Written by BJ Grip
LA natives are famous for appreciating the finer things in life—family, safety, security, and a good burrito—and the quality of food you will find here is fitting for a population of satisfied customers. If you are driving, there are countless restaurants to choose from. Beverly Hills and Hollywood have some of the fanciest restaurants in the world, along with a slew of less-exclusive, equally good places to eat. The coastal towns, just 20 minutes west of campus, offer a wide selection of less expensive, more casual restaurants. Chinatown, just north of downtown LA, is famous for Dim Sum and other Asian delicacies.
Downtown LA has always been regarded as offering little more than skyscrapers and a few old-fashioned sandwich shops, but times are changing. Ciudad, Zucca, Morton’s Steak House, and the California Pizza Kitchen have turned downtown into the nearest point of interest for students who want to go out for a meal. L.A. Live, Los Angeles’s attempt to be more like Manhattan, now offers a variety of new restaurants that will gradually open in the years to come. For the foot soldiers who seek something within closer proximity to campus, there aren’t any fancy restaurants, but there are still a number of places to get a good meal. Bistango Café, La Barca, Chano’s, and Pete’s Burgers are some restaurants specific to the immediate area. Although none of the restaurants around campus are stellar, everyone seems to be happy with off-campus dining.