Eating along the Gold Line Eastside Extension: What didn't we include?

 

After eating our way from Little Tokyo to Atlantic Boulevard (and beyond) in East L.A., we had the difficult task of deciding which restaurants to include in an article about the many, many places to dine along the Gold Line Eastside Extension. (Trains are scheduled to start running on Sunday.)

The Little Tokyo stop presented some particularly difficult choices, because the area is packed with so many restaurants, without even including the Arts District. In this case, an editorial decision was made: The story focuses on those restaurants that are closest, within about a block or so of the stop at 1st and Alameda streets. So it doesn't include anything south of 2nd Street or much further west of Central Avenue. Unfortunately, that omits a lot of great restaurants.

And we heard about it from readers. Please let us know what else you would have wanted included. 

Here, a few additions from readers: 

"I can't believe you left out (next to the Gold Line on 3rd Street near the East L.A. Civic Center) two of the oldest and VERY popular eating places ... Lupe's Burritos and King Taco. Shame on you!!!"

"I would venture to add that Weiland's Brewery should be mentioned as well -- they're such a guilty pleasure, and they're right smack in the middle of the Little Tokyo restaurants you mentioned."

"Your coverage of the culinary destinations at the Little Tokyo-Arts District Gold Line station featured only those in Little Tokyo. The downtown Arts District, which has evolved into a restaurant 'scene' all its own, was completely ignored. Your readers will not know, for example, that the highly-rated Wurstkuche exotic sausage restaurant is within walking distance of the station. So are Zip Fusion, E3rd Steak House and Cafe Metropol. These are just a few of the hip Arts District dining experiences in the shadow of the Gold Line station that your readers will not discover."

Hopefully, they will now. Thank you for all the recommendations. Please keep them coming.

-- Betty Hallock  

Photo: The caldo de siete mares includes a heap of fish, squid, octopus, clams, mussels and crab legs, served at El Rinconcito del Mar. By Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Chris]

Considering the new[ish] 'gourmet' food truck craze, you might have mentioned the two at the edges of the Little Tokyo celebration. They were literally closest to the actual station.

[dan]

what is the name and location of the resturant that sell's the soup on the pic

[George]

Daves Deli at the East L.A. Civic Center makes amazing sandwiches, especially the pastrami, corned beef, french dip and the classic Italian. There are so many choices and they're all good. I can eat at Daves every day and never get tired of it.

[qbrehm]

The Arts District restaurants make the short walk from the Gold Line well worth it. Please do not exclude an entire district when it is part of the station's destination. How about a great follow up article and give us a chance to show our stuff.

Qathryn Brehm

[e*starLA]

Also, for non-Japanese in Little Tokyo is Spitz, who offers a good white or red sangria and pitas and hummus for happy hour. Cheap bites right in the heart of Little Tokyo.

http://www.eatatspitz.com/

[David]

At the end of the Eastside extension is Manny's El Loco which has come good burgers and Mexican food. Next door is Los Pollos 2, which has great rotisserie chicken.

[Food Eater]

While Kind Taco is popular, the food there is so over processed that I can taste the plastic bag the carne asada came in (from the processing plant in Boyle Heights off of Lorena Street and Olympic). Lupe's good food can't be messed with (or Lupe will rip you a new one) but up the street and right around the corner in the Civic Center Plaza is Taco Real. They have amazing food, probably the best in the area if not all of LA, period. My only complaint is that I have trouble fitting through the front door (the place is TINY but so worth the hassle).

[fedup]

Kudos for promoting Metro ridership with this information. It's truly a win-win-win situation...easy access to great food via the Gold Line, increased revenue for our local public transit system, and a needed boost to the Little Tokyo and ELA economies.

[moi]

I would also like to read a series of articles about best "foodie" dining spots near ALL the MetroRail stations, with reader input/suggestions as well.
Time for an update/refresher!
And I can't wait to the explore the Gold Line extension.

[Burrito Master]

SEYM, you so crazy. Burritos were invented in northern Mexico - or if you want to go back further in time, the Aztecs were wrapping food in tortillas back in the 16th century. Burritos aren't as popular in Mexico (especially the further south you go) as they are in the US but they are very much Mexican.

[Cristo]

i for one am glad that my favorite spot was omitted.
that may prevent it from getting any more crowded than it already is.
good job, Times

[Something Else you Missed]

You also missed Apache's Tacos - right acros the street from La Serenata de Garibaldi on First Street - which have the best, traditional - no gimmick - burritos in L.A.. Traditional meaning Chicano, of course, since burritos are not Mexican.