Since its inception more than 100 years ago, Inglewood has evolved from a Klu Klux Klan refuge into one of the most culturally diverse cities in California. It's home to the Los Angeles Rams, the legendary Forum and HBO's Insecure, among other local institutions. Inglewood also serves up magnificent eats that don't always get the love they deserve. So with fork and knife in hand, here are some of the best places in Inglewood to sate your appetite.
In the immortal words of the iconic funk band the Ohio Players, heaven must be like this. Founded in 1981 as both a restaurant and convenience store, Simply Wholesome offers the best shea butters, African soaps and Carribean tofu sandwiches in the city. Their forte is healthy-ish, Carribean-influenced fare. Think soul food can't be organic, plant-based and tantalizing? Check your assumptions. Parking is plentiful and free, and wheelchair accessibility throughout the restaurant shouldn't be a problem. Don't forget to nab a Colossal Patty, an upgrade of lettuce, tomatoes and mustard added to the patty of your choice.
4508 W. Slauson Ave., View Park-Windsor Hills. 323-294-2144.
If shrimp is your love language, you've come to the right place. This award-winning, Michelin-approved restaurant features almost every form of Nayarit-style shrimp imaginable -- breaded, fried, sautéed and raw. Coni'Seafood is more than just ceviche and camarones. Their Pescado Zarandeado, grilled snook dressed with caramelized onions, salt and cilantro sauce, is almost as popular on Instagram as the Kardashians. Coni is considered by many to be one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, and the wall adorned with awards and accolades testifies to that. Street parking can be dicey on busy Imperial Highway so you may face for a bit of a walk.
3544 W. Imperial Hwy., Inglewood. 310-672-2339.
The Serving Spoon has, since 1983, been blessing our bellies with daily dinner specials but their expansive breakfast menu is the star of the show. The chicken and waffles are some of the best in the city, the grits taste like spoonfuls of heaven and the pancakes are fluffy enough to use as a pillow. This place gets extremely busy so expect a wait. Thankfully, the staff will treat you as if you were being served in their home. If you prefer brunch, they offer catfish, red snapper and other options alongside mimosas and Stevie's Favorite Champagne Wonder, a champagne and pineapple juice combo.
1403 Centinela Ave., Inglewood. 310-412-3927
Is Cuban vegan food really a thing? Hell, yes. Equelecuá Cuban Cafe takes pride in being the first all-vegan Cuban restaurant on the planet and its owners, Carolina and Liliana Lafaurie, cultivated their fanbase despite having no previous restaurant experience. Located at the intersection of Manchester and Florence, Equelecuá serves yuca fries, arroz con pollo and alitas with mustard agave. Be warned: Despite its charm and generous portions, Equelecuá doesn't have a public bathroom.
1120 W. Florence Ave., Unit C., Inglewood.
What's a list of Inglewood's best eats without Randy's Donuts? The iconic donut shop, which is about to get a hole lot bigger, is open 24 hours a day. Even if you haven't been there, you've seen it dozens of times in movies and TV shows. You can use the drive-through or order at the walk-up window. The latter lets you snag a sweet selfie at a landmark of programmatic architecture. With everything from red velvet donuts, maple crullers and buttermilk bars to turnovers, bear claws and cinnamon rolls, your stomach will run out of room before you run out of options. The parking lot sometimes gets packed but wheelchair accessibility shouldn't be a problem.
805 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. 310-645-4707
Los Angeles has only a handful of Belizean restaurants and Little Belize in the heart of Inglewood boasts an array of family-style, authentic Carribean fare. Expect savory helpings of garnaches, a popular dish of shredded cabbage, refried beans and cheese on top of a fried corn tortilla; curry chicken with rice, plantains and potato salad; and, of course, oxtail stewed to perfection in brown gravy. The menu is rounded out by chicken tamales, red snapper and panades, the fish-filled, Belizian cousin of empanadas, which are traditionally served with an onion, cabbage and pepper salsa. During Sundays brunch, you'll be treated to live music. If you're looking for a bite to eat before heading to The Forum, this is a great option but bring quarters for the parking meters.
217 E. Nutwood St., Inglewood. 310-674-0696.
What happens when a New York-bred deli owner relocates to Los Angeles and pursues his love affair with Creole food? If that sounds confusing, it'll make sense once you start eating. Yes, Orleans and York has muffulettas, heroes and even surf-and-turf offerings but you're cheating yourself if you don't partake in their magnum opus, their po' boys. These sammies are served with a variety of fillings including hot links, salmon and shrimp. The owners have recently expanded with another restaurant, Orleans & York Fillet, located next door, in Hawthorne, but there's no place like home. And by home, we mean a po' boy from the original location.
400 E. Florence Ave., Inglewood. 310-671-6200.
If you love a gorgeous Googie diner that also makes great food, family-run Pann's offers one of the best brunches in the city. Although the mimosas aren't bottomless (there's supposedly a limit but we have yet to make it that far), the fried chicken more than makes up for it. The crisp, well-seasoned skin is the perfect shell for the tender morsels of meat underneath. Don't sleep on their grits, which can make your eyes roll up in your skull with delight. The storied eatery has been a gift to the city of Los Angeles since 1958 and will hopefully stick around for another 50 years. The venue is wheelchair accessible. The parking lot, while large, gets packed during peak hours.
6710 La Tijera Blvd., Inglewood. 323-776-3770.
