Los Angeles is often accused of being a city that cares more about style than substance, but what about when it comes to food? Sure, there are many wonderful restaurants with dishes that get the praise they deserve, but on some occasions, the hype simply isn't justified. We want to hear which menu items you think are overrated - perhaps because they're too expensive, just don't taste good, or aren't worth the wait. Comment below or e-mail
jwasilczyk@zagat.com with your picks for a chance to see them in an upcoming article.
The pastrami at Langer's. The bread is good, has the right chew, but I think the corned beef at Canter's is a much better deli sandwich.
ReplyDeleteAnything at Melisse. Take away that 28!
ReplyDeleteKorean fried chicken. Had it three times at supposedly the best of the best and left each time utterly unimpressed. Nothin' much at all happenin' there.
ReplyDeleteKobe beef burgers. Most are not Kobe beef. They are not even Waygu beef. It's just a way to price gouge. Also beware Toro at a sushi bar. If you are not in the know, you'll get a light colored tuna, not real toro. Also most wasabi is powdered horseradish with green food coloring. Real wasabi is very granular as it is a grated root. Not smooth in appearance.
ReplyDeleteTito's Tacos.
ReplyDeletePink's hot dogs. I know, sacrilege...
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't understand the hype.
DeleteHeh, anyone who thinks they're getting Kobe beef anywhere needs to read up on the subject. Japan has literally outlawed the export of any Kobe beef, and even in this country getting Wagyu-style beef is dicey. There are no controls, they can sell you anything called "Kobe" or "Wagyu." Some specifically overrated places:
ReplyDelete1) Pink's. Their "Poli dogs" are much better, though. Still, however, overall Pink's is overrated. Listen, Pink's is good, but surely not worth waiting 45 minutes to an hour for.
2) Umami Burger: Everybody loves it because of the name. However, the burgers are mediocre, sloppy, and way overpriced.
3) Dino's: The hipsters love this place, but the chicken is rubbery and vastly over-spiced, and heaven forbid you get it to go. You will end up with a pile of mush.
4) Roscoe's: I know I'm probably treading on some fingers, here, but, well, it's true. I have no problem with the concept, and I've had it made well at some other places (and I'm willing to say that maybe at some Roscoe's locations it's good), but... at least at the Hollywood and Pasadena locations, I've found the chicken very, very dry. The waffles were good enough, but I think it's more important to get the chicken right.
5) Taylor's Steakhouse: I can see why people want to love this place, and I did too. It looks awesomely old-school, the way you want a steakhouse to look. But I ordered the "signature steak," and it was seriously the worst steak I've ever had in my life (and yes, I've eaten at Sizzler twice in my life). My wife got a ribeye and it was similarly terrible. How do you ruin a ribeye, for pete's sake?
6) King Taco: Meh. It's just a taco. It's fine, but why all the hollering about how great it is?
800 degrees pizza new in westwood village. there is always a really long line to get in. nice ingredients, but it's honestly kinda burnt on the outside, soggy towards the middle :(
ReplyDeleteI agree about Pink's; totally not worth the wait. Make a trip to NoHo and hit up Vicious Dogs, instead!
ReplyDeleteTwo of the most over-hyped/over-rated places: Mr. Chow's and Nobu. Both have good food, but you can get stuff that tastes just as good at other places for a third the price. And Sprinkles cupcakes are really no better than any other cupcake. And I have to agree about Pink's--nothing special about those dogs.
ReplyDelete