Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.
For choose-your-own-adventure broken rice: Golden Delight #2 in Rosemead
Golden Delight is known for their stone pot phở, which keeps the Vietnamese noodle soup piping hot for the entirety of the dining experience (and yes, that could be a great option for this very rainy weekend). But the dish I really find worth exploring is Golden Delight’s special broken rice, which comes with 10 items that include steamed egg cake with ground pork and vermicelli, nem nướng or Vietnamese pork sausage, egg rolls, a shrimp paste drumstick, and a fried egg. At under $25, this platter of food can easily be shared among four people, especially if you tack on an order of bánh bèo— steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp floss — and an additional order of egg rolls. To drink, a bittersweet and eye-widening Vietnamese coffee or refreshing lime soda are ideal. And if you really want phở, the size of each bowl is very shareable, too. 8450 Valley Boulevard, 111-112, Rosemead, CA 91770 — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For rainy weekend deli bites: Belle’s Delicatessen and Bar in Highland Park
As soon as the first drop of November rain hits Los Angeles, my need for crispy, salty latkes goes through the roof. When I don’t want to go through the process of shredding potatoes at home (or heating up Trader Joe’s frozen latkes), my go-to is Belle’s Delicatessen and Bar in Highland Park. The bagel sensation has settled in to its retro-style permanent home with an easygoing modern delicatessen menu. Always start with the scallion latkes (order at least three), before moving on to a tuna melt or hot pastrami sandwich. 5022 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a soul-warming beef noodle soup: Corner Beef Noodle House in El Monte
As the rain pours this weekend, inevitably hungry souls will come to search for the warmth of a great soup. Thanks to my colleague Kat Thompson, who showed me this spot while we were dining at another restaurant in an El Monte strip mall, I could return to Corner Beef Noodle House a few weeks later to try its namesake Taiwanese soup. Corner Beef Noodle House’s dimly lit dining room works even better as the clouds roll in, a relaxing place to slink into a booth and browse social feeds while waiting for a bowl. I elected the thicker udon-like noodles to soak up the profound broth that glistens with a sheen of chile-tinted beef fat. Generous beef shank slices comes with melt-in-your-mouth bits of tendon on the edges while steamed bok choy gives a jaw-locking crispness. As you slurp up the thick noodles, the torrent of deeply umami flavors coats every bite, leaving you in a near euphoria. I literally need nothing else after this beef noodle soup because I am wholly restored, and I think you will be, too. 3948 Peck Road, El Monte, CA, 91732. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater.
For beautiful schiacciata sandwiches: Pino’s Sandwiches in Los Feliz
It seemed like kismet for Florentine sandwich shop Pino’s to open in August in the former Eastside Deli space: the new addition could fill the void for deli sandwiches on a prominent stretch of Vermont in Los Feliz. Come hungry and prepare to fill up on a lightly toasted schiacciata from the Tuscany and Umbria regions. The bread’s name translates to “squashed” or “flattened”; it can be filled with things like salami, fontina cheese, tomatoes, and pesto or garlic sauce. In all, 14 different sandwiches are present, including a sweet schiacciata sandwich with Nutella. And please, for the love of all sandwiches, don’t order something from Pino’s to go. The toasty bread is what makes everything special at this Vermont Avenue restaurant, as is the friendly service and guidance in making something delicious for the neighborhood. 1761 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90027. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest