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People grow their own food in the Northeast as well. It's not solely a California thing. There are a box of grapes next to me that says "Product of New York" on them...
This is true, I have some inlaws that live near New Bedford and they are diehard 'local-vores'.... they pay an arm and a leg for it but it is available year round.
In the Valley, South LA and of course OC I guess this is true, but in my experience there are vastly more locally owned restaurants in LA than there are chains. Plus other than in SF, there are just as many of these exact same chains in places like San Leandro, Richmond, Oakland, etc.
Yes, downtown area, westside, the southern parts of SFV (north hollywood especially), east la, and a good chunk of the SGV are good, but that leaves out a large chunk of LA's population and area. I found the Bay Area to be consistently better overall with SF being especially great (which I think has to do with municipal restrictions on chains in general). A lot of parts of Oakland was actually pretty great. San Leandro I just kind of cruised through, but seamed about on par with better parts of the SGV. Didn't go to Richmond though--couldn't really see why I would.
Yes, downtown area, westside, the southern parts of SFV (north hollywood especially), east la, and a good chunk of the SGV are good, but that leaves out a large chunk of LA's population and area. I found the Bay Area to be consistently better overall with SF being especially great (which I think has to do with municipal restrictions on chains in general). A lot of parts of Oakland was actually pretty great. San Leandro I just kind of cruised through, but seamed about on par with some SGV areas. Didn't go to Richmond though--couldn't really see why I would.
What about Hollywood, Koreatown, Echo Park and the rest of central LA? Maybe you are referring to that as the Westside or East LA... While they have some chains (like all cities do) these places consist of almost all local restaurants. Even then, a lot of the chains (Carl's Jr, In and Out, Fatburger, etc) are homegrown.
I agree with the San Leandro/Castro Valley/SGV connection, suburban but still quite dense. Oakland has a lot of great restaurants, not trying to sell it short by any means, but there are large areas of it that are like South LA. LA and Oakland are eerily similar in a lot of ways.
You ignored "year-round". It goes to availability. Which is greater here.
Shipping is everywhere though and NYC is a major port area. Also, there's a growing season for California as well, but it's about two months longer than New York's so that's good though it also relies heavily on water from elsewhere. I think maybe Hawaii is the only part of the US with longer growing seasons.
What about Hollywood, Koreatown, Echo Park and the rest of central LA? Maybe you are referring to that as the Westside or East LA... While they have some chains (like all cities do) these places consist of almost all local restaurants. Even then, a lot of the chains (Carl's Jr, In and Out, Fatburger, etc) are homegrown.
I agree with the San Leandro/Castro Valley/SGV connection, suburban but still quite dense. Oakland has a lot of great restaurants, not trying to sell it short by any means, but there are large areas of it that are like South LA. LA and Oakland are eerily similar in a lot of ways.
Yes, I guess I mean to say the downtown area consisting of downtown and adjacent areas such as westlake, koreatown, hollywood, echo park, wilshire, mid-wilshire, mid-city (just recently went back and ate at chef merilyn's again), whatever you want to call it etc. i.e. all of central LA and its adjacent areas are good, as well as the previously mentioned parts of SFV, much of SGV, and the Westside. I think LA is a top contender and comes out on top in a lot of categories and is first, second, or third in the nation depending on how you weight different factors. That being said, a lot of LA outside those areas are saddening. My most recent trip (last week) included going to Long Beach and some of the surrounding areas. The little cambodia section was great, but what was incredibly sad was the slop they were selling near downtown Long Beach and the aquarium with a long run of unremarkable chains sitting right next to each.
Oakland is fairly diverse and what I've had in Oakland was fantastic. South LA actually does have some bright spots for food
Yes, I guess I mean to say the downtown area consisting of downtown and adjacent areas such as westlake, koreatown, hollywood, echo park, wilshire, mid-wilshire, mid-city (just recently went back and ate at chef merilyn's again), whatever you want to call it etc. i.e. all of central LA and its adjacent areas are good, as well as the previously mentioned parts of SFV, much of SGV, and the Westside. I think LA is a top contender and comes out on top in a lot of categories and is first, second, or third in the nation depending on how you weight different factors. That being said, a lot of LA outside those areas are saddening. My most recent trip (last week) included going to Long Beach and some of the surrounding areas. The little cambodia section was great, but what was incredibly sad was the slop they were selling near downtown Long Beach and the aquarium with a long run of unremarkable chains sitting right next to each.
Oakland is fairly diverse and what I've had in Oakland was fantastic. South LA actually does have some bright spots for food
Speaking of South LA, I am pretty sure an ordinance was passed that made it so no new fast food chains can come into the area... I could be wrong though but this sounds very familiar to me. It would be really great for the area.
So Chicago is #1 according to this thread. Seems right, considering that Alinea and other high end restaurants are there, while having great ethnic cuisines (Polish, Italian, Mexican, Indian, etc.)
So Chicago is #1 according to this thread. Seems right, considering that Alinea and other high end restaurants are there, while having great ethnic cuisines (Polish, Italian, Mexican, Indian, etc.)
Chicago has great Mexican? Compared to NE cities, I guess. Also, it's Asian offerings are pretty weak. Being strong in Polish doesn't make up the difference.
So Chicago is #1 according to this thread. Seems right, considering that Alinea and other high end restaurants are there, while having great ethnic cuisines (Polish, Italian, Mexican, Indian, etc.)
Chicago has great Mexican? Compared to NE cities, I guess. Also, it's Asian offerings are pretty weak. Being strong in Polish doesn't make up the difference. The quality of its low end places must be suspect during this time of the year.
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