Cheebo's...In honor of our current sky

7533 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323)850-7070
Mon-Thu 8AM-11PM
Fri-Sat 8AM-12PM

The sky still has it's fresh layer of orange thanks to the fires that have crisped the south land. All that orange has reminded me of our very own Cheebo restaurant here in Hollywood. If you've ever been patrolling down Sunset you'll know that is quickly one of the most memorable places on the strip thanks to it's orange artsy exterior.

Inside your eyes are treated to pop art laden walls while your butts are treated to "getting-to- know-all-about-your-nearest-neighbor" seating. And though the seating is sometimes tight it's always been a friendly environment...maybe Cheebo's attracts all the right people.

While perusing their menu you'll notice it's quite eclectic and for the most part healthy. They strive to use organic, all natural, nitrate and hormone free products, but this doesn't mean flavorless. In fact, most of their plates exude a natural in your face experience. Take their Cheeborrito for instance. While possibly one of the simplest items on their menu, they have paid attention to make sure the the bacon is chopped and spread evenly throughout. They give you 3 extra items of your choice to accompany the eggs, hash browns, bacon and salsa already inside the tortilla.

I'm not going to mention everything on their menu though most of it I could easily write about. I will however make mention of two often bought items. One being the Porkwich. Their description of it is "slow roasted organic pork, pickles, roasted onion, manchego cheese, tarragon may on ciabatta". My description, "pork holiness nestled between artisanal bread". This is one of the "slamminest" (non BBQ) pork sandwiches on the West side. By the way, I love the chips that come with this plate (as well as many of their other plates), they're freshly made and never too salty.

The other favorite is their pizza. The crust is soft on the inside and a little less soft on the outside, the cheese is smooth with lots of "string" character, the toppings are very fresh, and it's consistently like this. It comes out on a wood plank and is good enough for one (with an appetite) or two people (if you're eating light) . Their pizza is by far above average but obviously more artisanal and therefore wasn't on my pizza week postings. That's not to say it isn't absolutely fabulous and worth ever cent you pay for it, it's just not your traditional pie (to some it's even better than tradition) . Pictured above is their Alfredo Slab, a white pizza with ricotta, ham, spinach and mushrooms. It's one of Celeste's favorites and I think has been ordered by someone in our party almost every time we've been. Now if you're going for take out, you may want to to order their famous "slab" which is a 3 foot slab of pizza that can be sectioned off for toppings.

This is just a sampling of the many glorious items they have to offer and though I only mentioned day time meals they will blow your socks off as well when it comes to dinner. I really do wish I could name off all the plates that are special, but I think you'll just have to go and discover for yourself. Oh man, before I forget, they have a killer Arnold Palmer...it's seriously my favorite. It's fresh lemonade and not your typical tea to boot!

Parking can be weird depending on when you're there. It's a safe bet to park on the street around the place but just pay attention to the signs...it is West Hollywood after all. The staff are pretty on it and though the place has some serious hustle and bustle to accompany the noise level, it's generally a pleasant experience always. When you do decide to go, try and grab a spot on their patio on a sunny day, it always reminds me about how nice it is to enjoy Hollywood.

PS. celebs go here...often... & FREE WIFI.

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Entree Price Range: Breakfast/lunch $7 to $20 and dinner is $10 to $24 with one special plate (28 day dry aged Prime all natural NY strip) setting you back $35

BIG PS. I have a winner for the ticket give away, thanks to all of you who gave it a shot. Keep checking the site for more opportunities (sometimes they're not the subject of the post) and BIG HINT, I'll have another REALLY REALLY soon.

The Great Western Steak and Hoagie Co....my way right away and Mike Tyson's too

1720 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 450-4545
Open everyday 10AM-midnightish

The cheesesteak. It is a deadly food sin that I personally love to commit. Sadly there aren't too many Philly style cheese steak places over here (at least any worth noting) . I look at this as one of the prime big-eater meals, not for weight or mass, but from the sheer way it weighs you down when you eat one. These sandwiches are designed for people with big arteries...so that there's more to fill. Great Western Steak and Hoagie Co. possibly has the cheesesteak in town to beat (don't worry...I'll keep looking) . Last time we went, the guy at the counter told me Mike Tyson had popped in that Monday for a big order. I think of Mike Tyson as man who eats a lot...sometimes he chews off more than he should, but that's another story.

This is a crown jewel of cheese steaks in LA. Oooey and gooey to the core and at the same time brimming with succulent meatstrips. The bread is a flaky roll that compliments this sandwich by soaking up the juices but not becoming soggy. A transcendent sandwich (if you've had this you know I'm not lying) , the stuff addictions are born from (and conveniently open late enough to be a just-before-midnight snack) . This specific specimen had grilled mushrooms and onions, american white, I added mayo and had them leave out the pizza sauce. There's many fixings you can request on it to completely customize your bad boy. Is it juicy? You bet. Is it big? Oh yeah. In fact, dare I say, it's so good you could make this a text book example.

Here's Celeste's cheeseburger...it's not pretty but tastes pretty good. The patty had a very steaky quality to it (maybe cause of all the steaks that have gone over that grill...but who knows) , the thin layer of cheese didn't puddle anywhere (thank you!) , the lettuce was crispy, the tomato was perky and the mayo/onions/pickles infused through the whole thing in a very juicy fashion. My only gripe, they used the same breadtype as they used on the cheesesteaks for the hamburger...and let's just face it, it would have been better on a traditional bun. So, it doesn't go down in the hall of fame of LA's complete package burgers, but if you're there and you find the size of the cheesesteaks intimidating it's an excellent option.

Great Western has been around for somewhere between 40 to 50 years (they quoted me this) . Though the place looks pretty beat up (couple of busted tables on the south side to eat at) you can tell that they put their money into the ingredients they get. They have a parking lot and like I said before, the hours are perfect for those night time cravings. I only suggest one thing, if you find yourself waiting in line with Mike Tyson...let him cut in front of you.

Free drink refills: No
Entree Price Ranges: Cheese Steaks are $6 ish and burgers are $2.50 to $3 ish.

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

Tribute to Burger Stands Week On What's To Eat LA: Molly's Charbroiled Burger

1605 Vine St. (At Selma and Vine)
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323)462-8005
Mon-Fri 7AM-10PM
Sat 9AM-10PM
Sun Closed
CASH ONLY

Well it took me long enough to start this post. The joys of time management have turned into the curses of not enough time to do all that needs to be done. Now, let me preface this by saying that there are tons of "burger places", but few are stands. And, by "stands" I mean little hut like places that scream I ain't going nowhere anytime soon (unless I forget to pay the health inspectors off). These are places that have a food essence history on their grills that pay off with each burger or hot dog that's placed on it. We start off the week with Molly's Charbroiled Grill on Vine that's been there since 1929.

What can set apart one burger stand from another really? Good freaking meat, done well, that packs in loads of flavor. Molly's has probably changed hands more times than I don't know what, but from what older friends of mine have told me, the meat that they use has always remained the same. Thick and juicy and slightly tangy special sauce that really brings the onion on it to life. Not horribly drippy but trust me, that patty is a sponge of beefy goodness. Whatever you do...get it with onions. The onions on their burgers bring the entire thing to life.

Another item of note is their polish sausage (usually made of pork for you who might not know) . Now here's where I may throw some controversy out there. If Carney's were not around, this would be THE polish dog to beat. The dog itself is a testament to how a grill can add so much flavor to what's being cooked on it. The smokiness that gets inside of this dog is a bit of "wow". We're not talking burnt flavor were talking intense smokiness that invades the very crevices of it. It's about a 4 to 5 on the spiciness scale and is super meaty without any elasticity. A wonderful "street" dog that is good just about anytime of day especially when you wash it down with your favorite beer (or rootbeer ;) .

The stand itself is cozy with seating inside and outside the hut area. Though street parking can be hectic in Hollywood especially this close to the Pantages theatre and Hollywood Blvd. in general at least they're pretty fast and cheap to boot. If you've passed by this place and have wondered...wonder no more and go chow down on some goodness.

Refills: No, but discounted
Entree Price Range: Burgers are $2.75 to $4.60 and that killer Polish dog is $3.95

Lulu's Cafe...as bright as a country sunrise

7149 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles , CA 90036
(323)938-6095
Daily 8AM-5:30PM

I love how this week's entries has Pistachio Grill bookended by Lala's and Lulu's. Where to begin? Well, it seems silly of me to say that I can't remember a time out here when Lulu's wasn't here. Even before I was going there I always saw it's busy outside patio filled with the hustle and bustle of people filling their stomachs with some great looking breakfast plates. It seemed to be a hub for the party battle weary. People showing up in sandals and shorts with sunglasses on to hide the hungover look in their eyes. People who do have actual lives, but need a place to recoup. This was my visual introduction to Lulu's.

Over time, I found that I too returned to Lulu's more often than not for a solid way to start the day. They have the magic on the inside to transport you to a very country atmosphere. From the table cans showing off fruit and veggie advertising from yesteryear to the always sunny feel of the room, you get that inner sigh. Though the crowds of people might distract you, you still feel all warm even on a rare LA rainy day.

This last time through we ordered up some classic fare for us, their House Benedict and their special made Granola. Their House Benedict I truly feel is designed to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. It's two medium poached eggs with hollandaise sauce, avocado, tomato and ham served over a toasted English muffin with a side of crisp home fries. They get the eggs on the medium side every time and the ham really makes it so that each bite doesn't wear you out flavor wise. Sometimes a bad Benedict can just wear on your taste buds and while you're still hungry you won't want to finish it. Not so in this case, it's good to the last yolk doused potato.

Celeste, obviously, was the one who ordered granola. The fruit was all at peak ripeness, and I think she actually ate all the strawberries before starting in on the granola. The granola itself was hearty and chunky, none of it was too hard or too dry, they didn't over-do it on the cinnamon and it had a nice maple touch to it. To granola connoisseurs this is an important factor. Overall it's one of her favorite bowls in the city.

Though I don't have pictures for them I can also highly recommend their French Toast, most of their egg dishes are dynamite and for lunch their burgers are right up there as well as BBQ chicken sandwich and BLT. Just about anything that has fruit is great! Whoever they get their fruit from has an amazing quality of crop.

Lulu's Cafe has street parking and some limited parking in the back, but the service is on the faster side so the turnaround is at a decent pace. It's located near the shopping stretch of La Brea which makes it refreshing after tiring your feet out. While they aren't open for dinner, they do have breakfast and lunch to satiate those early birds who so desire to fight off the nightlife style that is LA.

PS. For those too lazy to get up they do deliver with a $15 minimum.

Drink Refills: Yup
Entree Price Range:$6 to $10

Empanada's Place

3811 Sawtelle Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90066
(310) 391-0888
Tues. - Sun. 11AM-8PM
Mondays Closed

For those of you who don't know what empanadas are...it's basically a stuffed pastry plain and simple but it's oh so much more than that. How can it be more than just that? It's what you put in the thing that can blow your mind. Many different countries from around the world have their versions of empanadas but most of them generally look like this.

This little shack that is just steps away from Venice Blvd. on Sepulveda is a welcome addition to my list of places you should hit for sure at least once so that you can become addicted to these tasty little delicasies. You walk in and it reminds you of an old coffee shop that sells pastries on the side. Quaint and with tiny tables. I wouldn't say bring a huge group of people but 3 or 4 could grab a great plate of food. They have a plentiful list of fillings for their empanadas such as chicken, beef, both spicy beef and spicy chicken, potato and cheese, corn, spinach, ricotta, tucumana (chopped beef w/ hard boiled eggs...so stinking good!), and the classic criolla style which is beef, raisins, green onions, eggs and assorted spices just to name a few from there menu. Now for the blow you away part...only $2.75 a piece and they are of substantial size (about the size of my hand in length and pretty well filled). The place is real deal with actual Argentinian owners and actual Argentinean customers (sometime...I'm not Argentinean and most of you aren't either, but I swear they came in and talked for days about everything and then left with a dozen empanadas). And speaking of a dozen, you can get a dozen for $27.50 and let's not forget that they reheat wonderfully if you have leftovers, but I doubt you will.

The 2 small things you need to remember about coming here is that's it a cash only place and that parking is only the surrounding streets. Don't let that stop you...this place rocks and is worth it even just to swing by and grab some takeout from them. I want to say more about this place but my mouth is watering so I'll stop.

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Entree Price Range: $2.75...man it feels good writing that!