Airport drop-offs are a pain in the ass. The 99 Cent Chef would like to make this recurring inconvenience a more pleasant experience for all. Now don't get me wrong I have been a recipient to the kindness of friends shuttling the Chef to and from LAX - it is a favor we must all do from time to time. It always seems to be a rush to get there; but once you leave the terminal be sure to treat yourself to a tasty reward before you get back on the freeway.The Chea$kate Connoisseur found a few dining and drinking establishments within the shadows of the arriving and departing giant silver birds. Some deals are under 99 cents and some are not; this penny pincher has opened his wallet wide for these dining deals.
Allow me to highlight a few favorites (I feature one risque establishment only because arriving airplanes glide over it in a perfectly framed composition - my artistic eye could not resist it - and I apologize if it offends any reader's sensibilities). All establishments are located on the north side streets of LAX.
Start with Randy's Donuts just off the 405 freeway. Crowned by a giant 22-foot sculpted glazed doughnut, this landmark drive-thru features coffee and classic all-American pastries for under a dollar.Or quench your thirst with $5 Cokes at a strip club on Century Boulevard featuring performers sans pasties.
How about a fresh-made fruit cup for a few bucks at a fruit cart? And down the street is El Sabroso Mariscos taco truck, with an incredible red snapper fish ceviche tostada for a buck twenty-five (one of the best deals around) and carnitas tacos that are just as satisfying.
For a thirst-quencher, drop into the all day happy hour at Bar Melody, where pints of draught beer go for $3, paired with a killer appetizer of "Elvis (jumbo buffalo) Wings." Finally, grab a double-double right across the street at In-N-Out Burger, and see why the locals consider it a California classic.
Dining Around LAX - Video
Play it here. The video runs 2 minutes 20 seconds.
Play it here. The video runs 2 minutes 20 seconds.
Dining and drinking establishments featured in the video, in order of their appearance:
Fresh fruit stand - various locations, north of the airport between Sepulveda Blvd & Airport Blvd. on Westchester Pkwy. Fresh fruit cup for $4, includes pineapple, watermelon, strawberries and mango. Daylight hours.
Bar Melody Bar & Grill -Located at 9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd. All day $3 happy hour until 7 p.m. on well mixed drinks and pints of domestic draught beer. They have a full menu with appetizers including "Elvis (jumbo buffalo) Wings". Go here for more info.
El Sabroso Mariscos Taco Truck - Parked at about 5745 Arbor Vitae St. (just east of Airport Blvd. were Westchester Pkwy. turns into Arbor Vitae St. - confusing I know but worth locating). A fantastic red snapper ceviche tostada with chopped onion and cilantro. Hours are 11 a.m. to about 6 p.m. every day. Fish Tostada recipe, click here.
Gentleman's Club - Located at 5601 Century Blvd. Overpriced non-alcoholic drinks. Cannot vouch for the floor show as The Chef was too cheap to pay the cover charge.
Randy's Donuts - Located just off the 405 freeway at 805 W. Manchester. Wide variety of donuts, most for less than a buck! Good coffee too. Go to their website to see a full donut selection and a funny video of a soccer ball being kicked through the rooftop donut from across the street. Click here.
In-N-Out Burger - Hey you out-of- towners, taste what the locals rave about! The Chef's favorite is a double-double with onions. Located all over town and near the airport at 9149 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Click here for full menu.
Go here to embed or view video at youtube.
Fresh fruit stand - various locations, north of the airport between Sepulveda Blvd & Airport Blvd. on Westchester Pkwy. Fresh fruit cup for $4, includes pineapple, watermelon, strawberries and mango. Daylight hours.
Bar Melody Bar & Grill -Located at 9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd. All day $3 happy hour until 7 p.m. on well mixed drinks and pints of domestic draught beer. They have a full menu with appetizers including "Elvis (jumbo buffalo) Wings". Go here for more info.
El Sabroso Mariscos Taco Truck - Parked at about 5745 Arbor Vitae St. (just east of Airport Blvd. were Westchester Pkwy. turns into Arbor Vitae St. - confusing I know but worth locating). A fantastic red snapper ceviche tostada with chopped onion and cilantro. Hours are 11 a.m. to about 6 p.m. every day. Fish Tostada recipe, click here.
Gentleman's Club - Located at 5601 Century Blvd. Overpriced non-alcoholic drinks. Cannot vouch for the floor show as The Chef was too cheap to pay the cover charge.
Randy's Donuts - Located just off the 405 freeway at 805 W. Manchester. Wide variety of donuts, most for less than a buck! Good coffee too. Go to their website to see a full donut selection and a funny video of a soccer ball being kicked through the rooftop donut from across the street. Click here.
In-N-Out Burger - Hey you out-of- towners, taste what the locals rave about! The Chef's favorite is a double-double with onions. Located all over town and near the airport at 9149 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Click here for full menu.
Go here to embed or view video at youtube.
2 comments:
Excellent video! I bet it was tough to get that plane to go through the donut hole!
I've visited your blog regularly since oh, April or so, and this is your best work!
I talk food occasionally on my blog, and even linked to you back in Dec: http://seoulpatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/branded.html
Anyway, keep up the good work!
Hi Tuttle, I am a big fan of Korean food and will come up with a 99c recipe sometime. Did you know there is a Korean Taco Truck here? It is supposed to be delish -- another thing to write about and make a video of!
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