Everywhere I Ate In California
Every year, as the post holiday excitement dies down, I exchange the cold and dark of Stockholm for the warmth and light of sunny Southern California. This year was no different. I have spent the last two months traipsing not just through SoCal but up the coast to San Francisco and across the desert to Arizona as well.
I don’t eat out much when home in Stockholm, I’m on a budget and it’s just so easy to make good food at home. But in California? All bets are off. There is so much food I’m nostalgic for. In-N-Out burgers, bagels with cream cheese, really good burritos. Plus the logistics of homemade food are more difficult on vacation. Figuring out how much food to buy, not having a fully stocked, it’s just more difficult. So usually I eat out. A lot. And boy oh boy did we eat out a lot this trip.
Without further ado here is Everywhere I ate in California (worth mentioning):
Southern California: Santa Monica and Culver City
Iconic for a reason, this the best fast food burger in California for sure. Not the best burger over all, but the best fast food burger. A must go-to when in the Golden State. Any location is great, we just happened to go to the one in Venice most often.
Good brunch by Jordan Kahn (also of Meteora and Vespertine). It’s expensive but the portions are huge and the food is interesting, not your usual pancakes and eggs.
I grew up eating deep dish pizza and pazookies from this SoCal chain. A pazookie is a “pizza cookie”, a large cookie baked in a pizza dish topped with vanilla ice cream. I remember the pizza as being great but it seems to have gone down in quality since I ate here the last time I ate at a BJ’s almost 25 years ago. The pazookie is just as good as it always was, but how do you mess up a freshly baked cookie topped with ice cream?? I wouldn’t suggest it unless you grew up with it or you have kids.
GREAT tacos and burritos. Good prices, the line moves fast, and it’s always so good. This is not a restaurant but rather a taco stand on the corner National Blvd and Sawtelle Blvd. Take your food to go and eat on the trunk of your car in the Rite Aid parking lot.
Modern shared-plates Californian food. I have been going here for 10 years and it’s always delicious. They really make the produce sing.
California is a veritable Garden of Eden and there is always something in season, new and fun at this iconic Farmer’s Market. I love visiting every time I’m home and always try some new-to-me fruit.
I’ve never actually eaten at the restaurant here but love to buy my fish at their counter. They are very helpful and kind when you have special orders (like I tend to do) and the fish is always fresh and beautiful.
Southern California: Greater Los Angeles
I have only been once but this classic dim sum place was solid. Definitely a good option when in Montrey Park.
I have been going to NBC for dim sum since I was born (we spent my first 5 years in Monterey Park before moving to Long Beach). It has always been really good but I was pleasantly surprised by how great it was this last time. They seemed to be in a bit of a slump in the mid 2010s but have come out the other side better than ever. This place is VERY popular so if you’re going on the weekend be prepared to wait.
First time trying this korean barbeque place. It was really good, not too expensive and we didn’t have to wait for a table. Will definitely go back next time I’m in Koreatown
Came here for the Philly cheesesteaks they serve at lunch. While not cheap the meat is really high quality you can taste and it’s definitely worth it. A solid lunch option if you’re on the west side.
I was really surprised how delicious the chicken here was. I assumed it’d be all hype but the chicken was moist and flavorful. Be careful though, when they say hot they really mean it. We got the medium+ spice level and I literally couldn’t take more than one bite. Fortunately I had also ordered a piece that was mild and that was really good, though still spicy (for me).
Run by my friend Jen Yee this mostly vegan bakery started as a kiosk at the Far East Plaza. They have now moved to their new location by Dodger Stadium which is so so cute. Make sure to get a croissant when you go, Jen’s a master!
Really nice breakfast spot near LAX. Very friendly service, great vibe, good American brunch food. A solid choice.
Southern California: Long Beach
The Thai curry pizza from Dean’s is my all time favorite pizza. Thai curry sauce instead of tomato, topped with chicken, green bell peppers, thai basil, and classic low-moisture mozzarella. I seriously dream of this pizza when I’ve been away from home for a while. It’s the very best.
A Belmont Shore institution. Get the Super Mex burrito, its huge and tasty. You wont be disappointed.
Growing up in Belmont Shore I never thought we would see the day when we would have an actually good bakery on 2nd St. Colossus is so cute and their pastries are so good. I am also obsessed with both their BLT and their MLT (mushroom, lettuce and tomato).
All of the Thai places I used to frequent in Long Beach have now closed. In discussing the problem with a friend she suggested we go to Spicy Sugar as that’s her go-to when in LB. It was so so good! We ordered so much food and it came so fast. The pad see ew was so good and I’m still thinking about the panang curry with pumpkin. But seriously, everything was delicious.
Southern California, Long Beach especially, is known for it’s doughnut shops. Simone’s is a perfect example of this style of doughnut shop. They aren’t flashy, the doughnuts aren’t topped with crazy combinations, they are just good, freshly made doughnuts. This is the kind of doughnut shop I grew up with and then kind I still like to go to today.
Southern California: Carlsbad/Encinitas/Cardiff/Solana Beach
An American diner with a surfer vibe, a healthier menu and a great view. I love getting the pancakes with eggs and bacon.
A classic SoCal doughnut shop. I’ve only been once but it was really solid. Definitely recommend it if you’re in the area.
A good post surf spot. It’s close to the beach, the breakfast burritos are good and cheap and the vibe is really relaxed.
A solid choice for California Burritos. This type of burrito is specific to, you guessed it, California, but more specifically the San Diego area. It’s a burrito with carne asada, pico de gallo and french fries). Get one post surf sesh and you won’t be disappointed.
Northern California: San Francisco and Berkeley
Desserts at Chez Panisse Chez Panisse: Dates and Oranges/Mandarins on a plate Zuni Cafe: Roast Chicken with Bread Salad Al’s Super Cafe: Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Hashbrowns Al’s Super Cafe: Eggs, Breakfast Sausage, Hash Browns, Wheat Toast Broc Cellars Molinari Delicatessen: Molinari Special Molinari Delicatessen Arsicault: Morning Bun
One of the best meals I’ve had was at Chez Panisse’s Café upstairs. You can read all about it here. I can’t wait to try the tasting menu restaurant downstairs one day.
My favorite pizza in the Bay Area is Zachary’s deep dish Chicago style pizza. It was my favorite when I lived in Oakland in 2014 and it is just as good today. The Zachary’s special with peppers and sausage is my favorite.
A San Francisco institution known for its roast chicken and shoestring fries. Overall it was a great time, but since we went the night after Chez Panisse it had a difficult time living up to expectations.
A stereotypical diner. An old dude behind the counter, locals reading the newspaper and talking about the 49ers, endless hot coffee, bacon, eggs and hashbrowns. Nothing special but if you want to know what a real American diner is like (not a fake or trendy one) go here.
A wine maker with their own wine bar in Berkeley. Tasty wines that lean more natural. Great for pre dinner drinks as they close early.
An iconic Italian deli in the North Beach area of San Francisco. The Molinari special is my go-to.
Delicious croissants, probably the best in San Francisco. My favorite was ham and cheese. Be prepared to wait though! I had to wait in line for over an hour for my pastries.
Northern California: North of the Bay
Fun affordable wine made by very nice people. They don’t grow their own grapes so there is no vineyard to visit, instead you go to their production facility. Interesting to see a different side of wine making and hear about the evolution of their brand. Ended up buying 6 bottles to take home!
A good spot for lunch if you’re in Sonoma. The restaurant has an All-American sports bar kind of feel to it. The food isn’t the best ever but it’s tasty, the staff is very friendly and the beer is great. Russia River is famous for their IPAs. If you love IPAs you will love them. I don’t love IPAs but found their lager to be great so there are options for everyone.
Northern California: South of the Bay
Very American! The portions are huge, the staff is super nice and the decor is great. Very American/Western but the real version. This isn’t fake for tourists. It is where locals eat. We got the tri tip steak dinner. It was served with a baked potato, garlic bread, broccoli, and a caesar salad.
Arizona: Phoenix and Sedona
This is always one of my favorite restaurants. It isn’t flashy or new or trendy. It is just really good. Always. Those who have worked in the industry know how hard that is to pull off. Friendly service, delicious food, warm atmosphere, night after night for decades. This is part of a chain that covers the entire country and every single one of their restaurants is like this. It’s really impressive. Bon Appetit wrote a great article about the company behind the chain. My favorite thing to order is the Asian Noodle Salad.
Good pizza a little south of Sedona. Perfect for a post hike lunch.