By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | January 5, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guide,
Sugarfish
While some enthusiasts might regale the joys of dining inside luxurious, aromatic restaurants, the story of Los Angeles’ cuisine can also be savored outside the realm of fine dine-in establishments. As a testament to this, highlighted here are 15 irresistible gems of L.A's takeout scene that you should absolutely add to your gastronomic journey, ticking off essentials from the classic American burgers to the savory depths of Thai cuisine and the umami richness of Japanese ramen.
Website/ Various
Certify a savory night in with a delectable Italian feast by the experts. Sure, you’ll be set for solo take-out with an order of Angelini’s renowned lasagna verde, but if you happen to have a big group coming over, you’re also in luck because it also offers large platters servings of some of the top dishes.
Website/ 13539 Ventura Blvd 91423
Venture into the world of barbecue for a finger-licking good meal in front of the TV. Whether you order the cooked-to-perfection brisket or maple bourbon hot chicken sandwich, Boneyard Bistro unveils a rich tale of succulent flavors and smoke-infused meats that celebrate the iconic American brisket and rib tradition. Be sure to check out the party packs and large-format dishes for when your night in becomes a group gathering.
Website/ Various
This place encapsulates the tantalizing heat and savory essence of Nashville-inspired hot chicken. Perfectly boxed up, a Dave's Hot Chicken meal is a made-to-order playground of spices that hits all the important food groups: chicken tenders, fries and slaw.
Website/ Various
Why fight for one of the hardest reservations in town when you can hack the system? Skip the long wait to dine in and get takeout from Los Angeles’ favorite spot for dumplings. Alongside orders of Xiao Long Bao and Kurobuta Pork Buns, be sure to leave room for some chocolate buns.
Website/ Various
Travel south, all the way to the comfort food heartlands, with Dulan's. Metaphorically speaking, course. We’re still in Los Angeles! A soul food kitchen that tells a warm, heartfelt tale of southern tradition through its flavorsome menu, Dulan’s packs its styrofoam containers high with your choice of fried chicken, ox tails, short ribs, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread muffins and more.
See also: 24 Of The Best Places for Pizza In Los Angeles
Website/ 7801 Melrose Ave 90046
When you’re commute home takes you down Melrose Avenue, there’s no better place to pop into than Ghost Sando Shop. Order ahead, swing by for pick up and drive on home to a dreamy sandwich with a dutch crunch roll at the heart of it all. These zesty sammys are so loaded that you’ll likely have enough for two meals.
Website/ 740 N Fairfax Ave 90046
Genghis Cohen dishes out New York-style Sichuan Chinese cuisine, mirroring L.A.'s culinary diversity in a single menu. Furthermore, you’ll want to gather a group for this sort of feast at home because you’ll want to try at least four different kinds of dishes among its lineup of dumplings, potstockerts, chow mein, lo mein, noodles, rice, mu shu, entrees and more. Consider popular dishes like the New York-style egg roles, Szechuan green beans and orange peel chicken.
Website/ 440 N Fairfax Ave 90036
Scoop up one of Fairfax’s juciest burgers from the Golden State counter; you’ll want to savor one of these from the comfort of home. Also unwinding over a side of fries with its tangy ketchup and signature fry sauce, you’ll delight in the lamb burger, smash burger and Harrish Ranch beef Burger Burger alike.
Website/ Various
Prepare yourself to be transported to Mexico right from your house with your takeout order of Guisados, where making tacos has been elevated to an art form. In Los Angeles, nothing feels so quintessentially home as scarfing down tacos and sipping an agua fresca.
Website/ 109 Broadway 90401
For a taste of Korean-fusion cuisine, order in from Interstellar. The restaurant narrates its own unique psalm as it effortlessly merges multiple culinary traditions in their takeout dishes to create a global gastronomic experience. You’ll feel extra cozy at home, and not just because you’re settled into your couch with a blanket, but rather because of the comfort in dishes like the Chicken Katsu Curry and Galbi Bowl with short ribs.
Website/ Various
All around town, Jinya Ramen spins a Japanese saga of savory broth and perfectly cooked noodles that embraces a unique combination of tradition and innovation. Load up on your takeout with orders of edamame, gyoza and sushi alongside your ramen.
Website/ Various
Nathalee Thai has mastered the art of Thai cuisine, offering classic dishes that tells the story of one of the world's most flavorful cuisines. You’ll be impressed by the portion sizes and flavors of its pad thai, pad see ew, wontons and the variety of signature entrees.
Website/ Various
Venture to the Pacific with Ono Hawaiian BBQ where your platter sings a tropical melody of the islands through its off-the-grill Hawaiian dishes. It’s practically begging you to order takeout with choices like Aloha Plates and Family Meals that load you up and get you out the door with a package of chicken katsu, spam musubi, crab rangoon and macaroni salad.
Website/ Various
Experience pristine simplicity at its gastronomic finest with Sugarfish. The sushi-focused menu turns every sushi dish into a mini narration about the art of simplicity in Japanese cuisine, even when you opt for a to-go order of the Trust Me or Nozawa— a selection of sushi, hand rolls and sashimi. There’s something particularly beautiful about opening a vibrant box of L.A.’s finest fish from your own couch. And as always, Sugarfish makes sure you’re prepared and doesn’t sauce the fish. Instead, the team packs condiments to go and provides instructions to ensure freshness.
Website/ Various
For the Japanese cuisine fan with an affinity for handrolls, look no further than Yunomi Handroll. Sure, it offers a number of cut roll and sashimi boxes for takeout, but we think you should consider the Yurollmi Handroll Kit for some extra fun. Packed up with Yunomi-approved ingredients, you’ll be closer than ever to feeling like a sushi chef.
Whether it's your first time in the city or you're an L.A. veteran, remember that every dish tells a story. Los Angeles is an edible anthology authored by a diverse range of cultures, and these 16 takeout restaurants offer a multi-course read into its culinary narrative.
See also: Where To Order Chinese Takeout In L.A.
Photography by: By Fried Chicken Studios for Sugarfish