Jack & Jill’s: $10 for Burger and Beer
$10 for a burger and beer… sound like a good deal? Well, it is, and it’s only at Jack & Jill’s. The offer is good from 2:30 pm – 5 pm, 7 days per week, and it’s good at any of their 3 locations (Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, Santa Monica). And if you’re thinking that the restaurant is skimping on the food, think again – the BBQ hickory burger and the gourmet turkey burger are just two of the delicious dishes you can get as part of this deal. So try it out next time you’re in the area.
A 9 Cent Cup of Coffee
Warning – this isn’t a Groupon special, Social Living special, or any other kind of “deal of the day”. Instead, it’s a vintage LA restaurant that charges 9 cents for a cup of coffee, and they’ve been doing so ever since 1960, when a cup actually cost that much. The spot, Philippe’s in Downtown LA, has either decided to completely ignore inflation, or to simply pay homage to old world LA. Either way, the price tag is unbeatable. The only downside is that the 9 cent price only applies to “for here” orders (“to go” orders cost a wallet-busting 82 cents). But all’s not lost, however, as their French Dip sandwiches are so tasty that you’ll want to stay for lunch. So try this place out if you’re looking for a cheap, quality dining experience that’s a throwback to old LA. And surprisingly, the coffee actually tastes pretty good.
Bar Offering Free Limo Service
Most people know Busby’s as the fratty pickup bar with a less-than-spectacular M/F ratio, a lot of drunken grinding with strangers, and really cheap drinks. But what most people don’t know about Busby’s is that they offer free round trip limo service to their Miracle Mile Bar (Busby’s East) every Wednesday, and free limo service to the Santa Monica bar (Busby’s West) every Thursday. You do need to have 10 people in your group in order to be picked up directly, but the 10 people don’t necessarily have to be in one location – drivers can make multiple stops along the way. And don’t fret if you have less than 10 people in your group; they also make regular pickups at the Santa Monica Promenade and at the Chevron in Westwood Village for smaller groups. So check it out next time you’re in the mood to ride in luxury to a… Read the rest
$5 Pizza Joint
Ever noticed that buying pizza isn’t very efficient for one person? You can either get a large for $10 and not come close to finishing it, or get a single slice for $4 and still be hungry afterwards. There doesn’t seem to be a $5-$6 option that leaves you full, but that doesn’t waste any pizza either. Pamore Pizza on Washington is seeking to fill that gap. Pamore’s main offering is a $5.50 large cheese or pepperoni pizza that is ready for takeout as soon as you arrive. The process is about as efficient as possible; you come in, grab your pizza, and leave. Doesn’t take more than a minute.
Now is it the best pizza you’ve ever had? Of course not. But is it good enough to satisfy your momentary pizza craving? Yes. And the fact that it’s been pre-prepared is an added bonus. So try it out. Pamore… Read the rest
Late Night Dessert Spots
Craving some late night dessert? Past a certain hour, you’re shit out of luck. But before, say, 3 am, you’ll have a few options. Here they are:
Millions of Milkshakes (West Hollywood): This trendy milkshake spot stays open until 3 am, and probably 90% of their business is generated between the hours of midnight and 3. Parking is a bit of a problem, but try the lot directly behind the store – the valet guy usually holds cars for 10 minutes without charging.
Yogurt Stop (West Hollywood): Located down the street from Millions of Milkshakes, this place stays open until 2 am on weekends and midnight on weekdays. The yogurt is self-serve, and there’s a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from.
Yogurtland (everywhere): This yogurt shop has two dozen locations in the Los Angeles area, and most of them stay open until 1 am on weekends (and midnight on weekdays).… Read the rest
Hookah Bars and Late Night Alcohol
Hookah bars, strip clubs, and house music venues. What am I describing? The pathetic selection of afterhours entertainment in LA, of course. The fact that alcohol is precluded from each of those options only makes things worse. But what most people don’t know is that some hookah bars are known for serving alcohol past 2 a.m. Habibi in Westwood is one of those places. I don’t know if the waiters will serve you, but if you ask one of the owners, there’s a decent shot you’ll get served. It’s definitely worked for me. The key is to just blend in and appear unassuming. Anyone else have experience trying this?
LA Ends Red Light Cameras
By now most of you have probably heard the news that Los Angeles recently voted to end its red light camera program. The details have been sketchy at best, so I’m going to clarify the confusion here.
FAQ’s:
Have citations stopped being issued?
Yes, as of July 31st.
Are some red light cameras still operating?
Yes. The cameras are being “phased out” as we speak, and some are still operating. However, you will not be issued a ticket if one of these functioning cameras catches you running a red light.
If I got a ticket before July 31st, do I have to pay?
No. One fallacies of the program was that neither the courts nor the DMV enforced the fines. This means that if you didn’t pay, you wouldn’t be issued an arrest warrant and you still would be allowed to renew your driver’s license. What the city does do… Read the rest
Insomniac Cafe: Late Night Studying
Need a new late night study spot? Try Insomniac Café, a quaint little coffee shop located on Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood, about halfway between La Brea and Crescent Heights. This place has everything you need to pull the occasional late night cram session: wifi, computer outlets, and plenty of open seats. The only downside, as many Yelpers point out, is that the wifi costs $5. But if you go through as much as coffee as I do, that shouldn’t be a problem. And honestly, the place could probably use the money; it’s never crowded inside, and the few people that are there seem to stay in their seats all day without ordering much.
Insomniac Cafe is open until 1 am every night. Try it out if you’re looking to cure your late night lack of productivity.
Address
Insomniac Cafe
7286 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Best Celebrity Spotting Restaurant
I know it’s not exactly “cool” to be into celebrity spotting, but let’s face it – if Will Ferrell suddenly sits down next to you at a restaurant, it’s kind of exciting. And that’s exactly what happened to us at Dan Tana’s, a West Hollywood eatery known for its celebrity clientele. We had already spotted Jerry Bruckheimer at the bar when, much to our amazement, Will Ferrell walked in and sat down at the table directly behind us. And it didn’t stop there; Brad Garrett (the tall guy from Everybody Loves Raymond) came in later and grabbed a table across the room from us. To say that dinner had suddenly gotten a little more interesting would be an understatement.
Sure Dan Tana’s is known as a celebrity hangout, but what makes it unique is that it’s not some overpriced 5 star restaurant that celebs come to in order to find… Read the rest
Eastside Market Italian Deli
If you like thick, meaty sandwiches that leave your face covered in tomato sauce, Eastside Market Italian Deli is for you. This LA staple has been around since 1929, and could lay claim to the title of “Best Sandwich Spot in Los Angeles” (though I’m sure Bay Cities and Langers would disagree). Their signature sub is the DA Special, a beast of sandwich that consists of sausage, meatball, roast beef and pastrami, served up on a freshly baked Italian roll. This sub will almost certainly leave you feeling full – and a bit guilty. Another popular one is the roast beef & pastrami sandwich, and, like the DA Special, comes dripping in marinara sauce. So don’t get it “to go” – if you do, you’ll be left with one soggy sammy. Though it would still be a tasty sandwich.
The place closes at 4 pm, so don’t plan on coming… Read the rest