50 Best American Restaurants near East Compton

“Great food will be back again“

“Heritage Restaurant, Long Beach – A Well-Earned Michelin Star by Michael Broderick. In a city where “Californian” culinary ambition often plays second fiddle to casual dining, Heritage in Long Beach has carved out a place of quiet excellence, earning a well-deserved Michelin star. This intimate dining experience is a testament to ingredient-driven, technique-forward cooking, where flavors are both restrained, unpretentious, and deeply expressive. From the first bite, it was clear that Heritage excels at layering textures and flavors in unexpected ways. The meal began with an Amuse Bouche trio: a delicate prawn cracker topped with sweet Dungeness crab, a green leaf with another seafood salad that was to be eaten like a mini street taco, and balanced with the brightness and light crunch of pickled turnip. A seemingly simple couple of bites, but one that foreshadowed the precision and thoughtfulness of the courses to follow. To cleanse the palate, a mint tea infused with palo santo was served—a meditative interlude that was both refreshing and aromatic, setting the stage for the evening’s journey. The first official course, Crème Caviar, featured Russian Sturgeon Heritage Caviar and chive, a chilled preparation that was rich yet elegantly restrained. This was followed by Kanpachi Crudo, presented with carrot, ginger, and macédoine vegetables, offering a balance of clean ocean flavors against bright, vegetal undertones. Then came what I consider the star of the evening: a dish that fully captured the ethos of Heritage—Hen of the Woods Mushroom, topped in a “sunchoke stew” (crispy fried sunchoke) with fermented mushroom. For an additional $25, an indulgent shaving of black truffle took the dish to another level, transforming it into a sensory experience that evoked the deep, earthy satisfaction of foraging. The interplay of umami-rich elements made this course a masterpiece of textural and flavor contrast. The proteins that followed were executed with equal care. First, a perfectly prepared Rainbow Trout, sauted to perfection with a crispy layer of skin on one side, delicate pink flesh on the other, bathed in a delicate dashi and punctuated with bursts of smoked trout roe in a light creme sauce, which lent salinity and depth. Then, a 32-day dry-aged rib chop, a cut that can sometimes lean too “gamey” in the tradiinal steak house that cuts corners on a post aging trim, yet here was a revelation—tender, deeply beefy, but balanced. Accompanying the dish was sous vide endive, black garlic, and a shaving of Parmesan, which surprisingly lacked the usual sharpness, instead presenting a more rounded, delicate, nutty flavor. Desserts were a study in technique and balance. The first, a Grilled Strawberry with strawberry granita and Meyer lemon crème, was bright and refreshing, its layers revealing different expressions of cool and sweetness. Then came the Coco Craquelin, a delicate choux pastry filled with beurre noisette ganache and banana cremeux, meant to be eaten with the hands—a playful and interactive moment in the meal. Finally, a Sage Basque Cake, its subtle herbaceousness complemented by toasted hemp seeds and lemon curd, provided a grounding, crispy finish. Heritage is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t simply chase trends—it refines them into something personal, something intentional. The execution is confident but never showy, and the experience is paced with precision, allowing each dish to tell its own story. This is not just a meal—it’s a quiet, profound meditation on flavor, technique, and the land from which it all comes. Where other restaurant profess to be a true “Californian” style farm to table experience , Heritage is, without a doubt, a must-visit for anyone who seeks out truly exceptional dining in California.“

“Gracias Amelia por su servicio Exelente“

“To John Hansen, My wife and I would like to thank you for such a lovely evening. Chez Bacchus represents the “True Expression of a Dining Experience”. Starting with the welcoming staff at the entrance. John, your hospitality is the beginning of the joyful experience. The restaurant is so elegant. We enjoyed the vaulted ceilings with wood beams. We enjoyed the large window at the kitchen area so you can see the Chefs at work. We got to sit next to the impressive wine rack display. The restaurant’s ambiance wouldn’t be complete without the soft background music. Our waiter, Issac, was a delight. He provided us with his expertise in choosing our wines, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. It was a pleasure to meet to give special thanks to the Chef, Danny Le and Su Chef, Donald. Their expertise is why we had an amazing and delicious dinner.“

“The service was great, the ingredients were fresh, and we will be back next time.“

“We took some out of town guests here for lunch. Everyone was delighted. They loved watching the cars race on the track! Drinks were delicious 😋 We all ordered different items for lunch. All pleased with what they got. Would recommend and look forward to going back again.“

“Nick’s food and service doesn’t disappoint! Menu options are great, and they’ll take a classic comfort dish such as a meat loaf to a gourmet degree. Service is impecable too. Worth every dollar you spend here in every aspect! They have my respect and heart! ♥️“

“This place is always busy. We find seating there at the counter and we do not need to wait for 20 minutes. We love the bean soup? And the apple pie was great.“

“This is my second time here and always met with amazing customer service. Bartender Jesus, and servers Maegan and Nicole are amazing, friendly, and accommodating. I enjoy that it is a team approach to make the customer experience pleasant. Hostess was friendly as well. The food is amazing, especially the fried chicken and shrimp tacos, have a lot of flavor. Due to great staff, ambience, and view, would highly recommend. Thank you all for always making my experience lovely.“

“Had the Little Mule burger and Reservoir Hog at Dog Haus - friendly service and they got our order out pretty quick. Both were really juicy and packed with flavor, exactly what you want from a good meal. Really liked how they use Hawaiian rolls instead of regular buns, makes a noticeable difference. Perfect spot for a sunny day in Long Beach when you want something solid and satisfying.“

“Food was good but customer service not so great. Our waitress Raquel needs to brush up on her people skills, smile a little more and not have such an attitude. I was afraid to ask her for more ice tea. The food was good, the ambiance great and I’d recommend but avoid this waitress.“

“the food is great but I think the people make the place!!!!“

“Best food in town and sports merchandise“

“Thank you so much for my Grand slam on my 55th Birthday 🎂;)“

“Went to have dinner with the family at the Wilmington location. The waitress Natalia was very nice and helpful. The menus has many options of food. Which is good and not so pricey. Keep up the good work!.“

“We are from Puerto Rico and visited your restaurant last week. We all loved, the atmosphere is cozy and the food is excellent. Your staff is absolutely great. A great choice and a wonderful experience. Definitely a great 💯. Will visit you again on my next trip to California.“

“Very good service and the food was delicious“

“I've been going to Pieloon for a few years now and it is THE BEST restaurant in Downey! The food is always fabulous, the portions are large, the service is perfect! I've had appetizers, salads, pastas, steaks, burgers, sandwiches (I'm addicted to the BLT) and many of their specials. My family and I go now 2x a week and have trouble deciding what to get because it's all so good! And the pies...their pumpkin pie is the best I've ever had and the blueberry cheesecake is fabulous...but just wait until fresh peach pie season...I'll gain weight just thinking about it...the fresh peach is the best pie I've ever, EVER had! I love this place and the people who work there!! They're like family now!“

“Jennifer was a wonderful server, she's always checking up on us and never fails to make us laugh! She's great at attending us and makes sure we have what we need, perfect server!“

“Easily the best craft beer tap list on 2nd Street. Lots of local SoCal breweries in rotation: Green Cheek, Pizza Port, Trademark. Many taps, lots of IPAs (which I like) but other options too.

Food is pricey but solid. Upscale but casual bistro feel.“

“THE best breakfast burrito I've ever had, or ever will. You cannot top this.

You know when you're eating food at one of those special places and you stop and ask yourself.. it this really THIS good?? It's the best, bar none, and it's not even close.

Get the Würst - sunny side up is a MUST. The burrito is filled to the brim with gooey runny egg and the way everything goes together is *chef's kiss*.
I also highly recommend swapping to Kielbasa. Almost no places in the greater LA area even have Kielbasa, so having that alongside all this food is amazing.

The other options are no slouch either - the fries are great (although the tots I'd say are mid), the burgers with eggs are awesome and have the delicious hawaiian bread (Ringer + fried egg = so good).

I really liked the Reservoir Hog too - you can't go wrong with Kielbasa.

They also have outdoor seating, which is nice.“

“Service was excellent, anntentive motivational. I'll invest in this turn if possible. Thank y. And God bless“

“While traveling from Idaho we were fortunate to have brunch with our dear friends in Long Beach before heading out on a cruise. They took us to this quaint, fun restaurant. Spectacular service, delicious food, Hazelnut coffee, yum! Thanks for the very cool stickers!“

“Nos gusto el servicio de Angeline y la comida muy rica“

“Was so happy to see that they had vegan options available. Their menu is quite varied and I liked that there is something for everyone. 🥰. I even noticed that they are quite thoughtful like a water-bowl for dogs, etc.
This place is a nice place to hangout by the beach and the playground is just next to it.
We ordered two vegan burritos and an oat milk coffee. The burrito was very delicious, beyond my expectations.
Polite staff.
We are definitely visiting them again!!“

“Great Burgers and Breakfasts“

“Very Good Food. Great Environment“

“Claudia fue muy amable y la comida muy rica“

“Customer service is paramount not only for me, but specially when I am around family. Our server Schaeffer is not only superv to Customer Service but has great personality that makes me feel truly welcome!“

“A really nice atmosphere and good food.“

“This morning I had an amazing waitress, her name is Michelle. She was pretty busy but she did a wonderful job giving good service and seemed positive instead of being stressed. She was on it and hustling. I was impressed to see her working at a fast pace and yet still giving her tables all the attention they needed. She is definitely a hardworking young lady.“

“Food is always delicious, but there's two ladies that work here that are always rude. The older lady that sits you down always has a serious face and looks bothered by large groups. Then, there's a young lady that usually charges you and also has a bothered looking face; the same young lady that for being in a bad mood charged us the wrong table one time and had to get her manager to process a refund of almost $100. It was only then her attitude changed. As for the other workers, they are always super friendly and welcoming!“

“Love their ground beef tacos delicious!!!“

“The best brisket I've ever tasted!!! Absolutely delicious, mac n cheese off the charts, I'm usually very picky when it comes to collard greens but these were exceptional. You can eat at the park across the street. Cake wasn't worth it.“

“Love ❤️ ito recommend Hof’s hut to friends thank you“

“Love The Crest. Amazing boutique apartment complex. Feels so homey and cozy. The leasing people are super cool and so close to everything walking distance. Oh.... and did I mention they have the most legit balconies. I spent most of my time on the beautiful balcony ❤️ I searched for a place for 3 months and this was it. ❤️❤️❤️“

“Grilled Chicken pesto sammie was yummy....everything was!! Terrific service too...Thx Ryan...good fun!“

“We’ve been coming here on and off for years, sometimes changes to menu aren’t always a hit but they seem to correct it quickly. It’s always so nice to see a familiar face of wait staff that have been here for years. We love Rosy. She’s attentive, pleasant and quick.“

“This was my first visit to Lazy Dog restaurant.
I was worried about the taste of the food, but it was excellent.
The service was good and I had a pleasant and enjoyable lunch.
If I had one wish, it would have been closer to the road so that it was covered by a curtain or artificial flower pot.“

“I grew up in Artesia and had Polly’s Pies every year for the Holidays“

“everything is good, service by waitress Maricela excellent!“

“The wings I bought were fire...nothing compares to Buffalo wings. However, the cashier had a nasty attitude. When she called everybody else up for their food she didn't give them rude vibes, but when my order was called and then I said thank you and I asked for a straw she threw it on the counter. Come on now I'm not a dog and there were no dogs in there. I forgive her but the fandangle commotion is what I didn't come their for.“

“I really like this place. I've been there three times already (all for breakfast) and will definitely return in the future. The atmosphere is so so but only because of the location (busy streets and limited parking).

Get the Farmers Sandwich it's my go to. My gal got the granola pancakes and liked them but didn't finish it.“

“Muy buena bienvenida de Liz. Excelente atención, y la comida es buena. 100% recomendado❤️“

“Clean facilities, friendly staff and absolutely incredibly delicious food made to order!“

“Good service good food 🥘!“

“Fun, tasty, fast, and reasonably priced.“

“Alyssa provided outstanding service during my visit. She was attentive, friendly, and ensured every detail of my dining experience was perfect. Her genuine smile and warm demeanor made me feel welcomed, and she anticipated my needs without me having to ask. Alyssa’s professionalism and efficiency stood out, as she handled everything with grace, even during busy moments. Her excellent service truly enhanced my overall experience, and I would gladly return knowing she’s part of the team.“

“I drive down Norwalk Boulevard every day for work, the banners outside the restaurant, promoting fish tacos, lured me in. After trying the fish tacos for the first time I was hooked, I look forward to having lunch every Tuesday for there fish tacos special.“

“The Broast chicken was tender. The batter could use stronger spices, but in my mind I was comparing it to Pakistani broast which is spicier and served with a garlic sauce.

The Broast potatoes were great as were the fried shrimp and zucchini.

Everything was made when ordered it was all fresh as it can be.

My only gripe is there is no inside seating.“