The Brief

Editor's note: We first ran this guide at the start of the season. We've updated it with a few more spots and some great specials for the World Series.

In the immortal words of Vin Scully: "It's time for Dodgers Baseball" — World Series edition.

The stadium seats will soon be packed with the SoCal sunset casting its warm golden shadow against the palm trees and bougainvilleas.

If you're lucky enough to have scored tickets (congrats), you may be looking for somewhere to eat beforehand.

Consider it the fuel you'll need to get through the traffic into the stadium and the trek to your seats.

Here are some of my favorite places to eat and drink within five miles of the ballpark. If I missed one of yours, please let me know, and I might add it to this list later on. Email me at gchabran@scpr.org or reach out via Instagram.

Pro-tip: If you’re short on time (which you will be, since time, traffic, and parking are always issues in L.A.), consider ordering ahead and having a passenger jump out to pick up the food while the driver circles the block. There's no parking cost, and you can have your private tailgate in the parking lot and still make the starting pitch.

Little Fish in Echo Park

Grab the fried fish sandwich with a side of crispy nori potatoes at Little Fish in Echo Park.

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Little Fish is located about a mile from the ballpark and is an excellent casual "order-at-the-window" establishment. It started as a pop-up specializing in seafood, and recently earned a mention in the Michelin Guide.

The most popular item is the beer-battered striped bass sandwich ($17), with a slice of American cheese, Kewpie mayonnaise, and sliced pickles on a potato bun.

The superb-tasting fish, whose breading resembles a delicate crackly Japanese tempura, interplays with the creaminess of the umami-inflected mayo, the fresh crunch of the pickles, and the softness of the bun. They also offer a tofu version ($14) for non-meat eaters.

Pair it with crispy nori potatoes seasoned with seaweed and salt and served with hearty garlic aioli for a supreme dipping experience.

Both items travel exceptionally well, making L.F. a tremendous to-go option if you need to eat on the run. Also, Little Fish's sister establishment, DADA, is in the back alley entrance behind the cafe. With a cool-looking speakeasy vibe, they serve various upscale bistro plates. It's a great place to unwind after the game.

Lowboy in Echo Park

The Dodgers Blue Cheeseburger, topped with blue cheese mornay, caramelized onions, apple, and pickled mustard seed relish

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Located on Sunset, Lowboy is a casual sit-down bar restaurant just down the street from the main stadium entrance in Echo Park. Lowboy goes hard with the neighborhood vibes, offering an extensive array of cocktails, beer, wine, and reasonably priced food.

For the World Series, they're offering a special Dodgers Blue cheeseburger ($13) made with a half-pound beef patty, blue cheese mornay sauce, caramelized onions with an apple, and pickled mustard seed relish. The cheeseburger will be available every day starting Friday until the end of the World Series last game.

Looking for drink specials? Try their Sho-time special, where you get an Asahi beer and + a shot of Toki whiskey for $10.

There's also plenty of happy hour deals, including The Triple Play Lowburger, small fries, and a draft beer for $15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Simón in Silver Lake

The fish al pastor taco, soft shell crab and enchilada suiza tacos from Simón in Silver Lake.

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The cobalt blue truck known as Simón is parked in Sunset Triangle Plaza, with signage featuring text around its logo that reads "Mariscos Chingones, Seafood Bomb A.F." And indeed it is. It’s one of my favorite places to get mariscos in Los Angeles.

Chef Francisco Aguilar came to L.A. after stints in Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico, where he worked, studied, and developed his culinary language.

Now, armed with only a fryer, a plancha, and staple ingredients like beans, cheese, and bacon, he seeks to hypercharge the flavors of each dish. The fish al pastor, for example, is rubbed with spices, grilled, garnished with a sizable slice of lightly caramelized pineapple and a generous helping of guacamole, and then topped with crispy onions.

Also check out the soft shell crab, which comes whole and is garnished with chipotle mayo, pico piña, (their version of pico de gallo, with pineapple and pickled onion.), and the picadillo taco, which, at first glance, gives the impression of an empanada rather than a quesadilla or taco. It's made with a fried corn tortilla stuffed with a mixture of fish and shrimp, habanero cream, and proper hints of lime, cheese, and avocado.

All of the tacos hover just under $5.

Burgers Never Say Die in Silver Lake

A double cheeseburger and fries from Burgers Never Say Die in Silverlake.

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Many often cite Burgers Never Say Die as the gold standard of smash burgers in Los Angeles. Owner Shawn Nee was a cameraman when he started a side hustle slinging burgers in the courtyard of his East Hollywood apartment complex.

Slowly developing a cult-like status in the burger world, he opened his Silver Lake location while continuing to meticulously refine his concept.

When you head over to the window and order the Regular ($11), you'll see that Nee has achieved nothing short of alchemy. He's somehow channeled what a McDonald's hamburger tasted like when we were younger. The perfectly cooked burger patty with its smooth and lacey edges, and the mixture of ketchup, mustard, pickles, and tiny bits of white onion stirs up waves of nostalgia. The burger has no business being this good, but it is, and we are all better for it.

Avocado egg and cheese, pork bulgogi roll and bacon egg and cheese sandwiches from Bodega Park

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Bodega Park in Silver Lake

It's an all-day breakfast menu at Bodega Park, which specializes in breakfast sandwiches seen through the lens of a Korean American chef who grew up in Los Angeles and trained on the East Coast.

About two miles from the ballpark, it’s an excellent choice for ordering sandwiches. My go-to is the pork bulgogi roll ($13), featuring a house-made marinade, a few slices of raw white onion and mayo on a modern rustic-style bun, somewhere between a ciabatta and a French roll with a crusty outside and a moist, fluffy inside.

Add a few splatters of the accompanying smokey-sweet hot sauce; the results are fantastic. But you also can't go wrong with the bacon, egg, and cheese ($11), executed perfectly with a superbly cooked piece of thick-cut bacon, a simple slice of American cheese, and an over-medium-fried egg.

Bánh Mì Mỹ Dung Sandwich Shop in Chinatown

The special and Vietnamese cold cut sandwiches from Bánh Mì Mỹ Dung Sandwich Shop.

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A banh mi sandwich is one of life's many pleasures, with its crusty bread, fresh garnishes made of sweet-tasting carrots and daikon radish, and a protein combo of your liking.

A good banh mi can be found in areas such as the San Gabriel Valley or Westminster in Orange County, known as Little Saigon, but finding them in other parts of Los Angeles can be more challenging.

One under-the-radar gem is the Bánh Mì Mỹ Dung Sandwich Shop, located in a tiny storefront on Ord Street between Broadway and Spring, about 1.5 miles from the stadium.

A warning — it doesn't exactly scream neighborhood sandwich destination on arrival. You're greeted by fresh produce stacked outside the entrance, including hanging bunches of bananas, and you'll feel like you’ve entered a corner store.

But take a quick stroll to the back, and you'll find a menu board with about eight sandwiches for around $5 to $8. The ultra-fresh ingredients, paired with the salty-savory cuts of meat, create a highly satisfying experience.

Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights and DTLA

The Tacos de Camaron and Oysters Peinados from the beloved Mariscos Jalisco food truck.

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If you've ever discussed where to find the best tacos in L.A, the Mariscos Jalisco food truck will have invariably been mentioned. Founder Raul Ortega's M.J. menu is minimal, consisting of tacos and ceviche. However, the care given to each item shines through, especially in dishes such as the tacos de camarón.

This is not a classic Ensenada-style shrimp taco; it is something completely different, a corn tortilla containing finely minced shrimp, vegetables, and other secret ingredients that Ortega refuses to divulge.

The tacos, which come in two to an order ($5), are then deep-fried and topped with a light red salsa de mariscos and a sliver of avocado. The result is taco magic.

Pioneer Chicken in Boyle Heights

A two-piece chicken combo from Pioneer Chicken in Boyle Heights.

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A piece of Los Angeles history stands on the corner of Soto Street and Whittier Boulevard, about five miles from the stadium via surface streets. It's one of the last two locations in L.A. owned by the fried chicken fast-food chain Pioneer Chicken. (The other location is in Bell Gardens.)

At one point, Pioneer Chicken boasted 270 locations and was known for television commercials featuring O.J. Simpson. It's fried chicken nostalgia for Angelenos looking to relive the heyday of the '70s and '80s. It's hard to beat the two-piece dinner with two sides (choices include mashed potatoes and gravy, spicy rice, or crunchy coleslaw) and a fluffy biscuit ($11).

Homage Brewing in Chinatown

Homage Brewery in Chinatown is game day ready with plenty of specials for the World Series.

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The hidden taproom tucked away off a small street in an industrial section of Chinatown does double duty by offering an excellent selection of eclectic beers and great grub.

For the World Series, Homage is going all out with its food and drink specials, including $5 game-day pints during every game, pitchers of its German-style pilsner, and West Coast IPA ($24-$32).

To munch on, including lemon pepper wings and garlic parm fries, plus their Dodger stadium-inspired menu featuring a hot dog ($7) with sausage from Glendale's own Continental Gourmet Sausage, nachos ($7), and a carne asada nacho ($11). There will also be a few game day giveaways, including a 2020 official World Series baseball for Game 1, plus a couple of rare bobbleheads.

Homage is also open late on the weekends, so if you are inclined, you can take advantage of the cadre of DJs to dance the night away after the game.

Highland Park Brewery in Chinatown

Highland Park Brewing in Chinatown offers food and drinks for your pre-game needs, with specials during the big game.

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Highland Park Brewery, the bastion of Eastside craft brewery culture, is just around the corner of Homage. The large taproom overlooks Los Angeles State Historic Park, near the A Line Chinatown Metro Stop, just one stop from Union Station, where you can catch the Dodger Express.

They've built their name on a wide selection of deliciously hopped craft brews and plenty of natural wine. If you are hungry before the game, take advantage of burgers, dogs, wings, loaded fries, and their stellar fish sandwich.

For their WS specials, the brewery will offer $5 pints and $20 pitchers of their aptly named Baseball Lager, which they'll start serving at noon on Friday.

For food specials, they're offering their version of garlic fries, fries topped with chili flakes and parmesan cheese. (We dare you to try both here and at Homage; remember to bring some breath mints). Also, if you are heading to the game, grab one of their Dodger-themed baseball caps ($35) to show off your hometown pride.

Pro tip: HPB is known to fill up quickly before the game, so it's best to get there early. Parking can also be scarce, so plan to take a ride share or go Metro.

LaSorted's Pizza in Silver Lake

Slices of pizza from La Sorted's Pizza in Silver Lake.

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With your choice of sit-down or counter service, La Sorted's Pizza is the place to celebrate all things Dodgers, especially since it’s named after the famed Dodgers coach.

There's always a large selection of slices, and it can be hard to choose, so I usually grab one of everything and assemble a sort of "greatest hits" equivalent to an entire pizza.

My favorite includes the Upside Down Mamba ($5 a slice, $20 for a whole pie), their signature cheese slice, flipped upside down with the cheese melted directly onto the crust and then topped with a thick layer of tomato sauce.

In celebration of the World Series, both LaSorted’s locations will serve slices of their Triple Dog Dare for $7, featuring a yellow mustard béchamel, mozzarella, and provolone topped with Jody Maronis hot dogs and bacon and finished with cornichon and fried onions. So, if you’ve ever wondered what a hot dog tastes like on a pizza, now is your chance.

If you want to catch the game at the new Chinatown location, make a reservation through LaSorted’s website. The minimum per person is $50, so come hungry! The Silver Lake location will be open for take or dine-in; no reservations are required.

A refrigerated warehouse operated by Lineage Logistics has burned in Boyle Heights for nearly a week. Public health officials are urging residents nearby and downwind to protect themselves from the smoky air.

But what exactly is in the air is still unclear.

Authorities say they’ve cleared the most hazardous materials — ammonia and lithium-ion batteries — from the fire zone. A spokesperson for the L.A. Fire Department said foam insulation, wood pallets of food, and solar panels on top of the 500,000 square-foot building continue to smolder.

Materials including plastics, electronics and even rotting meat are likely burning, which means the pollution particles emitted “tend to be highly enriched with toxic organics, toxic metals, that are above and beyond what just normal, day-to-day air pollution would look like,” said UCLA air pollution researcher Yifang Zhu.

She said air quality indexes may capture the concentration of particulate matter in the air, but not necessarily the specific toxins in them.

“You'll have almost like a double jeopardy in a sense that the levels [of particulate matter] are higher, and the toxicity is also higher,” she said.

Measuring heavy metals or volatile organic compounds requires special monitoring equipment, Zhu said.

“It’s very difficult to measure,” she said.

But she suspects at least some types of health-harming heavy metals are likely to be in the smoke.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado on Monday called for more specifics about what is in the smoke.

People “shouldn't have to guess about what they're breathing or rely on rumors, scattered information and updates, and incomplete information,” she said at a news conference. Jurado, whose council district includes Boyle Heights, added that data from regulators, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, should be released in clear, understandable language in English and Spanish.

The South Coast AQMD told LAist before Jurado spoke that the agency has monitors that measure particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, but not other types of pollutants. The agency said it has set up additional monitors at Eastman Avenue Elementary and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. The agency added that the Environmental Protection Agency is also monitoring air quality at the fence line of the facility. LAist has reached out to the EPA for details.

Zhu added that even when the fire is eventually put out, the cleanup can kick up even more pollution — a lesson learned through her research after the L.A. fires.

“ I think people really need to take precautions,” Zhu said, emphasizing that those closest to the fire and downwind should avoid being outside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run a HEPA or MERV 13 air filter, and wear an N95 or similar mask otherwise.

UC Irvine toxicology professor Michael Kleinman said if thawed meat is also burning, that could lead to further toxic gases being released.

Experts urged precautions, especially if you smell smoke.

“ For people who are very close to the fire, like the firefighters themselves, they have exposure to both particulate matter and potential toxic gases, and that's why you'll see them wearing respirators,” said UC Irvine chemistry professor Suzanne Blum. “But once you're some feet away from the building, then the primary concern is the particulate smoke that is coming from this fire.”

As the Boyle Heights warehouse fire burns into its sixth day, SoCal residents are increasingly concerned about the air quality and potential health risks that come with breathing in the smoke. So, what alerts have been issued so far and how can residents be prepared?

Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a designation that helps California coordinate with local agencies to make sure there are enough resources for the firefight and residents who have been affected after a fire started at a cold storage industrial facility. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said at a press conference Monday that  the county is "delivering supplies, air filters, and air purifiers" to local households.

Los Angeles County public health officials and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued a particle pollution advisory that remained in effect until today. Affected areas included: Central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, East San Fernando Valley and Northwest San Bernardino Valley.

Although recent air quality readings appear as “moderate” to “good” on South Coast AQMD’s website, the fire is still burning and might be for a few more days.

So what can SoCal residents do to protect themselves?

If the air quality index reads “good” or “poses little to no risk” in some areas, hazardous ash can still be present. If you see ash on your car, or windowsills, you might want to stay inside if possible. In “moderate” or yellow zones, unusually sensitive people are also recommended to avoid longer periods outside.

In the next few days, some might notice windblown ash floating in the air or coating outdoor surfaces. These particles are otherwise known as “fine particulate matter,” which consists of soot, burned plastic and perhaps even traces of the spoiling frozen food from inside the warehouse.

Why that matters

Too much exposure from these materials may cause temporary irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. If you suffer from health issues that are exacerbated by poor air quality, like respiratory illnesses, you may be affected by these conditions even more.

Four expert tips to protect yourself and your family:

• If you smell smoke or see ash, try to remain indoors with the windows closed. If you can’t, consider stepping outside with an N-95 mask, and refrain from engaging in any rigorous physical activity. 
• In your homes, also avoid using whole house fans (air conditioning is okay), as they can bring in the polluted air from outdoors. 
• If you have an air purifier, this is the time to use it. 
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles and vacuums, as they can introduce toxins into the clean, indoor environment.

For more guidance on precautions following the fires, visit Los Angeles County’s public health website for more. South Coast AQMD’s website also has more healthy and safety tips.

Updated June 22, 2026 at 16:22 PM ET

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi has broken the record for most World Cup scoring.

Messi made the record goal, his 17th, during the first half of Monday's game against Austria. It was a heated match. Austria attacked relentlessly, and Argentina relied on its defense and on goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez. And, near the end in stoppage time, Messi scored again, finishing off at 2-0.

The team captain started off the World Cup with a bang: in the opener against Algeria, Messi scored a hat trick: three goals. A rare feat in soccer. He has scored all five goals for Argentina this World Cup. With the win, Argentina advances to the knockout round.

Messi hails from the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, an area known for producing excellent players. He faced challenges at an early age: he had a hormonal growth deficiency, which was difficult to treat in his hometown, given the severe economic crisis facing Argentina in the late 1990s. By 2001, the Messi family had decided to accept an offer for him to join La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, in Spain. Messi was 13 years old.

It was at Barca that he rose to fame and developed his unique style of walking the pitch, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to jump on the ball, dribble skillfully past his opponents, and score.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, now the all-time World Cup scoring leader, celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group match against Austria.

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Although a legend of Barca and European soccer, he often expressed a desire to play for the Argentine national team in a World Cup. He got his chance in his 20's, but it wasn't smooth: he was widely seen as a foreigner who had not paid his dues in the Argentine soccer system. His measured, calculating style of play was often misunderstood in South America, where players tended to have a quicker, more aggressive technique.

There were several World Cup attempts that were disappointing, and after the 2016 World Cup, he announced he would not be playing again. "It's over," he said outside the locker room, visibly shaken. "I tried so hard, it is unbelievable, but it hasn't worked. Me and this team are through."

The tides turned under the leadership of Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi led the team to a Copa America victory in 2021. Argentina won the World Cup the following year.

This is Messi's sixth World Cup and he's considered one of the best players in soccer history.

Messi also surpassed Brazilian superstar Marta, who had scored 17 goals at the Women's World Cup.

Copyright 2026 NPR

More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the free “special edition Historian Passport,” which typically costs $50, as a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s attempts to “rewrite the past,” according to a news release by the governor’s office.

Since his inauguration, Trump has ordered staff working at all National Park Service locations to remove any content that casts Americans in a negative light from parks, monuments and memorials.

“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history — in fact, we embrace it and learn from it,” Newsom wrote.

Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. The pass gives free entry to state historic parks for up to four people.

The Historian Passport grants entry to more than 30 state historic parks, including parks like Olompali and Malakoff Diggins which, rather than just providing outdoor recreation, also have an educational emphasis on the state’s history.

Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California.

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Many of these parks tell the story of the state’s cultural or indigenous history, from missions and museums to temples and the site that sparked the California Gold Rush.

Newsom made a similar move to make state parks free for Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, in response to Trump’s decision to eliminate the holiday from the list of fee-free days at national parks across the country, replacing it with his birthday on Flag Day.

How to get your free Historian Passport for up to four people

You must make an account with the state’s reservation site ReserveCalifornia.com to obtain a Historian Pass. Then, visit the site’s Advance Passes page and select “Special Edition Historian Passport” from the dropdown menu, which will show as costing $0. No payment information is required.

After checking out, you’ll receive an email with an attached PDF version of your Historian Passport.

The state recommends you print off this PDF to present at any California state historic park for free entry, although you may just be able to show the image on your phone too.

Bear in mind that cellphone service may be poor at many state historic parks, so it’s worth screenshotting the PDF to save it as an image on your phone in case you’re unable to search your email.

Looking for free entry to other state parks that aren’t included in the Historian Passport? Consider checking out a parks pass from your local library, which provides these passes as part of the California State Library Parks Pass program.

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.