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Eater
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: July 7
The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week. Chicken Caesar wrap from Mini Kabob in Glendale Chicken Caesar wrap from Mini Kabob Matthew Kang In mid-June, Mini Kabob chef and co-owner Armen Martirosyan unleashed a limited-edition chicken Caesar salad wrap with grilled Armenian chicken thighs, falafel croutons, Aleppo toum, and housemade dressing wrapped in a Mejorado flour tortilla. Martirosyan served the special at last weekend's Infatuation food festival but also slings it a few days a week at his tiny Glendale restaurant. The wrap is Martirosyan's venture into more inventive fusions of Armenian kebabs and classic American foods (his lavash-wrapped cheeseburger wrap is one of the most popular dishes at his Neighborly outpost in Westlake Village). Don't expect this wrap to scratch the itch of a light healthful lunch. Instead, the well-dressed greens come studded with smoky pieces of marinated chicken and the hard crunch of fried falafel. A bright red runny toum adds spice and more richness, like hot sauce on a burrito. Perhaps this wrap will become a permanent fixture of Mini Kabob in Westlake Village or Glendale, but Martirosyan is doing a good job of making this hard-to-get special its own legend. Check Instagram for its next drop. 313 1/2 Vine Street, Glendale, CA 91204— Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Tuna tostada from Queen's Raw Bar and Grill in Eagle Rock Tuna tostada at Queen's Raw Bar and Grill. Nicole Adlman I haven't been to Queen's Raw Bar and Grill in a long enough stretch of time that, the last time I went, it was still called Queen Street (stylized as Queen St.). I'll miss the shorter name, maybe, but won't have to mourn any of its favorite dishes, including raw bar staples such as the pintxo-like anchovy on a stick, classic shrimp cocktail, or oysters on the half shell; the smart bluefin tuna frites doused in chile-spiked garlic sauce; and the yellow-corn-pocked hushpuppies. I decided to visit the restaurant over Fourth of July weekend to try some of its limited-time 'lowcountry boil' trays, but the standout for me was one of the menu regulars: a tomato-studded tuna tostada. Bluefin tuna gets chopped and mixed with a peak-summer tomato salsa, grated ginger, and lime for a refreshing, lip-puckering bite that's impossible to put down. When it's this nice outside, pair it with something chilled and bubbly to drink and eat it in dappled sunlight on the front patio. 4701 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042. — Nicole Adlman, Eater cities manager Ancho potato breakfast burrito from Alfalfa in Larchmont Ancho potato breakfast burrito from Ancho. Rebecca Roland Maybe it's my California upbringing, but to me, a breakfast burrito is one of the best morning meals of all time. I have my usual suspects for the tortilla-wrapped morning staple, but I recently tried the salad and burrito cafe Alfalfa, which has locations in Santa Monica and Larchmont, on a recommendation from an Eater colleague. For the vegetarian ancho potato burrito, a pliant tortilla gets wrapped around a small mountain of fluffy eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, and ancho-tinged Yukon gold potatoes. I often get some type of meat in my breakfast burritos, but I didn't miss it at all in this one. The burrito was the right size to feel satiated, though not so big to immediately require a nap after. I will be back at Alfalfa soon to try more of the menu, including its coveted salad wraps. 5570 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest The S'mores cocoa taco at Agnes in Pasadena S'mores cocoa taco at Agnes Mona Holmes I admit to feeling sad in 2022 when Klondike announced that it would discontinue production of its classic frozen treat: the Choco Taco. Though I hadn't tasted one in decades, the taco disguised as an ice cream treat was one of my childhood favorites. It's always a treat when a restaurant repackages nostalgic flavors with a thoughtful lens, like the s'mores cocoa taco beautifully executed by the team at Agnes in Pasadena. They form a waffle shell made with graham crackers and fold it into the shape of a taco. The next step is layering in dark chocolate mousse, toasted marshmallow, and hazelnut for a magical dessert. I don't say this lightly, as someone who doesn't actively seek out desserts, but I would head into Agnes just for this. If you're there to eat more, ask the bartender to recommend something refreshing to drink, like the Tang Town with mezcal, Aperol, passion fruit, orange juice, and bitters, before sharing platters in one of Pasadena's most charming spaces. 40 W. Green Street, Pasadena, CA, 91105. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: Jun 2
The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week. Ice cream from Saffron & Rose in Westwood All of Los Angeles seemed to have the same idea of going to Persian ice cream shop Saffron & Rose this weekend. On Saturday night, the shop was abuzz, with a line that nearly reached the front door. The fluorescent lights of the shop bathed groups outside in a white glow as cars whizzed by down Westwood Boulevard, music blasting out of cracked-open windows. My usual order is the cucumber ice cream, but unfortunately, they were out by the time we arrived. Instead, I opted for the date ice cream and the classic saffron and pistachio. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the date, but the scoop far exceeded my hopes. Chewy chunks of sweet dates were folded into the stretchy ice cream base, which isn't too sweet. The saffron added a pleasant floral contrast, studded with crushed pistachios. It's a scoop I'll likely be revisiting many times this summer. 1387 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Carne asada torta from Wendy's Tortas in Lincoln Heights During cooler months, I head to Wendy's Tortas in Lincoln Heights for its excellent pozole, but as the weather warms up, my order slowly transitions into tortas. The daytime corner restaurant sits just off the freeway, making it a convenient stop, and has a small parking lot in the back. The torta here is no frills, with just a meat of choice (I usually go for carne asada), a spread of beans, mayonnaise, onions, tomato, cheese, and jalapeños. The sandwich is grilled on the plancha before serving, crisping the exterior of the bread. Meat is generously piled on and the mayonnaise is just enough to hold it all together without becoming overwhelming. If you're headed to Benny Boy down the street, this is a great spot to pick up some food to bring in. 2603 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031 — Rebecca Roland, editor, Southern California/Southwest Kebab platter from Mini Kabob in Glendale Now that the Michelin Guide has awarded a star to a food hall stand in Los Angeles (Holbox), I think it might be due time to have it award another left-field, only-in-LA star to the city's best overall kebab restaurant: Mini Kebob. Time and again, this classic, tiny shop just off Central Avenue in Glendale has served the best grilled meats and Armenian-inflected sides in Southern California. As a patron for 15-plus years, I've marveled at the juicy, flavorful beef lule; the tender chunks of chicken thigh shish; and the glorious beef shish made with New Zealand flap meat. Its fluffy, buttery rice and spot-on sides, from the smooth hummus to the savory, slightly smoky eggplant caviar, make it stand out; the balanced garlic sauce provides a redolent punch with every bite. The Martirosyan family has been operating the restaurant for years, expanding to Westfield Topanga and most recently to Neighborly in Westlake Village (note: Armen Martirosyan no longer recognizes the Topanga Social location on his social media, so the affiliation might be more of a licensing situation). The best thing to do is go to the Glendale original, wait for a spot at the single picnic table out front, and ask for an 'chef's choice' platter with everything. I promise the food will be as good or better than the finest fine dining restaurants, easily the best Los Angeles meal served on paper plates. (Pro tip: call ahead to place the order instead of waiting) 313 1/2 Vine Street, Glendale, CA 91204. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Chocolate strawberry doughnut at Miracle Bakery in Burbank Burbank is a neighborhood where one has to pay attention at all times — there is far more than IKEA runs and suburban life. Recently, I enjoyed visiting the multimedia Black Sheep Gallery, which showcases the art of Los Angeles-based artist Jill Behunin; the Burbank Aviation Museum; hiking through Stough Canyon; and making a pit stop at Miracle Bakery. This is far off the main drags, so locals find this a quiet spot to grab a breakfast sandwich, latte, or agua fresca. Everything is made on-site, including the cakes, cookies, muffins, scones, and chocolate strawberry doughnuts. The doughnuts have the ideal moist consistency that one always hopes for and sweetness that won't cause a blood sugar spike. The way to consume this beauty is with a basic cup of coffee that doesn't interrupt the flow of flavors. Miracle Bakery is a full-on, family-owned neighborhood spot. Staff know the regulars, and they're quick to make recommendations like this stellar doughnut or the equally excellent coffee cake. 1529 N. San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank, CA, 91504. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Sign up for our newsletter.
