Here’s What to Eat at The Ford Los Angeles

Have you been to The Ford yet? I can’t believe it took me so many years to finally visit, but it’s a milestone every Angeleno should experience. The outdoor amphitheater feels like the little cousin of The Hollywood Bowl, as it only has 1,200 seats, but it’s actually two years older (1920). Both feel like they were carved into the Hollywood Hills by the theatre gods, and both concessions programs have their roots in A.O.C. restaurant, but there’s much more to know. Here’s what to eat at The Ford Los Angeles when you finally get around to that visit.

Bodega at the Ford

Bodega at The Ford is located on the top floor of the amphitheater and is the dining hub for the three lead chefs. Brand new for the 2023 season, you’ll find the Arepa Stand by Chef Mercedes Rojas, Forage by Chef Jason Kim, and Speak Cheezy by Chef Jason Winters. This means that you can try all their delicious offerings in one place instead of driving from Venice to Silverlake to Long Beach. You can also take advantage of Online Ordering once you’re familiar with the menu offerings and have the food ready ahead of time.

Arepa Stand

The Arepa Stand by Chef Mercedes Rojas offers three different stuffed Venezuelan cornmeal cake variations known as arepas. The 405 includes braised beef brisket, black bean puree, fried plantains, cotija cheese, and cilantro, The Westsider is based in shredded chicken, and The Hills is vegetarian and can even be made vegan. The size is ample, so you can expect to be filled with just one.

Forage

Forage by Chef Jason Kim is a Silverlake staple for local and sustainable good eating, and it’s easy to see why. The menu includes rich salads like the Kale and Arugula with feta, shallots, breadcrumbs, and garlic lemon vinaigrette, Salmon Bowls, as well as Garlicky Fried Chicken and Potatoes, which more than live up to their name and have portions that are plenty for two.

Speak Cheezy

Speak Cheezy by Chef Jason Winters is your pizza purveyor specializing in naturally fermented sourdough pies. The menu ranges from a traditional Margherita with farmers market tomatoes and Maldon sea salt to the Brooklyn Bee with spicy Calabrese salami, crushed tomatoes, mozzarella, Grana Padano, and fermented-fed Fresno hot honey. Once again, this is an excellent option if you have two or more eaters.

Beverages

Everything at The Ford Los Angeles feels intimate, and that includes their list of Hyper-Local Craft Beers and Small Production California Wines.

There are two bars on site, with one right at the front entrance and the second at The Bodega at the Ford upstairs. Both carry all the beverages, but I must admit to being most tempted toward a cocktail pour when I first walked in. While there is a full bar, you should set your sights on the Specialty Cocktails curated by Mixologist Ignacio Murillo of A.O.C.

The Tennessee Ruby is made with Uncle Nearest bourbon, lemon, grapefruit, and maple syrup, and there is also a Cucumber Gimlet and Gaviota Margarita with strawberry purée on the menu. They pack a punch!

The Grab & Go Market

If you’re looking for a quick bite, The Grab & Go Market on the way in has just what you’re after. All the items are from small businesses, like Bottled Soda from BatchCraft, Sandwiches and Charcuterie from family farms like Niman Ranch, and Desserts from The Dainty Cow and Magpies.

This is also the best place to pick up the sweet treats as the upstairs is devoted to savories.

Your Own Food

Yes, just like The Hollywood Bowl, you can pack your own picnic, which can be enjoyed at your seats or at one of the dining locations around The Ford Los Angeles. This is popular among guests who then supplement their brought-from-home goodies with something fresh and fancy from either The Bodega or The Marketplace.

What to Eat at The Ford Los Angeles if you can only choose one

If I could only choose one, I would have to go with the Garlicky Fried Chicken and Potatoes from Forage. There’s just something absolutely addictive on the crust of those potatoes! My close second is the Brooklyn Bee, which is the most cost-effective choice if you’re eating with a group.

What I love about The Ford and Where to Eat

I love that the menu for the Bodega at the Ford is concise and offers the best hits over the all-you-can-eat buffet of choices sometimes available at concert venues. What I do want for choices, though, is places to sit and eat. You can choose from the Zev Terrace near the Bodega, the adorable Entry Way Gardens at the front, and your Own Seats in the amphitheater – complete with cupholders.

Insider Tip: I recommend taking advantage of the 90 minutes given before the show begins to enter The Ford as the line moves a little slower than The Hollywood Bowl. Once you’re in, you still need to find a place to settle if you choose to drink or dine before the show, and veterans of the game might already have their picnic baskets in the primo spots, so come early!

An evening or mid-morning at The Ford is a beautiful way to spend a few hours enjoying live theater, world music, and some of the best chefs in Los Angeles. It might have taken me 17 years to visit, but now I’m there for life, and I’m sure you will be too. Start planning your own Ford experience here. The 2023 Season ends on October 28th, 2023.

Editors Note: EatDrinkLA was a guest of The Ford, but the opinions belong to the author.