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Would Kenji Alt Lopez Eat In Los Angeles Tonight
If culinary scientist J. Kenji López-Alt were mapping out his ultimate Los Angeles food crawl tonight, he’d bypass the velvet-rope fine dining to hit the city's masterfully executed, science-backed casual icons.
1
Howlin' Ray's
This is the legendary crown jewel of LA's hot chicken scene that Kenji has routinely praised as the absolute gold standard of the style outside of Nashville. Order the signature "The Sando," featuring a massive, ultra-juicy Jidori chicken thigh double-fried to crackling perfection and dressed in comeback sauce and pickles on a butter bun. Tucked inside Chinatown's Far East Plaza, the vibe is high-energy with a notoriously long but efficient queue, making it a stellar deal at around $$ (about $22 a head) for the best hot chicken in California.
2
Langer's Deli
Operating opposite MacArthur Park since 1947, Langer's is renowned by almost every major food critic—including Kenji—as serving the single greatest pastrami sandwich in America. Go straight for the iconic "Number 19," where thick-cut, hand-sliced, five-hour steamed pastrami is layered with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on double-baked rye bread that crackles at the crust. The space is a charming, retro Jewish-style diner that gets packed for lunch, and while $$$ ($35-$40 a head) is steep for a sandwich, it's a verified steal for a bucket-list bite.
3
Guisados
Kenji highly respects the traditional braising techniques behind this Boyle Heights institution, which has redefined LA’s casual taco landscape with homestyle Mexican stews. Order the "Taco Sampler," which gives you six mini corn tortillas piled with rich stews like cochinita pibil, tinga, chicharrón, and mole. It's a colorful, fast-casual neighborhood counter where you can grab a quick lunch or early dinner, costing a total steal of $ (about $15 a head) for handmade masa and slow-simmered magic.
4
Daybird
Founded by James Beard finalist and Top Chef champion Mei Lin, whom Kenji has collaborated with and deeply respects, this Silver Lake favorite brings Szechuan fire to the hot chicken sandwich game. Order the Szechuan Hot Chicken Sandwich, featuring Jidori chicken thighs fried in rice bran oil for a shatteringly light crust, coated in a numbing, electric Szechuan peppercorn blend and topped with jalapeño slaw. It’s a minimalist, cashless strip-mall counter with a dedicated crowd, running about $$ ($20 a head) which is amazing value for Michelin-level fast-casual technique.
5
Gol Tong Chicken
Directly featured in Kenji's LA fried chicken exploration, this whimsical Koreatown hole-in-the-wall is run entirely by a former South Korean film director. Order the "Director's Cut" sampler platter, which showcases spectacularly crispy, double-fried boneless chicken glazed in soy garlic and sweet chili sauces, topped uniquely with sesame seeds and fresh fruits like strawberries and avocado. It's a tiny, neon-lit shop where K-pop videos blast while the director cooks every dish himself, offering incredible value at $$ (around $25 a head) for the sheer charm and distinct crunch.
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