Abbot’s Pizza – 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice  310-396-7334

Bagel crust, NY & gourmet pizzas…by the pie or by the slice…C…$

TRY: plain cheese, 5 onion, cheese bomb, athens

Alejo’s – 4002 Lincoln Blvd (at Washington), MDR  310-822-0095

Red sauce Italian…BIG portions…friendly…BYO Wine…C…$

TRY: chopped salad, capelli piponi, sea bass/salmon, veal/chicken parm

Brent’s Deli – 19565 Parthenia St (W of Tampa), Northridge  818-886-5679

LA’S BEST DELI…on weekends, sit at the counter to avoid long wait…C…$$

TRY: black pastrami reuben, lox, eggs & onions, ask for home fries deep-fried

Chi Dynasty – 2112 Hillhurst Ave, LA  323-667-3388

Gourmet Chinese…trendy Los Feliz location…friendly service…C…$$

TRY: chinese chicken salad, bbq sliced pork, pea pods w/FRESH water chestnuts

Dr. Hogly Wogly’s – 8136 Sepulveda (S of Roscoe), Van Nuys  818-782-2480

LA’S BEST BBQ…hole in the wall…sassy waitresses…crowded weekends…C…$$

TRY: brisket (ask for lean), beef ribs, links, chicken, baked beans, cole slaw

Empanada’s Place – 3811 Sawtelle (at Venice), Culver City  310-391-0888

Argentinean meat/vegetable pies…dine in or take out…cash or checks only…C…$

TRY:  criolla, arabe, corn, spinach, potato & cheese, tucumana

Guelaguetza – 11127 Palms (at Sepulveda), West LA  310-837-1153

Authentic Oaxacan cooking…the BEST moles…C…$

TRY: banana leaf tamale, clayudas, fried whole fish,  barbacoa, chorizo

Hu’s Szechwan – 10450 National Blvd, Palms  310-837-0252

NY-style Chinese…big portions…friendly waiters…takeout & delivery…C…$$

TRY: chicken salad, cheng pi beef, lemon chicken, szechwan wontons, string beans

Langer’s – 704 S. Alvarado St, Los Angeles  213-483-8050

BEST PASTRAMI sandwich…curbside pickup…near subway… closes at 4…C…$$

TRY: #19 - pastrami w/swiss, cole slaw & russian dressing, potato salad

Pomodoro – 1393 Westwood Blvd (S of Wilshire), West LA  310-445-9998

Trattoria-style Italian…owners from Italy…friendly service…crowded…C…$$