American must-try foods?

I don't get out enough! I grew up in LA area and have lived here again for the past 10 years and must admit I've never tried any of the places listed (other than In-n-Out....I still remember the first store in Baldwin Park) in the above posts. I do recommend Olvera Street which someone mentioned, and China Town right down the street from each other downtown LA. Haven't tried Little Korea but sounds fun. Hope you enjoy the area.

Speziface wrote: »

Hit up a Waffle House, especially if it's 2 in the morning and you need some time and place to sober up.

There are no Waffle Houses in California. I know...it sucks. I am a native southerner now on the west coast and I miss me some Waffle House breakfast.

Get See's chocolate. It's based in LA and is excellent.

Also, if you are looking for things to do, be sure to go to the Getty Center. I don't even like art museums very much, and I love the Getty.

authentic mexican!

Have a great trip! LA is a large spread out area. Lots of varied things to try. Tacos, guacamole, In N Out, sushi (Califonia Rolls do not have raw fish if that’s a plus), food trucks, try a good seafood restaurant near the beach. Dim sum in Chinatown can be fun. Hollywood is kind of touristy, so I would focus on other areas for restaurants. Might be good to check Trip Advisor or Yelp for recommendations. Downtown LA has some good places like Bottega Louie, and The Grand Central Market has a bunch of places you can walk around and try.

hapa11 wrote: »

fitoverfortymom wrote: »

Definitely get some Mexican food. So Cal will have excellent options. Also, swing through an In N Out burger and get a Double Double with fries and a chocolate shake. You can ask for it animal style and they will skip the bun if you care about such things.

Actually no bun is called protein style. Animal style is extra lettuce and tomato. But I agree, do try In-N-Out. It's good and everyone who vacations here always wants to go.

I always ask for "animal style" and it means they put grilled onions on it

Lots of Asian food in Southern Ca that would be different variation from the Asian you have at home: Thai, Vietnamese, Korean,
In addition to the tacos, consider burritos. You can get them for breakfast.
https://la.eater.com/maps/36-breakfast-burritos-los-angeles-map-guide-2015

Second the recommendation for Grand Central Market, worth a few trips if you are anywhere near it:
https://g.co/kgs/xFVJ61

Pretty much food stall heaven. Like food trucks, but more sanitary

Some great tacos, Thai, coconut milk soft serve- all under one chaotic roof.

As a CA native, what we do well:
-Street-style tacos (carnitas and carne Assad are no-fail, seafood can be hit or miss)
-Poki Bowls (the craze has completely taken over, cheaper than sushi - look for a place with kale salad and cauliflower rice as bases if you want the really yuppified CA version, or fluffy white rice for traditional style)
-K-town has BBQ place after BBQ place. Korean BBQ is a paleo-ish dream. All of the Meats, often AYCE (all you can eat) so you can try everything
-Asian soft serve: a newer trend in the LA area, green tea and taro flavored with charcoal waffle cones or in koi-shaped waffle cones -these have yet to hit NoCal but I'm certain they are coming... use Yelp

I'm from the east coast, NYC, and some of this stuff would be new to me! I have had real Mexican food and Tex Mex (not in NY). Midwest and CA pizza is completely different from NY (and surrounding states') pizza. On your next trip if you come east, you must get bagels from NYC, Philly cheesesteak and pretzels from Philadelphia. Pizza from NY, NJ or Philly.

Definitely try any of the "Thanksgiving" type foods. Some restaurants and fast food places will have specials with turkey, stuffing, cranberries.

GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »

I’m from the UK and over the past 15 years have been visiting the US a couple of times a year with the idea of work my way round all 50 states. In November it’s Texas. In May it was north and South Dakota.

From what I remember of California - try the Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread and Cinnabon’s. I also go crazy for Orange Chicken or General Tsaos from food mall Chinese. Oooo and an Orange Julius or Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Avoid US chocolates except for really high end luxury stuff. Nothing like Cadbury’s. Uck.

PM me if you have any questions

Those are all chains, and you'll probably find better cinnamon rolls in bakeries.

Check Yelp for good options too!