Anyone ever been to the AYCE spaghtetti and meatballs at Bäco Mercat?
Kind of an oddball choice… but possibly fits the bill here?
1 Like
Dan Tana’s does spaghetti and meat balls for $25. I have not had it but frequently get the spaghetti and meat sauce which comes as a side with most of the mains. Personally, I like it a lot although it never got much love on CH.
for $25, those better be some special goddamn meatballs.
1 Like
I bet it’s pretty good. perfect old school spot for an old school meal
Especially when one considers that the spaghetti is disgustingly overcooked - even if one asks for it al dente - and that the tomato saucy very, very watery. Don’t get me wrong, I like Tana’s (to a degree) for certain dishes (Clams Oreganata, the Dabney Coleman, Chicken Beckerman, White Fish). Just not the spaghetti. Maybe a penne or rigatoni if I have to, but no spaghetti.
Jones has a terrific version. I just wish they had a jumbo size! Rao’s is OK too but more expensive.
The pasta at Tana’s is just awful. But that chicken parm is A++ gluttony
Their pastas are pretty underrated (and reasonably priced). That alio e olio is solid.
I will have to try Fabiolus. Always just drive by it.
I never get pasta there, but they are using Barilla for their dried now. I think it was another brand before the current owners.
I agree 100% that Vito’s is the place for the best spaghetti and meatballs. We ate there for the first time last night. There were 5 of us. My husband and I shared the spaghetti and meatballs and still had some left over for lunch today. The others in our party raved about the sand dabs.
Caesar salad is phenomenal. Love this old school Italian restaurant. No B.S., just terrific food, service and the cocktails are mighty generous.
1 Like
Bruno’s in Brea serves a terrific version…and on Mondays, it’s AYCE.
Where’s brea? How far from LA?
Since this has post has been revived.
I am very happy to report that the new Clifton’s does not have the best classic, old school spaghetti and meatballs.
Not even perhaps the fifteenth best. At least judging by the number of responses thus far.
This may deserve its own thread, but I am going to nominate Colburn Cafe (at the Colburn School) as having the best classic, old school spaghetti under $10.
The pasta, while not made inhouse, is not rubbery or soft, still reminiscent of most old school spaghetti joints where the noodles are not al dente but just toothsome enough to remind you that this isn’t Chef Boyaredee.
The sauce is thick has a nice tomato-y flavor without too much fancy-shmancy herbal overtones.
Meatballs, while not baseball sized (nor do they need to be), are meaty and juicy.
For 8.95, it’s hard to beat. Menu changes frequently, so check to see what’s on tap before you go.
1 Like
On a good day, Brea is likely a good 40 minutes away from LA (5 S, 91 E, 57 N). It’s on the northeastern end of OC where the 57 runs north/south through.
We live in southeastern LA county and are only about 20 mins away, so it’s a bit more convenient for us.
I’ve lived in the area for a decade and have thought how have I never been to Jones while driving by at least 20 times already
Second Casa Bianca. Had a couple of pasta dishes including this plus our pizza, and while I loved the pizza I wanted to put this in my pants …
1 Like
I’m not sure what you were putting in your pants, but they will gladly wrap up stuff to go if you ask.
But hey, you do you…
3 Likes
It’s an expression of extreme liking. If I really did that I hate to think what driving home would be like!
1 Like