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Fried eggplant and sausage pizza at Casa Bianca
The Martorana family has been serving Eagle Rock denizens since 1955. The fried eggplant and sausage pizza is the one to beat at this red sauce spot. The restaurant offers online ordering for takeout.
Cha gio at Golden Deli Restaurant
After a brief hiatus, Golden Deli is open for takeout and delivery on Grubhub. The best dish on the menu are the pork- and mushroom-stuffed cha gio served blistered-golden with fish sauce, fresh herbs, and lettuce.
Hui tou dumplings at Hui Tou Xiang Noodles House
Some of LA’s most unique dumplings are Hui Tou Xiang’s eponymous hui tou dumplings, flat-sided potstickers with scalding pork innards. Order online for takeout or opt for delivery from third-party vendors.
Beef roll at 101 Noodle Express
With its perfect ratio of braised beef to green onion pancake and fresh cilantro, the beef roll at 101 Noodle Express is rightfully more famous than any noodle dish on the menu.
Pancakes at Du-Pars
The legendary Original Farmers Market location remains open for delivery and takeout. The pancakes here are the fluffiest around and come drenched in an ungodly amount of clarified butter.
Smoked salmon pizza at Spago
The pizza that put Wolfgang Puck on the culinary map and sparked the California pizza trend is available for delivery and takeout through the pandemic.
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Slippery shrimp at Yang Chow
An ocean-dwelling cousin of General Tso, slippery shrimp is lightly coated in cornstarch and wok’d to perfection before being doused in a sticky sweet sauce. Yang Chow is open for takeout only.
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French dip sandwich at Philippe The Original
For a taste of culinary history, look no further than the French dip at Philippe The Original. The restaurant is open for takeout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Yedoro wot from Rosalind's
When Fekere Gebre-Mariam relocated his restaurant to Fairfax Avenue in 1988, he was the first Ethiopian entrepreneur to lay down roots in what is now known as Little Ethiopia. While everything on the menu is fantastic, hone in on the house-special yedoro wot — fabulously tender chicken slowly simmered in a spicy sauce with onions, garlic, cardamom, and nutmeg.
#19 at Langer’s Delicatessen
The #19 may very well be LA’s most iconic sandwich — complete with a mile-high stack of pastrami, Swiss cheese, and coleslaw on twice-baked rye. It’s available for pick-up or delivery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t forget the latkes, too.
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Galbi at Park's BBQ
In addition to pitch-perfect executions of Korean standbys like kimchi jjigae and galbitang, Park BBQ’s galbi is the best rendition available in the U.S. with its balanced marinade of crushed pears and soy sauce.
Short rib tacos at Kogi Taco Truck
While Roy Choi is feeding vulnerable Angelenos and frontline workers, his trio of Kogi trucks continue to serve across the Southland. Check Kogi’s website for the latest schedule and dig into some short rib tacos.
Tonkotsu ramen at Daikokuya
Daikokuya’s signature tonkotsu ramen is made from Kurobuta pork bones that are carefully simmered for hours on end. Once the broth is perfectly milky and luscious, it’s ladled atop curly noodles and garnished with scallion confetti. Don’t forget to request extra back fat (kotteri) for an even porkier experience.
Shrimp taco at Mariscos Jalisco
While there is no shortage of outstanding taco trucks in Los Angeles, Mariscos Jaliscos may very well be the most beloved thanks to Raul Ortega and his crispy shrimp tacos. The Boyle Heights truck is operating usual business hours.
Pescado zaradeado at Coni’ Seafood
The famous pescado zarandeado at Sinaloan specialist Coni’Seafood is comprised of snook that’s butterflied then grilled with precision. Served with tortillas and an onion salsa, it’s one of the most spectacular seafood dishes in the city and available daily from noon to 6 p.m. for takeout and delivery.
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Hollenbeck burrito at El Tepeyac Cafe
Wrapped in a giant flour tortilla and crammed to maximum capacity with slow-cooked pork, rice, beans, and guacamole, the Hollenbeck burrito is as deliciously gluttonous as they come. Best of all, the massive parcel is ladled with additional pork, making for a sopping and saucy creation of epic proportions. The La Mirada location is open for takeout and delivery.
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