Sunday, January 18, 2009

Dining Around LAX - Video

The Chef just got off the horn with Marc "Mr. KFI and Mr. KABC" Germain for a 35 minute interview on his internet talk show TalkRadioOne.com. Thanks Marc, it was a lot of fun to be on your live internet talk show!

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.

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.

2 comments:

Tuttle said...

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!

99 Cent Chef said...

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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