📍 Added in November: Do I like cheeseburgers? Yes. Do I like cheeseburgers with a chunky 10 ounces of dry-aged beef cooked to a meat snob’s standards, a puffy sesame seed bun, American cheese, and a humble sauce that enhances but doesn’t overpower the burger flavor? Of course. Ask for the DH (the dry-aged patty); you can get it in different styles, but the Amboy is the best introduction. I would expect nothing less from The Burger Show’s Alvin Cailan, a true burger intellectual.

📍 Added in November: One of my favorite tacos in Los Angeles comes from this Eagle Rock bar. They have flame-finished cocktails, local craft beers, and a great tequila selection to complement their array of gently elevated Mexican dishes. I haven’t tasted a dish that didn’t please me, but here, it’s all about the duck carnitas tacos on Kernel of Truth’s organic blue corn tortillas. I’m always impressed by how a taco can be so light and fluffy with so much flavor. 

📍 Added in November: There are plenty of reasons to visit Old Town Pasadena. Sometimes I do it just to pop into one of the oldest ramen houses in L.A. The mini-ritual of receiving your bowl, rubbing your chopsticks, and pulling noodles through the steam the broth releases is one of those unique zen moments that lasts minutes but relieves a week’s worth of stress. The broth leaves little to be desired, yet I can't help myself from adding an extra ramen egg, extra noodles, and extra pork belly.

📍 Added in November: Nothing makes me a regular quicker than the taste of home cooking, which is why you’ll find me so often at this pozoleria. I usually dabble in the chile relleno, the albondiga soup, or the hominy soup with chicken or pork (Doña Ana’s specialty), which is perfect for colder weather. No matter what delicious dish I order, I can never resist the temptation to add the crispy tacos dorados with picadillo, covered in a saucy tomato broth.

📍 Added in November: I’m not big on seafood soups, but the jjampong here, full of fresh mussels, squid, and clams, is a blessing. Located in a busy Koreatown plaza, Park’s is the answer to any dull evening when an ambient neighborhood can replenish your social soul. The sweet, slurpy black bean jjajangmyeon noodles are the crowd favorite, so I recommend a bowl of those too. Service is unconventional (you press the buzzer at the table for attention), but the food comes out fast, fresh, and hot.

You know my love for street food. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon a new sign in Eagle Rock that promised “Lebanese Street Food” at A la Beirut. Mom, dad, son, and daughters work together to take grandma’s marinades and dad’s sandwich techniques and create toasted vessels of new flavors in either a pita wrap or a flaky French baguette. The beef or chicken shawarma is magnificent, but go for the beef tongue with garlic spread and pickles—it’s a sprightly bite.

For a flavor rush of psychedelic proportions, the tikka masala at this South Bay strip mall will have you forgetting your woes—your full concentration will be on slowly tackling this vigorous dish. Order fresh garlic naan to dip into the rich, sweet, and spicy sauce as you eat or to use as a swab to comfort your taste buds between spoonfuls. If there’s room, finish off this roller coaster of flavor with a samosa served with a sweet and tangy sauce.

All Time has become a favorite spot for a lunch date with my lady: It has class and comfort without being presumptuous or showy. The chef’s offerings always seem to include a touch of genuine L.A. while feeling fresh, healthy, and filling. I’ve enjoyed tender carnitas tacos on blue corn tortillas, crispy rice breakfast bowls, and a Good Ass Salad that’s very popular. This little gem keeps it fresh with a changing menu, adding some excitement each time I return.

I’m always hesitant to recommend legendary places because how have you never heard of Arturo’s puffy tacos? It’s one of Texas’ most unique tacos, and you can find it here in our backyard. The freshly made tortilla is thrown in a deep fryer, puffing up like a balloon, creating a crispy shell. You can get it with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and chunky tomato salsa, but try the chunky beef guisado or tender bits of asada. It’s a unique experience worth a trip across town.

There’s always a line during lunch at Aunty Maile’s, and the wait for some of the best Hawaiian food on the mainland can take 20 minutes during a rush. Let me tell you, it’s worth it every time. The daily specials are always a treat, especially the sweet-and-sour spare ribs on Tuesdays. If it’s your first time, get a mix plate with kalbi short ribs and furikake chicken. The little mac salad completes this fork-licking meal.