Deli Cup LA

Best of 2024

Best Donut of 2024 — Old Ferry Donut

Founded in 2016 in South Korea, the chain has moved to Southern California with several locations. The usually bland yeast donuts taste fresh and full of flavor.
Two gourmet donuts with crumb toppings on an orange box with text.

Best Fusion of 2024 — Mid East Tacos

In my fifteen years hanging around Silver Lake I’ve seen many different businesses try to tame the Sunset blvd space currently held by Mid East Taocs. Whatever happens tomorrow the OG falafel taco will long on, with its intense flavor profile I expect maybe longer than Silver Lake itself.

Best Ramen of 2024 — Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai 

Torrance got lucky to receive the newest outpost of Kitakata City’s best ramen. The in house made chashu pork is the real star of the show, smokey melt in your mouth flavor bombs.

Best Bread of 2024 — Gjusta

Some things never change and for the time being the quality of Gjusta’s bread is in that category. Some of my favorite meals over the last year involved a baguette from Gjusta as the centerpiece.
Slice of focaccia topped with prosciutto, greens, and cheese on a white plate.

Best Cafe of 2024 — Liu’s Cafe

Taiwan style Liu’s Cafe has exploded out of Koreatown with its first year open garnering a listing in the Michelin bib gourmand. Try one of their innovative pastries or a sweet yam latte. They’ve recently started making their own ice cream so expect to keep hearing about them
Cup with Black & White milk logo beside a small dish of butter on a café table.

Best Street Tacos of 2024 — Tacos Gianella

Wow, I was surprised by this West Carson taco stand. The Al Pastor is the real reason to come but with charred pork like that you know it’s all worth trying.
Street tacos pineapple Al pastor pork west Carson

Best New Burger of 2024 — Smack Burger

In LA I try a lot of new burgers yearly, but for 2024 it’s the big yellow throwback burger joint on Western Smack Burger.  Originally from the Bay Area these guys are turning out the crispy smash burger, the best onion rings and this monstrosity the aptly named Hellapenño.
Burger bacon onion rings

Best Breakfast of 2024 — Arabic Breakfast at Saffy’s

My favorite meal of 2024 came early in the year when a friend of mine took me to Saffy’s for breakfast. I was floored by the intense flavors in the Arabic Breakfast a weekend special. Excellent Shakshuka, olives, toasted in-house baked Challah with honey.
Slices of toasted bread on a plate next to a small dish of cheesecake topped with caramel sauce.

Best Pastrami of 2024 — Johnny’s Pastrami

Sure a lot of other places in LA claim to have the best pastrami; and while I don't want to fight I have to say the thick smoked chunks on West Adams are truly the tastiest.
Close-up of a sandwich filled with sliced roast beef, pickles, and grilled meat.

Best Sandwich of 2024 — Tre Mani 

Tre Mani in Santa Monica serves Roman style flat bread sandwiches on Jyan Isaac bread. Sandwiches come with Italian deli proteins like prosciutto, mortadella, salami, porchetta and my favorite Eggplant.
Entrance of deli shop 'Tre Mani' with glass door and stacked boxes inside.

Best Sunday Morning Kickback 2024 — Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop

After a long night out; the bowling alley in Gardena and its coffee shop are the perfect way to unwind. This place fills up early and with an eclectic group of characters.

Best Barbecue of 2024 — Moo’s Craft

This summer I thought I found a new king of BBQ in LA, well it’s January, and Moo’s is still on top. With this and being featured in Michelin’s Bib Gourmand they must be ecstatic
Sign of a barbecue and taproom with bold blue lettering against a white wall.

Best Pizza of 2024 — La Sorted’s 

Echo Park hole in the wall La Sorted’s having a great year, hard work and a quality product (check out the sandwiches also) have earned them a 2nd location in Chinatown.
Pepperoni pizza in an open cardboard box on a yellow table with paper plates nearby.

Best Coffee of 2024 — Hooked Venice 

I know I’m a broken record, but the coffee being served by Nicely is the best in the city. This expertly crafted cappuccino is available at the Hooked pop-up currently in Dudley Market.
Cup of latte with heart-shaped latte art on a marble table.

Best Slice of 2024 (now closed) — Shin’s Pizza

It’s not that often you’re compiling your best-of-year list when you get the news that a spot is closing. Well in LA it’s happening more and more. I always really liked Shin’s, it added something charm to Cypress Park. I’m sad to see its beautifully crafted slices disappear.
Three slices of pepperoni pizza on paper plates placed on a red table.

101 Films I Really Like

It’s not my top 101 films, that would probably be all horror but here is a list of some films I find myself rewatching.
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Woman in black dress walking on city sidewalk with Roger Dodger movie title overlay.

Milli X DeliCupLA Colllab

Taco Hunt w/ Milli

Los Angeles native and producer Milli is guiding the DeliCupLA crew to his favorite street tacos, showcasing the vibrant flavors of authentic Los Angeles street food.
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Person with braided hair smoking, neon lights in the background creating a vibrant glow.