I hail from a land where the Breakfast Sandwich is King (and not the one that comes from the Burger's King.) In the Northeast there's a serious Breakfast Sandwich culture and its hub is a chain for which LA's East Coast transplants bemoan longing: Dunkin Donuts. Their morning formula is simple. Egg, cheese, and breakfast meat gets wedged in a croissant, bagel or an English muffin. It's a great way to start your day. more ›

Silver Lake's Cafe Tropical is a tasty oasis in the rarely-Cuban desert that is Los Angeles. Their Cuban sandwich (sandwich cubano) and Cuban coffee (cafe cubano) do the trick. The sandwich -- where ham, roasted pork, cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread are dance partners -- is mixture that makes Communism seen tolerable. And the coffee... this espresso-based stimulant, layered with steamed milk, will light your fire and please your palate. Tropical's many oversized deserts are a topic for a future nosh. more ›