Restaurants in Venice

“Nice spot to eat after walking the beach. The food was good. Cocktails are small in size but they taste good. Glassware could be cleaner. The indoor outdoor atmosphere is nice.”

“The food and the atmosphere are AMAZING”

“Absolutely delicious food. Chulita Bowl was fantastic, hibiscus mimosa and latte were so good. Friendly staff too! Thanks for the wonderful brunch. 🙏🧜🏽‍♀️”

“Incredible experience. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere felt both modern and cozy at the same time. The chef truly delivers beyond expectations, every bite was full of flavor.

The portions are perfect for sharing, which makes it even more enjoyable to try different dishes and experience the menu together.”

“A group of us (6) had dinner here, and, my God, every bite and sip was delicious! Great food and service, and a fun atmosphere. A superb dining experience! Go if you find the time.”

“a bit pricey (at least here in downey) but the food is worth it!!”

“I went there in my birthday . I loved that it was open until 23.00. Parking around is expensive so you can park somewhere else and get yourself a another glass of drink or some more oysters. Oysters are medium and 7 out of a 10. I certainly drove drom dtla or melrose to the dudley market for oysters. Very amazing that even if i didnt have reservations they didnt make me wait too long. Wine is good for a price and I have had sashimis and scallops and was pretty good . I just wanted a better sauce on it. Toilets was clean and outside atmosphere was quiete well. I didnt feel discomfort. Ocean breeze and ambiance is well. Art piece on the wall isnt good no worries I have some paintings to replace it while one sit on the bar can keep look at it. Other than that its not super hidden somewhere therefore easy to find i liked that too so i went there again . This time i had three glass of wine and i decided that three is my limit about that. Simple menu cool vibesssssssssss”

“Absolutely brilliant place. Fantastic staff (Katy) who is lovely. Brilliant atmosphere and well worth visiting for a drink when in Venice”

“Brought some friends there to watch playoff football and a ufc fight. Ended up having the best filet mignon of my life. So tender you could slice through it with the side of your fork. Had fresh oysters from Virginia, which I was told are only $2 on Tuesday or Wednesday (have to fact check here). And probably the best thing on the menu is the bacon wrapped plantains, not a lot of food, but every bite is heaven. Wife loved her fancy drinks, but I prefer scotch.”

“My wife and I had a last minute great dinner at Coucou. We coincidentally happened to dine on Martini Monday, which was truly a great deal including their fantastic Burger Americaine and a top-notch dirty martini. We also shared the steak frites (prepared perfectly with tasty fries) and would never miss the soft serve sundae! It's great to have such a wonderful and comfortable french-style bistro in the neighborhood, and we'll be thrilled to return soon! Thank you very much for the fun, spontaneous evening!”

“Our server Sean was amazing!”

“Fun place, great food/coffee , great energy without all the excessive pretentious weirdness. The most authentic and sincere business in that area.”

“Great food. Great service. Great people watching. New favorite local.”

“The food and ambience & wine selection was excellent! We will be back!”

“Love the smooth yet strong cortado!👍👍”

“Highlights: vodka chicken cutlet (very good); dry red wine was very good (forget which one; happy hour price very solid)

Wouldn't get again: Pepperoni pizza (nothing special); focaccia (decent but came out lukewarm / cools off very quickly); cheesecake (too expensive for the size; wish it was served colder)

Too loud at night, kinda have to yell to talk.

Really cool vibe; love that they're playing actual vinyl records.

Really cool Faema E61 espresso machine (didn't try any drinks from it tho).

Service is very good.”

“Best coffee we found in the entire US (that we visited) on either coast, including Boston, Brooklyn and NYC. Worth the visit for the coffee, stay for the bonus beats.”

“Alisa wine & friends is all about an atmosphere you fall in love with from the very first moment.
Incredibly cozy, beautifully designed space, attentive service, and truly delicious Greek cuisine.
A place you’ll definitely want to come back to again and again.”

“Really loved this spot! Easily top 5 in LA - great food, ambiance, friendly but not imposing staff. Highlights: sashimi, chicken karaage, kabocha squash. Lowlights: mushroom rice, tuna handroll (just not as unique). We also enjoyed the duck meatballs and beef tongue. Impressed with the cocktails and n/a selection as well. Can’t wait to try the duck ramen!”

“This place has an amazing atmosphere and experience. The staff is great and the chef...My God !!! The food was so delicious, you taste the flavor and passion behind it. I'd eat here everyday if I could lol. Definitely check it out and enjoy the food and atmosphere”

“When I first walked in, I questioned if I should stay or leave. However, it smelled very good so we decided to stay. My friend and I ordered two dishes to share. I ordered a pizza based off the chef recommendation and it was thin crust without outstanding taste. We also ordered the pennetye Alle vodka with sausage. The sauce was so amazingly good. The garlic bread was also fantastic. Very unique from most places garlic bread. Service was a little slow, but was worth the wait. Great job definitely will be back again soon.”

“Delicious food and drinks!”

“Exquisite creative brunch!”

“Hidden gem. Lovely ambiance in the middle of the city on a random street. Check the inKind app for 20% cashback. For dinner I would recommend reservations. They get busy.”

“Dinner ,breakfast coffee, staff were so friendly and welcoming”

“The decor made you think you were on vacation. The food took your tastebuds to a whole other level of flavor! This place went above all my expectations. Everyone should try to visit @PalomaVenice”

“I loved it. Everything is clean and the staff very friendly. And fist time going they help u order .”

“We found this place by of chance needing to use the bathroom whilst walking around Venice and what a great find. Staff are lovely and welcoming and attended to us well. The place was very clean and the food was just right and so tasty. I will be returning when I visit again.”

“The food was excellent! The service was excellent also ! Nice place”

“Best restaurant I've been to ever that understands and caters to Celiac, but is so good you can actually bring people who are not gluten-free and they would never know they were eating gluten-free. I was in LA for a week and ate there 3 nights. I would have gone more but they're closed on Monday and Tuesdays. The fried zucchini squash blossoms should definitely be ordered and enjoyed❣️ DPK from Plymouth, MA”

“Wow. What a hidden gem! I almost didn’t want to leave a review because I wanted to keep it to myself. Leena is such a joy and KNOWS her wine! The music the ambiance, every detailed is absolutely tensed to! Can’t wait to come back again!”

“Highly recommended! This place is great!”

“Amazing staff, fantastic food, great atmosphere. 10 out of 10 for me!”

“Great ambiance! Food was spectacular! Definitely would come back next time I’m in the LA area.”

“I worked at the Hollywood location in 2010. Its probably the best BBQ I ever tasted and glad I was a part of!”

“This was the first time I have been to Owa and I definitely will return. Had the lunch special which consisted of a choice of dishes from appetizers, nigiri/sashimi and maki.”

“I highly recommend this restaurant! The food is great and the sushi is absolutely amazing — super fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every roll we tried was delicious, and you can really tell they care about quality.

The only downside I can mention is the bathrooms. They’re unisex and were veryyy dirty when we visited, which was disappointing compared to how good everything else was.

Other than that, the food alone makes it worth coming back. Definitely recommend for sushi lovers!”

“Super cool 😎 Great place for drinks with friends, cool vibe and crowd”

“Best Thai food I’ve ever eaten.”

“Excellent service and Food. It was Dine LA so we ordered that menu and the food was coursed out. Absolutely superb! What a great way to sample the chef’s specialties. Our waiter was the best!!!! Looking forward to dining again.”

“Buena comida 🥘 buen lugar para una buena velada”

“Tom kha was epic!!! So good. Papaya salad was great! I recommend both. It was warm & comfy in the restaurant. Service was excellent. Staff is so kind and welcoming. You must go here!”

“Good service, casual atmosphere. We had brunch. Brunch special is $20, including one brunch option (a variety of egg and other breakfast dishes) and a brunch cocktail. The regular menu was offered as well. The potatoes and tzatziki was delicious. Valet parking is $10.”

“Hands down my favorite restaurant! 🥰”

“I wish I could be a hater bc this place is so hyped and it was also expensive and busy. But I can’t because it actually was so good and the patio is a dream. Even my mom who is a professional hater when it comes to restaurants and LA in general loved it when she visited”

“Best Peruvian Food ever!!!!”

“Great food. The lamb is amazing. So assuming in this small plaza. I usually go here and the X-Press dry cleaners next door once a week. It’s my Thursday routine. Pickup dinner and cleaning. The owner is really cool and the workers are chill.”

“The food and the atmosphere are AMAZING”

“The food and environment!”

“I have yet to have better, real authentic Mexican food in my life. Yes, there are plenty of solid options for tacos in LA, but La Fiesta Brava is everything you want in every single bite. It’s a quaint family run Mexican eatery transporting you through time (back to your childhood with the juicy fruit gum) and space. You are part of the family here. My favorite part of the experience was eating the steak fajitas and the carnitas tacos, as I reminisced on childhood meals with my parents when we were first introduced to Mexican food in the US. What a blessing it is for restaurants like this to still exist - nothing beats the rich flavors and exceptional customer service at La Fiesta Brava. 10/10 - I will come here every single time for a traditional homemade meal and leave every single time with a happy heart and stomach.”

“Had a great meal! Forwent ordering potstickers in order to try the enticingly named Gang of 4 ×4 - a delicious decision! The Mao's Hometown was just-right spicy, and I'm sure they put more than $2 extra shrimp on my order. Service friendly and prompt, loved the art. I felt as though I had wandered back into college in the early '70s.”

“Delicious sandwiches! Beat the line and go early”

“La pasta e buona!! I actually never leave reviews so that’s how you know it’s good. It tastes so authentic and the pasta is cooked perfect al dente. We will be back, Grazie!”

“Came across the on a walk back from Venice Beach. Highly recommend.”

“Incredible spot. I’d describe it as “mexican smokehouse”. Everything I had was delicious. Smoked wings were perfect, as were tri tip tacos. Not necessarily cheap (although what is, anymore) but very good and very worthwhile.

Will be returning.”

“Food is Amazing and Staff treats you like family. Been goung here since 1996 . My Favorite is the Chicken Enchildas with Hreen Sauce.”

“Great windward punch & oatmilk cappuccino”

“Nice spot for a chill vibe and great coffee. The matcha donut was fire. I wasn’t supose to get any donuts at all but I’m a match fanatic, so had to try it. Maybe took the donut down in about 3 bites. Great spot! :)”

“Always the first place I go when I get to LA”

“FABULOUS SERVICE ! We rate great service above everything else and if we don't get it.....we don't come back ! My wife and I were heading to Santa Monica ( 152 miles from Solana Beach ) for a weekend getaway on Friday and needed a planned lunch stop on the way. Last year when I renewed my Australian passport at the Australian Consulate-General in L.A my wife jumped online and found a Lokal Sandwich Shop on National Blvd close by for our lunch break. The sandwiches, drinks and service were excellent at that location and we expected the same here. Considering we were heading towards L.A on a busy Friday we made great time. We parked in the private carpark and walked in about 12.30pm. It was bright and cheery inside just like the other location we visited. A sweet young lady named Emily greeted us straight off. First up we both had to hit the restrooms ( nice & clean ) after our non-stop drive from Solana Beach. NO PROB ! And then we sat at a table ready to select our lunch order. At the service counter we ordered 1 x ICED LATTE, 1 x THAI ICED TEA, 1 X BBQ PORK BANH MI ( cucumber, jalapeño, mayo, housed pickled daikon & carrots, cilantro on a baguette ) and 1 X THE CUBANO ( Ham, shredded pork, pickled cucumber, swiss cheese, mayo, dijon mustard on toasted rustic sourdough ). BONUS BONUS BONUS...when I checked in on YELP I got an offer for 20% off our first visit. I TOOK IT ! So far so good...very friendly service from Emily the cashier and WE LIKED THE VIBE....an intangible thing that you feel. Our iced drinks were ready in next to no time and tasted very refreshing. I haven't savored a BBQ Pork Banh Mi since last year ( at a Lokal Sandwich Shop ) and this one did not disappoint...hitting all the right fresh and healthy notes. My wife went nuts over The Cubano...quite a large fully loaded sandwich. It wasn't real busy at that time of day so we took our time enjoying our delicious lunch. I noticed that they had craft beer on tap...I didn't see that at the location we visited last year. I asked Vanessa behind the counter....why is this location called Lokal Sandwich + Burger Bar instead off Lokal sandwich Shop ? And Vanessa replied...because this location sells beer. OK ! We really enjoyed everything we ordered here and had a relaxing break from driving. HIGHLY RECOMMEND !”

“Beef, chicken, and shrimp. ALL AMAZING. Made on the spot. Right by the beach. Master gave me 3 options of hot sauce - I was able to endure the pain of the spiciest one which wasn’t too bad. I’m drooling all over my couch thinking of these tacos. Highly recommended and I’m definitely coming back next time I’m in LA. Gracias.!!!”

“Perhaps the best Al pastor tacos I’ve ever had, inarguably the best I’ve ever been served in a parking lot. The orange sauce is far spicier than you think it’ll be but that shouldn’t inhibit you from pouring it on. The passionfruit juice was a beautiful and refreshing way to recover from the heat! Worth going out of your way for and EXCEPTIONAL bang for your buck”

“My favorite was the al pastor as it comes with pineapple! The carne asada and lengua were also delicious. I also enjoyed their avocado sauce and they provided other toppings like cucumbers! I saw a lot of other people their burritos and it looked really good as well”

“the empanadas are exquisite. you have to try them to understand. this some homemade Argentina style 😋 deliciousness. Rico is a show to say the least. I will definitely stop by just to grab some more empanadas. my highlight of the boardwalk. like Rico says they're 🔥 fire.”

“since 1973. the best, the greatest,anytime of day, night, after midnite”

“While They Don’t Serve Food Here It Doesn’t Stop The Immaculate Service. The Staff Is Always Kind And Treat You With Respect!! Love This Place Good For A Friend Group On Weekends Or A Little Solo Date Night Or Enjoying The Company Of Another”

“Tried it yesterday. Stopped for a coffee and stayed for the outdoor seating. The cappuccino was excellent!”

“Tried it yesterday. Stopped for a coffee and stayed for the outdoor seating. The cappuccino was excellent!”

“Bootleg Tacos never misses! Every time we visit LA, we stop by. This past visit we stopped by twice. Food is great, pricing is great, and they are very consistent.”

“i eat here twice a week at least, i’m hooked on the street tacos & street corn 🤩 customer service is always great as well”

“En general todo está bueno, en lo personal el café👍”

“Love this place! Especially this location. Whitney helped me pick out remedies for a really bad cold I had, and it completely healed me!!! Also all the staff here is lovely 💖💖💖💖”

“Tacos Del Valli on Lincoln Blvd never disappoints. The tacos are always 🔥, super flavorful, made fresh and the price is very low for the quality of food they provide. Omar is the best, super cool and always takes care of me. If you’re nearby and want legit Mexican food, this is the spot.”

“The cutest little Matcha store. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They have a little container of dog treats for your 4 legged friends. The matcha was great! We sat in the store for a bit to relax and browse all the Knick knacks they had for sale. The cool breeze blowing through the open windows and doors was nice.”

“Cracking little bar… fantastic customer service and such a warm welcome.”

“Everything about this place I love. Great pizza as you can tell.”

“🥙☕️💜I am an avid taco lover. We had never been to this adorable Taco Restaurant in Venice Beach before.
The first thing I noticed was how clean it was.
I was now anxious to have my fave food in life - beef tacos! THEY WERE out of this world.
Our entire family enjoyed the food & a quaint ambience. The Coffee is excellent as well.
I give this “Young Kid Shop”’ 5 stars! Because, if it is not on the Menu, I would bet my life Miss NADIA would not only make it, it would be absolutely delicious!
It is the cutest little beach taco shop on the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Check it out.
💟🥙🏖️”

“Yum!!! I don’t know how this guy does it, but he’s making absolutely delicious and addictive pizza. A mix between Chicago bar pizza and New Haven thin crust. I ordered a double sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, and basil pizza. I asked for an extra crispy crust too. Perfection! He makes his own sauce and dough and with 2 painfully small countertop ovens, turns out mouthwatering pie. I’ve gone back a number of times now so he’s the real deal. I have the nerve to give him an 8.0 on the Barstool Sports scale. This guy needs a bigger place. No seating inside, just outside.

Oh, the pepperoni calzone was also excellent, but with pizza this good, why? And the pizza was only $15 bucks! If the owner gets a bigger place with proper ovens, watch out!”

“I love the Waterfront. Great food and service, bogo happy hour, nice people and chill vibe”

“Delicious smoothie & acai bowel. Great healthy options for food. Friendly employee provided great suggestions for what I was looking for. Made with care and beautiful presentation of items ordered. Can't recommend more! Near the main walk in Venice Beach, so great location too!”

“My family and I have been coming here my entire life and they always hit the spot! Wonderful char flavor and delicious teriyaki sauce!! Generous portions and friendly customer service!!”

“I came here for a facial with Chieko and was blown away. Probably the most relaxing massage I ever had (I even fell asleep!). Chieko was so kind, funny, and genuine. She did a skin analysis first and showed me which products she was going to use and why. There’s no extractions, it’s just about keeping your skin healthy. Theres also a facial massage included. I left feeling like my skin was glowing, plump, and hydrated. I also love the concept - everything is authentically from Japan. The products, the matcha, and it’s a beautiful open space you can relax in before or after your facial. I almost want to keep them as this hidden gem because I know they’ll blow up!!!”

“Went on a Saturday morning to get a breakfast burrito (which they serve all day) - great vibe and really solid burritos, especially for the price. Great vibe to sit outside and get a little sun while you eat too. We’ll definitely be back”

“Esta exelente ese pollo no se xk esta diferente jugoso grujiente delicicioso”

“Great service and Great product.”

“If you are looking for a culinary experience that borders on the orgasmic, look no further. I custom-designed a salmon poke bowl that was, quite simply, pure ecstasy. The salmon is so buttery and fresh it doesn't just eat—it melts in your mouth, leaving you craving the next bite before you’ve even finished the first. And the sauces? They absolutely light me up, sets my palate on fire in the best way possible. This isn't just a meal; it's a deep, flavorful seduction. If you want a taste that truly hits the spot, this is the only place to go.”

“I thought the reviews of the shop were high and good.
I asked for Deep Pride OREO.
I was sure that something other than this would be recommended.
However, it costs about $15 for a pack of five.
I thought I had failed
Around the third bite, I started to feel the deliciousness of a donut.
This may be true for Japanese people who have eaten red bean paste.
It's not worth coming here to eat.
I think you should order something else.”

“El mejor Sarandeado y sus tortillitas calentadas en las brazas”

“i absolutely love this place. the baristas have the best vibes and they make the best drinks. i love the best mate and i need at least one daily! thank you for all you do guys.”

“Cool spot right on the boardwalk. Too many options to mention. They have a couple of tables available outside to enjoy your food and take in the Venice Boardwalk vibes”

“Just bad food. Had crab cakes, 3 salads and burger. None noteworthy. Everything else ok .”

“Had an outstanding night watching Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express at the Venice West. Venice West is an intimate venue with a perfect layout for live performances. Dinner was enjoyable and the staff was helpful and friendly. Now for the main event... Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express put on a heck of show. The band was tight and rocked the house. Every song was a hit and our group was blown away. Thanks for making great music! Looking forward to returning again for another memorable evening of great music and food.”

“Super déco et très bonne nourriture . Un vrai régal . On a adoré”

“I highly recommend this restaurant! The food is great and the sushi is absolutely amazing — super fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every roll we tried was delicious, and you can really tell they care about quality.

The only downside I can mention is the bathrooms. They’re unisex and were veryyy dirty when we visited, which was disappointing compared to how good everything else was.

Other than that, the food alone makes it worth coming back. Definitely recommend for sushi lovers!”

“Wonderful atmosphere! My favorite place for breakfast. Staff are amazing and so friendly. They make you feel right at home!”

“I wish I could be a hater bc this place is so hyped and it was also expensive and busy. But I can’t because it actually was so good and the patio is a dream. Even my mom who is a professional hater when it comes to restaurants and LA in general loved it when she visited”

“Hands down my favorite restaurant! 🥰”

“Been coming here for years, great spot to people watch, grab a cocktail, and enjoy beach eats.”

“Excellent service and Food. It was Dine LA so we ordered that menu and the food was coursed out. Absolutely superb! What a great way to sample the chef’s specialties. Our waiter was the best!!!! Looking forward to dining again.”

“I love the Waterfront. Great food and service, bogo happy hour, nice people and chill vibe”

“Hidden gem. Lovely ambiance in the middle of the city on a random street. Check the inKind app for 20% cashback. For dinner I would recommend reservations. They get busy.”

“a bit pricey (at least here in downey) but the food is worth it!!”

“La pasta e buona!! I actually never leave reviews so that’s how you know it’s good. It tastes so authentic and the pasta is cooked perfect al dente. We will be back, Grazie!”

“The food and the atmosphere are AMAZING”

“This was the first time I have been to Owa and I definitely will return. Had the lunch special which consisted of a choice of dishes from appetizers, nigiri/sashimi and maki.”

“Very cool place! I don’t eat pork at all so it’s really awesome that they have beef pepperoni. That is definitely my sister and i’s go to as well as the green machine. That pizza is the BOMB!! This is my second visit so I’m making sure i leave my. Review as promised. So Thank you Ash and Bertin for giving us great service twice in a row my sister and i will be back for our after school dates. See yall then :)”

“Perhaps the best Al pastor tacos I’ve ever had, inarguably the best I’ve ever been served in a parking lot. The orange sauce is far spicier than you think it’ll be but that shouldn’t inhibit you from pouring it on. The passionfruit juice was a beautiful and refreshing way to recover from the heat! Worth going out of your way for and EXCEPTIONAL bang for your buck”

“Oh my god... The Lemonade was the bomb dot com.

I never should have gotten a double up on my sandwich... I'm full

And Iate like 6 hours ago...”

“We’ve been here several times and always love coming back! 😊 Everything tastes absolutely delicious we’ve tried almost the entire menu by now and have been impressed every single time.

The couple who runs the place are incredibly polite and friendly, making you feel welcome and comfortable right away. The service is warm and attentive.

We can truly recommend this place to everyone – you definitely have to try it at least once!We’ve been here several times and always love coming back! 😊 Everything tastes absolutely delicious – we’ve tried almost the entire menu by now and have been impressed every single time.

The couple who runs the place are incredibly polite and friendly, making you feel welcome and comfortable right away. The service is warm and attentive.

We can truly recommend this place to everyone you definitely have to try it at least once!”

“It was truly an amazing experience! The chicken shawarma was incredibly delicious perfectly marinated and cooked just right. The service was fast, and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. The place was clean and had a great atmosphere. I will definitely come back and highly recommend it to everyone!”

“Kind barista, great milk texture, excellent mocha, best I've had in Venice. Vibe is high, served quickly out of an airstream looking pop up on the side of Rose Ave! Definitely worth it”

“Really nice Taqueria. Tried the taco sampler and another dish. Well craftes, good taste, a tad messy and otherwise just great food. Located almost on the Venice beachfront, too, so really nice location”

“As a Peruvian that is visiting LA for my first time, I am incredibly grateful that I ran into Rafael walking around Venice beach. He served me some of the best lomo saltado I’ve ever had and he has such a great welcoming spirit. The quality of the meat was superb! Highly recommend to anyone considering.”

“Best pizza in LA, come at me. Crust is perfection, almost that of a bagel. The only qualm I have here is with their marketing team, because this place should be blowing up. It’s the perfect slice.”

“Everything is quality. My iced latte was perfectly strong, not too milky. The location leans into the Venice vibe and has thoughtful art and finishes. The owner is also very kind. I look forward to returning!”

“Been wanting to go for a while and it did not disappoint. I went with my brother and got the California burger with no jalapeños and the seasoned fries. The meat quality is great and you can tell that these guys are just trying to flip some burgers which really gives off a friendly vibe. The seasoned fries were good and definitely seasoned and the PERFECT texture (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside). I will definitely be coming back.”

“Had a great experience at this Oaxaca restaurant! The tacos de Tasajo and Ceciba were absolutely delicious full of flavor and perfectly seasoned and the torta of Tasajo was just as amazing, fresh and satisfying with every bite. The atmosphere felt authentic and welcoming, and the service was friendly. Definitely a spot I’d come back to!
The tacos are big. I recommend getting a small.”

“Great smash burger, really tasty with crispy edges. The fries were very good, the atmosphere of Abbot Kinney was nice, and the service was very friendly. Definitely the best burger spot in LA.”

“Amazing service and the cookies are to die for really. Classic chocolate chips carrot cake, double chocolate, amazing, tasty, full of sugary goodness.

There’s a bar to sit down and enjoy, there’s a variety of bevs and other foods.”

“chill spot for friendly conversation.”

“I took the risk yesterday and went to pop-up BBQ joint APL. They were working out of a restaurant in Marina Del Rey, so I thought reluctantly to give them a shot. I knew they were expensive and likely not the “traditional” BBQ quality that I grew up with in L.A. I’d seen on social media that APL Barbecue almost always sold out, so I arrived 2 hours early. No one was in sight. I thought I’d gone to the wrong location. I looked around and saw 5 large pallets of fire wood stacked up in the rear of the building. Had to be for the smokers I thought. This must be the right place. I was just super early. About 30 minutes later I noticed 4 pillars of smoke coming up from behind the hedges in the patio area. I failed to look there before and walked over to find 4 large BBQ smokers at work. They were being attended by an African American gentleman. He seemed to know what he was doing. I started feeling a bit better on the potential quality of APL’s BBQ upon seeing this brutha handling the cooking. This was my opportunity to maybe find out the truth about APL’s suitability to my discerning taste buds. I walked over to him and said, “Bruh, lemme holla at you a minute. I’m new to APL and want to get your read on the BBQ. You know that there’s a difference between what some people call good BBQ, and what you or me might consider good Q.” He gave me a wry smile and a knowing nod. I knew he understood what I was cryptically saying. He asked about my regional knowledge of BBQ, from which I explained my preferences for North Carolina, and Texas styles of Q. He said it was more like Texan BBQ, which happens to be my favorite. He said that APL was the “real deal”. I was feeling good and hungry now. They opened the doors at 12:30 pm. A kid started passing out cornbread samples. I happily took one. I’m as critical of the sides as I am with my Q. Cornbread is rarely great and mostly just ok of from most BBQ joints. I took a bite. It was moist and very good with a honey taste but not too sweet. Kind of a cornbread-cake combo. Another very good sign! When I got to the front of the order line, the Bruh offered me a sample of the pork ribs. I took a bite. It was spot on. Had a nice light tug but was very tender and easy to pull off the bone. I couldn’t ID the flavor profile, but liked it a lot. I ended up buying 1 beef rib bone, 1 rack of pork ribs, and some cornbread for a total cost of $150. More than enough for 2 people for a couple of days or so. The beef rib was the best I’d ever had. Tasted more like a very good brisket. The pickle relish was outstanding. I wish I could buy it in a store or better yet get the recipe. Needless to say as a BBQ skeptic and traditionalist, that APL is real and highly recommended even with their high prices. I’m told they will be back in MDR at the same spot next weekend. It’s located Washington Bl. & Abbot Kinney. Go on Sunday when they will also sell smoked cowboy ribeye steaks. I’m told the rack of lamb is also outstanding. Before I walked away with my heavy bag of Q, I saw the the brutha I’d spoken to earlier chopping up some meat. It was loud and crowded in the restaurant. I spoke loudly in a manner I knew would get his attention and said, “Bruh! You were right. Thanks!” He smiled and responded back with the “brutha nod”.”

“Visiting from Australia and had this upon a recommendation from our Air BnB host. Main Chick blew us away - awesome food couldn’t fault it at all. Fried chicken will never taste the same again back home as Main Chick has raised the standard. We couldn’t even checkout at the terminal as we didn’t have a US mobile number and the lovely lady behind the counter entered her own number for us and brought the food over as soon as it was done.”