Los Angeles is a global melting pot, a city where cultures converge and creativity thrives, especially in its dynamic food scene. While many come seeking the vibrant flavors of its diverse communities—from authentic Mexican tacos in Boyle Heights to groundbreaking Korean BBQ in Koreatown—LA is also the birthplace of numerous dishes that have gone on to achieve worldwide fame. As a traveler passionate about the intersection of food, history, and culture, exploring the origins of these iconic dishes offers a unique taste of the city’s innovative spirit.
Forget the idea of a simple list. This is a journey into the culinary history of Los Angeles, uncovering what foods is LA famous for because they were conceived and perfected right here. We’ll delve into the stories behind twelve distinct creations, tracing their roots, meeting their inventors, and understanding their lasting impact on American—and sometimes global—cuisine. These aren’t just recipes; they are edible artifacts of LA’s past and present.
Unveiling LA’s Culinary Heritage: what foods is LA famous for?
The culinary narrative of Los Angeles began long before it was the sprawling metropolis we know today. Indigenous people like the Tongva and Chumash had complex food systems based on local flora and fauna, utilizing acorns, roots, and marine life. With the arrival of Spanish, Mexican, and later, diverse immigrant groups, new ingredients, techniques, and tastes blended, setting the stage for culinary innovation. However, the notion of restaurants and deliberate culinary invention is a more recent chapter, largely accelerating as the city grew, particularly after 1850.
Early Los Angeles, with a population of only 1,610 by 1850, didn’t have a bustling restaurant scene ripe for widespread experimentation. Yet, as the decades passed and the city welcomed waves of newcomers—including French restaurateurs, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and later, Middle Westerners—the ingredients and inspirations converged. It was in this evolving landscape that unique dishes, reflecting the city’s diverse influences and pioneering spirit, started to emerge, shaping what foods is LA famous for today.
1. The Pioneering Treat: The California Oyster Cocktail
Our exploration into what foods is LA famous for begins with a surprisingly early invention: the California oyster cocktail. This unique concoction, featuring the soft flesh of local California oysters mixed with a sauce of hot sauce, tomato ketchup, and seasoning, first appeared in July 1894. Its birthplace was a humble food cart located at 1st and Main, operated by Asher Michael “Al” Levy. Levy, a Jewish immigrant from Liverpool, had previously worked as a chef in San Francisco before moving to LA around 1890.
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Despite initially waiting tables, Levy launched his food cart, selling the California oyster cocktail for ten cents – double the price of the popular spicy tamales of the era. The dish quickly caught on, its popularity spreading beyond Los Angeles to Pasadena and other areas. By 1897, Al Levy’s success allowed him to open three restaurants. Tragically, the intense demand contributed to the near extinction of the California oyster by the end of the decade. Levy remained a prominent figure in the LA culinary scene, founding the Southern California Restaurant Association in 1906, before his passing in 1941.
2. America’s Favorite Sweet Spot: The Hot Fudge Sundae
No list of what foods is LA famous for is complete without this beloved dessert. The hot fudge sundae, a decadent combination of ice cream topped with warm chocolate fudge sauce, was invented at the L.J. Christopher’s Caterers and Confectioners location at 551 South Broadway in 1913. The invention, by Ohio-born Clarence Clifton Brown, was quietly announced via a small advertisement in The Los Angeles Daily Times. Brown had joined Christopher’s in 1906.
The ice cream parlor was later renamed C.C. Brown’s Ice Cream Parlor. While the original building was replaced, the parlor continued its legacy. In 1929, Clarence’s son moved the business to Hollywood Boulevard, where it became a local landmark. C.C. Brown’s remained operational until 1996, cementing the hot fudge sundae’s place in dessert history and contributing significantly to what foods is LA famous for in the sweet category.
3. The King of the Grill: The Cheeseburger
The origins of the hamburger patty between bread might be debated, but adding cheese to the equation is widely attributed to Los Angeles County. While several restaurants claim the invention, the most commonly accepted story points to sixteen-year-old Lionel C. Sternberger in Pasadena in 1924. Working at his father Herman Solomon Sternberger’s restaurant, The Rite Spot, young Lionel placed a slice of American cheese atop a hamburger patty.
He initially dubbed his creation the “Aristocratic Burger,” but by 1928, it was more simply known as the “cheeseburger.” This seemingly simple addition revolutionized the burger, creating a global phenomenon. Though The Rite Spot was later demolished, a plaque marks its historical significance as a site contributing to what foods is LA famous for and loved worldwide. Lionel Sternberger passed away in 1954, long after his cheesy innovation had conquered menus everywhere.
Image of The Rite Spot restaurant in Pasadena circa 1937, credited to Herman J. Schultheis, location linked to the cheeseburger origin story.
4. A Classic Dip: The French Dip Sandwich
The French Dip sandwich, a warm meat sandwich served with a side of meat broth for dipping, has an origin story fiercely contested by two Los Angeles institutions: Cole’s and Philippe The Original. Cole’s, founded in 1908, claims a customer with dental work requested his sandwich roll be dipped in gravy. While plausible, this story lacks strong early evidence and seems designed to leverage the restaurant’s opening date.
Philippe The Original, however, has a more widely supported claim. Founded by French brothers Philippe and Arbin Mathieu, the story goes that around 1912, Philippe accidentally dropped a sandwich roll into a roasting pan filled with meat juices. A customer, a police officer, asked to try it and loved it. Other customers quickly followed suit, requesting the “combination sandwich.” Philippe added it to the menu, and its popularity grew rapidly. Early print mentions of “French Dip” sandwiches appear in the mid-1920s, coinciding with Philippe’s story and suggesting it wasn’t widely known twenty years prior. Philippe The Original continues to serve the iconic sandwich today, a cornerstone of what foods is LA famous for.
Image of Philippe Mathieu, one of the founding brothers of Philippe The Original, known for inventing the French Dip sandwich.
5. Spicy Comfort: The Chili Burger
Another straightforward yet enduring LA invention contributing to what foods is LA famous for is the chili burger. This dish is simply a hamburger patty generously topped with chili con carne. Its inventor was Thomas Moulton “Texas Ptomaine Tommy” DeForest, a Kansas native who arrived in Los Angeles around 1911. He started with a chili cart and later opened Ptomaine Tommy in Lincoln Heights in 1918.
The chili burger is said to have originated in the 1920s, referred to by Tommy as the “chili size.” Despite the colloquial and perhaps off-putting name of his establishment (“Ptomaine” refers to bacterial toxins), Tommy’s chili size became popular. By the 1930s, chili burgers were common, though the name often varied. Competition emerged, including “The Original Tommy’s,” which capitalized on the chili burger’s fame. Sadly, Ptomaine Tommy’s popularity waned, and it closed in 1958, shortly before DeForest’s death. Nevertheless, the chili burger remains a beloved comfort food fixture in LA diners and burger joints.
6. Blended Perfection: The Smoothie
The smoothie, a blended beverage typically made from fruits and vegetables, is widely associated with a Los Angeles invention, specifically the Orange Julius. Founded by Julius Freed in 1926, the initial establishment sold orange juice. The story of the iconic frothy drink points to Freed’s real estate broker, Willard “Bill” Hamlin. In 1929, Hamlin added sugar, milk, vanilla, and egg whites to Freed’s orange juice and blended it with ice to reduce acidity.
This blended creation, leveraging the relatively new electric drink mixer, was a hit. It was popular with both Julius and customers, leading to the expansion of the Orange Julius chain. While similar drinks existed in other cultures (like lassis or licuados), the Orange Julius popularized the concept in the US, and the term “smoothie” later emerged to describe the broader category. This frothy success story is definitely part of what foods is LA famous for in the beverage world. The original Orange Julius location on South Broadway no longer exists as the iconic stand, but its legacy lives on in blended drinks globally.
Image of an Orange Julius stand, likely from the mid-20th century, representing the birthplace of the famous blended drink, the smoothie.
7. Hollywood’s Salad Staple: The Cobb Salad
Synonymous with old Hollywood glamour, the Cobb salad is a substantial entree salad typically featuring chopped greens, tomato, bacon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chives, Roquefort cheese, and red wine vinaigrette. It originated at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, owned by Robert Howard Cobb. Like many culinary inventions, its exact origin is debated.
One popular, perhaps apocryphal, tale suggests Robert Cobb himself created it late one night in 1937 out of leftovers when a customer, Sid Grauman (of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre fame), wanted something to eat after dental work. Another version credits the restaurant’s chef, Robert Kreis. A third possibility points to chef Paul J. Posti in 1937. The name “Cobb salad” appearing in print only in the 1940s lends some credence to the 1937 timeframe.
Regardless of the exact moment, the Cobb salad became a signature dish of the Hollywood Brown Derby, solidifying its place among what foods is LA famous for, particularly in the realm of sophisticated salads. The original Hollywood Brown Derby closed in 1985 and was unfortunately later demolished after earthquake damage.
Interior image of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, famous for being the originating location of the Cobb Salad.
8. Eastside Fusion: The Pastrami Burger
Pastrami itself has deep roots in Turkey and Romania, brought to the US by Jewish immigrants, famously associated with delis in New York City and Montreal. However, Los Angeles put its own unique spin on this cured and smoked meat. In the mid-20th century, particularly in the Eastside neighborhoods that were home to diverse communities including a significant Jewish population, pastrami began appearing in unexpected places.
The LA twist often involved serving pastrami on a hamburger bun, dressed with mustard and pickles, often alongside items like burritos. While pinpointing the very first pastrami burger is difficult, it definitely has a distinct mid-20th century Southern California vibe. Mentions in print become common in the early 1950s. Restaurants like The Hat, founded in 1951, and later Greek-immigrant-owned burger joints such as Jim’s Burgers (1957), George’s Drive-In (1967), Dino’s Chicken & Burgers (1970), and Patra’s (1976) all contributed to making the pastrami burger a beloved regional specialty, showcasing the city’s fusion culture and adding to what foods is LA famous for in the casual dining space.
Image of The Hat restaurant sign, a Southern California eatery famous for its pastrami dip and also known for serving pastrami burgers.
9. The Iconic Roll That Changed Sushi: The California Roll
For many in the West, the California roll was their introduction to sushi, making it arguably one of the most impactful contributions to global cuisine from Los Angeles. This maki roll typically features crab meat (or imitation crab), avocado, and sometimes cucumber, wrapped in nori with the rice on the outside. It often includes mayonnaise and is sprinkled with sesame seeds or fish roe. Multiple chefs claim credit, but a common narrative highlights two key figures.
Chef Teruo Imaizumi is credited with substituting avocado for fatty tuna (toro) in 1964, adapting sushi to locally available ingredients. Later, chef Ken Seusa at Kin Jo restaurant in West Hollywood reportedly created the “inside-out” version (uramaki) around 1979, similar to rolls made by Hidekazu Tojo in Vancouver to make seaweed less visible and more appealing to Western palates. This combination – avocado, crab, and the rice-on-the-outside style – became the template for the California roll. Its accessibility and appealing ingredients made it incredibly popular, helping to demystify sushi for a new audience and cementing its status as a defining example of what foods is LA famous for on the international stage.
Image of Jiro Shinozaki, a sushi chef at Kin Jo restaurant in West Hollywood, a location associated with the development of the California Roll.
10. Raw Innovation: Tuna Tartare
Derived from steak tartare, traditionally made from raw minced beef or horse meat, tuna tartare offers a lighter, seafood-based alternative. While steak tartare has European roots, the tuna version is widely credited to French-trained chef Shigefumi Tachibe. In 1984, at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills, Tachibe reportedly invented the dish by substituting raw, minced tuna for red meat.
His motivation was to cater to diners looking to reduce red meat consumption while simultaneously introducing them to Japanese culinary sensibilities in a non-intimidating way. Tuna tartare’s fresh flavor and elegant presentation made it an immediate hit, inspiring versions at prominent restaurants like Spago in LA and Aqua in San Francisco. Chaya Brasserie closed in 2014, but tuna tartare has become a standard appetizer on menus worldwide, showcasing LA’s role in refining and popularizing raw fish dishes, adding a sophisticated note to what foods is LA famous for.
11. Pizza with a Twist: BBQ Chicken Pizza
While pizza is fundamentally Italian, Los Angeles gave birth to a specific, wildly popular variation: the BBQ Chicken Pizza. This creation is credited to chef Ed LaDou. After working at Wolfgang Puck’s acclaimed Spago in Beverly Hills as an experimental pizzaiolo, LaDou was approached by Larry Flax, co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), in 1985.
LaDou took the job at CPK and developed innovative pizza combinations, the most successful being the BBQ Chicken Pizza. Topped with barbecue sauce, chicken, red onion, and cilantro, this sweet and savory fusion quickly gained popularity. It became CPK’s signature dish and was soon replicated by pizzerias across the country. The flagship CPK location in Beverly Hills remains a testament to this invention. LaDou later opened his own successful pizza cafes, but the BBQ Chicken Pizza remains his most famous contribution, proving that LA’s influence on what foods is LA famous for extends even to global comfort foods like pizza.
12. Fusion on Wheels: The Korean Taco
Perhaps one of the most celebrated modern LA culinary inventions, the Korean taco perfectly encapsulates the city’s vibrant fusion culture. Combining Mexican street food tradition (corn tortillas) with Korean flavors (bulgogi, kimchi), this dish was born from the Kogi Korean BBQ food truck. Launched in November 2008 by Mark Manguera and Caroline Shin with chef Roy Choi, Kogi became a social media-fueled phenomenon.
The Kogi truck’s innovative and delicious Korean tacos quickly garnered massive attention, leading to long lines and widespread acclaim. This success sparked a food truck revolution and inspired countless fusion concepts nationwide and globally. Roy Choi became a culinary celebrity, embodying the spirit of LA’s dynamic and accessible food scene. The Korean taco is a perfect symbol of what foods is LA famous for right now – inventive, multicultural, and often found serving happy crowds on city streets.
Frequently Asked Questions about what foods is LA famous for
What makes LA’s food scene unique?
LA’s food scene is unique due to its incredible diversity, influenced by its vast immigrant populations from Latin America, Asia, and beyond. This leads to authentic ethnic enclaves as well as innovative fusion cuisine. The city’s casual culture also fosters creativity in street food and less formal dining settings, contributing significantly to what foods is LA famous for.
Are all famous LA foods invented there?
No, not all foods LA is famous for were invented in the city. LA is renowned for its authentic regional Mexican cuisine, Vietnamese pho, and other dishes brought by immigrant communities that are staples but originated elsewhere. However, as this article highlights, a significant number of internationally recognized dishes were indeed conceived and popularized in Los Angeles, contributing to its unique culinary identity and shaping what foods is LA famous for.
Where can I try these dishes?
Many of these iconic dishes can still be found at their original locations or restaurants linked to their history (like Philippe The Original, The Hat, or California Pizza Kitchen). They are also widely available in variations across diners, restaurants, and food trucks throughout Los Angeles, making them accessible for anyone wanting to experience what foods is LA famous for.
Experience LA’s Flavors
Exploring what foods is LA famous for through the lens of its inventions is a fascinating journey through history, culture, and pure culinary creativity. From early soda fountain treats and diner classics to sophisticated appetizers and modern fusion, these dishes tell the story of a city that has always been at the forefront of culinary evolution. The next time you’re in Los Angeles, seek out these iconic flavors – you’ll be tasting a piece of history.