Back form Alaska

I just got back from an amazing trip to Alaska so I apologize about the lack of content over the last couple of weeks. I had some amazing food in Alaska and will post pictures and stories soon. I also brought back about 10 pounds of smoked salmon. This is a meal I had last night. The salmon was canned by my good buddy John last summer. It's Copper River Reds(the Sockeye salmon has the highest Omega 3 fat content of any fish) packed with spices and a sliced jalepeno on the bottom. It was amazing!


If your interested in a great article on great LA desserts check out the article below.
http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2013/08/legendary_la_desserts.php

Oinkster Burger Week 2013

So Oinkster is doing burger week again! There theme this year is other fast food places burgers, they include Wendy's, Taco Bell(?), Jack in The Box, Bob's Big Boy & McDonalds with their version of the McRib. The one I'm looking forward too is food truck Grill'Em All's "Weed Eater", stop by Thursday after 6 and you might just see and the homie Hero chowing down with a few other Eagle Rock locals. Get out and enjoy!!!

Smoke City Market

When it comes to BBQ in Los Angeles there are only a few places that really matter. Smoke City Market in Sherman Oaks is one of them. SCM is pure indulgent Texas BBQ, very beef centric, to tell you the truth I have only ate beef there, I haven't even tried any of there sides. SCM has a road house vibe that even includes old Coke machines and a paper towel machine on the wall instead of napkins. All meat is by the pound and is served to you on a piece of wax paper. There are two kinds of brisket, lean & moist, with the 3rd option of cutters choice. I go with moist and you can count on a few pieces of white bread to accompany the meat. The beef has a pink smoke line thru it that you have never seen before. Another great option is the rib, the giant 1 pound rib still has the prime rib attached too it. The homemade sausages are to die for also, pick regular or spicy cheddar. The meat will literally melt in your mouth, it's that amazing! The only other BBQ joint in the city with any thing even close is Bludsoes in Compton. Go to Sherman Oaks and get some of this amazing BBQ and a pint of Shiner Bach, Texas favorite beer.

Wurstkuche, I'm sorry how do you pronounce that?

I have some problems with Wurstkuche. Number 1 it would be great if everyone who works at the place could agree how to pronounce the name. Number 2, don't go on a weekend there is no parking and the line is insane. The plus about the line is you can run across the street to Pie hole & get some pie while you wait. Number 3 the prices are way too high for sausage on a bun and their specialty sauces. My friends love the truffle fries but I think they taste like feet and not worth the couple bucks extra. There are of course things that I like about Wurstkuche.  The exotic meats menu has a duck & bacon wurst, it is a must order every time I go. I love the long communal tables in the back where they serve a large variety of import beers. Enjoy the dogs and make sure you get some pie across the street.

The Oinkster

Oinkster seems to have started the slow fast food craze in Los Angeles.  Their fresh ingredients are defiantly the highlight at Oinkster.  I use to go about twice a week during happy hour for their 3.99 burger and fry combo.  That all ended when Guy Fieri and triple D showed up in June of 09. This created burger hysteria in Eagle Rock, 60 people in line became the norm. It's only been recently that I started eating at Oinsters on a regular basis. The burgers still taste great(don't expect Umami, this is classic American backyard grill style) but the garlic aioli for the Belgian fries is defiantly still the best thing.  The purple UBU shake(UBU is a yam) tastes so so and seems like more of a novelty to me. The grilled chicken, plantains & in house cured pastrami all taste great also.  Most of the condiments are made in house, including a Carolina BBQ sauce that tastes like straight vinegar. Oinkster's now has a monthly specialty burger that comes as is. I would avoid Oinksters during the weekends unless you have some time to kill.

Kansas City BBQ in North Hollywood

There are allot of things I love about Kansas City BBQ, a NOHO favorite of mine for the last 6 years. The first is the sliced beef brisket, I suggest the sandwich, it's a ton of meat packed between three slices of white bread. For a side I suggest the steak fries and the beans(the beans also have brisket in them).  They have two sauces a mild and a spicy, both have an amazing flavor that I never get tired of and pour on everything.  Another great thing about Kansas City is the price.  It shouldn't cost you 20 dollars to eat well, 14 bucks fills me and a friend up every time.  They also have a bar that's a great place to grab a beer with some NOHO locals and watch the Lakers play. When it comes to LA BBQ, I put KC around 3rd or 4th, but that's still pretty good. Check out Smoke City Market or Bludsoes for the next level stuff.