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The Fat Bodega sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
The Fat Bodega sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

16 Neighborhoods (and Dinner Orders) That Let You Taste the Best of L.A.

A must-try restaurant’s best dishes, coming right up.

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The Fat Bodega sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
| Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Someone – thought to be Dorothy Parker, but never proven – once said that Los Angeles is “72 suburbs in search of a city.” It’s often been considered an insult. A way of saying that L.A. isn’t a “real city” like its East Coast counterparts.

But what if that’s not an insult? California, after all, is a state where someone can go surfing in the morning and hit a ski slope in the afternoon. It’s got urban cores and vineyards, the constant sun of San Diego and the fog of San Francisco. It’s a meeting place for the world, known for its cultural (and culinary) fusions. Los Angeles and those “72 suburbs” offer every type of living, culture, and entertainment.

That variety could be the city’s highest compliment. And the variety, mirrored in the beloved L.A. restaurant Fat Sal’s, is something to celebrate. First established in Westwood, Fat Sal’s now has locations in Hollywood and Encino (plus home delivery exclusively via DoorDash). The menu ranges from a carnivore’s delight to a fresh vegan treat, with influences from Vietnam to Canada dotting the dish list.

To celebrate the city’s (and the restaurant’s) variety, we’ve selected just a few neighborhood highlights that L.A. has to offer, plus paired them with a Fat Sal’s order that seems like it could match the neighborhood vibe. Get to exploring those neighborhoods, and when you’re done, let DoorDash bring dinner to reward you.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Westwood

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The home of UCLA (and the home of the original Fat Sal’s), Westwood has a long history as both an educational center and as a film industry one. UCLA opened its doors to students here in 1929, moving to the neighborhood from its first campus on Vermont Avenue. Meanwhile, two movie theaters built here in the 1930s would become favorite destinations for star-studded premieres (and appear in many films themselves). To this day, it still attracts bar-goers, food connoisseurs, and arts patrons. Fat Sal’s proudly named the Fat Bruin after UCLA’s mascot in tribute to its birthplace.

The Fat Bruin sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Bruin sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Hollywood

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With all apologies to the city in Florida, when someone says “Hollywood,” “movies” tends to be the first word that comes to mind. That’s with good reason: It’s where many studios first set up shop, the Hollywood Walk of Fame sprang up, and where many awards shows have taken place along Hollywood Boulevard. But the neighborhood is a haven for live arts, too. The Pantages Theater is the L.A. space most known for hosting touring Broadway shows, and the Hollywood Bowl is recognized both by fans and the music-industry press as one of the country’s best live music experiences. The bright lights can overwhelm, but so can the over-the-top, 11-ingredient Fat Jerry. (Order it tonight and see what we mean.)

The Fat Jerry sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Jerry sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

This San Fernando Valley suburb has one of the lowest population densities in the city, and it feels that way. Ventura Boulevard is busy in terms of traffic, but not as much in terms of pedestrians. But while it may seem far away from the glitz and the glamour, it’s a favorite landing spot for celebrities and their families. It’s also the home of the latest Fal Sal’s, where the Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami has become a local favorite.

The Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Boyle Heights

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East of the Los Angeles River, Boyle Heights has been a center of Latinx culture for decades. Landmarks like Mariachi Plaza (where the titular musicians gather to be hired for parties, restaurant events, and more) and Hollenbeck Park, with its 100-plus years of history, bring in both locals and visitors. It’s a tight-knit community, one activists are trying to keep safe from gentrification. For anyone who loves the neighborhood’s taquerias, the spicy kick of the Fat Jaime could feel like a perfect recipe.

The Fat Jaime sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Jaime sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Highland Park

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The previously-sleepy northeastern L.A. neighborhood is now a center of culture. It’s the home of several internationally touring musicians, a constantly refreshing collection of restaurants, and concert halls and bars for nightlife. It’s also an architecturally striking area, with Victorian and classic Craftsman homes befitting of one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Visitors can enjoy both a vegan sports bar and a vegan donut shop, making the vegan Fat Falafel an ideal counterpart.

The Fat Falafel sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Falafel sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Echo Park

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Echo Park is home to some of the city’s favorite restaurants and live music venues. The stretch of Sunset Boulevard running through the neighborhood is home to many smaller music venues, the types where smaller bands get noticed. For the past decade, it’s been the focus of music festivals, too. Echo Park Lake, especially since its 2013 renovation, has become a favorite park for picnics, parties, and even pedal boats. Often associated with the neighboring Elysian Park (home to the stadium for the current baseball world champions), Echo Park naturally goes well with Fat Sal’s Chili Cheese Fries, an exceptional snack for sports fans to pair with an ice-cold beer.

Chili Cheese Fries from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Chili Cheese Fries.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

North Hollywood

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At the end of the subway’s B (formerly Red) Line, North Hollywood has traditionally been a great spot for young artists (actors, writers, musicians), thanks to a lower-than-average rent. But those creators haven’t been content to simply live here, creating the NoHo Arts District along Lankershim Boulevard in the early 1990s. Here, more than 20 theaters, studios, performance spaces, and galleries sit within a mile radius. That little-bit-of-everything feel suits Fat Sal’s eponymous sandwich, which eats like a full meal (thanks to its fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks).

The Fat Sal sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s eponymous sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Exposition Park

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It’s the neighborhood next door to the University of Southern California, and it’s also home to two of the city’s best stadiums. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a city landmark, having hosted international competitions and football championship games. (It’s now the home of USC football.) Directly next door, a soccer-specific stadium opened in 2018 as the home field for Los Angeles Football Club, and it’ll also host Angel City Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League when the team starts play in 2022. An athletic neighborhood like this deserves the Fat Buffalo: a sandwich that tastes like an upgraded version of your local sports bar’s chicken wings.  

The Fat Buffalo sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Buffalo sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Studio City

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Films and TV shows are created all around the city, but Studio City came by its name honestly. The San Fernando Valley suburb is home to scores of TV and movie productions every year, and it’s the epicenter of a major network. But the neighborhood is more than celluloid dreams: Thanks to the boutiques along Ventura Boulevard and the hiking trails in Wilacre Park, Studio City is a neighborhood that covers both work and play. That deserves a favorite with lots of versatility, like Fat Sal’s Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak.

The Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Fairfax

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The borders of the Fairfax District often seem to be in flux, but the namesake street is always its main thoroughfare. Along Fairfax Boulevard sits a cross-section of young Angelenos’ interests. There’s a major studio, the city’s premiere outdoor mall, the kings of streetwear, plus tons of nightlife. The neighborhood is also home to a long stretch of Melrose Avenue, with its clothing boutiques, bars, and a world-famous improv school. With so much to do in such a walkable neighborhood, Fairfax feels a little like NYC without the skyscrapers, making it a fitting place to enjoy a Fat Bodega sandwich while waiting in line for a new sneaker drop.

The Fat Bodega sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Bodega sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Koreatown

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When the Supreme Court struck down racially-restricted neighborhoods and the Hart-Cellar Act eliminated racial quotas for immigrants, an influx of Korean newcomers turned the economically-depressed stretch of Wilshire Boulevard into a new city hub. Today, the bustling neighborhood maintains its ties to its past heritage, while also becoming known for nightlife. Old Art Deco theaters are alive with music, bar-hopping along Wilshire is back, and chefs are creating fusion dishes you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re letting loose during a night out on the town, then the Pepperoni Pizza Burger is just the order to cap off your evening.

The Pepperoni Pizza Burger from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Pepperoni Pizza Burger.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

This beachside town feels like it’s constantly reinventing itself: a resort town, a brief oil boomlet, years of neglect, and now a tech-industry focus. But since the poets of the Beat Generation first picked the Venice West Café and Gas House as Southern California homes, the neighborhood has attracted artists, writers, and others looking to create something new. The street performers of Venice Beach are legendary, and the Z-Boys (the crew of teenagers that essentially invented modern skateboarding) took their particular athletic pursuits all the way to the mainstream. For anyone pumping iron on Muscle Beach, the extra protein in the West Coast Burger should help.

The West Coast Burger from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s West Coast Burger.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

West Hollywood

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Let’s be clear. The famous Sunset Strip is not technically in Los Angeles. The “neighborhood” known colloquially as WeHo incorporated as its own city in 1985, taking with it both the famed Strip (just in time for the hair metal era!) and the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard known for being one of America’s hottest LGBTQ+ nightlife districts. The West Hollywood Halloween Carnival attracts thousands of revelers each year, partygoers from all walks of life. And for those who might party a little too hard during the October holiday, the Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries make for good recovery food.

The Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Inglewood

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The spotlight is shining on the south L.A. suburb, due to the opening of a new football stadium and, eventually, a new basketball arena. But there were plenty of reasons to go to Inglewood before the presence of pro sports. The area’s art scene, including public murals and sculptures, has exploded in the past decade, and the concentration of soul food and barbecue restaurants here is unmatched elsewhere in the city. People who love BBQ will appreciate the Fat Texas, with its BBQ pastrami brisket and honey BBQ sauce.

The Fat Texas sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Texas sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Santa Monica

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The beachy suburb is multi-faceted in its appeal. There’s shopping, ranging from high-end boutiques to one of the oldest open-air malls in the country. Restaurants and nightlife dot both the downtown area and elsewhere. But it’s the Santa Monica Pier and the beach that draw most people to the western edge of Los Angeles. The beach is one of the most easily accessible in the L.A. area, thanks to the final stop of the Metro light rail E (formerly Expo) Line, just blocks from the ocean. Since beachside food tends to be lighter, the Fat Sal’s Terrific Turkey Club is the ideal meal to pack, alongside sunscreen and sunglasses.

The Terrific Turkey Club sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Terrific Turkey Club sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when downtown Los Angeles started to undergo its renaissance period. Some tie that to its 1999 stadium opening, while others look at the early 2000s boom of restaurants, bars, and galleries. In 2000, a little less than 28,000 people lived in the neighborhood, but by 2019, that number had almost tripled. While DTLA is known more for its Chinatown and Little Tokyo districts, Vietnamese restaurants are plentiful, making the Fat Banh Mi-Ki feel like a neighbor.

The Fat Banh Mi-ki sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Banh Mi-ki sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Westwood

The home of UCLA (and the home of the original Fat Sal’s), Westwood has a long history as both an educational center and as a film industry one. UCLA opened its doors to students here in 1929, moving to the neighborhood from its first campus on Vermont Avenue. Meanwhile, two movie theaters built here in the 1930s would become favorite destinations for star-studded premieres (and appear in many films themselves). To this day, it still attracts bar-goers, food connoisseurs, and arts patrons. Fat Sal’s proudly named the Fat Bruin after UCLA’s mascot in tribute to its birthplace.

The Fat Bruin sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Bruin sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Hollywood

With all apologies to the city in Florida, when someone says “Hollywood,” “movies” tends to be the first word that comes to mind. That’s with good reason: It’s where many studios first set up shop, the Hollywood Walk of Fame sprang up, and where many awards shows have taken place along Hollywood Boulevard. But the neighborhood is a haven for live arts, too. The Pantages Theater is the L.A. space most known for hosting touring Broadway shows, and the Hollywood Bowl is recognized both by fans and the music-industry press as one of the country’s best live music experiences. The bright lights can overwhelm, but so can the over-the-top, 11-ingredient Fat Jerry. (Order it tonight and see what we mean.)

The Fat Jerry sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Jerry sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Encino

This San Fernando Valley suburb has one of the lowest population densities in the city, and it feels that way. Ventura Boulevard is busy in terms of traffic, but not as much in terms of pedestrians. But while it may seem far away from the glitz and the glamour, it’s a favorite landing spot for celebrities and their families. It’s also the home of the latest Fal Sal’s, where the Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami has become a local favorite.

The Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Boyle Heights

East of the Los Angeles River, Boyle Heights has been a center of Latinx culture for decades. Landmarks like Mariachi Plaza (where the titular musicians gather to be hired for parties, restaurant events, and more) and Hollenbeck Park, with its 100-plus years of history, bring in both locals and visitors. It’s a tight-knit community, one activists are trying to keep safe from gentrification. For anyone who loves the neighborhood’s taquerias, the spicy kick of the Fat Jaime could feel like a perfect recipe.

The Fat Jaime sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Jaime sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Highland Park

The previously-sleepy northeastern L.A. neighborhood is now a center of culture. It’s the home of several internationally touring musicians, a constantly refreshing collection of restaurants, and concert halls and bars for nightlife. It’s also an architecturally striking area, with Victorian and classic Craftsman homes befitting of one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Visitors can enjoy both a vegan sports bar and a vegan donut shop, making the vegan Fat Falafel an ideal counterpart.

The Fat Falafel sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Falafel sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Echo Park

Echo Park is home to some of the city’s favorite restaurants and live music venues. The stretch of Sunset Boulevard running through the neighborhood is home to many smaller music venues, the types where smaller bands get noticed. For the past decade, it’s been the focus of music festivals, too. Echo Park Lake, especially since its 2013 renovation, has become a favorite park for picnics, parties, and even pedal boats. Often associated with the neighboring Elysian Park (home to the stadium for the current baseball world champions), Echo Park naturally goes well with Fat Sal’s Chili Cheese Fries, an exceptional snack for sports fans to pair with an ice-cold beer.

Chili Cheese Fries from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Chili Cheese Fries.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

North Hollywood

At the end of the subway’s B (formerly Red) Line, North Hollywood has traditionally been a great spot for young artists (actors, writers, musicians), thanks to a lower-than-average rent. But those creators haven’t been content to simply live here, creating the NoHo Arts District along Lankershim Boulevard in the early 1990s. Here, more than 20 theaters, studios, performance spaces, and galleries sit within a mile radius. That little-bit-of-everything feel suits Fat Sal’s eponymous sandwich, which eats like a full meal (thanks to its fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks).

The Fat Sal sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s eponymous sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Exposition Park

It’s the neighborhood next door to the University of Southern California, and it’s also home to two of the city’s best stadiums. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a city landmark, having hosted international competitions and football championship games. (It’s now the home of USC football.) Directly next door, a soccer-specific stadium opened in 2018 as the home field for Los Angeles Football Club, and it’ll also host Angel City Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League when the team starts play in 2022. An athletic neighborhood like this deserves the Fat Buffalo: a sandwich that tastes like an upgraded version of your local sports bar’s chicken wings.  

The Fat Buffalo sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Buffalo sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Studio City

Films and TV shows are created all around the city, but Studio City came by its name honestly. The San Fernando Valley suburb is home to scores of TV and movie productions every year, and it’s the epicenter of a major network. But the neighborhood is more than celluloid dreams: Thanks to the boutiques along Ventura Boulevard and the hiking trails in Wilacre Park, Studio City is a neighborhood that covers both work and play. That deserves a favorite with lots of versatility, like Fat Sal’s Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak.

The Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Phenomenal Philly Cheesesteak.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Fairfax

The borders of the Fairfax District often seem to be in flux, but the namesake street is always its main thoroughfare. Along Fairfax Boulevard sits a cross-section of young Angelenos’ interests. There’s a major studio, the city’s premiere outdoor mall, the kings of streetwear, plus tons of nightlife. The neighborhood is also home to a long stretch of Melrose Avenue, with its clothing boutiques, bars, and a world-famous improv school. With so much to do in such a walkable neighborhood, Fairfax feels a little like NYC without the skyscrapers, making it a fitting place to enjoy a Fat Bodega sandwich while waiting in line for a new sneaker drop.

The Fat Bodega sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Bodega sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Koreatown

When the Supreme Court struck down racially-restricted neighborhoods and the Hart-Cellar Act eliminated racial quotas for immigrants, an influx of Korean newcomers turned the economically-depressed stretch of Wilshire Boulevard into a new city hub. Today, the bustling neighborhood maintains its ties to its past heritage, while also becoming known for nightlife. Old Art Deco theaters are alive with music, bar-hopping along Wilshire is back, and chefs are creating fusion dishes you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re letting loose during a night out on the town, then the Pepperoni Pizza Burger is just the order to cap off your evening.

The Pepperoni Pizza Burger from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Pepperoni Pizza Burger.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Venice

This beachside town feels like it’s constantly reinventing itself: a resort town, a brief oil boomlet, years of neglect, and now a tech-industry focus. But since the poets of the Beat Generation first picked the Venice West Café and Gas House as Southern California homes, the neighborhood has attracted artists, writers, and others looking to create something new. The street performers of Venice Beach are legendary, and the Z-Boys (the crew of teenagers that essentially invented modern skateboarding) took their particular athletic pursuits all the way to the mainstream. For anyone pumping iron on Muscle Beach, the extra protein in the West Coast Burger should help.

The West Coast Burger from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s West Coast Burger.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

West Hollywood

Let’s be clear. The famous Sunset Strip is not technically in Los Angeles. The “neighborhood” known colloquially as WeHo incorporated as its own city in 1985, taking with it both the famed Strip (just in time for the hair metal era!) and the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard known for being one of America’s hottest LGBTQ+ nightlife districts. The West Hollywood Halloween Carnival attracts thousands of revelers each year, partygoers from all walks of life. And for those who might party a little too hard during the October holiday, the Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries make for good recovery food.

The Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Inglewood

The spotlight is shining on the south L.A. suburb, due to the opening of a new football stadium and, eventually, a new basketball arena. But there were plenty of reasons to go to Inglewood before the presence of pro sports. The area’s art scene, including public murals and sculptures, has exploded in the past decade, and the concentration of soul food and barbecue restaurants here is unmatched elsewhere in the city. People who love BBQ will appreciate the Fat Texas, with its BBQ pastrami brisket and honey BBQ sauce.

The Fat Texas sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Texas sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Santa Monica

The beachy suburb is multi-faceted in its appeal. There’s shopping, ranging from high-end boutiques to one of the oldest open-air malls in the country. Restaurants and nightlife dot both the downtown area and elsewhere. But it’s the Santa Monica Pier and the beach that draw most people to the western edge of Los Angeles. The beach is one of the most easily accessible in the L.A. area, thanks to the final stop of the Metro light rail E (formerly Expo) Line, just blocks from the ocean. Since beachside food tends to be lighter, the Fat Sal’s Terrific Turkey Club is the ideal meal to pack, alongside sunscreen and sunglasses.

The Terrific Turkey Club sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Terrific Turkey Club sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli

Related Maps

DTLA

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when downtown Los Angeles started to undergo its renaissance period. Some tie that to its 1999 stadium opening, while others look at the early 2000s boom of restaurants, bars, and galleries. In 2000, a little less than 28,000 people lived in the neighborhood, but by 2019, that number had almost tripled. While DTLA is known more for its Chinatown and Little Tokyo districts, Vietnamese restaurants are plentiful, making the Fat Banh Mi-Ki feel like a neighbor.

The Fat Banh Mi-ki sandwich from Fat Sal’s restaurant in Los Angeles.
Fat Sal’s Fat Banh Mi-ki sandwich.
Courtesy of Fat Sal’s Deli