Hieveryone
It's Mike in GH and I got some request to post my picks so I'm just gonna throw up the emails I sent to Jack.
I try not to pick the most trendy spots. Most of my picks are out of the way on purpose. I don't think you'll see more than 1 or 2 places on Ventura or Santa Monica Blvds. I hope you all enjoy the segments, I do like writing them and I imagine when Jamie comes back you probably won't hear as much of them, because I like all of you wanna listen to her go!!!!!!!

Next week will be spots you might not know have restaurants in them.

but on to Kim's phone call and a subject near and dear to my heart "Hotdogs" thought I'd give you a Bus Driver's review of some of the best Dogs in town.

Pinks is good but to much TV exposure has ruined it, although the line does move fast.

Okie Dog
up the street from Pinks is a better place Okie Dog ( with another location on Pico) 1/3 lb hotdog wrapped in pastrami covered in chili and cheese and wrapped in a flour tortilla. Many a night back in the day did I stumble out of Gazarri's and head to Okie dog YUMMY

Yaki's teriyaki Bowl
in Burbank serves the Bull dog, a hotdog with cheese in an egg roll

Cupid's
some don't like it but it was the icon for dogs in the San Fernando Valley for a long time.

The Munch Box
in Chatsworth makes it just because the joint is called the munch box....nuff said good dogs.

Dodger stadium
2 grilled dodger dogs a cold beer and Vin Scully on the am radio that's a good night

Papoo's Hot dog Show
in toluca Lake. everyone goes to toluca lake for the last Bob's big boy.. I say go across the street to Papoo's cause this place is great.
last but not least is
Skooby's
in Hollywood . if you have to be on Hollywood Blvd and don't have time for a 3 martini dinner at Musso and Frank's then Skooby's is the next best choice great dogs...
if ya like the hotdog email then I should send you bus drivers tips for BBQ in LA next.

BBQ around town

But first I need to clarify a few things and issue a disclaimer.

Listening to my Hot dog letter on podcast I realized I really need to be more specific.

1st.Okie Dog is not a better restaurant than Pink's, I think the Okie Dog hotdog is so good (in a bad Tommy's kind of way) that it's better than a pink Dog.

2nd. Okie dog is not a family place. I would never take my kids there. so for every future restaurant I mention, I'll say if its family friendly or not

Disclaimer

these are just my opinions based on driving around the city. I'm a Bus Driver so I don't care how a place looks. I'm also now a professor so I realize a D is passing grade. I honestly don't know what any of these places letter grades are. I'm pretty adventurous and figure if a place is open it must be okay. so buyer beware if you actually go to one of these places.

On to BBQ in the city

There are tons of great local BBQ joints in the city. Jack there is Rattlers out by you. Which has great BBQ chicken. and I love their rolls.

Burbank has Ribs USA that has awesome Tri Tips. Which used to be available at Rubens Red Hots which was the Hotdog stand across the street from Galleria if it's still open.

But here are my 4 picks that are out of the way and I think worth a try.

Thousand Oaks Meat Locker

for everyone in the 805 out in Thousand Oaks is the "Thousand Oaks Meat Locker" Located on Thousand Oaks Blvd near the civic center this small place has a smoker out front. I love there BBQ Beef Sandwich and there Beans are very good. if you go and they have homemade Beef Jerky available grab a slab or two its great. This is very family friendly but small if your lucky you can get a seat at the covered picnic tables outside.

Pecos Bills in Glendale

Ok so it's more a BBQ window on South Victory Near Griffith Park just past the Burbank border. This place only sells ribs on Saturday and they are good. But its main claim to fame is there BBQ sandwiches(served all week long). Shredded pork and beef that are smothered in a tangy Vinegar BBQ sauce served on these incredibly soft buns that melt like butter. this is a great family place to go to if your going to Griffith park. I take the kids, get food there then go to Griffith park at corner of Riverside and Victory and eat in the park. Then you can head out to the Zoo, Travel town, Observatory, or on Sundays the live Steamers "little trains"

my usual here is two Okie Pork sandwiches large Cole slaw (thats usually very fresh) and a large lemonade

Baby Blues BBQ in Venice

This place is always packed because it kicks ass. located on Lincoln These guys do wonders with pulled pork, I had a slab of Memphis ribs there and loved them and there side dishes are great. I love their mac and cheese and you can even order a really good Blackened Catfish. Very Family friendly. but parking is down the street on Lincoln

Lastly

Prayer Assembly Church in South LA

Yep it's a Church. Every block in south LA has a liquor store and a church on it. Many churches have small bbq's set up on weekends to make money. This place is located on El Segundo near Avalon. and you can tell their BBQ is good because unlike other small churches this church is sporting imported blue marble exterior with hand carved Angels. They only sell BBQ at night from Thursday - Saturday. They have a smoke house setup in the parking lot and sell the Ribs from a catering truck. The Ribs are fantastic, probably my favorite in whole city, the sides suck. This is a Church so you would think it's family friendly, but it is El Segundo and Avalon. Which in 1993 while driving my bus I saw a drive by shooting done from a bicycle 3 blocks away at Locke High. Every time I am by this place I'll stop and get two slabs of ribs and head home to share the 1 slab that makes back to the valley with me.

Next week I'll send you

places your common sense would tell you not to go to or pass by, but you really should stop at!!!!!

Peace Mike
This week is places you’d normally pass by because they look like nothing and not stop at or never goes to because you wouldn't drive there.

In Malibu

Now that Labor Day has come and gone the beaches are a lot less crowded but September is still a great month to head to the sea.

Out in Malibu many people drive out to Gladstone’s to sit by the euro tourist smoking at the table next to them or they go to Duke's for the great view but lousy food or stop at the Paradise Cove Cafe for lousy overpriced service and often they pass this place on the way.

Malibu Seafood

It's a little blue house with a campy lobster sign on PCH between Kanan Road and the Malibu pier. It doesn't look like much but this is a great no frills seafood restaurant that is great for families.

We always order the traditional fish and chips, but their grilled halibut is fantastic. I also highly recommend the steamed lobster and clams. The place features large sheltered picnic tables with a nice view of the water across PCH.

It does draw people but I find this place is much less full of itself than most other restaurants in Malibu.

Next is a pick for our unsung Podcast hero Angela Channel

Leonor’s Mexican Food

Is a vegetarian restaurant in North Hollywood on Victory Blvd at Tujunga. I remember when this place opened, I was 9 and asked my Dad what is vegetarian food. He replied "its hippie food"

I really like their veggie burritos and vegan friends of mine like the Avocado Burger. It's not much on looks and the decor is horrible and I guess it's family friendly but it's menu might not appeal to everyone. And Stench don't worry if ever you have to meet Angela Channel there for a podcast power lunch you can head across the street to the "Food Bag" Cuban market, go to the meat counter order some "El Paso Ham"(which is awesome lunch meat) get a few slices of Monterrey Jack Cheese and a Cuban Roll and have a great sandwich

El Tepeyac (Tep E yeck) is the name but most just call it "Manny's" after the owner

Located in East LA/ Boyle Heights on Evergreen Street. This place is thee Best Burrito in Los Angeles. I am not exaggerating. These things are huge and easily feed two. This is one place I'll highly recommend you should drive too. Their Chimichanga is great and they have tons of different sauces to go on top of burritos. I checked Zagats and it gets a 24 for food.

Manny's is LA more so than even Tommy's. In fact I don't think you can't even call yourself an Angelino if you haven’t eaten here. Many a days as I drove out from work to go to school at Cal State Los Angeles I would stop here. If you want to dine in there could be a wait but I usually order to go. And while it might look rough to some who live in the burbs I would take my boys here.

Langer’s

Located on 7th and Alvarado in Mid Wilshire, Langer’s serves the best pastrami sandwiches in Los Angeles. Before the Red line Subway was completed to the Valley the Alvarado Station was the busiest stop solely because of Langer’s. You can take the Red line subway which leaves you across the street from Langer’s. But this is MacArthur Park and probably one of the worst intersections in town. There could be a cop standing on 3 of the four corners and there would still be two felonies being committed on the 4th. I prefer to utilize their curb side service. Where you order and the call as you near and a bus boy runs out to your car. As far as ordering goes it’s all about the pastrami.

Next Week places you probably never new you could eat at

Peace

Mike