Angelenos best know Eddie Sanchez of Hungry in LA as a prolific influencer with more than 180,000 Instagram followers. But he’s so much more than that. His creative company, HUNGRY, provides photography, content, and social media consulting to restaurants and hospitality brands. For those who follow his eating exploits online, Sanchez is seemingly always out and about, trying everything from high-end steakhouses to hole-in-the-wall burrito joints to a secret bar at Dodger Stadium to find the best of the best in LA.
We recently caught up with him to chat about his favorite spots in the City of Angels.
Read on for where Eddie Sanchez of Hungry in LA loves to visit on repeat, and book them on OpenTable.
Sanchez’s responses have been edited for length
Asterid (Downtown)
Acclaimed chef Ray Garcia’s fine-dining restaurant interweaves influences from the city’s diverse cultures (red beets with XO sauce) in a sleek space.
Why Eddie loves it: “Ray Garcia has been one of my favorite LA chefs since his Broken Spanish and BS Taqueria days. It’s the perfect spot before or after a show at Walt Disney Concert Hall, but honestly, more Angelenos need to treat it as a destination on its own. if you sit at the bar, don’t sleep on the burger—it’s one of the best in the city.”
The Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood)
One of LA’s great classics, Musso & Frank is still going strong after a century. The servers sport red jackets, the martinis are ice-cold, and the Hollywood lore is unmistakable.
Why Eddie loves it: “Musso & Frank is probably my favorite restaurant in all of LA. I always start with a drink at the bar. For dinner, I’m ordering the New York Strip, medium rare, with a perfectly made Manhattan. Classic, no-frills, and exactly how a steakhouse should be.”
Gwen (Hollywood)
Meat takes center stage at celebrity chef Curtis Stone’s acclaimed Hollywood steakhouse-slash-butcher-shop featuring an elegant midcentury-inspired dining room.
Why Eddie loves it: “I’m a huge fan of Curtis Stone—he’s a chef who really takes his craft seriously, and you can taste that dedication in every bite at Gwen. The fact that they dry-age their steaks in-house just makes the experience even better. Beyond the food, the restaurant itself is stunning—it’s one of those spots that feels special the moment you walk in making it perfect for date night.”
Petit Trois Le Valley (Sherman Oaks)
France-born chef Ludo Lefebvre turns out bistro classics that transport you to France in the middle of Sherman Oaks in a high-ceilinged dining room done up in dark wood.
Why Eddie loves it: “Petit Trois Le Valley just hits differently. It’s the kind of place that invites you to stay a little longer and really enjoy the meal. When I’m really looking to indulge, it’s all about the Big Mec—a next-level burger drenched in Bordelaise that only chef Ludo could pull off.”
Ronan (West Hollywood)
Puffy, nicely charred Neapolitan-style pies are always spot-on at this neighborhood favorite from Caitlin and Daniel Cutler.
Why Eddie loves it: “Ronan is hands down one of my favorite spots in LA for pizza. Their crust is a bit firmer than your typical Neapolitan, and I absolutely love the texture—it’s got the perfect bite. The charred broccolini with za’atar and turmeric aioli is always on my order. And I can’t go to Ronan without getting the spicy clams with garlic bread.
Jame Enoteca (El Segundo)
Top Chef star Jackson Kalb’s first restaurant is a not-so-hidden gem in El Segundo because the word is out about his top-notch Italian food.
Why Eddie loves it: “I used to totally gatekeep Jame because it’s my go-to date night spot with my wife but I can’t keep this gem to myself anymore. The spicy rigatoni is always a must-order. It’s one of those places where everything just comes together every single time.”
Dear Jane’s (Marina Del Ray)
Seafood is the star at this chic, sweeping restaurant from Josiah Citrin and Patti and Hans Röckenwagner that has floor-to-ceiling views of the marina.
Why Eddie loves it: “The views are amazing, especially at sunset, and they’ve got a not-so-hidden bar that totally replicates that nostalgic Dear John’s [sister restaurant] feel. I always order the chicken parm, but I also can’t resist their scampi and ahi tuna tartare.”
Ayara Thai (Westchester)
Sisters Vanda and Cathy now oversee this beloved family-owned Thai restaurant opened by their parents in 2004 and continue to introduce new dishes while serving favorites.
Why Eddie loves it: “Ayara Thai is my absolute go-to spot for Thai food in LA. They have the best Pad Thai in the city, but I’ve worked my way through the whole menu over the years, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything. Some of my personal favorites are the Kra Tiem, Khao Soi, and Panang Curry.”
Father’s Office (Multiple locations)
Known for its famous no substitutions burger (don’t you dare ask for ketchup!), Father’s Office is a great spot for a casual al-fresco lunch.
Why Eddie loves it: “Chef Sang Yoon really pioneered the gourmet burger with his Office Burger 25 years ago, and it’s still just as amazing today. And let’s not forget their incredible craft beer selection, which has been a standout since day one. When I go, it takes me back to the Gastropub days of the early 2000s.”
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
