Food

Why The New 'Junk Fees' Ban Is Roiling The Restaurant World — And What It Means For Your Wallet

The State of California has banned “junk fees.” Here's what that means for your next restaurant bill.

A fair-skinned woman with long hair that's dyed red stands at a counter cash register in a cafe, paying with her phone. A fair-skinned female employee is wearing a white apron with a baseball cap and glasses, watching the transaction on her screen.

The Votes Are In! Here Are Your Top 32 Entries For The LAist Tournament of Cheeseburgers

Here are the most popular cheeseburgers across the region. Vote to keep your favorite in the running as we whittle them down to the top 16!

Hot Dogs, Peanuts And … Octopus? A New Food Item Is Now Offered At Dodger Stadium

The Japanese snack Takoyaki — fried octopus balls — is a staple at baseball parks in Japan.

A wooden tray resembling a small boat holds fried balls drenched in orange and brown sauce. In the middle sits a generous dollop of guacamole topped with crispy garnishes.

Grab Some Friends For A DIY Taco Crawl In The Arts District

The Arts District near downtown L.A. has many taco styles to try, all representing different regional tastes. Here are a few of our favorites.

Two plastic yellow plates are placed next to each other on a light grey concrete background. On the left plate are two tacos made with white corn tortillas filled with cooked brown steak. The taco on the right side is topped with green salsa, diced white onions, and thinly sliced pink radishes. The one on the left is topped with red salsa, diced white onions, and thinly sliced pink radishes. The plate on the right also includes a rolled tortilla covered with thinly chopped white green cabbage, a thick layer of white cream, a strand of red onion, and a thick slice of lime. Additionally, there are two small plastic containers next to the plate containing green salsa and more of the thick white cream. Between the two plates is a crumbled-up light brown napkin.

Nominated Your Fave Burger Yet? You've Got One More Week Before Voting Begins In LAist's Tournament Of Cheeseburgers

We spoke to Zach Brooks of Smorgasburg LA about what’s in store for the upcoming Tournament of Cheeseburger event on July 7.

A mouthwatering cheeseburger features a perfectly cooked burger patty topped with a tantalizing light orange sauce, all resting on a bed of melted American cheese. The delicious burger is accompanied by a generous portion of crispy thin French fries, served in a white paper container on a vibrant red surface.

How Did Southern California Become The Fast Food Epicenter Of The World?

Today there are approximately 38,000 McDonald’s, 8,500 Taco Bells, and 3,100 Carl’s Jrs. And they all started here in Greater L.A.

This old-style McDonald's sign shows a drawn chef standing on the word "hamburger" next to one of the golden arches.

The Love Inside The Latte: Cafe Niña Offers Coffee With Mexican Childhood Flavors

The Boyle Heights coffee spot serves coffee with homemade sweet flavors: dulce de leche, mazapán and arroz con leche, inspiring nostalgia for many

A smiling woman with brown skin tone and wearing a pink baseball hat hands coffee to someone from behind a counter.

Clifton’s Republic Is Reopening In Downtown LA Next Month

The dining and cocktail destination has started rolling out its reopening already, with Pacific Seas and a revamped cafeteria concept slated to start serving customers again this summer.

California Says Restaurants Must Bake All Of Their Add-On Fees Into Menu Prices

Service charges; resort fees; "surcharge" add-ons: A new state law requiring price transparency is set to take effect in July. Until now, no one knew how it would apply to restaurants.

If a California restaurant violates a new law requiring transparent pricing, it allows a consumer to seek "actual damages of at least $1,000."

6 Spots For Afternoon Tea And Scones — And Those Cute Little Finger Sandwiches

You need an excuse to unplug. And how does a freshly baked scone served with jam and cream sound? Here are some of our favorite places to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea in L.A. and O.C. What's your go to for afternoon tea?

They Love Burgers So Much They Started A Monthly Club — Now It's 10 Years Old. Here’s How They Did It

L.A. can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be when there are burgers. This is a story about friendships that get stronger with each bite.

A group of people made up of both men and women all with light skin stand together smiling in an outside environment. They are standing in front a plaque.

The Best Thing I Ate: My Mom's Favorite Dish, Northern Thai Crispy Rice Salad (In Honor Of Mother's Day)

It's a food that connects LAist food editor Gab Chabran with memories of his mom and wife, who also cherish this dish.

Hey, LA listener!

Support local food coverage