Langer's Delicatessen & Restaurant

I learned something very valuable the other day. No matter how far you have to run the next day, do not drink the night before.

It was the night before the Revlon 5K, and I decided to check out art exhibit opening at Rivera & Rivera…and few cocktails to justify taking the subway. I had the Cuban Society at Glance located at the JW Marriott LA Live, and it was such a good drink that I had to have another one…hey, I took myself out on a date.

By the way, for the men who are picking up on women at bars, please don’t do the stupid tap on the shoulder trick, especially when she’s on the cell phone. It’s not cute.

I didn’t have a hang over but I’ll admit I was roughing it a bit for the 5K. For some reason just because you’ve done a marathon, you think a 5K is a walk in the park –not really if you’ve had three drinks…

Start:

Finish:

Needless to say, I survived and I was starving afterwards. I didn’t have breakfast—another no, no. Langer's Delicatessen & Restaurant was the answer to my hunger pangs.

I ordered breakfast…

…and then lunch. I of course could not have gone to Langer’s and not order the world’s most famous pastrami sandwich, Al Langer’s #19: “hot pastrami, cole slaw, a slice of Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on hot rye.”

Now the pastrami sandwich is not cheap (almost $15!) but it’s definitely worth it. It was delicious! It amazes me that this sandwich that was created in the 1950s-60s is just as famous and popular as today. Do not miss out!

Address: 704 South Alvarado St, LA, CA 90057
Phone#: (213) 483-8050
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DOLERES RESTAURANT & BAKERY

Dolores Restaurant & Bakery should be shut down or hire a new cooking staff!

One would think that if an establishment has been opened since 1944, it’s doing something right. Sadly I must report I had the worst chicken fried steak last Sunday.

It was completely inedible with the putrid brown-orange gravy and burnt bottom.

The manager asked me what was wrong with the chicken fried steak. Even though he didn’t sampled it, I figured it was obvious that it looked disgusting. He reassured me that it was fresh….fresh out of the toilet? I told him that I was comfortable paying for the chicken fried steak but I wanted a side of sausages instead.

The manager was kind to take off the chicken fried steak and charged me for the sausages; I still paid the difference in tips. I really wanted to like the joint for its 50s decor and history. Oh, therer's free wi-fi too.

The manager must have coached the waitress what to say because when dropping the bill, she reiterated that the “meat was fresh. Argh! I thought the customers are always right? Shessh! My first and my last visit.

Address: 11407 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone#: (310) 477-1061
Rating: 1 out of 5

THE LITTLE CAFE

After 4 hours at the mall on Black Friday morning, my friend and I were famished! The lack of food caused us to make us think we missed Cici's, so we ended up at the Little Café. Thank goodness we didn't go to Cici's, because I was malfunctioning and the wait time was 45 minutes. Little Café's was 20 minutes. I was leaning on the rail, holding myself from fainting, taking the Little Café in.

The Little Cafe is a tiny Ma & Pa diner. I don't recommend party of 6 or more coming here. Nothing fancy except all the celebrities' headshots adorning the wall. The hippo's picture was not on the wall.

The server and host were nice. The food...eh, could be better. I ordered my usual, the eggs Benedict . The hollandaise sauce was so buttery (you can kinda tell by the sauce's thickness) that I only could only finished 1 egg.

I finished my home fries instead. My friend had omelette -forgot which one but it had bacon and spinach. The omelette was better than the E.B.

Our meal came out to $24.

p.s. CASH only (there's an ATM in the shop next door) & don't forget to write your name on the board -you snooze, you loose.

Address: 19204 Ventura Blvd Tarzana, CA 91356
Phone#: (818) 705-8335
Rating: 2 out of 5

NICKEL DINER

So Nickel Diner doesn't have eggs Benedict, but their scrambled eggs with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and parmesan are not bad (def need to add salt).
I really like the their fries that came with B's spicy pulled pork sandwich.
It's more of a shoe-string fry than Pete's --really crunchy too. The spicy pulled pork is pretty tasty too (not too spicy (if i can handle it, you can too), ask the bbq sauce & cole slaw on the side).

p.s. I haven't tried it yet, but they offer bacon donuts!

Address: 524 S Main StLos Angeles, CA 90013

Phone#: (213) 623-8301

Rating: 4 out of 5

VILLAGE INN

Village Inn was the first place we ate in Tampa last weekend. V.I. is like an upgrade of IHOP and Denny's. For a second I thought Denny's owned V.I. because you have the Denny's green and the menu looked like theirs as well.

They had eggs Benedict but there is something scary ordering e.b. at a diner...so I opted for the chicken fried steak that came with pancakes, eggs, and potatoes and was pleased.

So if you're craving diner food, come here.

Address: 22601 State Rd 54 Land O' Lakes, FL 34639
Phone#: (813) 909-4906
Rating: 3 out of 5

COFFEE SHOP

It's 4:00AM and you're starving, where do you go? Coffee Shop!

After Fat Baby last week, I was disappointed that the only place that served food in LES in the wee morning was this falafel shop. We were starving but not craving falafel. I can always trust the Coffee Shop welcoming us in with its bright neon sign. We had the Media Noche - Classic Cuban Sandwich --hit the tummy in the right spot.

I would also recommend their Seared Rare Peppered Yellowfin Tuna Over Seasonal Greens (I used to order this all the time when I lived in NYC) and their Vegetarian Garden Burger.

Service is a hit or miss here.

Address: 29 Union Sq W New York, NY 10003
Phone#: (212) 243-7969
Rating: 4 out of 5