I have an ammendment to make. I was asking my friend where she eats in WeHo, and she said always at Hamburger Mary’s. I told her I wanted non-chains, and she riposted, "Well, the French Market is a chain…it’s affiliated with MiMi’s Cafe." Oh.

I loved Astro Burger in the mid ’70s. I was happy to see them mentioned here. They were very good at that time.

Oh yes…I WHOLEHEARETEDLY second the Formosa….my old favorite hang..fantastic dark historic Hollywood atmosphere…and you actually will see some borderline "A" listers there as well (hung with Gwen Stefani and her then boyfried at the bar for several hours one glorious night)

Yes, the food is nothing to get excited about (we always really liked the catfish finger appetizer though)…but Elise is right..that is secondary to the great scene…just get there relatively early (before 7 or 8) or you will never find a seat..

Dan Tana’s is also worth a visit for a drink…again, just doesn’t get much better atmosphere-wise (food is …eh….and pricey)George Clooney is a regular….

Finally, a place with truly crappy food…(but who cares cuz the bar is so great!)….is El Coyote….again, has the big cushy round booths, waitresses in colorful traditional Mexican garb..and dynamite margaritas…say hi to the sweet lovely Lin who will keep your glass full…

West Hollywood has some of the best new cutting edge restaurants and upscale dining in Los Angeles, such as Le Dome, Lucques and Bastide. That being said, there are still some old Roadfood-y places.

Barney’s Beanery
8447 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
This place was an early Route 66 roadhouse. They finally stopped pissing off the locals by removing their infamously offensive "no (offensive gay epithet)s allowed" sign in the late 80s. When Ships and Ben Franklin closed down, they took up the slack. Known for their chili, I mostly went there for beer and pool.

The Formosa Cafe
7156 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046-5802
This place is all ambiance. It is in a cool old traincar. It is old Hollywood…a very fun and hip place to get a singapore sling and a greay pupu platter. The food is not so great but you won’t care because it is so fun. A great place for an after-dinner drink. Lots of D-list celebrity spotting. Like Kato Kaelin.

Jerry’s Fanous Deli
8701 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048-1803
Highly over-rated, but good for late night grub. They have a very extensive menu and a good bakery.

The French Quarter
7985 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Nice outdoor dining. Diner/cafe food. Giant salads, good bakery, a nice place where you can either take your mom or cruise.

Poquito Mas
8555 Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.7008
Poquito Mas makes their own flour tortillas and grills their burritos, making them extra-special. Pork dishes can be a little greasy, but what do you expect from a good Mexican place? A local chain with fast-food ambiance, it still kicks ass.

Famous places where I have not personally eaten:

Dan Tana’s (Old school Italian)
9071 Santa Monica Boulevard, (At Doheney), West Hollywood, CA 90069

Silver Spoon
8171 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Astro Burger
7475 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046

Zeke’s Smokehouse
7100 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.850.9353

quote:

Originally posted by Fred Ferris

Antonio’s on Melrose!…darn good Mexican..sit outside and watch the Melrose show go by…Frank Sinatra’s favoriate Mexican place….and say hi to Antonio himself (the older classy gentleman owner with the pencil thin mustache right out of old Hollywood)..and of course his son Manny, the sweeheart ponytailed bartender..

God I miss this place….

The best mole ever!!!

Antonio’s on Melrose!…darn good Mexican..sit outside and watch the Melrose show go by…Frank Sinatra’s favoriate Mexican place….and say hi to Antonio himself (the older classy gentleman owner with the pencil thin mustache right out of old Hollywood)..and of course his son Manny, the sweeheart ponytailed bartender..

God I miss this place….

For solid So Cal cuisine go to Hugo’s Restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd
http://www.hugosrestaurant.com
Also try Jinky’s cafe for breakfast. Their "oaty oat" pancakes with bananas and macadamia nuts are pretty good
http://www.jinkys.com