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The Apple Pan, West LA

The 18 Best All-American Bites in Los Angeles

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille May 23, 2014, 3:46am PDT

16 comments / new

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The Apple Pan, West LA

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille May 23, 2014, 3:46am PDT

16 comments / new

As the 4th of July weekend descends upon us, it's time to think about what makes American food, well, American. In the end, it boils down to fast food and simple fare that might draw inspiration from other parts of the world, but ultimately came into popularity because of the expansive, industrial growth of America through the last century. With a slant toward older establishments that have been doing what they do for decades, here are the 18 best All-American bites around Los Angeles, just in time for the holiday.

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Burgers at Bill's Hamburgers

Always get the double cheeseburger with all the fixin's at Bill's. Possibly the best old-school roadside burger in town, though it's a little bit of a trek to the Valley.

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14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

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Hot Dogs at Skooby's

Simple hot dogs done right in the heart of Hollywood. Always good after a show nearby.

Open in Google Maps

6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

Pies at Du-par's

The pies at Du-pars are all made in house and made with love. Grab a whole one on the way out or just enjoy one a la mode in the coffee shop that's pure Americana.

Open in Google Maps

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken

One of the best examples of fried chicken in L.A. The chicken is brined well and fried to a perfect crisp. Don't forget the biscuits and honey!

Open in Google Maps

9537 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Visit Website

Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ

While there are plenty of newer barbecue joints around town, the 1970's weirdness of Dr. Hogly Wogly's is something that's the perfect way to experience a time when America was simpler and happier.

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8136 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91402

Visit Website

Crunchy Tacos at Tito's Tacos

Line up outside (or go inside to skip it) and enjoy surprisingly good old school crunchy tacos made with shredded meat and bright orange cheese. And don't miss out on that excellent salsa with crunchy chips.

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230

Visit Website

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Pancakes at The Original Pantry

The pancakes here are thick yet fluffy, and probably as wide as a 45. Together with maple syrup and whipped butter, there are few things that are as satisfyingly simple.

877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Visit Website

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Smash Burgers at PierBurger

These simple imitation Shake Shack burgers actually hold up. The potato buns are plush and the patties are seared to perfection. Don't miss out on the shakes either.

Open in Google Maps

330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Buffalo Wings at Hot Wings Cafe

Buffalo wings were not invented in L.A., but the best version in town might be at this simple eatery on Melrose (and Glendale, and other spots around town). Load up on about 10 wings per person and have a party.

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7011 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Visit Website

Mac & Cheese at Bay Cities

Sure, everyone gets the Godmother sandwich, but that's an Italian sub. Instead, opt for the mac & cheese, which is American as apple pie.

1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Steaks at Musso & Frank Grill

Mad Men did one of their wrap parties here, if that's any indication to how patently American this place is. Opt for one of the steaks, grilled on the super-hot grill in the dining room, and find a perch on the counter to see it happen.

6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Banana Cream Pie at The Apple Pan

Banana cream pie. Get it, call it a day. The steakburger is straight out of Ohio, for those homesick transplants.

Open in Google Maps

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Visit Website

Chili Cheese Fries at Carney's

Chili cheese fries inside of a re-purposed train car. God bless 'Merica.

Open in Google Maps

8351 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Visit Website

Pepper Steak at Dal Rae Restaurant

This classy mid-century restaurant is the right place to throw on that vintage suit or cocktail dress and have a night on the town in...Pico Rivera of all places. The pepper steak is a winner.

Open in Google Maps

9023 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660

Visit Website

French Dip at Philippe the Original

The french dip was invented here. And sawdust lines the ground. And crowds never stop. And coffee is like 10 cents. Ahh, America.

1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Corned Beef Hash at The Grill on the Alley

Jonathan Gold says the corned beef hash is the thing to get at The Grill, where Hollywood powerhouses still nosh over martinis during lunch.

Open in Google Maps

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Visit Website

Plate O' Pickles at Nate 'n Al Delicatessen

Sure, Langer's is amazing. But there's something about Nate 'n Al and that wonderful plate of pickles that's so reassuring. Plus, Larry King might be a few tables over.

Open in Google Maps

414 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Donuts at Randy's Donuts

The Simpsons and countless films have made the massive donut on top of this shop iconic. But the doughnuts themselves are actually some of the best in town.

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Burgers at Bill's Hamburgers

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Always get the double cheeseburger with all the fixin's at Bill's. Possibly the best old-school roadside burger in town, though it's a little bit of a trek to the Valley.

Open in Google Maps

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

Hot Dogs at Skooby's

6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Simple hot dogs done right in the heart of Hollywood. Always good after a show nearby.

Open in Google Maps

6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

Pies at Du-par's

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The pies at Du-pars are all made in house and made with love. Grab a whole one on the way out or just enjoy one a la mode in the coffee shop that's pure Americana.

Open in Google Maps

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken

9537 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

One of the best examples of fried chicken in L.A. The chicken is brined well and fried to a perfect crisp. Don't forget the biscuits and honey!

Open in Google Maps

9537 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Visit Website

Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ

8136 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91402

While there are plenty of newer barbecue joints around town, the 1970's weirdness of Dr. Hogly Wogly's is something that's the perfect way to experience a time when America was simpler and happier.

Open in Google Maps

8136 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91402

Visit Website

Crunchy Tacos at Tito's Tacos

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230

Line up outside (or go inside to skip it) and enjoy surprisingly good old school crunchy tacos made with shredded meat and bright orange cheese. And don't miss out on that excellent salsa with crunchy chips.

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230

Visit Website

Pancakes at The Original Pantry

877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

The pancakes here are thick yet fluffy, and probably as wide as a 45. Together with maple syrup and whipped butter, there are few things that are as satisfyingly simple.

877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Visit Website

Smash Burgers at PierBurger

330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

These simple imitation Shake Shack burgers actually hold up. The potato buns are plush and the patties are seared to perfection. Don't miss out on the shakes either.

Open in Google Maps

330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Buffalo Wings at Hot Wings Cafe

7011 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Buffalo wings were not invented in L.A., but the best version in town might be at this simple eatery on Melrose (and Glendale, and other spots around town). Load up on about 10 wings per person and have a party.

Open in Google Maps

7011 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Visit Website

Mac & Cheese at Bay Cities

1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Sure, everyone gets the Godmother sandwich, but that's an Italian sub. Instead, opt for the mac & cheese, which is American as apple pie.

1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Steaks at Musso & Frank Grill

6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Mad Men did one of their wrap parties here, if that's any indication to how patently American this place is. Opt for one of the steaks, grilled on the super-hot grill in the dining room, and find a perch on the counter to see it happen.

6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Visit Website

Banana Cream Pie at The Apple Pan

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Banana cream pie. Get it, call it a day. The steakburger is straight out of Ohio, for those homesick transplants.

Open in Google Maps

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Visit Website

Chili Cheese Fries at Carney's

8351 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Chili cheese fries inside of a re-purposed train car. God bless 'Merica.

Open in Google Maps

8351 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Visit Website

Pepper Steak at Dal Rae Restaurant

9023 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660

This classy mid-century restaurant is the right place to throw on that vintage suit or cocktail dress and have a night on the town in...Pico Rivera of all places. The pepper steak is a winner.

Open in Google Maps

9023 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660

Visit Website

French Dip at Philippe the Original

1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The french dip was invented here. And sawdust lines the ground. And crowds never stop. And coffee is like 10 cents. Ahh, America.

1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Visit Website

Related Maps

Corned Beef Hash at The Grill on the Alley

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Jonathan Gold says the corned beef hash is the thing to get at The Grill, where Hollywood powerhouses still nosh over martinis during lunch.

Open in Google Maps

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Visit Website

Plate O' Pickles at Nate 'n Al Delicatessen

414 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Sure, Langer's is amazing. But there's something about Nate 'n Al and that wonderful plate of pickles that's so reassuring. Plus, Larry King might be a few tables over.

Open in Google Maps

414 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Donuts at Randy's Donuts

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

The Simpsons and countless films have made the massive donut on top of this shop iconic. But the doughnuts themselves are actually some of the best in town.

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

Visit Website

Related Maps