L.A., Day 1 ... Fresh and Meaty Burger, etc

HI! I just spent 8 days in L.A., followed by 8 days in Vegas!
Oct. 4th till the 21st, 2008

Flew from Philly to LAX, arriving 9:30 pm.
I call my arrival date, "DAY ZERO", (did'nt even count it) cause by the time I rented the car and got my luggage, the day was shot..
I just stopped over at Ralph's supermarket by the airport to pick up some supplies, and head over to my good buddy Arnie's apartment where I'd be staying for the week. I even had my own BD and bathroom.
Better than the RITZ CARLTON!
The next day Oct. 5th is my offical DAY 1

WINDSTAR PACIFIC PLACE, LA, CA 90045, brand new apartments,
only 3 miles from LAX, and 3 miles or so from Manhattan Beach.
(on La Cienega, between Imperial Highway and El Segundo Blvd)
The freeway ramp for the 105 is visible in the distance

Arnie gives me a royal welcome. He just moved to L.A. a few months a go, after living in AC area for 30 years! (loves L.A., easy fit!)

DAY 1, (next morning) Arnie served me up his homemade POTATO PANCAKES

Then Arnie surprised me with some PASTRAMI from JUNIOR'S DELI, L.A.
It's only about 1/4 mile from the famous Apple Pan burger joint.

We both agreed the pastrami was NO MATCH for our beloved Carnegie,
(or for my new find, Irvings Deli, north Jersey), but it was so thoughful of Arnie!
Then it was POOLSIDE at the apartment complex

I broke away after a few hours at the pool for some FOOD ADVENTURES

L.A Food Show, Manhattan Beach, CA(outside the Manhattan Village Mall

This place just opened up about a few years ago, and the 2nd location is about to open in Beverly Hills. It's upscale casual.
I was strolling around looking all the restaurants outside, and this burger sounded real good, so I went for it.

The L.A. Food Show's "SHOW BURGER"

I got the burger to go, cause it was so nice outside...
Great charbroiled taste, great meat, good "sum of it's parts",
everything just blended together nicely....

More coming on my next break from dealing poker, and later tonight!

Next stop , FRESH AND MEATY BURGER, Inglewood, CA
on Florence Ave, in the "good part of the hood".

I had read lots of good reviews on Yelp.com about this place
It's right across from Winchell's Donuts (no match for Dunkin Donuts!)

It was a real good homestyle burger, SEARED real nicely
FRESH AND MEATY BURGER, Inglewood, CA

Good and messy burger! Check out the good SEARNESS around the edges!

There are a lot of similar good "hood burgers" around. I used to love "Quick n Split" (RIP) on Manchester, next to the famous big donut "Randy's Donuts". Master Burger gets talked about a lot, too on Yelp.

Ellen, have I told you how jealous of you I am?

Latkas your first morning!!!

Latkas!

That's a mighty fine welcome.

Latkas!

And Mountain Dew?

So... Were they good? They look like Nate & Al's.

Yum

Braunstein, I'm with you!

Yum!

What a great friend you have!!
Can't wait for more , I love CA !

Looks like it'll be another great Ellen trip report..thanks and keep 'em coming!

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

... Much more to come!! (on my next poker dealing break!)

Here I am sitting miles away, hoping Ellen gets her next break

Darn, isn't Ellen's break over, yet?

Give the girl a break!

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

I'm afraid your advice might not be that helpful in that she's already been and come home ...

Great looking bread alongside the pastrami....cant wait for more, Ellen!

I'm an LA native, and I'm afraid that I've always thought that the food at Canter's Deli was terrible. The "floor show" (i.e., the customers and wait-staff) may be worth a visit, but the food won't impress anyone.

Best pastrami in LA is at Langer's, beyond any doubt.

For overall deli food, I much prefer Factor's Deli (http://www.factorsdeli.com/); I've been going there for more than 50 years (ouch, it really hurt to say THAT!).

I also don't care for the burgers at Apple Pan. Some folks love 'em, but I think they're boring. My favorite fast-food type burger in LA is at Fatburger's (multiple locations), and favorite upscale burgers are from Father's Office (http://www.fathersoffice.com/) and The Counter (http://www.thecounterburger.com/).

quote:

Originally posted by morningglory

Darn, isn't Ellen's break over, yet?

You guys are too cool!

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

I agree that Nate n Al's is overrated!
Been there in past years...

I've also been to Apple Pan a few times, and it did'nt really do that much for me...but I know how much YOU love it there, Michael..

I WILL have some CANTOR'S deli pics coming up !
Actually, I liked their pastrami (not as good as Carnegie or Irvings, of course)

Welcome back Ellen (even though you weren't gone). Excellent report as usual. I'm jealous; LA and Vegas.

When I lived in West Hollywood with the (first) ex, we used to go to Cantor's (just a few blocks from our apt.) after the movies to watch the late night scene. It was a real hoot watching the TV's, hippies, and, only god knows where they came from people.
Our apartment was on Hacienda Place just right around the corner from Barney's Beanery (also great people watching) on little Santa Monica Blvd. at Hacienda Place.

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

on the contrary, why wouldn't the deli's in LA be as just as good as NY? In my opinion the burgers in NYC are most likely better than the one's in LA (but then again my comparison is only limited to In and Out), so perhaps the Deli's in LA are at least as good as the ones in NY.

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

on the contrary, why wouldn't the deli's in LA be as just as good as NY? In my opinion the burgers in NYC are most likely better than the one's in LA (but then again my comparison is only limited to In and Out), so perhaps the Deli's in LA are at least as good as the ones in NY.

Having lived in both places, I am adamant about the superiority of NYC delis. They are truly, the benchmark for kosher (style) Jewish deli food. Especially for smoked fish and cured meats.

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

When I lived in West Hollywood with the (first) ex, we used to go to Cantor's (just a few blocks from our apt.) after the movies to watch the late night scene. It was a real hoot watching the TV's, hippies, and, only god knows where they came from people.

YES !! Since Cantor's is open 24 hours, it makes it quite a find.
L.A. is'nt known for open all night places....(NYC is the "city that never sleeps")
but yet those small little burger stands in L.A. will open 6 am!
(cause you never know when a movie producer or writer needs their fix)

And regarding the Apple Pan, even though the burgers never did that much for ME, I know YOU have a long standing fondness for the place, Twinwillow (Michael!). To me, they reminded me of a Johnny Rockets type of burger, one that is "okay", but not overwhelming...

AGREE 100% with you, Michael, that NYC delis are superior.
(Comparing them to L.A. delis would be like comparing apples to oranges. )
They know how to cure and smoke the meats just right.
Perhaps it is from the influx of immigrants from the Eastern European countries that first settled in the Lower East Side of NYC??

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Ellen - Don't waste your time going to Nate & Al's. It's highly over rated. Your not in NY anymore, Dorothy. Do go to Cantor's Deli on Fairfax! It's a hoot. Especially around 2-3 o'clock in the AM. What a scene!
Pleeeeze! Do go to Apple Pan! I've been touting that place on these pages for years. Now I want an experts opinion.

on the contrary, why wouldn't the deli's in LA be as just as good as NY? In my opinion the burgers in NYC are most likely better than the one's in LA (but then again my comparison is only limited to In and Out), so perhaps the Deli's in LA are at least as good as the ones in NY.

Having lived in both places, I am adamant about the superiority of NYC delis. They are truly, the benchmark for kosher (style) Jewish deli food. Especially for smoked fish and cured meats.

Without having tried the the kosher (style) delis in LA, I couldn't really comment. Truthfully my desire to go to a kosher deli in LA is probably about as unenthusiastic as doing burgers LA. My take on both is why bother when there is better elsewhere.

Ellen I have to say ALL your posts and reviews are always EXCELLENT but I have to say that burger from F & M doesn't look a whole lot better than the ones my Mom (God rest her soul) used to make for us

quote:

Originally posted by mar52

Latkas your first morning!!!
Latkas!
That's a mighty fine welcome.
And Mountain Dew?
So... Were they good? They look like Nate & Al's.

Arnie's potato latkes were HOMEMADE, and the pastrami was from Juniors. (it does bear resemblance to Nate n Al's)
Both places have pastrami that is a little too perfect looking...
and neither place cuts the mustard for me.

And Arnie knows how much I love my Diet Mountain Dew, so he had the pantry fully stocked.
Arnie puts out the best spreads !! (tuna salad, egg salad are almost included, as well)

We dated for about a year when we first met in 1993, and he's like family to me now. An amazing friend!

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

When I lived in West Hollywood with the (first) ex, we used to go to Cantor's (just a few blocks from our apt.) after the movies to watch the late night scene. It was a real hoot watching the TV's, hippies, and, only god knows where they came from people.

YES !! Since Cantor's is open 24 hours, it makes it quite a find.
L.A. is'nt known for open all night places....(NYC is the "city that never sleeps")
but yet those small little burger stands in L.A. will open 6 am!
(cause you never know when a movie producer or writer needs their fix)

And regarding the Apple Pan, even though the burgers never did that much for ME, I know YOU have a long standing fondness for the place, Twinwillow (Michael!). To me, they reminded me of a Johnny Rockets type of burger, one that is "okay", but not overwhelming...

AGREE 100% with you, Michael that there is no place like a good NYC deli!
They know how to cure and smoke the meats just right.
Perhaps it is from the influx of immigrants from the Eastern European countries that first settled in the Lower East Side of NYC??

You've got it , Ellen. We can thank all those East European Jews for all that NYC deli goodness.

quote:

Originally posted by catosaurus
For overall deli food, I much prefer Factor's Deli.

I also don't care for the burgers at Apple Pan. Some folks love 'em, but I think they're boring. My favorite fast-food type burger in LA is at Fatburger's (multiple locations), and favorite upscale burgers are from Father's Office and The Counter

I checked out FACTOR'S, over on Pico. They were just using VIENNA beef for their pastrami. But like you said, for overall deli food, they may have an edge. (I did'nt end up eating there, just window shopping at their deli case)
What do you think of that PICO KOSHER DELI? I attempted to go there, but it was already late afternoon on a FRIDAY, so they were closed already for the Friday night Shabbot.

APPLE PAN was boring to me, as well. But like you said, others love it there!

I wanted to get to FATHERS OFFICE, but never quite made it.
(next time). But I DID make it to the COUNTER BURGER, also in Santa Monica. (Marina Del Rey opened up a Counter Burger, too, now, and El Segundo is on it's way)..it will be in one of my future L.A. reports!

I had been to the Counter Burger once before, at their Florida location (RIP) to "meat up" with Roadfooder "Bluemaxx" over the wintertime.

When I lived in LA, I used to got to a restaurant called, "Hamburger Hamlet". The were a small local chain of "up market" hamburger restaurants done, LA style. Very good too. Big thick juicy burgers. Anyone else remember this restaurant?

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

When I lived in LA, I used to got to a restaurant called, "Hamburger Hamlet". The were a small local chain of "up market" hamburger restaurants done, LA style. Very good too. Big thick juicy burgers. Anyone else remember this restaurant?

I remember Hamburger Hamlet. Very enjoyable. My favorite was the Hickory Burger. Probably because I am from KC. I lived in Venice and worked in Century City in the mid '70s.

quote:

Originally posted by zataar

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

When I lived in LA, I used to got to a restaurant called, "Hamburger Hamlet". The were a small local chain of "up market" hamburger restaurants done, LA style. Very good too. Big thick juicy burgers. Anyone else remember this restaurant?

I remember Hamburger Hamlet. Very enjoyable. My favorite was the Hickory Burger. Probably because I am from KC. I lived in Venice and worked in Century City in the mid '70s.

Right! The hickory burger. I loved them. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

When I lived in LA, I used to got to a restaurant called, "Hamburger Hamlet". Big thick juicy burgers. Anyone else remember this restaurant?

YES !! I used to go to the ones in West L.A. (on Sepulveda), and in Van Nuys..
They USED TO be really good; a perfectly charred burger...
HOWEVER, the whole chain has been "re-branded"; I believe it's even a different company that owns them now, and they changed the name to "Hamlet Restaurants".
The latest reviews seem to lean with "not so good anymore"...

quote:

Originally posted by exsquidao

Ellen I have to say ALL your posts and reviews are always EXCELLENT but I have to say that burger from F & M doesn't look a whole lot better than the ones my Mom (God rest her soul) used to make for us

I hear you on that! Appreciate the good, constructive criticism regarding the Fresh and Meaty burger. I must say I DID enjoy the charbroiled flavor of the L.A. Food Show burger much better....

Although I did love the messiness of the F & M one, you are right about being able to make up a similar one at home....