That’s south of downtown and a little bit of a schlep from Silver Lake.
I highly recommend it, but if there are events at the convention center, Staples Center, or LA Live, traffic will be bad and parking expensive or difficult. Reservations strongly recommended.
On the way to / from Santa Clarita, I have flagged:
You guys are all nuts.
The only thing that a person cannot get in NYC, or can get a better iteration in LA, is Mexican street food and taqueria fare.
To which I point you to this thread from @Chowseeker1999
I preferred Gjusta’s smoked fish to Russ and Daughters’. I wonder if I’m missing out on where NY has better smoked fish.
Also, I always take out Gjusta, and I go early.
Might belong at the top of the list, but that’s not the only thing NY chefs mention when they move to LA.
Except for Guerilla, taco trucks might be problematic with picky eaters.
I think Holbox is a must for you. There’s nothing even sorta equivalent to it in NYC. And it’s wonderfully close to USC.
I also find the NYC Thai scene to be terribly lacking, so I’d do some of that. Night Market imo is a better version of Uncle Boon’s…
Other than that, authentic Korean seems very logical given how mediocre that little corridor in NYC is, though I’m unsure the wife and daughter will find what they need.
Vietnamese is poo poo in NYC.
Had a nice meal in Santa Clarita at Pink Salt. Homey Filipino food with everything seemingly made there.
Pink Salt Grill Restaurant and Catering
23460 Cinema Dr D, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 260-3502
Gjusta Gjusta Gjusta
Gjelina will make its way to NYC soon, so I’d cross that off the list if you can wait a couple years.
I live on the Westside, so for very good Oaxacan food, I recommend Monte Alban. My veggie sister likes, also. It’s not far from UCLA and they serve breakfast and are open non-stop until close at 10pm.
Also on the westside is some of the best sushi in Los Angeles!
My husband worked at UCLA for around 11 years and we used to enjoy occasional lunches in convenient Westwood at Skylight Gardens - at least one good craft beer on tap, good handrolled pastas and they would make me an off menu item - Caesar salad with deep fried squid. Their steaks and fries are good, also!
Also in Westwood in the pizza chain that can satisfy for most palates and diets, if you want something faster.
http://www.800degrees.com/#locations
I’ve taken an Australian friend here who loved it, and my veggie sister. It’s not traditional Mexican, but it is incredible food and a great spot for lunch downtown.
I agree that the best things about LA is our ethnic cuisine, so I would seek out places that serve amazing regional cuisine.
I would make a beeline for dim sim at Longo Seafood in Rosemead. There are vegetarian options.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/longo-seafood-restaurant-rosemead
My favorite Thai place with an amazing Thai dessert place in same mini-mall is Ruen Pair, but I think vegetarians would have a hard time here.
My husband’s favorite Thai place is Jitlada, which I think would have more vegetarian options.
I also love Musso&Frank for a boozy lunch in the middle of hollywood.
Enjoy!!!
I’d also do a Korean BBQ in Ktown but I don’t know of any place that won’t be difficult to take vegetarians to. My fave is Parks BBQ.
Langer’s. Because evidently you can’t find rye bread worth a damn at NYC delis.
Take Sunset down to Pacific Palisades. Watch the surfers as the winter sun plays over the Pacific Ocean.
Then, maybe stop at Tallula’s cantina for dinner.
http://www.tallulasrestaurant.com
(P.S. My friend’s son is a freshman in the music program at UCLA. It’s pretty terrific, and he’s having the time of his life. 
)
Yeah, I’m definitely more the taco truck type than my gf and her daughter, tho if there are good tacos vegetarianos or hongos that makes it an easier sell.
Wow, what an embarrassment of riches! Thanks to all of you for the recs, and please keep 'em coming!
Bizarra Capital (Whittier)
Gjusta
Back Home in Lahaina
That’s a spinoff of Broken Spanish, which is much better. The taqueria’s good for a quick lunch if you’re in the neighborhood and it’s very vegetarian-friendly.
Another very veg-friendly place downtown: