veggie grill

For vegetarian families, the Veggie Grill, in El Segundo and soon-to-be in West Hollywood, does a veggie-steak burger that can compete with the "real" burgers. Veggie Grill does vegan comfort food like nobody can. All the dishes are made of plant-based meat substitutes, but your taste buds would really never know unless maybe someone, like myself, told you. Nothing is mushy and the food mimics the texture and taste of dishes like carne asada sandwich, blackened Bayou chicken sandwich and chipotle BBQ sandwich. The veggie-steak burger comes traditionally with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, but you can dress this burger up too with veggie chili, Portobello mushrooms or avocado. The spices, sauces and marinating are the secrets to their success. These combinations give the veggie food the irresistible taste you'll be craving after one visit. And their sides are both addictive and healthy - sweet potato fries, steamed kale with ginger-miso dressing and tangy "chicken" wings. Even if your kids aren't keen on vegetarian, keep the secret to yourself and you'll pull one over on them when they dig in for what they think is fried chicken or real BBQ. The sinful chocolate pudding and carrot cake that are made without dairy, refined sugar (they only use agave nectar) and are cholesterol-free will seal the deal for you and your little ones. Veggie Grill, 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, 310.535.0025, veggiegrill.com.

 

hole in the wall burger joint

A 20-seat eatery behind a Winchell's donuts on bustling Santa Monica Boulevard right off the 405 is the aptly named Hole in the Wall Burger Joint. Here is where a 20-year-veteran fine-dining chef gets down to basics making what he calls "the working man's gourmet burger" priced at $7.95. You're welcome in by a red and black neon sign and then welcomed to a glass of Kool-Aid and stool at the counter or outside patio. You order your burger like you'd order sushi with a checklist of options. First pick your half-pound patty: beef, turkey or veggie. Buns come in pretzel bread, whole wheat and plain, spread with you choice of gourmet mayos (onion, chipotle or cranberry). They have standard cheeses and toppings or you can build something extravagant with "extra stuff" that's $1 each such as roasted bell pepper, fried egg or sauteed mushrooms. Everything is homemade from the mayo and ketchup to the pickles and veggie burgers, so it tastes as if you were over at a friend's house for dinner - a friend who really knows what he's doing in the kitchen! Make it a complete meal with their bags of fresh-cut Kennebec fries or sweet potato fries. Hole in the Wall Burger Joint, 11058 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.312.7013.