Apple Pan

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This LA trip was all about the 2 B's:  burger and bakeries.  Apple Pan was the easiest to conquer with its super late night hours (Fri/Sat 1a and midnight all other days).  Apple Pan is an LA institution and they pride themselves on keeping everything the same from the food to the interior design. 

The restaurant itself is all counter seating.  There isn't a hostess so you pretty much have to stake out for an open spot, but after 10p it wasn't much of a problem.

Sodas here are served paper cones held up by a metal cup holder.  Quirky, but cool.  It reminds me of a poor man's goblet.

Almost every burger is here is not without a plateful of fries.  The fries are obviously frozen, but they still make them above average.  Its all about full service here.  Ketchup is squirted on a paper plate for you.

There are two burgers offered at Apple Pan. Although everything else in the restaurant seems to be stuck in a time capsule, their prices are definitely not.  Their burgers fit perfectly in two hands and cost $6.75 with cheese being $.50 extra.  The hickory burger is their most popular burger.  Its served with all the basics - lettuce, pickle, mayo, and a secret sauce.  Their secret sauce just tastes like a sweet bbq sauce.  Their burger was just average, not really that juicy.

Although the hickory burger seems to be the staple order here, many people do order the other burger - the steakburger.  Its served with its own secret sauce, which reminds me of a sweet relish.  Not sure which burger I like better, neither really hit home for me. 

The lettuce served on their burger is not one of those wimpy, wilted lettuce leaves.  Its a huge wedge.  While some people may not enjoy the lettuce to meat ratio, I found the wedge to provide a nice crunch to be really refreshing.

A slice of pie seems to be a popular way to end the meal here whether its to eat here or to go.  They often have different flavors so its best to ask what that day's pies are.  I pretty much had my heart set on a banana cream pie.  It didn't disappoint.  Layers and layers of sliced bananas topped with a thin layer of banana pudding and whipped cream.  I loved how this banana cream pie was a no nonsense type pie and filled with bananas in each bite.  Definitely the highlight of the meal. 

Address:                  Apple Pan
                                 10801 W. Pico Blvd.
                                 Los Angeles, CA 
 

Type:                        burger 

Popular chomps:      hickory burger
                                  banana cream pie
                                  apple pie

Chomp worthy:         banana cream pie     

Langer's Deli

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The corner that Langer's is on reminds me a lot of SF from the screaming bums to the guy who asked me if I need a fake ID.  Even in a questionable area, people still lined up for a seat at this historical eating institution.

Served up with a pickle, the hot pastrami (#19) at Langer's is their most famous sandwich.  Supposely, only Langer's and Katz are the only two delis in America to serve hand cut pastrami slices in their sandwiches.  Had I known that I could order half sandwiches, I would have ordered their corned beef sandwich, which many consider even better than their pastrami.

This sandwich has to be one of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life.  I've had Katz's version and while I think its a good sandwich, I prefer Langer's.  Everything about this sandwich is pure perfection.  Succulent and savory meat that doesn't have the usual over saltiness that I find in most pastramis.  The crunchy coleslaw has the lightest touch of mayo and offers the perfect contrast to the soft bread.  Besides how awesome the pastrami is, the bread is just amazing.  The freshly baked bread is nutty and fluffy with just the right amount of thickness.  Usually crust is an afterthought for me, but, wow, the crust has a crisp, but soft texture that's indescribably delicious. 

Address:                   Langer's Deli
                                  704 S. Alvarado St.
                                  Los Angeles, CA
 

Type:                         deli

Popular chomps:      #19 - pastrami on rye
                                  matzo ball soup
                                  #88 - corned beef
                                 

Chomp worthy:         #19 - pastrami on rye    

LA weekly's 99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die

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I was online researching all things food (of course!) and stumbled upon this old (2010), but interesting list of LA eats.  Is it eerie that its so similarly named to SF's 7x7 lists of Things to Eat Before You Die (recently named The Big Eat)?  (see 2012's SF list HERE).  I rarely make a trip out to LA, but this list does make for an interesting read.  I was surprised to find that I actually have eaten at a couple...check it out!

LA weekly's 99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die

1).   Fugu at Urasawa 
2).   Goat's Milk Gelato at Bulgarini's
3).   Romanesco at Weiser Family Farms
4).   San Nik Ji at Masan
5).   Sherry Yard's Kaiserschmarrn at Spago
6).   Taco at Tito's Taco
7).   Luna Oysters at Santa Monica's Farmers Market
8).   Sesame Cream Puffs at Patisserie Chantilly
9).   Vietnamese Spring Rolls at Golden Deli
10).  Hot Pastrami at Langers
11).  Bone Marrow Flan at Cut
12).  Sea-Salt Caramels at Little Flower Company
13).  Spicy Lobster at Newport Seafood
14).  New Style Sashimi at Matsuhisa
15).  Gnocchi at Angeli's Caffe
16).  Lechon at Eva's Lechon
17).  Tortillas at Riveria's
18).  Apple Pie and Eel at Wa Sushi
19).  Sausage and Eggplant Pizza at Casa Bianca
20).  Huarache de Cabeza at El Huarache Azteca
21).  Kalbi Taco at Kogi
22).  Lamb Tongue Sandwich at Canary
23).  La's Street Dog at Fab Dogs
24).  Hollenbeck Burrito at El Tepeyac Cafe
25).  Whatever Lou Tells You To Drink at Lou's
26).  Pain au Chocolat at Anisette Brasserie
27).  Paleron With Kumquats and Cream of Wheat at Lazy Ox Canteen
28).  Welsh Rarebit at Musso & Frank Grill
29).  Flautas at Ciro's
30).  Dill Fries at The Gorbals (inside the Alexandria Hotel)
31).  Fish Kidneys at Jitlada's
32).  Chicharron de queso at Loteria Grill
33).  Corn Chowder at the Ivy
34).  French Dip at Phillippe's
35).  French Dip at Cole's
36).  Birria at El Parisan
37).  Country White Bread at La Brea Bakery
38).  Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach
39).  Sizzling Catfish at Chinois
40).  Hickeryburger at Apple Pan
41).  Hearth-Baked Bagel at Brooklyn Bagel Bakery
42).  Vegetables en Papillote at Palate
43).  Quinoa with  Edamame at Akasha
44).  Strawberry donut at Donut Man
45).  Chili at Chili John's
46).  Beef Roll at 101 Noodle Express
47).  Eva solo brewed coffee at La Mill
48).  Oki dog at Oki Dog
49).  Cheeseburger at Comme Ca
50).  Saffron Silk Ice Cream at Saffron Spot
51).  Yellow Fried Fish with Hair Seaweed at Giang Nan
52).  Mozza Pizza at Pizzeria Mozza
53).  Pork Pump at Shanghai Xiao Chi
54).  Shanxi knife cut noodles at JTYH Restaurant
55).  Tofu at Beverly Soon Tofu Restaurant
56).  Pho Bac at Pho Minh
57).  Pig Candy at Bigmista
58).  Egg Salad Sandwich at Euro Pane
59).  Cha Chiang Mein at Mandarin House
60).  Oyster Po'Boy at Little Dom
61).  Cheese Enchilada at a random street vendor in East LA
62).  Al Bap at A-Won
63).  Brandt beef
64).  Krakatoa Blend Coffee
65).  #11 Potato Tacos at El Atacor
66).  Thali at Rajdhani's
67).  Fried Chicken at Ludo's
68).  Prime Rib at Lawry's
69).  Grilled Prime Rib at Campanile
70).  Seviche at Mo-Chica
71).  Banh Mi from Mr. Baguette's
72).  Foie Gras & Biscuits and Gravy at Animal
73).  Panuchos at Chichen Itza
74).  Pad Thai at Krua Thai
75).  Ancient Ginger Soup at Noodle Island
76).  Rainbow Chard at McGrath Family Farm
77).  Green Corn Tamales at Border Grill
78).  #2 Burrito at Lupe's
79).  Chicken Pot Pie at Good Girl Dinette's
80).  Seascape Strawberries at Harry's Berries
81).  Michael Cimarusti's Squid with Piquilla Peppers and Pig's Ear at Providence
82).  Corned Beef Hash at The Grill on the Alley
83).  Salmon Sashimi at Kiriko's
84).  Maple Bacon Donut at Nickel Diner
85).  Godmother at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
86).  Soup Dumpings at Din Tai Fung
87).  Plain Doughnut at Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts
88).  Hot Dog at Let's Be Frank
89).  Doro Wot at Meals by Genet's
90).  Boat Noodles at Sapp Coffee Shop
91).  Brisket at Bludso
92).  Galbi at Park's BBQ
93).  Hot Almond Milk in Pastry at Capital Seafood Restaurant
94).  Sashimi at Kiyokawa's
95).  Chongqing Fried Chicken at Chung King
96).  Peruvian Roast Chicken at Pollo a la Brasa
97).  Sprats at Natraliart
98).  Lobster Roll at Hungry Cat's
99).  Maple Bacon Biscuits at Huckleberry