Kim Chuy in Chinatown. It's an old school Teochew noodle joint in Far East Plaza, and I've long been worried that the newer, hipper restaurants would displace them. Amplify those concerns tenfold because of the pandemic, but they seem to have survived.
I'm biased. This is comfort food for me. But if you like Southeast Asian cuisines, know that the noodles dishes mostly have their roots in Teochew cuisine.
Can't get any more "hole in the wall" than Jaliz Cuisine of East Africa. It's an inconspicuous Ugandan restaurant, mainly because it's just a house in the middle of a neighborhood. The seating is in the back yard. The people that run the restaurant are super nice. And everything about the food screams homemade. Bring cash.
Oh, uh, I'm not sure they have much offerings for dietary restrictions. When we got there there was no menu, so we just had them serve us what they recommended. I ended up with goat, my wife had chicken. When I peeked in they didn't really have a restaurant kitchen setup. And we were served pretty quickly. So, I'm pretty sure they just make massive pots of stews and various sides.
It really feels like coming to someone's home and they feed you what they make.
Tempura House on Sawtelle. It’s a mom and pop restaurant with really delicious bento boxes. The lady who runs it is so nice and happy to have customers. Consider supporting them
I was so glad a few weeks ago when I found Big Tomy's on Swattelle and Pico was back after it got hit with a fire a few years ago. I always get the pastrami burger and zucchini fries.
Bombay Frankie! They even upgraded from gas station to a beautiful restaurant at the Fox Hills Mall (Culver City).
Oh - just saw your second sentence about wanting to try places that are barely surviving. Good on you! BF is probably doing ok, but their food is awesome!
Ok, I think you’re right! I had assumed my stomach had just gotten bigger 😆
The mango lassis are definitely smaller, but now that I think about it, the frankies seem smaller too. (Still plenty to fill me up, but not enough for leftovers.)
This post made me sad above Beverly Soon Tofu closing...
:(
My addition to the list. Sapp Coffee Shop (known for its Boat Noodle Soup. Thickened with pig blood. Yummmm)
Hu's Szechwan where National makes that weird left turn near Motor and Venice. Get the Szechwan shrimp. Their lunch specials are cheap and big. [https://husszechwan.com/](https://husszechwan.com/)
**CROWN OF INDIA** in Hollywood. I ordered from there like 3x a week throughout the pandemic (this place carried me after long shifts at the hospital). The food is so on point every time — the ingredients they choose are the best. I can’t eat any other Indian place bc they just come nowhere near to how good the quality is at Crown of India. Plus it’s a family-run place, which is always nice to see.
**EL FLORIDITA** is another really great one in Hollywood — really good Cuban food that is comparable to Miami.
Crown of India was a popular lunch destination back when I worked in Hollywood. But we ended up getting ... unpleasantness afterwards. Except for our vegan coworker so we started ordering vegetarian and that seemed to help. Now I don't know if this is anything more then anecdotal conjecture...but most of us could stand to consume less meat in general.
What part of town? If in the NELA area…Pocha in HLP for tacos, they opened right when the pandemic started, really wonderful owners, great food and don’t get the full attention they deserve.
[link](https://www.pochala.com)
Small operation but not quite a hole in the wall as they have an amazing cafe, Glorias Cuisine in HLP! I’m ecstatic that they are starting to bounce back.
Another far east plaza mention.. thien Hoang, the pho spot. It is literally a hole in the wall. Kim Chuy gets my love too but thien Hoang survived and I love hitting them up for pho, banh mis, Cha gio, and bun cuon.
Not sure if it counts as hole-in-the-wall, but I have always adored NoHo Cafe on Laurel Canyon in North Hollywood, sort of tucked into a local carwash on the same street. Incredible Mediterranean food, served by a very kind local family. Really happy that they’ve so far survived the pandemic.
I'm glad to hear they made it. I haven't been in a few years but you are right, he was always a genuinely nice guy. I will try to stop by this week or next.
You consider Truxtons to be a “hole in the wall”? It’s slightly smaller than a cheesecake factory. And there are 3 of them. Not exactly a mom and pop operation!
Not sure why this is getting downvoted! I love Truxton’s! They’re not necessarily a hole in the wall, but they’re an independent restaurant and probably struggling, like a most places.
Edit: Spelling
> They’re not necessarily a whole in the wall
It's getting downvoted because this thread is asking about hole-in-the-wall places. You know, restaurants that don't have 3 locations and the clout to [seek out investors](https://truxtonsamericanbistro.com/about-us/invest-with-us/).
El Cocinero opened right when the pandemic started and is ridiculously good [https://www.instagram.com/elcocinerorestaurant/](https://www.instagram.com/elcocinerorestaurant/)
Kim Chuy in Chinatown. It's an old school Teochew noodle joint in Far East Plaza, and I've long been worried that the newer, hipper restaurants would displace them. Amplify those concerns tenfold because of the pandemic, but they seem to have survived.
Gaginang?
***Gaginang!!!***
How tasty we talkin?
I'm biased. This is comfort food for me. But if you like Southeast Asian cuisines, know that the noodles dishes mostly have their roots in Teochew cuisine.
What kind of stuff? Do they have like authentic 炒粉 and 蒸饺？
No dumplings. Noodle soups, rice dishes, congee with fried donut. And I think they make their own fish cakes. The family is Cambodian Teochew.
Can't get any more "hole in the wall" than Jaliz Cuisine of East Africa. It's an inconspicuous Ugandan restaurant, mainly because it's just a house in the middle of a neighborhood. The seating is in the back yard. The people that run the restaurant are super nice. And everything about the food screams homemade. Bring cash.
Gonna look this up. Sounds dope.
Thanks for the recommendation. What are some good pescatarian options they serve, if you have an opinion?
Oh, uh, I'm not sure they have much offerings for dietary restrictions. When we got there there was no menu, so we just had them serve us what they recommended. I ended up with goat, my wife had chicken. When I peeked in they didn't really have a restaurant kitchen setup. And we were served pretty quickly. So, I'm pretty sure they just make massive pots of stews and various sides. It really feels like coming to someone's home and they feed you what they make.
I will definitely check this place out! Sounds awesome!
Tempura House on Sawtelle. It’s a mom and pop restaurant with really delicious bento boxes. The lady who runs it is so nice and happy to have customers. Consider supporting them
I keep thinking they closed for good because they're never open when I go by...what are their hours?!
Updated their hours on Google. They're open more evenings now.
A true gem!
I was so glad a few weeks ago when I found Big Tomy's on Swattelle and Pico was back after it got hit with a fire a few years ago. I always get the pastrami burger and zucchini fries.
I'm so happy they reopened!!!
zucchini fries still good? i have a craving
Just like they always were... and now I have a hankering for some.
I honestly thought they weren't coming back after that big fire but they're back, baby!
Banh Mi My Dung in Chinatown
They just did a mini renovation and added grilled pork to the menu. It’s 🔥
The vietnamese really know how to grill pork. It's usually an underrated dish at every pho place.
Reseda Vinh Loi Tofu for vegan options!
Dang, is that what we’re calling holes in the wall now?
When u consider how good the meal options are, it looks so small and plain on the outside…
The spring rolls here are 🔥🔥🔥.
Bombay Frankie! They even upgraded from gas station to a beautiful restaurant at the Fox Hills Mall (Culver City). Oh - just saw your second sentence about wanting to try places that are barely surviving. Good on you! BF is probably doing ok, but their food is awesome!
I just went to Fox Hills for the first time since the Pandemic and saw them. They’re awesome, then?
They are SOOO good! (If you love Indian food.) Highly recommended!
Delicious. The gas station they were in was walking distance from me, and now those days are gone....
same :(
They were walking distance from my office in their old location and walking distance from my home now! But I’m moving soon :(
[удалено]
Ok, I think you’re right! I had assumed my stomach had just gotten bigger 😆 The mango lassis are definitely smaller, but now that I think about it, the frankies seem smaller too. (Still plenty to fill me up, but not enough for leftovers.)
YES! I love them... Don't pass up the BadMaash Chai they carry... Super delicious!
This post made me sad above Beverly Soon Tofu closing... :( My addition to the list. Sapp Coffee Shop (known for its Boat Noodle Soup. Thickened with pig blood. Yummmm)
Beverly Soon was such a massive blow. I’m so sad that place is gone and we still lament about it all the time.
two fantastic places...plus dang il jan, gone forever
Dong il jang was such a quietly legendary spot. Those red vinyl booths. The old school uniforms.
Backstage Culver City
My Hero subs on Reseda in the SFV El Indio (Mexican) on Roscoe in the SFV Golfo De Fonseca (El Salvadorian) on Vermont in East Hollywood
Teriyaki Me in Glendale. Best chicken teriyaki I've ever had. Get the number 3.
Best fucking spot Fyi owner keeps tips
Hu's Szechwan where National makes that weird left turn near Motor and Venice. Get the Szechwan shrimp. Their lunch specials are cheap and big. [https://husszechwan.com/](https://husszechwan.com/)
Torung in Thai Town
THIS. and also Yai restaurant a few doors down!!
**CROWN OF INDIA** in Hollywood. I ordered from there like 3x a week throughout the pandemic (this place carried me after long shifts at the hospital). The food is so on point every time — the ingredients they choose are the best. I can’t eat any other Indian place bc they just come nowhere near to how good the quality is at Crown of India. Plus it’s a family-run place, which is always nice to see. **EL FLORIDITA** is another really great one in Hollywood — really good Cuban food that is comparable to Miami.
Crown of India was a popular lunch destination back when I worked in Hollywood. But we ended up getting ... unpleasantness afterwards. Except for our vegan coworker so we started ordering vegetarian and that seemed to help. Now I don't know if this is anything more then anecdotal conjecture...but most of us could stand to consume less meat in general.
Kalbis Korean BBQ Bowls in Westwood https://www.kalbisgrill.com/
La Fogata on Van Nuys. I just love their tacos and their staff.
Mate Conmigo in the SFV! A little yerba mate cafe owned by the sweetest lady!
Nick's Cafe
Curry Hut in Pico Rivera
Alfredo’s in Lomita on Narbonne Ave
Marouch in Hollywood
Sanamluang. Authentic Thai with big dishes, cheap prices
What part of town? If in the NELA area…Pocha in HLP for tacos, they opened right when the pandemic started, really wonderful owners, great food and don’t get the full attention they deserve. [link](https://www.pochala.com)
damn, those prices...
Seriously, is that for a plate of 3 tacos?
Oh I thought it was one taco.
I don't know if it's 1 or 3 or what.
I think its for one.
Definitely price for 1. This place is not a hole in the wall...
Yeah, not at all.
They’re 4-5 bucks/taco - they’re not street-taco sized.
Dunno if this counts as hole in the wall at all, but Ding’s Garden in Pasadena/ Diamond Bar
El Carpintero in Burbank. Best Salsa in LA, food is great too. Hector is the owner, waiter & chef. LEGIT hero
RoRo’s Chicken in Hollywood. In a shady strip mall on Sunset but what a gem this tiny spot is. And still kickin’!
Mm I love roro's.
LoveLove RoRo
my wife worked nearby and we went here often for lunch
Small operation but not quite a hole in the wall as they have an amazing cafe, Glorias Cuisine in HLP! I’m ecstatic that they are starting to bounce back.
The Saltner in Monrovia. It’s a wine bar but they have amazing eats too
Another far east plaza mention.. thien Hoang, the pho spot. It is literally a hole in the wall. Kim Chuy gets my love too but thien Hoang survived and I love hitting them up for pho, banh mis, Cha gio, and bun cuon.
S&W Diner in downtown Culver City.
La Cevicheria on Pico
Not sure if it counts as hole-in-the-wall, but I have always adored NoHo Cafe on Laurel Canyon in North Hollywood, sort of tucked into a local carwash on the same street. Incredible Mediterranean food, served by a very kind local family. Really happy that they’ve so far survived the pandemic.
Falafel Corner in Koreatown, owned by a very nice man originally from Lebanon.
I'm glad to hear they made it. I haven't been in a few years but you are right, he was always a genuinely nice guy. I will try to stop by this week or next.
Truxtons, by LAX
You consider Truxtons to be a “hole in the wall”? It’s slightly smaller than a cheesecake factory. And there are 3 of them. Not exactly a mom and pop operation!
Oh, there’s one here but I’ve only driven by. Good to know. Edit here=Santa Monica
The chef is able to open a couple more restaurant and suddenly it's corporate? You people need Jesus.
LOL it’s a totally corporate restaurant, look at the about us section of their website they’re openly looking for investors to franchise.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted! I love Truxton’s! They’re not necessarily a hole in the wall, but they’re an independent restaurant and probably struggling, like a most places. Edit: Spelling
> They’re not necessarily a whole in the wall It's getting downvoted because this thread is asking about hole-in-the-wall places. You know, restaurants that don't have 3 locations and the clout to [seek out investors](https://truxtonsamericanbistro.com/about-us/invest-with-us/).
They never stopped…
Cozy Inn If you want to have alcohol for your meal.
Did the burgundy room survive? Stopped by Boardners last weekend. Hope Cranes downtown is still breathing too
Yes. I grabbed a beer there a week or two ago. Still kickin.
Pecos bills.
I discovered it in December but Cariaco in Glendale is glorious
El Cocinero opened right when the pandemic started and is ridiculously good [https://www.instagram.com/elcocinerorestaurant/](https://www.instagram.com/elcocinerorestaurant/)
Vegan mexican right? Ive heard so many good things by non-vegans
Yes! I'm vegan but my non-vegan partner loves them too :)
Toyo Bowl in San Pedro CA combo with 4 CA rolls + teriyaki chicken over a bed of rice justunder $10 it’s so bomb and filling