The editors at Eater Los Angeles dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we’re always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here’s the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.
Brisket breakfast burrito from Basecamp in Burbank
There’s no real cure
for a hangover — once you’re in it, you’ve got to ride it out. But there are some things that can help: water, electrolytes, silence, and my favorite, the biggest goddamn breakfast burrito you can find. If you’re still suffering after a rowdy Halloween weekend, consider the formidable breakfast burrito at Basecamp Dinette, a low-key cafe in the quaint, verdant Burbank Rancho district that runs along the LA River northwest of Griffith Park. Sit at the shady picnic tables out front to breathe fresh air and tuck into a Shai-Hulud-ass house-smoked brisket breakfast burrito. The thing comes bisected, cheese oozing out extravagantly, its visible core of smoky chopped brisket studded with chili-spiced beans and surrounded by concentric layers of eggs and cheese. It is entirely too much for a normal day, but sometimes you have to fight indulgence with indulgence. 1221 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506. — Ben Mesirow, editor, Eater Travel
Tacos dorados de camarón from Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights
The crispy shrimp tacos from Mariscos Jalisco are a Los Angeles rite of passage for a reason, and I continue to turn to them when craving Mexican seafood. I recently ate a pair of the tacos dorados de camarón right at 10 a.m., when the Boyle Heights location opened, and I think we should all be hitting Mariscos Jalisco for brunch with greater frequency. The crisp-fried taco shell, bouncy shrimp, creamy strips of avocado, and a waterfall of zingy salsa add up to a bite that starts the day off right. The addition of a zesty fish ceviche tostada with fresh limes completes the experience. 3040 E. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90023. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
Beijing duck from Bistro Na’s in Temple City
Every year, I find myself in a pre-birthday crisis trying to figure out what to do for dinner. I’m often caught between trying something new, at the risk it may be underwhelming, or going for one of my usual suspects, which may not feel celebratory. After far too much waffling this year, an idea popped into my head that I couldn’t let go of: a whole duck at Bistro Na’s. What better excuse to split an entire golden, crispy-skinned Beijing duck than a birthday? The duck has to be ordered well in advance at the Temple City restaurant — which only serves a handful a day, if they are available — and gets carved tableside by chef Tian Yong. Always opt for the soup add-on, which boils down the bones into a richy, milky broth swimming with tender leaves of cabbage and soft tofu. 9055 E Las Tunas Drive #105, Temple City, CA 91780. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
The Pesto Pascal from Park Pizza in Glassell Park
Among the formidable operators that have jumped into Northeast LA’s pizza game, a mighty contender has been slinging excellent slices for two years in a modest corner of Glassell Park. Don’t settle for ordering delivery from Park Pizza; drop by and walk through the adjacent store loaded with snacks, ice cream tacos from Sad Girl Creamery, and an extensive alcohol selection including IPAs and Golden State Cider. A beautifully fermented sourdough crust serves as the base for Park Pizza’s seven pies, including the Pesto Pascal, which I loved. This is a white pizza with mozzarella, fontina, and Parmesan, plus cherry tomatoes and loads of fresh basil on top of the pesto. I proceeded to eat a slice in the car, hoping to capture everything at premium temperature. It was the right move. 3387 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, CA, 90065. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
