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ENGLISH: Welcome to the Los Angeles Plate Lunch Review. The following is a review of the plate lunch places I have personally been to in the Los Angeles area. Of course, none of these can compare to a real plate lunch in Hawaii, but then, you just have to make do, right? They are arranged by geographical area and rating (from one to five scoops rice). Note: If you don't understand what a plate lunch is, it is basically an entree (or a combination of two or three) served with two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad on the side. It is the de facto lunch of choice in Hawaii and best represents the blend of cuisine and culture found in Hawaii. It can incorporate Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Hawaiian, and American dishes, among others. Pidgen: Ho brah, dis is Geoff's da kine review of da grinds. Comin' up is one list 'bout all da places I when go grind at in Los Angeles. 'Course, none is like those back in Hawai'i but no can help. I when arranged them by where they stay and how they are (from one to five scoops rice). Note: If you don't go comprehend what one plate lunch is, how you goin' read this anyway? Shakkas Address: 2300 S. Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754-7200 Phone: 213-888-2695 Rating: 4.5 scoops rice Review: This new and improved eatery boasts one of the best menus and biggest selection of plate lunch in Los Angeles. They have good combination plates (rare in Los Angeles) and an impressive wall of spam cans. They have also expanded the seating area and it is air conditioned! Be sure to check out their 4-4-2 combo plate and their spam musubi's. Aloha Food Factory Address: 2990 W. Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803-1819 Phone: (818) 308-0215 B-Man's Teriyaki & Burgers Address: 3007 E. Huntington Drive #102, Pasadena, CA 91107 Phone: (626) 568-0386 L&L's Hawaiian BBQ Address: Puente Hills Mall 1600 Azusa Avenue #169J, City of Industry 91748 Phone: (626) 581-3338 Miki Chan's Okazuya Address: 2529 Via Campo, Montebello, CA 90640-1806 Phone: (213) 722-0519 Spike's Teriyaki Bowl Restaurants Address: Numerous locations L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Address: 1258-C W. Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247 Phone: 310-630-5868 Hours: Mon-Sun 10am - 9pm Rating: 4.5 scoops rice Review: Los Angeles has a new king of plate lunch, and it is a familiar name. L&L's is well loved in Hawaii (they have over 50 locations there) and they have finally come to Hawaii. This is hands down the BEST plate lunch in LA. The selection is broad (you can even ask for special combinations of anything on the menu), the portions large, and the food is ono! The only downside is the ridiculously few tables and chairs. With the huge crowds at lunch time, you got to either wait forever for a table or learn to eat standing. Hopefully, their new location in Torrance (opening soon) will allieviate some of the crowds. This is definitely the place to go in LA for plate lunch. Bruddah's Hawaiian Foods Address: 1033 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247-4957 Phone: 310-323-9112 Rating: 4.0 scoops rice Review: Once the best in Los Angeles, it has slipped a bit over time, although a recent remodeling makes it a little more presentable. It still boasts a large selection of local foods in big portions and has excellent spam musubi's, but avoid anything fried (beef cutlet, etc.) or with gravy. The Kalua Pork is a good choice. The food is generally salty so be sure to get a refreshing Hawaiian Sun drink or Hawaiian Ice Tea to go along with your meal. The Loft at Lahaina Address: 17311 Yukon Ave, Torrance, CA 90504-2316 Phone: 310-523-3373 Open: 11am - 8pm. Rating: 4.0 scoops rice Review: This establishment occupies the former site of Maui Boy. Along with a fresh interior treatment complete with a nautical theme, the Loft offers a wider variety of local food as well as catering. The food is somewhat bland, however, but there are a few hits. The Korean Barbeque Beef is excellent (try the katsu sauce on top) and they serve the best (and biggest) Loco Mocos around. In fact, all of their portions are huge, in true plate lunch style. Overall, a welcome addition to the South Bay dining scene. Kau Kau Korner Address: 1740 W Artesia Blvd, Gardena (Inside Marukai Forum), CA 90247-3233 Phone: 310-515-5110 Rating: 4 scoops rice Review: The only real good fast food Korean plate lunch place I have found in Los Angeles. The portions are somewhat small and it is somewhat pricey (typical with Korean food) but the food is excellent. The BBQ chicken and Kalbi are especially good. King's Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant Address: 2808 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505-2803 Phone: 310-530-0050 Rating: 4.0 scoops rice Review: King's Hawaiian is actually a restaurant rather than a traditional plate lunch place like the others, but it deserves a place on this list on just the name alone. Actually, the menu has several plate lunch items on it (try the various loco moco's) and no place has better dinner rolls or bakery. A bit more expensive than the others on this list but also much better atmosphere. Be sure to check out the cylinderical salt water aquarium. Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop Address: 15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247-4328 Phone: 310-532-0820 Rating: 3.5 scoops rice Review: Located next to the Gardena bowling alley, this surprisingly good diner serves up some good Chinese and local style food. The portions are generous and tasty. Be sure to try the Hawaii Royal. Definitely worth a try. Cherrystones Grill & Grotto Address: 15501 S. Vermont Avenue, Gardena, CA 90247-4100 Phone: 310-329-8200 Rating: 3.0 scoops rice Review: Cherrystones is also a restaurant, but features free Karaoke at night. There are several ono Hawaiian favories on the menu, including my favorite the Luau plate which has Kalua Pork, Mahi Mahi, and Lomi Lomi Salmon. You definitely have to try their unique "Aloha Shooters" which is chilled Stoli vodka, with a lemon with Ling Hi Mui powder on top. Island Grinds Address: 15607 S. Normandie Avenue, Gardena, CA 90247 Phone: 310-523-4191 M-F: 11am - 9pm, S-S: 8am - 9pm Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: Formerly known as the Loft at Punaluu, Island Grinds is actually located on the third floor of a Best Western (don't really know why) and it is somewhat small and crowded. It's cramped kitchen means that there isn't much on the menu (although the menu still remains very similar to the Loft at Lahaina), and the crowds can make for extremely slow service. Still, it is probably the best local food you can every find in a Best Western. Bob's Hawaiian Style Okazuya Address: 16814 Vermont Ave, Gardena CA 90247-5619 Phone: 310-515-2250 Closed Monday's Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: One look at the menu and you know this place is authentic. There is a wide range of choices, including several breakfast specials and a Hawaiian style burrito. Of particular interest is Bob's "Go for Broke" Special which includes a $1.00 donation to the Japanese American Veterans WWII Monument. Overall, the portions are somewhat small and overcooked (especially the deep fried stuff), but at least it is cheap. 3 Brothers Restaurant Address: 23722 S. Western Ave, Harbor City Phone: 310-326-3843 M-Th: 10:30am - 9pm, F: 10:30am - 9:30pm, S-S: 11am - 9pm Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: The sign on the building proclaims Plate Lunch and Teriyaki food, but the menu inside is short, with just Teriyaki Chicken & Beef and Char Sui. The restaurant itself is old and the furniture is vintage '70s diner. Luckily, the Teriyaki sauce is good, and the beef generally lean. Not a bad choice when you are in the mood for Teriyaki (and not much else). Maui Chicken Address: 2100 Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance, CA Phone: 310-715-6284 Rating: 3 scoops rice Review: This small, fast food style eatery has a limited menu, mainly centered on Huli-Huli chicken and teriyaki dishes. But the food is good, the portions large, and there is cold Hawaiian Sun drinks available. Teriyaki Magic Address: 3901 Ingelwood Avenue #105, Redondo Beach, CA Phone: 310-973-3500 Rating: 3 scoops rice Review: Not really a true local place, but the teriyaki is decent and the sauce is good. Reasonable prices too. Aloha Teriyaki Address: ????? Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA Phone: 310-783-0022 Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: This place specializes in Teriyaki and it is actually pretty decent. Stick with the teri beef and skip the teri chicken. They actually deliver in a small area with a $15 minimum order. Teri's Place Address: 2140-DW Artesia Blvd, Torrance CA 90504 Phone: 310-327-2006 Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: This is mainly a Japanese restaurant, but it has a few local style plate lunches, especially the terriyaki dishes. The teri sauce is good but the meat is a bit fatty. Plan on ordering take out because there is not very many tables to sit down. Teriyaki Hawai'i Address: 1425 W. Artesia Blvd #34, Gardena, CA 90248 Phone: 310-327-0307 Rating: 2.5 scoops rice Review: Teriyaki Hawai'i is an interesting place that also sells Hawaiian CDs and shave ice. It is quite expensive though and the Teriyaki Beef tastes like beef jerky. The saimin is quite large, but for $5.00 it better be. This place mainly specializes in teriyaki, burgers, and sandwiches, but there are a lot better places than this for much less. Lorri's Address: 16400 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, CA 90247-4636 Phone: 310-329-4441 Rating: 2.0 scoops rice Review: Lorri's is kind of old and it shows it. The typical menu is here, but there is nothing exciting or all that good here. Harry's Aloha Chop Suey Address: 1721 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena 310-324-4231 Rating: 1.5 scoops rice Review: This "plate lunch place" serves mainly Chinese food and has some serious identity issues. The menu is limited, the food marginal, and it is not cheap. Aloha Palace Address: 216 Del Amo Fashion Center #B (In Del Amo Fashion Center), Torrance, CA Phone: 310-542-8052 Rating: 0 scoops rice Reviews: This mall food court eatery is by far the worst plate lunch place in all of LA. The teri beef was greasy and very fatty and the teri chicken was dark, tough, and tasted really bad. Avoid this place at all costs. Aloha Teriyaki 4834 W. Rosecrans Avenue (corner of Rosecrans and Inglewood), Hawthorne, CA Phone: 310-644-2330 The Beach Hut Address: 3920 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: 310-545-8911 The Beach Hut II Address: 1342 Hermosa Avenue Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Phone: 310-376-4252 Golden Ox Address: 23401 S. Normandie, Torrance CA Phone: 310-539-3845 Hang Loose Address: 1126-30 Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena, CA 90247 Phone: 310-532-6310 Hong Kong Gardens (Deli in the back) Address: 21718 Vermont (cross street Carson) Gardena, CA 90247 Phone: 310-320-8802 Island Chicken Company Address: 1031 Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Phone: 310-374-8222 Paradise Okazuya Address: 1631 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501-3846 Phone: 310-328-5345 Rascal's Eat In Take Out Address: 15482 S. Western Avenue, Gardena CA 90249-4325 Phone: 310-516-8814 Mago's Famous Hamburgers Address: 4500 Centinela Ave, Culver City, CA Phone: 310-397-5157 or 800-900-MAGO Rating: 1.5 scoops rice Review: This place specializes in hamburgers, but does have teriyaki beef and chicken plate lunches as well as spam musubi. Stick with the hamburgers. The plate lunches were overcooked and tasteless and the spam musubi was extremely greasy. Update: As of December 2002, this place is out of business. I guess enough people agree with my review! Rutt's Inn Address: 12114 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066 Phone: (310) 398-6326 The Donut Man Address: 915 E. Alosta Ave, Glendora, CA Phone: 818-335-9111 and 818-963-7412 Rating: 5 donut holes Review: Okay, so this isn't a plate lunch place, but it is by far the best donut place in all of Los Angeles. Sure, it is all the way in Glendora, but the fresh strawberry donuts and the chocolate glazed donuts are to die for. This is the place for donuts, period (take that, Krispy Kreme!). A special thanks goes out to April M. Hiraki Morris for her list of plate lunch places in Southern California. You can check out her complete list at One Scoop Mac Two Scoop Rice Any additional places that I should know about and review? Please let me know by e-mailing me the name and address so I can check it out. Thanks. All material © Copyright 2005 by Dakine.net |