The Most Delicious Food Pop-Ups in Los Angeles right now
Pop-Ups of the Past
N/Soto (DTLA)
Until n/soto opens its official brick and mortar sometime this fall, you can enjoy a 9-course tasting menu during their temporary pop-up at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC). The restaurant concept is owned by Chefs Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama and helmed by Chef Yoji Tajima. The 9-course menu is a preview of what you can expect at n/soto, however, it will be offered in courses versus izakaya. The price is $125 per person before tax, gratuity, and alcohol, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the JACCC.
Order Info: Reservations open up every Sunday at noon and can be booked 21 days in advance and can be made via Tock for either the 5:30 or 8:30 seating. Diners must be vaccinated.
Bungkus Bagus (Glendale)
Do you have a sudden craving for Balinese food? Well, sisters Tara and Celene are about to make you have them on the regular! Bungkus means package in Indonesia and here it is a portable meal wrapped in a banana leaf, with coconut curry chicken, steamed rice, mother-in-law egg, and those delectable spice combinations ($23).
Order Info: Follow their Instagram and find them at Smorgasburg LA on weekends at The Row DTLA.
Calabama (East Hollywood)
Your breakfast in a bucket? Well, I’m not talking KFC. During the pandemic, Cara Haltiwanger switched from selling her Southern-style egg and avocado breakfast sandwiches at coffee shops to directly out her window in Hollywood. The response has been as hot as the sauce.
Order Info: Reserve your spot every Thursday on Haltiwanger’s Instagram from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. You can order her famed hot sauce directly from her website, as well as the bucket drop.
Brique French Toastery (West L.A.)
Known for their “rock toast”, Brique French Toastery serves up massive slices of hand-braided Brioche, lightly dipped in a custard coating, and topped with vanilla bean whipped cream, toasted coconut flakes, and peanut-butter coconut syrup. Try not to lick the phone with this one.
Order Info: Brique now has a “brick” and mortar location at Westfield Century City. They are open daily starting at 10 or 11 a.m.
Quarter Sheets Pizza Club (Glendale)
This “least authentic” Detroit-style pizza pop-up has amassed such a following that they’ve expanded from DM’s on Instagram to Tock orders. While Chef Aaron Lindell’s home base is in Glendale, the pizza club has also done some moonlighting at the bespoke RowDTLA for pie pick-up and has an upcoming brick and mortar on the way! The menu features a classic Red Top pizza ($25) as well as a rotating specialty pie like the Jewel City with ricotta, mozzarella, basil, Bill’s Bees Honey, and Sambal Goreng from Bungkus Bagus (another pop-up $38). Don’t skip on dessert here either, the Dark Chocolate Cream Pie ($10) and Quarter Sheet Cake ($12) regularly sell out on the baker’s own website (Hannah Ziskin).
Order Info: Now that they’re on Tock, the ordering has become attainable, but you’ll still want to act immediately on Wednesday when slots open up.
Smokey Jones BBQ (Culver City)
If you’re into great BBQ in your own home without all the work, then Smokey Jones BBQ is for you. This husband and wife team specializes in Heat and Serve BBQ boxes that are mess-free and a direct result of our pandemic lifestyle. The menu changes bi-weekly and currently features Santa Maria BBQ or Oak Smoked Meats. Each box also includes sides like Mackin’ Cheese and Chocolate Chip Cookies from My Fave Cookie Company. Boxes feed 2-3 ($58) or 4-6 ($105).
Order Info: Their website has all the meats and eats and their Instagram has all the pop-up news.
AGL’s Craft Meats (Various)
Get your brisket on with this BBQ food pop-up in Los Angeles that’s big on the brewery scene. Highlights include the Brisket ($15) and Ribs “like a pillow” ($25).
Order Info: While they have a website, the fastest place to get both your brew and bbq on at the same time will be on their Instagram.
Naemo (Koreatown)
You’ve never had banchan like this before. New York City chefs Ki Kim and Arnold Byun have taken Los Angeles by storm with their beautiful jewel boxes of Korean food that are almost too pretty to eat. Banchan means side dish, and while the menu rotates, you’ll always get a few cold and hot dishes similar to American Wagyu japchae; Yellow Tail Hwe; and Acorn Jelly Salad.
Order Info: They are currently regrouping from their last pop-up collaboration and are steering more toward tea and traditional Korean items at the moment. Get the details here.
Nana’s Meatballs L.A. (Glendale)
Have you always wanted to have that meet in the middle moment with a plate of pasta a la Lady and the Tramp? Well Nana’s Meatballs’s L.A. has got the bowl of your dreams. This pop-up from New Jersey does two things expertly well: homemade pasta and meatballs just like grandma used to make.
Order Info: Place an order on their Insta Monday to Wednesday to have them by the weekend. Pick-up is in Glendale, and the cost is by donation (suggested $17 a plate).
The Common Good (Hollywood)
Is there anything more comforting than a pie in a mason jar? Well, maybe a bowl of Smokey Macaroni and Cheese or a Thick Cast-Iron Pizza. Chefs Jeff Baker and Adam Gericke are in the business of making people feel good and that includes ooey-gooey comfort foods made with fresh ingredients and organic meat and vegan options. Must-haves include the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich ($13.95) with thick Fries for just $5 more and any of their Mason Jar Pies, especially Grandma’s Banana Pudding ($8.95).
Order Info: Dine-in and take-out will be available from the Food Lab in the Alley location until January 31st, 2022. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Order on their website directly or from your favorite delivery apps if you need to. I prefer to cut out the middle man though.
Sqirl X Bake n Broil (Long Beach)
For three days only, Jessica Koslow of Sqirl will be teaming up with Bake n Broil for a very special Classic remixed menu. Bake n Broil in Long Beach has been family-owned and operated since 1965, and they’re known for their pies and baked goods much like Sqirl is known for their toasts and preserves.
Menu highlights include Chicken Pot Pie with Sqirl’s preserved Meyer lemon in homemade gravy; a Raspberry Lemon Lush Pie with lemon curd and whipped cream; and a special Sqirl x Bake n Broil Collaboration Jam. The price is $24.95 a person for a 3-course meal.
Order Info: Make your reservations now on Resy for this 3-day only event from November 5th to 7th 2021. Available for dine-in or take-out.
Citizen Public Market (Culver City)
This weekend, June 11th to 13th, has got not one but two pop-ups happening at Citizen Public Market space. These are great for both take-out and dine-in.
Go-Go Gyoza and Go-Go Bird
From Executive Chef, Brandon Kida (Hinoki and the Bird) comes fast-casual Japanese-inspired fried fantasies! Enjoy Spicy Fried Chicken Wings with a Japanese cheddar biscuit, Fried Chicken Sandwiches with pickled slaw and a tasty Japanese ranch, and their famous Chicken Gyoza, topped with chili oil and soy sauce.Hours are Friday to Sunday from Noon to 9 p.m.
Zooies Cookies
Zooies specializes in gluten-free and sugar-free cookies that taste as good as they look along with the ooie gooie zooie full-fat versions. Menu highlights include the Classic Chocolate Chip and their Panda Cookie loaded with chopped Oreos. Hours are Friday Noon to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sqirl X Locura Pop-up (East LA)
From the chef that made Toast a meal comes a pop-up that will have you wishing you could have it for every meal. Available weekends only from 5 to 8 p.m., Locura Los Angeles from Chef Julio Alvarenga, features Mexican Italian fusion and some of the freshest tomatoes I’ve tasted in a while. You can order à la carte, or choose a prix-fixe meal at $56 per family.Begin with a shared Starter like a Tomato Straciatella Salad or a Regler Farm Peaches; and if the peaches are anything like the farm-fresh tomatoes, you are in for a treat. The smell of the garden explodes in your nostrils as soon as you open the Tupperware.
Next, choose a Pasta like a Ricotta Tortellone or the MUST HAVE Cavatelli with Beef “Birria” Ragu.
Lasly, you’ll share a dessert like the Churromisu or a Dulce de Leche Cheesecake.
Place your order on Tock, available for only two more weekends June 12th and June 19th.
Did you enjoy this list of the most delicious food pop-ups in Los Angeles right now? Share the image below before they pop-up out of your head!
Thank you for this blog. I am visiting LA [Carefully with covid]
Maemo is delightful. Nana,s Meatballs is next on my horizon.
Grateful Foodie
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