Recommend Your Independent Restaurant
 

Spurred from Bubba Gump - it seems we have an affinity for independent restaurants over chains on this board. Let's spread the word.

Yes, I realize we have the RTS area but I was hoping this could be an easy to use suggestion list.

Manga Manga in HB (Golden West and Edinger) - Italian food. Reasonable prices, great service

Gypsy Den in Costa Mesa - Sandwiches. Good prices, spotty but expected service

Memphis in Costa Mesa - Soul food. A little on the pricey side. Great food.

Thai Bamboo Bistro in Irvine (off Shady Canyon) - Thai food. Reasonable prices. Excellent food and service.

Angelo & Vinci's in Brea. Italian
North End Pizza in Burbank. Italian
Caravan in Glendale. Middle Eastern

Long Beach favorites:

Lashers
Open Sesame
La Creperie
Gazellia
Christy's
Fora
Bono's
Nico's
Delius
La Parolaccia
Cafe Ambrosia




Restaurants that started here but now have more than one local location (and I still will enjoy their food):
Kings Fish House
SuperMex
Johnny Reb's
Hoff's Hut / Lucille's

Mamob's Cafe - Glendale. Fantastic Cuban fast food.
Watson's Drug Store and Soda Fountain - Orange. Classic American diner food in classic American diner setting. 100+ year old location.
The Filling Station - Orange. An actual converted filling station. Awesome atmosphere, great for patio eating.
Rutabegorz - multiple locations (Fullerton, Tustin, Ornage). Specializing in vegetarian/vegan cuisine, though they've got non-veggie options as well.

Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga - organic/romantic
Geisha House in Hollywood - Japanese/"hip"
Cafe Figaro in Los Feliz - organic French
Corn Maiden gourmet tamales at the Hollywood Farmers Market
Thaitalian in Pasadena - Thai/Italian fusion
Akbar in Pasadena - Indian
Fred 62 in Los Feliz - Retro diner
Good Neighbor in Studio City - American breakfast/lunch
Pink Pepper in Hollywood - Thai
Maria's Italian Kitchen in West LA - Italian

In Alhambra, Wahib's Middle Eastern

In SF

Magnolia Pub
Chai Yo (Thai)
and many more!

Let's see... (in no particular order)

Luigi's d'Italia in Anaheim

In Long Beach:

Park Pantry
Franchelli's
Pot Holder
Magnolia Cafe
George's Greek Cafe (2 locations)

Lakewood:

Heritage Cafe
Honey's

Venice:

Cafe 50's
Sidewalk Cafe (ocean view!)
Rose Cafe
The Firehouse

How did I forget Park Pantry and George's?????

Love Rutabegorz in Fullerton -- Angelo and Vinci's too, although I still remember the good old days when it was "backstage dining" under the ropes at the Fox.

Now I'm in the SFV, and our faves are:

Bollywood (Indian of course)
Fox and Hound (Cornish Pastie at its finest! -- oh, and I've seen Eric Idle there *swoons*)
Oyster House (hubby loves oysters)
Michael's Grill (an old fave, Mardi Gras, merged with this place -- great beignets!)
Ribs USA (playing cards stuck to the ceiling, and peanut shells all over the floor)
The Smoke House (cool old Hollywood-mafia place)

I'll put more as I think of them...

The Snooty Fox in Laguna Hills - breakfast/lunch place, low prices, awesome food
Haus of Pizza in Costa Mesa - super cheap and tasty Italian food, just off Harbor at Adams.