Going to be in LA for E3? Eat here! Visit this!

The good days of E3 are returning for better or worse and most of what everyone seems to be excited for are the games, the parties, the conferences.

 But what about LA? Every past story I read about E3 just seems limited to what happened at the show and the parties and if they’re really, really good stories, what happened in a hotel. But never about anything particular around the city.

 It doesn’t help that E3 is located  near downtown and despite all the pictures, it’s not really that fun of a place. It also doesn’t help that LA is very definition of sprawled out. As an LA native, even going to a bank can be a damn drag.

 That’s still no excuse for a gamer to look for stuff in LA.If you ever used a map in video game, you can hang in LA.  And after the first two days of, before all the excitement leaves, there’s still the final day and Friday to enjoy LA. Especially if you love to eat and based on my experiences with other people in the game industry, that’s a love that’ll never die.

Number one spot: Tito’s Tacos.

 There are many great mexican restaurants in LA but no place has had such a great selection of burritos and tacos like this place. It’s got the long lines and waits of Pink’s but a better payoff in taste.

Directions:
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 741-1151

1. Head southwest on S Flower St toward W 12th St

2. Turn left at W 12th St

3. Turn right at S Grand Ave

4. Turn right at W 17th St (signs for CA-110/I-10/I-110)

5. Take the I-10 ramp on the left to CA-110/Harbor Fwy/I-110

6. Keep left at the fork to continue toward I-10 W and merge onto I-10 W

7. Take exit 5 for NATIONAL Blvd

8. Turn left at National Blvd

9. Continue on Palms Blvd

10. Turn left at Overland Ave

11. Turn right at Washington Blvd

12. Slight right at Washington Pl

Tito’s Tacos Mexican Restaurant
11222 Washington Pl
Culver City, CA 90230

2. Tomodachi Sushi-This was a toss-up between this place and another sushi place called Mika’s. While Mika’s has gigantic portions in their rolls, the sheer variety and creativity of rolls at Tomodachi gives it the edge. Bonus: It’s right across the street from a bar.

Directions:
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 741-1151

1. Head southwest on S Flower St toward W 12th St

2. Turn left at W 12th St

3. Turn right at S Grand Ave

4. Turn right at W 17th St (signs for CA-110/I-10/I-110)

5. Take the I-10 ramp on the left to CA-110/Harbor Fwy/I-110

6. Keep left at the fork to continue toward I-10 W and merge onto I-10 W

7. Take exit 3A to merge onto I-405 N toward Sacramento

8. Take exit 55B to merge onto Wilshire Blvd

9. Turn left at Veteran Ave

10. Turn right at Weyburn Ave
Tomodachi Sushi
10975 Weyburn Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024

3. In-N-Out Burgers: You’ve had bigger burgers in different places with all kinds of toppings and fillings and chilis and cheese and your body probably hates you for it. But what an In-N-Out burger lacks in size, it’s makes up for it being fucking delicious.  Combine that with a strawberry shake and animal-style fries, you’ve got a meal you’ll never forget.

Directions:….there are multiple locations but the closest one is located in Hollywood next to Hollywood High school off Sunset/Highland.

4. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles: On paper, Fried Chicken and Waffles should include a direct line to heart surgeon, but this place has some of the best soul food you could ever imagine and afford. 

Directions. Head west on Pico Blvd.  until you get to St. Elmo. Good luck with parking.

Bonus Stop: Amoeba Music. Music stores are already empty houses converted into douche-y hangouts, or Starbucks. So, Amoeba Music has become L.A.’s best music store by default. Best of all, there is a section for video game music. Actual soundtracks. In the past, I’ve found copies of Chrono Cross and Castlevania: SOTN on CD. This place of has a bottomless well of taste…and a giant crew of elitist hipsters who can only understand obscure everything.

Enjoy your time in LA!