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University of Southern California - Off-Campus DiningCollege Prowler5.00
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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. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
smschroe says: University of Southern California 2013 Other  |
Eh ...
C
The only place worth going to within walking distance is Chano's, which is greasy Mexican food, but is appealing to the drunken college crowd because of its late hours and cheap prices.
Off-Campus Dining: November 30, 2009
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Anonymous says: |
The better restaurants, like...
The better restaurants, like California Pizza Kitchen, BJ’s, the Cheesecake Factory, and the Grand Luxe Café, are a short drive away. |
Anonymous says: |
Downtown has a lot of great...
Downtown has a lot of great restaurants that mostly attract business-types. It tends to be expensive, but McCormick’s has great food for little money ($2 for a huge cheeseburger and fries) during happy hour. Remember, downtown LA is a very weird downtown. The only life after happy hour is the street sweeper. |
Anonymous says: |
Immediately off campus, you have a...
Immediately off campus, you have a bunch of options including a few places that seem sketchy but are pretty good. For Mexican, Chano’s makes the best to-go burrito, and La Barca is good for sit-down dining and margaritas. There are diners and a few 24-hour places. There’s no real pizza nearby, though. |
Anonymous says: |
Basically, all of the good...
Basically, all of the good restaurants are about 10 minutes west of USC in Hollywood, West LA, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Century City, and Santa Monica. There is a street called Sunset that has tons of ritzy restaurants that are super-expensive and pretty high-class. These are the types of places that celebrities sometimes go to. |
Interested in
Southern California? FactsOther Places to Check Out
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Diddy Riese
- El Pollo Loco
- Grand Lux Café
- King Taco
- McCormick & Schmick's
- McDonald's
- Morton's Steakhouse
- P.F. Chang's
- Panda Express
- Pasta Roma
- Pete's Burgers
- Rainforest Café
- The Ragazzi Room
- Taco Bell
- Viztango Café
- Wahoo's Fish Taco
- Wendy's
- Yoshinoya
- Zucca
24-Hour Dining
- Del Taco
- Denny's
- Diner @ the Standard
- Jack in the Box
- The Original Pantry
Grocery Stores
Smart & Final
Across the street from Kapriellian Hall
(323) 733-5875
Ralph's Market
Adams and Vermont
(323) 732-3863
Restaurant Listing
Jack in the Box
Fast food
4353 S. Figueroa St.
(323) 235-4345
www.jackinthebox.com
Price: $5-$10
Hours: Daily 24 hours
La Barca
Mexican
2414 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 735-6567
Price: $8-$15
$2 drink happy hour draws in mobs of USC students. Happy hour: Monday–Friday 3 p.m.–8 p.m., except Tuesday until 10 p.m.
Hours: Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
Lala's Grill
Argentinean
7229 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 934-6838
Price: $8-$15
Fast service, and they give you bread and dipping sauce at your table.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
www.lalasgrill.com
Fatburger
Burgers
4070 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 299-2447
www.fatburger.com
Price: $2-$8
Wrapped in paper, served on plastic trays and dripping with toppings—these burgers are definitely fat.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
Hard Rock Café
American
1000 Universal Studios Blvd., Universal Studios Citywalk
(818) 622-ROCK
www.hardrock.com
Price: $15-$25
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–1 a.m.
Just like any other Hard Rock, it offers a variety of burgers and plays classic and contemporary rock music. On top of this, Citywalk offers a lot to do after dinner, so it is a great place to take a date or your parents.
In-N-Out Burger
Burgers
119 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale
(818) 409-1921
www.in-n-out.com
Price: $2-$8
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:30 a.m.–1 a.m., Friday–Saturday 10:30 a.m.–1:30 a.m.
The ingredients used at this popular California chain are all incredibly fresh and you can taste the difference. Try a burger or your fries “Animal Style” to get caramelized onions and special sauce. There are other “secret” orders you can make as well.
Mandarette
Chinese
8386 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills
(323) 655-6115
Price: $10-$20
Take-out menu.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday 12 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.
www.mandarettecafe.com
TOGO'S
Sandwiches
3619 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 730-2900
Price: $2-$8
A student favorite for USC students because it's cheap and healthy.
Hours: Sunday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Tommy's Original
Burgers
2575 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
(213) 389-9060
Price: $5-$10
World-famous chili cheeseburgers.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
www.originaltommys.com
Wing Stop
Wings
2280 S. Figueroa St.
(213) 745-9464
www.wingstop.com
Price: $5–$20
There are five other locations around Los Angeles.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–12 a.m.
The Original Pantry Cafe
Diner
877 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles
(213) 972-9279
Price: $8-$15
Serves breakfast all day. Restaurant receives 2,500–3,000 customers a day.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
www.pantrycafe.com
Papa John's
Pizza
2222 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles
(213) 743-5999
www.papajohns.com
Price: $5-$10
Fast delivery.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–1 a.m.
Subway
Subs
University Village
(213) 745-4868
www.subway.com
Price: $2-$8
This Subway offers all of the great and healthy foods it is known for, but this one comes with an added feature: it is open 24 hours a day, making it a healthy alternative for late-night snackers.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
ESPN Zone
American
1011 S. Figueroa St., LA Live
(213) 765-7070
www.espnzone.com/losangeles
Price: $15-$25
On top of the great food, the TV room features huge screens playing a multitude of sports games. Before, during, and after your meal, you can also enjoy the sports-themed game room upstairs for even more fun.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Cha Cha Cha
Caribbean
656 N. Virgil Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 664-7723
Price: $8-$15
Sangria is amazing, as is the jerk chicken and plantains.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
www.theoriginalchachacha.com
Chano's Drive In
Mexican drive thru
3000 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
(213) 747-3944
Price: $5-$10
This is the original Chano’s with a drive-in for a quick grab and go. The food is very good and very cheap. A common place to go grab a bite to eat after partying on the Row.
Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Chez Jay
Steak and seafood
1657 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
(310) 395-1741
Price: $8-$15
Known as a celebrity “dive” or hangout throughout its history.
Hours: Monday 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 12 p.m.–2 p.m., 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
www.chezjays.com
Bucca di Beppo
Italian
www.bucadibeppo.com
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal Studios Citywalk
(818) 509-9463
Price: $15-$25
Each dish is designed to be eaten by two or more people, so even eating with a group of friends will feel like you are eating at home with your family.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Café Stella
French
3932 W. Sunset Blvd., Silverlake
(323) 666-0265
Price: $20-$40
This French restaurant is a great place to take a date and has a classy feel that is great for all occasions. Enjoy Los Angeles’s weather and sit outside, where you can enjoy a delicious meal under the night sky.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 6 p.m.–11 p.m.
California Pizza Kitchen
Pizza
121 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
(310) 854-6555
www.cpk.com
Price: $5-$10
Offers an interesting menu, such as Thai chicken, original BBQ chicken, and Jamaican jerk chicken pizzas, as well as old standbys like pepperoni and traditional cheese.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Chipotle
Mexican
3748 S. Figueroa St.
(213) 765-9068
www.chipotle.com
Price: $5-$10
This Chipotle is in the Tuscany Apartment complex.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Diner @ the Standard
Diner
8300 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
(323) 650-9090
Price: $8-$15
Separate menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
El Cholo
Mexican
1121 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles
(323) 734-2773
www.elcholo.com
Price: $10-$20
Signature tamales cooked right in their corn husks. Great margarita menu; mix is sold in restaurant store.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Electric Lotus
Indian
4656 Franklin Ave., Los Feliz
(323) 953-0040
Price: $8-$15
Tandoori specialties, as well as an extensive wine, beer, and champagne menu.
Hours: Monday–Friday 12 p.m.–12 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 12 p.m.–1 a.m.
Ciudad
South American
445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
(213) 486-5171
Price: $10-$25
An all-tapas menu on Sundays from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. and Spanish wine by the glass. Regular menu changes daily, reflecting what's best at the market.
Hours: Monday–Tuesday 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Wednesday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
http://www.ciudad-la.com/
Del Taco
Mexican American
2735 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
(213) 744-1706
www.deltaco.com
Price: $5-$10
Signature fish tacos, and made-to-order burritos, such as Tacos Del Carbon (corn tortillas, grilled steak or chicken, Anaheim chili sauce, cilantro and diced onions). If not in the mood for Mexican, cheeseburgers are on the menu as well.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
Denny's
Diner
University Village
(213) 765-0612
www.dennys.com
Price: $5-$10
It stays open 24 hours and has free Wi-Fi for customers, making it a good place to go eat during an all-nighter.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
Did You Know?Discounted lunchtime menus are available at many restaurants throughout LA.
For an authentic Mexican treat-of-a-drink, try a horchata. (You aren’t going to find it served on the East Coast.)
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