BlackBook Magazine

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Excerpts from BlackBook’s guide to Los Angeles

14 Below 
1348 14th St.(310) 451-5040
Lots of people in their late twenties who are proud to still smoke weed everyday. “Dude, Calvin’s in a band?” Uh-huh, playing tonight at 14 Below. Casual club for you-never-know music. They offer “cheesesteaks”, but eat at your own risk. May spot lead singer of the English Beat still tearin’.

Zankou Chicken
5065 W. Sunset Blvd
(323) 665-7842
Middle Eastern
It is a Los Angeles love affair – plain and simple. Who would have guessed Armenian food could encompass a Middle Eastern staple like pita bread, white, fluffy spreadable garlic paste and mouth watering, tender and tangy chicken at a price of under $10? We are not sure but every Angelino in the know is grateful. The Shawerma, meat cooked on vertical roasters like gyro is seasoned with, well something. There must be cinnamon in it along with at least a dozen other spices. The stuff is marvelous and a plate of it could feed at least 2 if not three or four. Everyone has their favorite thing to get; all we can say go and see what all the talk is about. Beck sang about it, Zach De La Roacha is addicted to it . . . what will your plate of fate be? Choose your own Zankou adventure.

The Pit
5309 S. Vermont Ave
(323) 759-9428
Southern BBQ
The fading black and white portrait of Vincent Summler stands as a testament to the decades of memories this BBQ joint has spawned for over four decades. Food at this smoky joint is as legit as a righteous Otis Redding tune. Try the pork shoulder; it’s a rare find in all of South Central.

Open Sesame
5215 E. 2nd St
(562) 621-1698
Middle Eastern
These people took a lesson from Sesame Street. Today’s word is friendly. When we walked in; a man dressed in the traditional robes of an Islamic cleric refused to enter the door before we did. Cool. The meats are either halal or organic and it sure tastes like that. They offer chicken Shawerma that gives Zankou a run for their money and each day offers a special Lebanese delicacy. The kabobs are incredible as is the host of lamb specials, and falafel plates. This place is packed with locals and for good reason. The only thing they short you on is the genie.

Bay Cities Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd
(310) 395-8279
Italian Deli
Line backs up like your intestines will, but when you get there it’s the promise land! Double up parma proscuito and soppraseta to raise crazed counterman’s eyebrows. When this place gets slammed for lunch it becomes the ultimate Santa Monica melting pot: Hey, you’re rich, I’m poor and we both like Boar’s Head!