Highlights include the 29 Cafe on Hoover, Harold and Belle's famous Cajun eatery, the historic El Cholo, and the amazing Papa Cristo's Taverna and Greek deli.
The Two Nine: 29th Street Cafe 2827 S. Hoover St. 213-746-2929 Email:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner M-Sat: 7 am-11pm Sunday: Brunch from 10 am - 2 pm Burgers, salads, pasta, entrees. Wine and beer $
A real community gathering place. Everything from homemade soup to their special Mac & Cheese or homemade chicken or beef pies. Espresso and cappuccino. Entrees from $5.95 to $9.95
Aunt Rosa Lee's Mississippi Soul Food 2781 S. Western 323-733-8586 Daily 8 am-9 pm Southern $
Aunt Rosa's has been fixture here in West Adams for over 10 years. For breakfast, it is the usual breakfast fare with a soul food accent, including catfish and eggs. The cinnamon waffle is very tasty. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant features the usual soul food fare with over 15 sides, too numerous to mention here. We've tried the chicken and the short ribs, and both are very good. Entries run about $10-15 with drinks. -- Tom McCurnin
Located within walking distance of the Van Buren Place and USC, this restaurant features small plate gourmet food at bargain prices and an extensive wine list in the mid-price range. The food is excellent and I can recommend the Quail or the Sunday afternoon Prime Rib. -- Tom McCurnin.
Dino's Burgers
2575 W Pico Blvd - Los Angeles, CA
213-380-3554
Sun.-Thu., 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 6 a.m.-midnight
Incredible Greek chicken invented by owner Demetrios Pantazis, served up from a small fifties burger stand. Take some home tonight. The Los Angeles Times writes:
"The chicken is marinated and basted with secret seasonings -- vinegar and garlic, obviously, and there must be oregano. Something else imparts the brilliant orange that makes it look almost like tandoori chicken. The half-bird portion comes with French fries, coleslaw and corn tortillas -- hot peppers too, if you want them. The meat is ravishingly good, and when the sauce seeps into the French fries, they become miraculous. Kids from a neighboring school stop by just to buy fries doused with this sauce.
"The fries are made from scratch. Every week the kitchen peels, cuts and fries to order about 4,000 pounds of potatoes. And you get a lot -- I took home three orders for four people, and we finished only a bit more than half. The coleslaw is made from scratch too, and has a subtle peppery aftertaste. But if you don't like fries or slaw, you can substitute rice and beans or lettuce salad."
Price? They practically give it away.
El Cholo 1121 S. Western Ave. 323-734-2773 Mon-Thurs, 11 am-10 pm; Fri -Sat 11 am-11 pm; Sun 1 pm-9 pm Mexican $+ Landmark family restaurant. Outstanding margaritas, nachos, guacamole, and greencorn tamales. Now with some vegetarian choices.
El Sonsonateco 2171 W. Washington Blvd. 323-730-1241 Daily 9 am-9 pm Central American $
Harold and Belle's 2920 W. Jefferson Blvd. 323-735-9023 Sun-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm Southern-Cajun $$ The pride of West Adams
"Best Soul Food, 2001" -- Steve Harvey
Ho Sai Kai 3723 S. Western Avenue 323-731-4143
Tues-Thurs 11 am - 10 pm Sat 12 pm - 11 pm Sun 12 pm - 9 pm Mon closed
Inexpensive neighborhood Chinese restaurant serving wholesome traditional simple Cantonese food. Okay for a quick lunch, good for takeout, but the very plain interior is not the place to take your hot date.
Lady Effie's Tea Parlor 453 E. Adams Blvd (near San Pedro Blvd.) 213-749-2204 Lunch only, sandwiches, pastry, tea
Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations required. Weekends and afternoons by appointment Average price range (for one meal and drink): $11-$20
Downtown News: "There was a time when women wore hats, furs and gloves to tea, served their delicacies on china, and shared secrets over card games that lasted late into the afternoon. A trip to the home of the former Effie Mae Miles in West Adams is a visit to this bygone era.... Vonnie named each room in honor of an aunt, so a stroll through the halls is like a walk through a novel with portraits of characters at each turn.... A visit to Lady Effie's is a unique opportunity to experience an afternoon tea as it was meant to be."
La Taquiza 3009 S. Figueroa St. (at 30th Street) 213-741-9795
Los Angeles Weekly, March 24-30, 2000:
"The best Mexican antojito in Los Angeles may be something called a mulita — a sort of quesadilla on steroids, good enough to make a grown man yelp with joy — at the South-Central restaurant La Taquiza No. 2. Two thick corn tortillas, made seconds earlier, are slapped down on a griddle, glazed with jack cheese and fresh guacamole, sprinkled with a few grams of meat snatched off the fire, then welded together into kind of a sandwich. The tortillas, while bulky, have the illusion of great lightness and a fluffiness that comes only as the result of consummate culinary skills. There is a crisp, toasty brittleness where the mulita has rested against the griddle; this gives way to an almost puddinglike softness inside, the sweet smack of grilled corn, and (finally!) the paired richnesses of the cool avocado and the hot melted cheese, plus the chile-tinged chewiness of carbonized pork. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch for two, food only, $6–$12. No alcohol. Takeout. Guarded lot parking. AE, MC, V.
Lelaya Bakery Vermont at 23rd Street Don't skip the cake tres leches.
Lighthouse Barbecue 1708 S. Western Ave. 323-733-7717 Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm Sun 12-7 pm Southern $
Manas-Relishing Indian Flavors 2823 S Vermont Avenue 323-731-4333 Tues-Sunday Lunch: 12-2:30pm, Dinner: 5:30-10:00pm
A La Carte service with table linen of all the standard Indian dishes at very reasonable prices. Entrees range from $5.95 to $7.95 with rice and bread extra. A special luch buffet served Tuesday through Sunday for $7.99 on weekdays and $9.99 on weekends.
Mariscos Veracruz Y Cocina Mexicana 2306 S. Union 213-745-3003
Tues-Sat 11 am - 8 pm Sun 11 am - 7 pm
Mexican $
Mercado la Paloma
3655 S. Grand Ave Restaurants, stores, catering, meeting rooms Stores open 8 am-6:30 pm daily, call for hours of particular restaurants
Pacific French Bakery 4152 W. Washington Blvd 323-735-1700 Cakes and etc. Bakery only, no in-house food service
Papa Cristo's Taverna 2771 W. Pico Blvd. at Normandie 323-737-2970 Tues-Sat 11:30 am-6:30 pm Sun 11:30 am-3:30 pm Thursday: family-style dinners begin at 6:30 pm, reservations mandatory
Greek $ Lamb souvlaki, chicken kabob, spanikopita. An extension of C&K Importing, next door, a fabulous Greek deli for everything from Retsina wine to real Greek feta cheese and olives. In the heart of the newly renovating Byzantine Latino Quarter.
Pasta Roma Ristorante Italiano 2827 S. Figueroa St. 213-742-0303 Daily until 9 pm Italian $ Semi-cafeteria layout. Fresh Italian cuisine.
Playas de San Blas 4020 W. Washington Blvd. 323-737-5574 Mon-Fri, 9 am - 6 pm Mexican
Ragazzi Room 2316 S Union Avenue 213-741-1723 www.ragazziroom.com Across the street from the 24th Street Theatre
Monday thru Friday Open - 7:00 am Close - Late Night
Saturday & Sunday Open - 9:30 am Close - Late Night
Panini sandwiches, coffees
"Ragazzi Room is that other room where you can kick back and relax, enjoy a raspberry mocha, catch up on your work, or simply hang out with friends."
They also have Internet hookups and will host meetings.
Restaurant LA 27 1830 Pico Blvd. Unit C 213-387-2967
Central American-Nicaraguan
Specialties: country port ribs, carne asada, black beans and rice, fried plantains, in unusual Nicraguan style. Good reviews from neighbors.
Wed.-Mon. 9 am-10 pm
Rincon Hondureno 1654 West Adams Blvd. 323-734-9530 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-9 pm Sat-Sun 8 am-10 pm Central American $ Small down home spot, featuring Honduran dishes.
Sushi Delight Japanese Grill 1666-1/2 W. Adams Blvd 323-730-0133 Mon-Sat 10am-8 pm, closed Sunday
Modest but nicely prepared Japanese food in strip mall at Kenwood and Adams $ Wide variety of sushi, but well-made standards such as tempura, udon soup, fried noodles. Most expensive item: Bento Box with either Chicken, Spicy Chicken, or Beef for $7.99 Good for lunch or for a take-out dinner.
Out and About 
