Happy Teriyaki Bowl

1001 W. Beverly Blvd.
Montebello, CA 90640


The best small-mom-and-pop-authentic-Japanese restaurant within Montebello-Whittier-Norwalk area. Hurry, get there before the elderly couple die and this place will be gone forever. These places are such a rarity. The real treasure in the menu is unagi bowl. Grilled teriyaki eel!!! Its a damn shame this place is only open for lunch on the weekdays. No dinners, no weekends.

Aree Thai

8234 South Norwalk Blvd,
Whittier, CA 90606

Parking is somewhat inconvenienced by the the laundrymat next door. I usually get inexpensive pad thai at this place. It might be the least expensive. Within the Whittier, Montebello area.

President Thai

9340 Whittier Blvd,
Pico Rivera, CA 90060



Don't be put off by surly twaty waitress service, console yourself with the bottles of Singha and the squid salad (very citrusy)

Tropicana

10218 Paramount Blvd.,
Downey, CA 90241

Craving a media noche and don't want to drive all the way to Glendale to Porto's, here is the alternative. All the girls are wearing straw hats, so cute. Are they all Cubana's? Listen to the tempo of their Spanish, if they its fast and quick, definitely Cuban.

Garden Grill

1501 West Beverly Blvd,
Montebello, CA 90640



Its an Armenian Deli, pickup your kabobs and enjoy at home. It competes with the other one across the street a toss up on whose better. The only 2 Armo places in the Montebello. Hey, you don't have to drive to Glendale.

The Downey Pizza Co.

9026 Florence Ave.
Downey, CA 90241

Maybe a little bit better than a Chucky Cheese. They serve milk.

Changnoy - Thai Restaurant

2468 Whittier Blvd Montebello, CA 90640

For those quick take home Pad Thai cravings on a Friday evening when I don't want to cook, Changnoy is the one I turn to.

Zankou Chicken

125 N. Montebello Blvd, Unit E.
Montebello, CA 90640



The Kentucky Fried chicken of Armenians (although its roasted). Good, I don't have to drive all the way to Glendale when I get a hankerin' for garlic butter and roasted chicken. Its the garlic butter I go for. The roasted chicken you can a get anywhere.

Pho Pagolac

861 N. Spring Street #103,
Los Angeles, CA 90012

So-so Pho in so-so Chinatown. Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants are just so touristy. The food is just for the tourist, no real food for the foodie. Best to take the quest to Alhambra or any suburban heavily populated Vietnamese and Chinese community.

Bibingkahan

12155 E. South Street
Artesia, CA 90701

Cafeteria style with a good selection of Filipino food. I especially like the barbecue. But its all good.

Imperial Mandarin Palace

11492 South Street
Cerritos, CA 90703

PseudoChinese.

Pho Tasty

19117 Pioneer Boulevard
Artesia, CA 90701

It was crowded that Friday night but I got a seat all to myself. The Pho was hearty and filling.

Las Villas

7651 California Avenue
Huntington Park, CA 90255-6271

Good Mom & Pop Cuban Food in a heavily dense barrio of Huntington Park.

Baguette du jour - July 21, 2009

At Baguette du jour I had the Special Combo and the Grilled Beef. Descent sandwiches. Too bad it closes at 5:00 pm.


2436 W. Vally Blvd, Alhambra

Taqueria Mexico - July 14, 2009

I had the burrito al pastor at Taqueria Mexico. Their style of al pastor consisted of stewed carne in a rojo sauce, not the traditional carved marinated beef slices off a spit. The Lebanese style pastor has a broiled smokey flavor, so I felt snookered. Then I had to beg for tinidor, japalapeno, and salsa. They gave up those item begrudgingly as if it would drive them out of business.

My lesson was don't have any expectations when I come here. But if I don't have expectations of it being any good what's the use of going back?

20905 Roscoe Blvd Canoga Park, CA 91304-4309

Toyito's - July 13, 2009

At Toyito's I had their Combo #6. Descent rotisserie chicken. For desert I had their plantain chips and their Alfajor (a pastry, a light chocolate creme filling sandwich between crumbly cookie dough like wafers covered with a thin white icing). I'll have to ask what South American country the dishes are from.


8510 Paramount Blvd, Downey, CA 90240

Teriyakiya - July 9, 2009

At Teriyakiya, I had their Bulgogi, with rice, salad and tempura. The Bulgogi tasted more like teriyaki than Bulgogi. It needed more garlic. The restaurant is a Korean and Japanese fusion. Its ok.



8504 Paramount Blvd, Downey, CA 90240

Miami Restaurant - July 6, 2009

At Miami Restaurant, I had their lengua in a light tomato sauce. The tomato sauce was mellow with none of acidic common with tomato sauce. The entree was served with black beans and rice. I should have asked for the plantain and yucca to complete the dinin experience. Next time.


4021 E. Florence Ave, Bell, CA 90201

Canton City- July 2, 2009

I ordered takeout, a beef noodle dish. If I was in the neighborhood I visit them again.

121 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, CA 90640

Pinoy /Pinay - June 29, 2009

At Pinoy/Pinay - I had their dinuguan, with laing, with rice and a coke. A good hearty Filippino meal. Within the south east area of Los Angeles, I'd have to say this is the best Filippino restaurant.


11900 South Street, Cerritos, CA 90703

Famous Hamburger - June 28, 2009

Famous Hamburger advertises itself as a halal food preparer. I could discern no difference between halal and non halal food. I had the salmon burger and the hamous. They also have halal bacon cheeseburger. What?!?!? Next time I must try it and they have a hookah lounge too.


4143 E. Florence, Bell, CA 90201

South Pacific Thai Food Restaurant - June 2009

I had their lunch buffet. Their was pad thai, and a chicken curry dish. The other entrees I couldn't remember. It was filling. If I had to choose between being filled and being fufilled, I'd have to pass over South Pacific Thai.


12215 Paramount Blvd, Downey, CA

Shan - June 2009

The third Indian restuarant I've been to. The first Indian halal restuarant that I've been too. I had their Veggie Samosa and Mutton curry. The mutton curry was very spicy. I would return during their all you can eat lunch buffet. My first time trying the yogurt mango drink lassi. I feel like such a deflowered virgin.


18621 S. Pioneer Blvd., Artesia, CA

Royal Taste Thai - June 2009

I had their seafood soup. The soup was flavored with lemon grass, mussels, tilapia, squid, and crab pincers. It was good. I would pay another visit.


14232 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA

Pho 2000 - June 27, 2009

At Pho 2000, I had their special combo #2. The soup came with limes, jalapeno chilis, basil and dandelion leaves. Other Pho places don't serve dandelion leaves. I consider the eating experience slightly above average on food and service. For entertainment on the flat screen TV on the wall they had VH1's tribute to Michael Jackson, but they turned the volume down and were playing from the radio KLOVE.


17802 S. Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701

Lee's Sandwiches June 27, 2009

At Lee's Sandwiches I had the Grilled Pork #5. They also have a deli where you can DIY Vietnamese style sandwiches.


18001 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia

Jeepney Asian Grill

11900 South Street, Ste. 101,
Cerritos, CA 90703

Pseudo-Filipino (I thought I would never encounter such a place), but when your competing against Pinoy/Pinay you have to whitey up the menu to survive.

Ashoka The Great

18614 South Pioneer Blvd,
Artesia, Blvd 90701


Good all you can eat lunch buffet. Tandori chicken, lamb, beef, good variety.

L & L Hawaiin Barbecue - June 2009

At L & L Hawaiin Barbecue, I had their L & L Hawaiin barbecue mix. Amongst all the other Hawaiin places this one has the greatest variety. It would be worth it to try the other items on the menu. The Loco Moco sounds intriguing, but if you're Mexican you'd avoid it because of the name.


8760 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660

Renu Nakorn - June 14, 2009

At Renu Nakorn, I had the tod mun plar and the roasted duck curry. Exciting dishes. I'd go back for more.


13019 E. Rosecrans Ave. Suite 105, Norwalk, CA 90650

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - June 2009

First time I went to this place I found it to be so good I came back a second time. The second time I went I got the runs.


1426 S. Atlantic Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

This places reminds me of a story where a deli serves slices of its rotting meat until they've sold the entire carcass.

Krazy Kabobs - June 2009

Closest Armenian restuarant/deli in the neighborhood. Next closest is Glendale. I had the beef kabob. Suprisingly tender, but looks like it was slow roasted over a low flame. I picked up the mint flavored yogurt in a gallon and some dry rub barbecue spices.


1418 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640

Taste of Brazil - June 2009

I had their Feijoada Completa at a Taste of Brazil with Brazilian cabernet cauvignon. Richer than simple black beans.


4838 S. Huntington Dr., Los Angeles, CA

Pho Pioneer - June 2009

I had the beef tripe pho as my post workout recovery meal.


17701 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA

Rachada Thai Cuisine - June 2009

I had the Rachada BBQ combo. A very heavy dish and very sweet.

13416 E. Imperial Highway, Santa Fe Springs, CA