Best Bites of 2019 and Eat for FREE in 2020!

This year’s list of the EatDrinkLA Best Bites of 2019 is short. While I experienced some amazing bites around the world, I decided to keep this list local and only include the moments I can still taste and hope I do again.

The Big Mec from Petit Trois

The Big Mec Double Cheeseburger from Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks is everything you want it to be. Two patties dripping with cheese like you’re used to and a bordelaise sauce that makes you feel like you’re fancy. The $25 price tag helps with that too…

The Morning Bun from Tartine Bakery

Although this month, unfortunately, saw the unraveling of The Tartine Manufactory in Downtown Los Angeles; the Tartine Bakery in the Fairfax district will remain open for business! This Morning Bun might be the best reason to get up and face the day.

The K.F.C. from Chef Kang

I tried this Korean Fried Chicken during one of the L.A. Times Food Bowl Night Market events and have been clucking about it ever since. The Chicken Crack is deep-fried chicken skin and the Honey Butter marinade is sweet enough for kids!

Chef Kang’s Food Rehab on Vermont Avenue serves a variety of deep-fried goodies and it’s the place to go when you want to ditch your detox.

The Sauce at L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is the oldest pizzeria in Naples and just this year it made its U.S. debut in Hollywood. I can’t decide whether the Margarita Pizza or the Pomodoro Pasta is my favorite, so I’m just going with THE SAUCE! They’re also open for brunch with a menu that offers a completely different array of pizzas, pasta, and toasts.

The Sweet Corn Ice Cream at Sweet Rose

Nothing says summer like blueberries and fresh corn; and at Sweet Rose Creamery they kick that up a notch with sugar and milk. I can still taste the flavors of Sweet Corn Ice Cream and Blueberry Pie from this photo and it’s about six months later…

It’s no wonder then that this Santa Monica based Ice Cream shop has been going strong for a decade.

The Carnitas and Guacamole from Mercado

While some of the best tacos in Los Angeles are eaten while standing up on the side of the road, the food at Chef Jose Acevedo’s Mercado is best enjoyed slow and seated. The Tacos de Carnitas with slow-roasted pork paired with an obscene amount of house-made Guacamole gives you a reason to relax and just enjoy the city around you. The chef’s signature Flan is also one of the thickest I’ve found outside of Miami. Choose between 5 locations from Pasadena to Manhattan Beach.

The Fried Chicken from South City

The South City Fried Chicken Pop-Up is now a permanent fixture at Preux & Proper in Downtown Los Angeles which means you can have overnight brined buttermilk Georgia fried chicken breast at almost any lunch of the week! At $14 it practically rivals Popeyes prices, but the sustainable food movement going on at Chef Sammy Mansour’s restaurant is worth the extra bucks. Choose between one of six sandwiches, with the chef’s personal favorite, The Austin, pictured below.

Win FREE Food for 2020!

If you enjoyed this roundup of the best bites of 2019, perhaps you’d like to hear from EatDrinkLA from time to time. Subscribe below and be entered to win over $100 worth of foodie swag including gift cards to Veggie Grill, Pikuniko Fried Chicken, Verve Coffee, and more!

The winner will be chosen the first week of 2020! Here’s to a happy and FULL New Year for all!