Top Strip Mall Eats
(please bear with this. I've seen a lot of listings for bloggers on craigslist, and I thought I'd maybe submit something somewhere. we'll see. anyway, i needed a sample on this. suggestions are welcome...also i could only think of 4...does anyone have a 5th idea?)
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Jan, when I want to go out to eat, I want the full experience. I want ambiance. I want moderately attractive valets in suits. I want a girl sitting in a glass box checking her Myspace when I arrive. I want....not to have a view of the locksmith hut and a laundromat whilst I eat. But hear me out, because if you like giving people money in exchange for foodstuffs, and I know you do, you're going to love these places. Sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough if you're willing to look closely at your local strip malls. I mean, there's always going to be a place for pretentious, expensive food, but sometimes, you just want plain ol' tasty food, dammit. Not that hot valets are a bad thing.
4) Natalee Thai (10101 Venice Blvd Culver City, CA 90232)
Really awesome thai food in a pretty darn classy place. For less than 20 bucks, you can stuff yourself with authentic Thai delicacies. This is a laid back, totally unassuming place with a really chill atmosphere. The crab fried rice is awesome; it's probably not exactly authentic, but hell, if it tastes good, I'll eat it! Besides, I'm from Wisconsin, and the most authentic Thai we have there are toaster-oven spring rolls, so this is quite a leap forward.
3) Traktir (8151 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046)
Where else can you get pickle-flavored vodka? I'm pretty sure that's all I need to say, but let me just mention that this Russian restaurant filled with boistrous foodees serves great garlicky roast chicken and delicious sandwiches. Eat in the patio area to enjoy the LA weather, and remember to toast with that big Russian family at the next table over. It's Grandpa's birthday; everyone drink! Like you needed an excuse.
2) Gate of India (7300 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046)
Cool swirly fabric on the ceiling, attentive servers, and jungle print wallpaper in the bathrooms. What more could you ask for? Oh, I know...a bright orange Mustang with "Punjab" written in huge script letters on the door perpetually parked outside! Go here for quiet, reasonably priced dinners. The tandoori's fantastic and flavorful, and their chicken tika masala is the best I've had. If you're not a sissy like me, order somethig that's actually spicy and have a smooth mango lassi to cool things down. This is a terrific hidden find.
1) Sushi Mac (8474 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90048)
I know, I know. Strip mall sushi? But trust me, this is the best place in town for good, simple sushi on the cheap. You can't get any crazy dragon eel insanity rolls here, but you can get your basics, and really, isn't that all we need in life? Each dish is only 2.75, so you can try a variety of fish. Their selection is extremely fresh, and their salmon the absolute best in town. The adventurous should try their Dynamite Mac rolls, because anything with baked mayonnaise on top immediately becomes almost illegally delicious. My mouth's watering just thinking about it...
Try any of these places for a fun, unpretentious, affordable meal. Next weekend you can go see the girl in the glass box. She told me she misses you.
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Jan, when I want to go out to eat, I want the full experience. I want ambiance. I want moderately attractive valets in suits. I want a girl sitting in a glass box checking her Myspace when I arrive. I want....not to have a view of the locksmith hut and a laundromat whilst I eat. But hear me out, because if you like giving people money in exchange for foodstuffs, and I know you do, you're going to love these places. Sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough if you're willing to look closely at your local strip malls. I mean, there's always going to be a place for pretentious, expensive food, but sometimes, you just want plain ol' tasty food, dammit. Not that hot valets are a bad thing.
4) Natalee Thai (10101 Venice Blvd Culver City, CA 90232)
Really awesome thai food in a pretty darn classy place. For less than 20 bucks, you can stuff yourself with authentic Thai delicacies. This is a laid back, totally unassuming place with a really chill atmosphere. The crab fried rice is awesome; it's probably not exactly authentic, but hell, if it tastes good, I'll eat it! Besides, I'm from Wisconsin, and the most authentic Thai we have there are toaster-oven spring rolls, so this is quite a leap forward.
3) Traktir (8151 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046)
Where else can you get pickle-flavored vodka? I'm pretty sure that's all I need to say, but let me just mention that this Russian restaurant filled with boistrous foodees serves great garlicky roast chicken and delicious sandwiches. Eat in the patio area to enjoy the LA weather, and remember to toast with that big Russian family at the next table over. It's Grandpa's birthday; everyone drink! Like you needed an excuse.
2) Gate of India (7300 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046)
Cool swirly fabric on the ceiling, attentive servers, and jungle print wallpaper in the bathrooms. What more could you ask for? Oh, I know...a bright orange Mustang with "Punjab" written in huge script letters on the door perpetually parked outside! Go here for quiet, reasonably priced dinners. The tandoori's fantastic and flavorful, and their chicken tika masala is the best I've had. If you're not a sissy like me, order somethig that's actually spicy and have a smooth mango lassi to cool things down. This is a terrific hidden find.
1) Sushi Mac (8474 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90048)
I know, I know. Strip mall sushi? But trust me, this is the best place in town for good, simple sushi on the cheap. You can't get any crazy dragon eel insanity rolls here, but you can get your basics, and really, isn't that all we need in life? Each dish is only 2.75, so you can try a variety of fish. Their selection is extremely fresh, and their salmon the absolute best in town. The adventurous should try their Dynamite Mac rolls, because anything with baked mayonnaise on top immediately becomes almost illegally delicious. My mouth's watering just thinking about it...
Try any of these places for a fun, unpretentious, affordable meal. Next weekend you can go see the girl in the glass box. She told me she misses you.