Breakfast At Tart

For a couple of weeks Cam and I have wanted breakfast. Good breakfast. Not IHOP. Last week we ended up getting Thai food and I had chicken and waffles and did the same thing again but this time at Tart over on Fairfax. After finding parking right out front which is a miracle we headed inside...round the back. It was weird. We each got a form of coffee and then our meals arrived. I got this really good chicken and waffle dish that has candied pecans, Tabasco butter, and bourbon maple syrup. The chicken was some of the best I have ever tasted and I would love to try it in a dinner or lunch. The skin was crispy and flavored perfectly and the chicken itself was super juicy. The waffle was also good. I did not finish. I took the rest home. Cam got a big ass sandwich and she had the Danish bacon removed (travesty!) and got chicken sausage on the side. The sandwich had lettuce, heirloom tomato, avocado, onion confit, fried eggs, and mustard aioli on griddled country bread. I did not try it but she loved it. I'll be heading back here again for sure.

Sandwiches At Toast

A couple of days ago me and Cam went back to Toast. We went in the middle of the day and I was worried that it would be too packed. As we drove by I saw a lot of people and I was worried that we wouldn't get a seat. I was already thinking of a plan B. and going blank. Thankfully it was fine and there was plenty of seats inside. As I sat there trying to ignore all the waitresses in leggings and the male models they have as staff I ordered a very good lemonade. I had my back to the bakery so Cam had a good view of all the sweets. I can not remember what sandwich Cam got. I believe that this is a chicken sandwich with a side of fries. Yeah, let's go with that. Both of us just ate half of our sandwiches because we knew that we were gonna get something right afterward.

I got what was called a Smoked Stack which was a turkey and avocado sandwich that was way better than I thought it'd be. I figured there would be slices of turkey and it was actual pieces of turkey which made it way better. The fries were great as always. After we finished eating we stepped into the bakery and saw so many things we wanted. They have a damned cookie with Twix in it! We were both in ice cream mode so I got strawberry on a big ass cone and Cam got a cup of ice cream that was too much for her as if there's such a thing as too much ice cream. The next time we go I am getting that Twix cookie because it is now stuck in my head.  

Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet

Last weekend I went to this spot in Downtown Los Angeles called Cole's. The full name is Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet but that is just too damned long of a name. We went there on a Saturday afternoon and the place was super packed. We found a table since it was just me and EQ and then were told to wait till we were seated. Minutes later we ended up at the same damned table. EQ told me what they had that was good and I got a French dip made with pastrami and a side of bacon potato salad while she got I believe the lamb French dip and these super garlic fries. When I say super I mean super. Sadly, I didn't get any good pictures of my food to use because the place was so dark and I refuse to use flash indoors. I will not be that guy!

The sandwich and bacon potato salad were incredible. I have had French dips at Phillipe's who along with Cole's claim to be the originators of this style of sandwich. The other place was Dough Boy's which was also good. Cole's was by far the best though. I didn't want to eat too much since I was going to be playing broom ball later, something I am still paying for today with my swollen ass knee and sore arms. I had one of EQ's fries and damn those were full of garlic. That's a good thing. I'll for sure be heading back to this place but I'll have to work on my club voice. That's the loud voice you have to use when at a club or bar and its just too damned loud to talk to people.  

Urth Caffe Downtown

Recently I went to Urth Caffe with Miss E. after it being mentioned multiple times about how good it was and how we had to go. Every time I hear about a place being healthy the first thing I think about is “What can I order that is as close to McDonald’s as it gets?” Yeah, its bad but whatever. So while driving I asked which location we were going to because we kept driving down Melrose until I could see Downtown Los Angeles in the distance. She said they have a Downtown location and I felt good knowing that my friend didn’t forget where we were going.

Joan's On Third Once Again!

Last Sunday I headed out to Joan’s On Third with Miss L. Yes, I know I had gone the day before for the first time but Miss L. had never been and I loved the place so I suggested we head there. It was raining like crazy and we could not find parking nearby but eventually we did at a meter and braved the weather. The line moved fast and we went halve-sies on a rib eye sandwich and a pulled pork sandwich. Miss L. also got a vegetable soup that she enjoyed. We sat outside as it rained near a heater and had a great time. I plan on going back next weekend and I’ll be sure to take more pictures. This time we both started eating and I said “Oh, yeah. I have a food blog…”

Röckenwagner Bakery In Santa Monica

Miss E. and I went to Santa Monica a couple days ago. We didn’t hit up our usual spots on Beverly or in Larchmont but decided to check out the beach. I hadn’t been over to Santa Monica in a long ass time and the mall over there was still under construction which had been going on for years. I was shocked to see how much it had changed. There was this entire food court that was the complete opposite of the food court that used to be there that had such mall staples Sbarro and Panda Express. Maybe there was even a Hotdog On A Stick aka Perv Paradise. Miss. E had been here before so I left it up to her to lead me around especially since I’m no expert in fresh food and we ended up at Röckenwagner.

Nonna's Empanadas

Me and Cam went to this place using a Groupon called Nonna’s Empanada’s over here near The Beverly Center (8570 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048). I had never heard of this place and had to have passed it dozens of times. We went in and grabbed a seat outside since it was Africa warm even at night and ordered chicken empanadas, these small croissants, veggie empanadas (for Cam of course), and a ham and cheese sandwich (grilled) for me. This food was fucking amazing. The croissants were these tiny little sweet pieces of heaven. I have to go back to try their pizza. Oh, and did I mention that they deliver?!

Le Pain Quotidien

So today on a hot summer day here in Los Angeles I went to this place in Larchmont called Le Pain Quotidien. “What’s this about Pain?!” I cried. Miss E. assured me that it meant “pan” in French. This is a very cool and nice place with a great staff. I got this amazing sandwich that had chicken, avocado, tomatoes, and a piece of cantaloupe. I hadn’t had a taste of cantaloupe in forever so it was weird to taste one again. It was served on this flat plate that looked cool and I washed it down with a few glasses of real lemonade.

We also got this muffin thing for dessert. I forget what it had in it but apparently there were Chia Pet seeds all over it.So the next time anyone sees me and plants are coming out my ass you’ll know why. The thing about this place that amazed me was that it was all organic and health. If you’ve read more than two of these blogs you know that I fight healthy. But Le Pain Quotidien was really good.

Chicken & Chayote

For dinner yesterday Julia C.’s mom made a really good chicken salad. There was also this flatbread that I had never had before as well as this vegetable called chayote. Sounds like coyote.



I had never had this strange vegetable let alone even heard of it. It looked like a pear and felt like a pear on my tongue but to me it had no flavor. Julia put a little lime on it but still it tasted like lime and nothing. So bizarre. I have been over Julia’s twice and each time I have some new food and loved it.

All About The Bread

Yesterday Julia C. and I went to this place over here on Melrose near La Brea called All About The Bread. I had never heard of this place even though its really not that far from my house. We head there in this blazing ass heat and grabbed some delicious ass sandwiches. I got the special of the day, a honey lime something or other chicken sandwich.



Oh, it was good! It was so good! Julia got a different sandwich that she said was a bit salty perhaps because of the pickles but I had some and still liked it. The prices were not ridiculous and the bread had a cheese baked into it that made it just so good. I got a Orangina and Sprite to drink. Those sandwiches were 85% crippling. We could barely move our asses afterwards. I say if you can give this place a try. It is really good.

Giamela's Fellas!

There’s this place that I have been to twice. It’s called Giamela’s in Los Feliz. This place is known for their steak sandwiches but I go for the pastrami. Gotta say it in an ugly Boston accent. And before anyone starts saying how their state or city has the best whatever allow me to tell you one thing:

Don’t waste your time.

Giamela’s has a pastrami sandwich covered in onions and peppers and rocks my ass off. They are fast too. The place is right on a corner with a strange ass parking lot. The inside is big enough and feels open with a TV on the wall and a screen door like Grandmama has in the front. You can see them making everything fresh which is always nice.

Heidi took me there for the first time maybe last year or late 2008. I got the large sandwich and damn near had to be rolled out when I was done. This time I was smart and got the regular and it hit the spot. Oh, and make sure to get an Orange Bang with it. Goes just fabulously together. No need for chips though they have a large variety. And remember to thank them for giving you a fork because you will need it. All the stuff they pile on top does not stay on the sandwich. That’s a good thing.

I seriously think you should give this place a try if you love meat and love eating things that aren’t rushed tasting (because as Camille says you can taste love in food). Just remember to bring your own hot sauce,

Have Some "B" With Your "L" & "T"

There’s a problem I have with food never looking like it does when its advertised on TV. Yeah, I know that it will never look exactly like it does in the commercials, but is it too much to ask that it looks at least kinda like it does? Subway, you have been guilty of this for a long time!

I’m not a food snob, okay? I will eat at almost any fast food joint. But the ad for this meatball sub has it smoking hot. You can see steam coming off the damned thing. Now I don’t know how many of you have been to a Subway but this is the routine.

1. Wait in line for a while as some goofy mofo takes forever to tell the guy behind the counter what they want. Please use this free time to decide what you want please. Because after waiting for five minutes and doing nothing but stare at the menu you should know what you want in your mouth besides my impatient fist.

2. Speak slowly. Most people that work at Subway use English as their second language (not being racist just stating a fact). And be patient because even when you tell them exactly what you want they will ask if you want more things on it. Stuff that don’t even go together.

3. Decide whether or not you really want that sandwich toasted. They are trying to be like Quizno’s and toast everything. Why would I want a pastrami sandwich toasted? Maybe they have to ask that but they really don’t need to.

4. Sit and wonder after they make your sandwich how it manages to look like it was used to beat Rodney King. You just watched them put this thing together but for some reason when you open it the damned thing looks like it got beaten. Just hope it tastes good.

5. Don’t get the extra bacon. Its only like two slices of microwaved bacon. They charge a buck fifty for it and its just not worth it. Matter of fact, don’t order their BLT. Its most lots of L and T with very little B, alright?

I hope I have helped you all save yourself some drama with dealing with Subway. Their deals aren’t really worth it but when you’re really hungry just head to one. Thank God they don’t do drive through’s. You’d still be waiting in line and starving.