Downtown Los Angeles Lunch

Americas - USA West Los Angeles
21

Yes! I’ve been going to GCM (see my selfless pot pie reports). I really enjoyed the salmon bowl I got from Mark Peel’s place.

2 Likes
22

Shiku.

To address your catering needs–I’m a Lemonade fan and they have a couple DTLA locations–though I know that’s like Tender Greens adjacent.

RiceBox, Yuko Kitchen, and KazuNori are also near-by solid lunch options.

4 Likes
23

There’s also a Guisados down there, the remaining Centeno spots, and I think e stretto makes some very solid sandwiches. I had a pretty good meal at Casa La Doña once a long time ago - tons of salsas, some interesting dishes. People also like Uncle Paulie’s, though I haven’t been myself.

4 Likes
24

I’m back in the office once a week in the same area (the Gas Co. Tower across the street from Pershing), and here are some places within walking distance:

  • e Stretto

  • GCM (incl. DTLA Cheese, Sari Sari, Shiku, Sticky Rice, Wexler’s) - note that foot traffic is back to pre-COVID levels

  • KazuNori

  • Maccheroni Republic

  • Madame Monsieur

  • Marugame Udon

  • Petite Peso

  • Pitchoun

  • Shake Shack (there’s a new location in the Wells Fargo food court)

  • Spring Street Arcade (Guisados, RiceBox)

  • Sultan Chicken

  • Tacos 1986

  • Looks like Zankou just opened on 7th/Grand

  • Other chains: Tender Greens, Mendocino Farms, Halal Guys

  • Haven’t done this yet since going back in, but I used to take the DASH to Chinatown or Little Tokyo on slower days as well

15 Likes
25

i love it when Great Eater Chris blesses us with his presence.

8 Likes
26

Great eater indeed. I can’t get anything past him, dude called me out for not using beef jerky for the la mora x fly by jing collab, smh. @chrishei

3 Likes
27

Thank you, all! We had Pitchoun for lunch. Very good and nice to have beautiful desserts to choose from when you’re eating a group lunch. I had the chocolate chip cookie, which I thought was too sweet.

We also had drinks (no food) at LA Athletic Club. I’m mentioning this as the member said they just restarted food and bev service.

3 Likes
28

I liked KazuNori a lot. Is there a line at lunch?

29

Warrior: I think Anwar’s Kitchen and Z Falafel are better than Zankou, which is fine but the chicken is too dry. I like Dona Iñez more than the Mexican / taco places people have mentioned above. At GCM, I think Shiku is far and away the best choice, but I like several other options: Ramen Hood, DTLA Cheese, and Wexler’s. Peony and I have posted before about Little Llamas Peruvian Tacos; I would rank that restaurant higher than any place in GCM except Shiku. In the Arts District, Bridgetown Roti and the new ramen place Afuri are both good. Mex Peru Gipsy has good aji de gallina.

2 Likes
30

Resurrecting to ask about good takeout spots near to the Gas Tower (5th between Olive and Grand)

31

Te Isshoku TE Isshoku (square.site)
Garo’s
Zankou
Grand Central Market obviously
DTLA Cheese Superette

2 Likes
32

Good list! I’ll add Rita’s Deluxe. But give them a call first. They have been closed due to construction on 7th

2 Likes
33

As someone who works in the building: Lokal Sandwich Shop has a permanent pop-up in the 2nd floor cafeteria that is solid.

Also:
Danny Boy’s
Guisados
Inka Wasi
Maccheroni Republic
Marugame Udon
Tokyo Fried Chicken
Yuko Kitchen
Kogi is in front of Wells Fargo on Grand at least once a week

5 Likes
34

Didn’t know Lokal was back in the area! What do you recommend there?

35

This one in the building has only a few banh mi and sandwich options (might be run by Fooda even, so not sure how long they’ll be there). I usually just get a lemongrass tofu banh mi when I have too many meetings to run out and/or need to eat healthy for the day.

2 Likes
36

I’m also a GCT worker. Sultan Chicken on 6th is my go-to, with GCM good for a group. Danny Boy’s and Kogi are solid options as well. I kind of like the Vietnamese place in the weird underground food court on 5th and Flower. If you have some time and want to leg it, you can do Sonoratown or Holy Basil.

5 Likes
37

I’ve worked at GCT long enough that I still refer to 505 Flower as Arco :older_man:. The sandwich at Mr. Mustache is a decent choice for a quick and light lunch. Agree with the choices of everyone above. Although I have avoided the second floor since the original Blue Flame shut down. I also grab the occasional canele at Pitchoun.

3 Likes
38

You all might have seen that a new branch of the Northern Cafe chain opened on 7th between Hope and Flower. I’m not a fan of the chain, but still it should be the best Chinese food in the area.

4 Likes
39

It’s been years since I been but Uncle John’s Cafe has always satisfied. Might be the only Cantonese and American diner in Southern California, maybe the state? I wanna say the Sunset might have one (SF). I seen Korean, and Thai influenced American diners (most have been or are owned by Greeks).

The spicy pork chops, 2 eggs, and fried rice is one of their specialites.

3 Likes