Westwood Burgers and Falafel...or should that be Westwood Falafel and Burgers

1945 1/2 Westwood Blvd.
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310)475-4070
Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM

This may be one of my stranger posts. Don't let this deter you. Westwood Burger has been one of those locations that can't seem to survive and therefore changes owners and menus every couple years. My wife used to work directly in front of them for Monster.com in 2001 and ate there at least a couple times each week, and we had gone back to see if we'd be able to include it as a part of last week's "Tribute to the LA Burger Stand". Now, if my memory serves me correctly, Westwood Burger has morphed 3 times since she worked there. The new owner has had his version open for about a year now and though it's called Westwood Burgers and Falafel, I would highly push to call it Westwood Falafel and Burger.

We ordered up a lamb pita, a couple of cones of falafel (we started with one, which lead to another), and of course a burger. The lamb pita was pretty rocking with good sized chunks of tender juicy lamb of surprisingly high quality in a very fresh pita. The lettuce and tomato were equally as fresh. The overall eating experience was, to say the least, more than pleasant.

As stated just words ago we got a couple of cones of falafel. We originally ordered just one cone, ate those, and realized "Wow...these are pretty good...pretty darn good" (not to mention the killer sauces they served with them) . With that, we bought a second cone and devoured those as well. They weren't overly hardened and bland the way many many falafel are in LA. These things kicked serious butt, and heck, with their barely crisped exterior and flavorful well textured interior, they could possibly just sell these and do quite well for themselves.

How can you come to a place that says burger in the title and not get a burger? The burger, while done well and tasted pretty solid, didn't have much to it. Yeah, it was fresh, but the meat flavors didn't jump out at you. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good burger, just not up to the standards we held for last week's burger stands. And that's ok, because where they really shine is in their Mediterranean dishes.

Parking is street parking but there's also a parking lot connected to it that they give validation for, so you're completely covered no matter how you want to do it. The owner, who by the way is a totally sweet guy, was really enthusiastic about everyone who came in, and really, why shouldn't he be? He seems to be doing what he loves, making people great food that reflects his culture. I love LA.

Free Refills: No
Entree Price Range:$2.75 (those amazing falafels), $4 (those tasty pitas), to $8 (plate combos)

Tribute to Burger Stand Week on What's To Eat LA: Irv's Burgers (a small ode)

8289 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323)650-2456
Mon-Fri 7:30AM-8PM
Sat 8AM-7PM
Sun Closed
CASH ONLY

To wrap up my week we have our, beloved of many, hamburger stand called Irv's Burgers. Many know the story, and for those of you that don't you can click on their page and read about the drama they've gone through in the past to now have come out (mostly) on top. To make a long story short though, Irv's was about to be turned into a coffee shop and people gathered in one voice to rescue this little underdog. Letters were written and emails were sent and Irv's got saved. Why would people really care all that much about a burger stand? Why would people actually be compelled to do something when it's just a little hut that makes burgers and fries?

This woman. Her name is Sonia Hong (owner of Irv's) and people like her don't exist. She may be one of the only people in LA that I know that expresses genuine non-stop cheerfulness. Does she have glum days? Possibly. But, I would never know it cause whenever I see her she reminds me that the potential for people to be incredibly full of love is possible. She is a bit of happiness personified. When you show up you'll notice that she talks to everyone as if she knows them and has known them for years (often she does), calling them by name, and the one's that she doesn't know by name she still treats like family...with enthusiastic sweetness and meekness. She is one of the few people that understands that a huge part about what makes people come back is "you". No other business can get another Sonia cause there's only one of her, and she is Irv's.

As for the burgers she puts together, she is a master. The kind of person who can walk away and talk and come back right on time to flip it. She just knows...cause she's been doing it that long. Notice the plate. They all come like that. When you taste it you realize it really was just for me. Also, an odd fact is that she uses the picture to identify the person who ordered it (yes that's what I look like in case you're wondering...at least on that day) . A customized burger that always knocks you down. The patty was put together fresh, as well as fresh ingredients for everything else, but really that's the most I can say about it. The mystery of Irv's is shocking, cause there's no real understanding of "why" it tastes so good by the looks of it. She has some kind of magic going on that makes her simple burgers taste so good...almost too good for how simple they are. Maybe they're done better by some magical means, like maybe the laws of physics cease to exist in her kitchen. Bottom line is that people come back for this amazing burger and to be around her. It is a testament to her and to the burgers that are so beloved that she had enough people rally to her aid when she needed it most.

There's an actual eating area that's covered (which rocks now that we're about to start getting some rain) and parking is street parking which can sometimes be menacing in West Hollywood but it's well worth it. Or if you don't feel like going out, you'll be shocked to know that they deliver. They are THE ONLY burger stand I know that delivers. Bless them for this.

To many people reading this, this is old news but to those who don't know or have never heard of Irv's please go on down and be amazed. You'll not only feel at home, but you'll be at home having a burger that is a thing of terrifying deliciousness. Sonia, if you're reading this, may you live to be 100 and have Irv's to show for it the entire time.

Free Refills: No
Entree Price Range: Burgers run from $2.91 to $4.58 but just get the #1 combo for $5.08

Sky's Tacos

5408 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 932-6253
Mon-Sat 7AM-9PM
Sun 8AM-5PM

Sky's Tacos is not your normal taco place. At all. We ate there last night and we stuffed ourselves (for your benefit of course). Located in an area on Pico Blvd. that is trying to make a great comeback from being downtrodden. They have many new restaurants, theatres, and great boutiques that are just stepping up the area. Literally a facelift for an area that was starting to look like it was on it's last leg. Surprisingly Sky's Tacos has been in the same location for 15 years or so and is part of this "surgical" procedure of bringing in good business.

Why are Sky's Tacos not your normal tacos? Because they're doing there own take on mexican tacos by adding some soul to them. That's right...soul tacos. Don't get me wrong, they're not trying to make Mexican style tacos and failing. They're making tacos their way. I say this in full confidence by the fact that they have "Authentic Taco's" on their menu and they 're just that...super traditional. Tiny corn tortilla with some meat, cilantro, a little onion and some sauce and no lettuce. Very tasty and hey, for $1.50 you score a small victory for your stomach and pocket. But on to what makes them different. Their famous tacos are hefty! Two average tortillas house the monster which can be filled with beef, chicken, turkey, veggie, carnitas, shrimp, steak, or lobster! (By the way, the shrimp tacos are what everyone raves about.) Top it with lettuce and there Sky Sassy sauce that's both sweet and spicy. It' a very unique flavor and just its own. It's like cajun but not at all cajun. It's flavorful and has just enough spiciness to give appropriate heat for ya. They also make fish tacos and you have your choices with that of mahi, salmon and tilapia. Salmon tacos...yummmmmmy. Now they also have burritos but we didn't get to have any due the fact of wanting to really sample as many tacos as possible on there menu. They were hefty as well (from what we saw on other people's plates) but even more so obviously than the tacos. On a side note, they're having a special right now on crawfish tacos that are monstrous...packed to the brim with crawfish and sauce and just man...so good!

This cute place is owned by Barbara Sorrel (husband of jazz bassist Charles Sorrel) and her recipes are perfect for being off the beaten path. The price is not rockbottom for the items but you get a good amount of food and something different which is always welcome. To finish off, have some of their fresh, made her home kitchen, cheesecake...some of the best you'll taste in a while. I personally would go here just cause the food is good and I like to support a scene that is making a comeback. Without you and me eating there the area may start slipping away again. So this Sunday, after church go on in and get some tacos that are not your normal everyday tacos.

Free Drink Refills: No
Average Entree Range: $1.50 to $6 (they have full plates that run a little more but you decide for yourself)

Kung Pao Bistro

7853 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Sun-Thurs 11AM-10:30PM
Fri-Sat 11AM-11:30PM

I am attacking this little post with great ferocity. Kung Pao Bistro, though a small chain (a third one is supposed to be opening soon) is worth a post for a couple reasons.

1) Obviously the food is worth a mention. It's pretty healthy...meaning healthier then most Asian spots. We started our meal with their spicy wontons that were more like huge dumplings mixed in a spicy chili sauce with spinach...very tasty. We then noticed that we could get half orders of quite a few of their dishes. For you our readers (and for our pockets) we ordered 3 half dishes to get the most of our dining experience. Orange Chicken, Moo Shu vegetable, and Kung Pao Shrimp came out quickly and with a smile. The half sizes were very good size. In fact they were so big that we kept on thinking they didn't hear us when we ordered the half size and brought out the full size by mistake...not so. One thing, if you get the Moo Shu, tell them not to stuff the crepes totally and to leave some on the side...yes there was that much. I would recommend going there and eating family style where you all share, cause the half sizes were plenty. Everything tasted fresh and you felt good afterwards (unlike many Asian meals where you feel like you ate a lot of oil).

2) The price was super cheap when you eat the half orders. Once again I would highly recommend this.

3) Parking is great there due to the fact that it shares the same parking with Whole Foods.

4) This location is great...it's in the middle of a lot of shopping areas (walking Santa Monica boulevard) and is just outside enough that you don't feel cramped in getting to where ever you're trying to get to.

The place is healthy and has a good vibe and when we went we saw a bunch of actors just eating and talking shop and the staff really didn't seem to mind them just kind of camping and taking there time. I may bring a tent next time I want some local Asian food.

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Entree Price Range:half plate average about $6 to $8 while regular plates and specialties $9 to $13

Duke's Coffee Shop

8909 Sunset Blvd.

West Los Angeles, CA 90069

(310) 652-3100

Mon-Fri 7:30AM-8PM

Sat & Sun 8AM-3:30PM

I go to Duke's to bring lots of people to an LA grease spoon. You walk in and there are long table rows like when you were at camp and the staff are just friends. I would say catch breakfast there as it's some of the best in town. It's great also becuase say you want to bring 20 people into their you can all sit together and it's no big issue. I can totally recommend the Idiot's Delight (an omellette with sauteed mushrooms, green peppers, onions, diced ham, fresh spinach, seasoned with curry, blended with 3 scrambled eggs, served with sliced tomatoes and sourdough bread) (named after the original owner's son beleieve it or not)which is something special indeed or how about the Revenge plate (3 scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes, serranos, green pepper, seasoned with chili pepper, topped with avocado and sour cream) which is a favorite for many. They have something that I've had that's just weird enough to make you think did they actually do that and if they did who thought up that plate. Check it: a peach chutney and walnut omellete. Sounds weird and it is weird but something about makes you curious enough to try it. I did. It's pretty stinking good. I would recommend a bagel with cream cheese on the side just cause the sweetness of it can get to you after awhile so it's nice to bite into something that can balance it out. The food here is good in general and though not the healthiest it is worth it to pop on by. It is located next to not one but 2 venues...one being the Cat Club and right next door to the Cat Club is the world famous Whisky A-Go-Go. I don't include it as venue food though cause Duke's isn't open that late.

Duke's was also a favorite drop in point when actors and rock stars didn't mind being seen by normal people. There walls are covered with so many famous people who dropped and thanked them that it's not even funny. I mean Quentin Tarantino likes this place...come on now.

I wish I had taken more pictures of this place especially from the inside. To be honest I'm writing this edition and I feel like I can't say enough about this place. In all honesty I don't care if you like this place as much as me but I absolutely love this place and would heartbroken if it ever dissappeared. There's a little bit of me in this place. On a Sunday at around noon or so you wouldn't be surprised to see me in there with about 10 other people. It's a restaurant that's a sort of an old soul.

Bottomline is that Duke's is a great place that's been around for a very long time in Hollywood and has good food at decent prices with a great staff that seems to have been there forever (there's one female waitress (only that I know of there) that in my opinion is one of the best waitresses in LA). If you see her tell her I talked about this place and her.

Free Drink Refills: Yes

Entree Price Range: $6 to $9

PS. Sorry about the delay in writing...sometimes I get caught up in life and I forget that the same hand I eat with needs to stop for a moment to write about eating as well.

Merkato...I agree with everyone else in LA

1036 1/2 Fairfax Ave.

Los Angeles, California 90019

(323) 935-1775

Everyday 11AM-11PM

Here's some cheap, amazing Ethiopian food in Little Ethiopia. If you haven't eaten Ethiopian you're in for a real treat. No utensils. You eat with your hands by tearing off a piece of buckwheat spongey bread called injera. The meal also comes out family style on a huge piece of injera. Lots of savory meats flavored in ways you forgot your mouth could taste.

Merkato is located in Little Ethiopia just south of Olympic on Fairfax. I'd have to recommend you trying the Tibbs (cubes of beef with onion, tomatoes and green chillies), the lentils which are seasoned to be a little spicy and tenderly flavorful, the Yedoro Wot (chicken stewed in red pepper sauce with an assortment of spices served with hard boiled egg), and the Yebeg Alicha Wot (mild lamb stew, delicately spiced with garlic, ginger and other assorted spices). These dishes are absolutely to die for and are healthy servings as well! Before I forget, they also have some great vegetarian dishes (of note are the cabbage dish and the collard greens dish both flavored on the mild side) that also satisfy the vegan in you who loves cows but not the way McDonald's does.

A story, if you will, about the first time we went to have Ethiopian goes like this... One day coming home from work we just up and decided to go have Ethiopian. We had passed by the area plenty of times on our way home and thought now's as good a time as any. We picked out Merkato just cause it looked friendly and was open. We went in, got our table and started looking over the menus that were... if you'll excuse the pun, very foreign to us. We ordered a couple of items, some veggie and some carnivore, to get the full experience. After a couple of minutes we see another table's dinner coming out... and the plate was basically what appeared to be large cubes of uncooked beef! We got a little worried cause we realized that we didn't check to see that our food was cooked... we just assumed it would be. It was nice that some of the people at the table saw us getting worried and laughed it up a bit as they chomped down on the cow flesh. Come to find out later that they were eating a dish called Tere-sega. If I'm ever bold enough to buy it I'll let you know my thoughts on it.

In the end I remind you that this place is cheap... really cheap. You can have a bunch of your friends out for family dining and all eat off the same plate with your hands just like when you were a kid and spent the night at your friends place.

Free Drink Refills: No (but once again I'll say try the Ethiopian beer with it...they pair very well together and I do beleieve they have their food in mind when they are creating it).

Entree Price Range: $7 to $10

P.S. They are attached to their own market so if you want to attempt such delicasies yourself you can buy the ingredients right there!

Anarkali

7013 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 934-6488
Everyday 11AM-11PM

Last night I returned to a favorite spot of mine called Anarkali for some Indian food. This traditonal restaurant has FANTASTIC Chicken Tikka Masala (thanks Jax for sharing) and mouth watering lamb biryani. Anarkali is not on the cheap side but more on the average price for a plate in LA.

This place has the hominess I've come to associate with Indian dining. Slightly dim place with hanging fabric that separates the booths, good waiters who smile when you don't pronounce the plate correctly, a flicker from the chandelier, and just loads of flavor in the air. When I show up here I just feel like "Yeah...this is right".

Like I said, the place is not 100% cheap like I normally post but here are two plusses. One, is that if you get the entertainment book (with all the restaurant coupons in it) Anarkali is in there and has a great discount that is reusable! Two, is that on there website (which you can link to up above) they have a coupon that you can print out to get $10 off your meal total which is yet another great hookup.

I also love this area cause it's right at the end of the shopping area of Melrose. So go shopping on Saturday and when you've spent yourself shopping, go spend some more on some darn good Indian food. Another great thing is they have really great deals on lunch specials.

Free Drink Refills: No (but I would recommend the Yeti or the King beer) Entree Price Range: $10 to $13 (but I would recommend the dinner plates to get more bang for your buck)

El Cochinito

3508 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323)668-0737

Sun-Wed 11AM-8:30PM

Thur-Sat 11AM-9PM

Being that I'm half Puerto Rican and half black (I'm full of surprises I know) I take pride in the foods of my cultures. This past weekend, while hanging with my very good friend Ashley, we wanted to hit some affordable food. We passed by this place called El Cochinito that her roommate recommended. Now her roommate is Finnish with a hyper valley style of talking. Was I skeptical? Only a little.

We popped ourselves down at this cozy little place that didn't say much except for that they were concerned with making food, and that only. This is Cuban food like my gramma used to make. I had some Ropa Vieja that came with rice & beans and a side of platanos (not to mention a bottle of malta to wash it down). So perfect. Ashley had the chicken fricasie and it was the picture of perfection. Service was fast and friendly. Parking is a little tight as there are two restaurants in the tiny strip mall that houses El Cochinito but there's also street parking for days.

Order a plate and close your eyes...you can almost feel the Carribean hurricane coming.

Free Drink Refills: No

Entree Price Range: $8 to $12

Venue Food: Leela Thai

1737 Silverlake Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 660-6100

Mon-Thurs 11:30AM-10PM

Fri-Sun 11:30-11PM

(Press play on the youtube above so you can get in the mood for this post.)

A new section for you lovers of music in LA...where to eat that's close to music venues. Last night I went to go see the gentleman up there on the youtube (that you're hopefully listening to) who's name is Ferraby Lionheart. He was playing in Silverlake at Spaceland for there second slot of the night. Great show and it was nice to hear some new songs from his next album due out later this year. With that being said, a great place to try when you want to eat before popping into Spaceland is literally steps from the place. And I mean steps. It couldn't have been more than 100 steps from the entrance of Spaceland to the restaurant entrace. Leela's Thai is beloved by many a "Silverlakian". Great "healthier" Thai at great prices. I say healthier cause they have vegetarian conscious plates for those who would rather murder plants then animals...I'm more of a strict carnivore though I'm learning to stab carrots and corn as of late. Just kidding but not really.

We had the Pad Thai (which was super yummy), the "Secret Spice" which had a sort of coconut based chili sauce, some soup and the appetizer sampler (the shrimp and spring rolls stood out above the rest of the appetizer items). If you enjoy Thai Iced Tea, there's is pretty tasty (of course there will always be those that argue that they taste like wind instrument reeds). The entire meal was perfect for a pre-show dinner. A small word of warning and it really is small...it's a cash only place. Also I'd like to share with you the unique fact that they have a one dollar per person corkage fee in case you'd like to bring your own wine...which we love doing! We'll be back...with a bottle of wine...or maybe even two.

Free Drink Refills: Only on Iced Tea and Lemonade (can you say Arnold Palmer?)

Entree Price Range: $6 to $8

Sultani Restaurant

1535 N. La Brea Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

(323)876-3389

Mon-Sat 11-11PM

Sun 12-10PM

I was going to a study last night when I decided that we should go to a new place all together. We happened upon this little hidden treasure that is tucked away in a little strip mall just North of Sunset on La Brea. Sultani Restaurant has been in the same location since the mid 70's and must be doing something right for being there that long! The place is a humble little spot tucked away so that you could blink and miss it but if you do miss it you'll be missing a great deal on some down home Persian food (for those shying away from Middle Eastern cuisine, please don't...you'll thank me later). The menu had tasty perfect size plates that satisfied that spot in your mouth for something a little off the beaten path. We had the Mini Koobideh plate and the Chicken Shawerma plate and both were just delightful. The Koobideh meat was absolutely to die for. Let's not forget the prices which were aimed at people who don't spend more than $35 for a pair of jeans.

The guy running the place who gave me some background on the restaurant seemed happy to see new people in there who weren't ummm...Middle Eastern. Great service and by the way they deliver (mini. $10.00 order for free deliver)! While dining, we heard more to go orders than in store orders which just goes to show you that you can't judge an empty restaurant by it's in-house customer volume.

This is the kind of place that you can walk to after taking a stroll down Hollywood Blvd. and don't desire all the chain restaurants that litter the area.

Free Drink Refills: No

Entree Price Range: $7 to $8

Buddha's Belly

7475 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90036

ph: 323-931-8588

M-Th 12-10pm

Fri-Sat 12-11pm

Sun 3pm-10pm

This is precisely what I'm talking about! Last night I drove around for about an hour and a half in LA looking for a place to eat! I have driven by this place countless times in search of food and thought..."hmmm, looks a little pricey for me right now. For this part of town and having valet...yeah has to be expensive. Maybe I'll catch it some other time." I WAS WRONG!

Let me start by saying the prices are shockingly affordable! The food, which is glorious Pan-Asian, was dynamite! The service was exceptional! This place is deceptively excellent. We had these Albacore andAvocado Spring Rolls that were crafted by masters!

(Had to take a pic with the camera phone)

The Har Gow (steamed dumplings with chinese hot mustard soy dipping sauce) was large and well balanced. Celeste had the Wok tossed vegetables and I had the Ahi Tuna Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. Everything was just great. We'll DEFINITELY be returning there for more of there amazing food.

The staff was friendly and the cooks looked like they love what they were doing:

By the way, we parked on the street and didn't do valet though valet is cheap enough if you want to use it (as can be seen by the top picture).

Free Drink Refills: Yes

Entree Prince Range: $8 to $16 (only one dish was $16 most were way less)

Alfredo's Grill

8310 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, California 90048-4311
ph: 323.782.4922
7:00am-9:00pm 7 days a week


When searching for a place on Sunday for brunch or breakfast you will often come across two things; too many people and typical breakfast food.

Alfredo's is a safe haven against this. Typically I run there with my wife Celeste on Sundays. Why is this place so special? Quite simply, the food is different...in the best kind of way. The breakfast enchiladas are to die for and the meals come with delicious bread served with fresh strawberry slices in a sauce. I can't tell you enough how good it tastes. You just have to try it for yourself. The food is generally on the healthy side, but that does not mean that it's lacking in the flavor department... in fact it's quite the opposite. I love their Arnold Palmers...they use a different type of iced tea that makes a world of difference. They've got fast attentive service, which makes sense since the place is not on the big side. Street parking is usually available and there is, like I said before, almost never ever a wait which is unusal for this part of town on the weekend. If you like to shop and look at stuff that can be laughably expensive this is also the area to do it!

I'll now introduce something that matters to me at restaurants... the matter of refills. Free refills used to be pretty standard...now many places have adopted using either canned soda or charging per soda (bars excluded cause I understand that's how they operate). Why be so cheap...I don't even want to hear it! Ok, but enough about that. So look at the end of my posts for this important factor. This is also where you can find the price ranges. Sooooo...

Free Drink Refills: Yes (and fast)
Price Range: $8 to $13

I'm here to ease the pain

In a vast sea of affordable delicasies I am here to act as your guide to keep you from fighting with others on the decision of what to eat in the battlefield we call L.A. I'll be covering a plethora of eateries designed to not break your bank, plus a FEW that will (but are worth it on those special occasions or evenings that you wish to appear richer than you are).

What is my expertise you may ask? I eat out...a lot, not to mention I recommend places to eat...a lot. No cuisine is too daring for me but let's be honest I won't be recommending a lovely cow tongue sandwich cause I'm sure I can't sway you towards something that exotic. I am a young, married musician with a dayjob (this will tell you the kind of money I make and also the price ranges I'll be covering). Please don't disclude anything about me due to anything I've told you about myself as I eat inexpensive but on a regular basis I also eat on the pricier.

I'll be updating this page regularly as I'm sure you'll be hanging on the edge of your seat to see where I'm saying is a place that you should salivate over. Just remember everything will be fine.

I think of what people settle on and this bit of painfulness comes to mind.