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Los Angeles · checked November 14, 2026
10 classic restaurants in Los Angeles that still hit the spot
The oldest has been open since 1908; the youngest, 1980. Every one is still getting the praise today, and each card says what to order and how to get in. Oldest first.
1Since 1908
Philippe The Original
Order: A double-dipped lamb or beef French dip with the hot mustard, and pickled beets on the side
Why it still hits the spot: Open since 1908 and one of two LA counters that claim to have invented the French dip. With Cole's closed, Philippe's is the one still dipping, and InsideHook's French dip guide picks its thin-sliced beef as the better sandwich.
Good to know: Order at the counter, sit at the long shared tables, and expect sawdust on the floor. Open daily 6am to 10pm.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in Los Angeles (French dip, the food walk) (2026-11) · InsideHook: The 5 best French dips in LA · Time Out Los Angeles: Philippe The Original
2Since 1919
Musso & Frank Grill
Order: A very cold martini, the Caesar, a grilled steak or the chops, and the potatoes au gratin
Why it still hits the spot: Hollywood's oldest restaurant, with red-jacketed waiters, leather booths and a menu that has barely moved in a century. Esquire named it one of America's best martini bars in 2025, and diners still rate it near 4.8 on OpenTable.
Good to know: The bar is first come, first served and the easy way in. Dinner Tuesday to Sunday; check hours before you go.
Where we found it: The Infatuation: Musso & Frank Grill · Time Out Los Angeles: Musso & Frank Grill (3 of 5 stars) · Pearl: Musso & Frank (Esquire best martini bars 2025) (2025)
3Since 1922A photo like it · Gnangcomapp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tam O'Shanter
Order: The Tam O'Shanter Cut of prime rib, carved from the cart, with creamed corn or spinach
Why it still hits the spot: A Scottish-castle dining room from 1922 that Walt Disney ate in often, now run by the Lawry's group. Time Out gives it four stars, and the prime rib is what reviewers still come back for.
Good to know: Go for the prime rib; reviewers say the rest of the menu is just fine. Reservations on OpenTable.
Where we found it: Time Out Los Angeles: Tam O'Shanter (4 of 5 stars) · The Infatuation: The Tam O'Shanter · LA Conservancy: Tam O'Shanter
4Since 1923A photo like it · Wheeler Cowperthwaite, CC BY 2.0
El Cholo
Order: Green corn tamales (May to October only), the Sonora-style enchiladas, and a margarita
Why it still hits the spot: LA's oldest Mexican restaurant still operating, begun in 1923 as the Sonora Cafe and still run by the founding family. The green corn tamales have been made the same way since 1923, and the 100th season was celebrated in 2023.
Good to know: The tamales are seasonal, back in May. The original is at Western and 11th; there are other El Cholos around LA.
Where we found it: Chowhound: LA's oldest Mexican restaurant, El Cholo · NBC Los Angeles: El Cholo's green corn tamales return for the 100th time (2023) · The Infatuation: El Cholo
5Since 1947
Langer's Delicatessen
Order: The #19: hot hand-cut pastrami, Swiss, coleslaw and Russian dressing on twice-baked rye
Why it still hits the spot: The LA pastrami benchmark since 1947, still run by the Langer family. The LA Times gave it its Jonathan Gold Gold Award in 2026, and Michelin lists it as a Bib Gourmand.
Good to know: Order the #19. Go for lunch; check hours before you head over.
Where we found it: Chef Amazing: Where to eat in Los Angeles (pastrami) (2026-11) · Los Angeles Times via DNyuz: The nation's best pastrami? Langer's, this year's Gold Award winner (2026-09) · Stacker/KEYT: Bib Gourmand restaurants in Los Angeles (2025-12)
6Since 1947A photo like it · Mack Male from Edmonton, AB, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Apple Pan
Order: The Hickoryburger, fries, and a slice of banana cream pie, eaten at the U-shaped counter
Why it still hits the spot: The room is still knotty pine and red stools around one counter, unchanged since 1947. The hickory burger is the one people drive for, and the pie is the other reason.
Good to know: Counter seating only, so expect a wait at peak hours.
Where we found it: Wikipedia: The Apple Pan · Time Out Los Angeles: The Apple Pan · Gayot: Best burgers in Los Angeles 2026 (2026)
7Since 1953A photo like it · JIP, CC BY-SA 4.0
Taylor's Steakhouse
Order: Prime rib or a steak, the relish tray and salad, and the cheesecake
Why it still hits the spot: A family-run Koreatown steakhouse with deep leather booths and dim light since 1953. Time Out says the steaks are not the city's best but the history and fair prices keep it buzzing, and The Infatuation loves the cheesecake.
Good to know: Dinner only. Reserve for parties of four or more on weekends.
Where we found it: Time Out Los Angeles: Taylor's Steakhouse (3 of 5 stars) · The Infatuation: Taylor's Steakhouse · Tasting Table: Taylor's Steakhouse, an L.A. classic
8Since 1959A photo like it · E4024, CC BY-SA 4.0
Chez Jay
Order: The butter steak, sand dabs if they have them, and a bowl of peanuts at the bar
Why it still hits the spot: A dark beach-side hangout from 1959 where the Rat Pack had a table, and a Santa Monica Historic Landmark since 2012. Resy's January 2026 Hit List still calls it a beloved hangout, though reviewers say come for the room and the drinks first.
Good to know: Walk in for the bar; check hours before you go.
Where we found it: Resy Hit List: where to eat in L.A., January 2026 (2026-01) · Resy: Dive bar Chez Jay (2025-09) · Tasting Table: Chez Jay, Santa Monica
9Since 1964A photo like it · Carlos Lopes from Uberaba-MG, Brasil, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dan Tana's
Order: Chicken parm, the veal parm, and a gin martini
Why it still hits the spot: Opened in 1964 and still packed with the film crowd. The Infatuation says it feels lively rather than like a relic, and Time Out says it could not recommend the chicken parm more.
Good to know: Tables are hard to get. Reserve ahead, and expect a wait even with one on busy nights.
Where we found it: The Infatuation: Dan Tana's · Time Out Los Angeles: best West Hollywood restaurants · Appetito: Three Italian meals in Los Angeles
10Since 1980A photo like it · Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
Sushi Gen
Order: The sashimi lunch special: a big plate of fresh fish over rice, with miso soup
Why it still hits the spot: A Little Tokyo sashimi counter since 1980, known for the weekday lunch plate. Reviewers in 2026 still describe lines before opening and fresh fish, though one found the portion smaller than expected.
Good to know: No reservations. Lines form before the 11am opening, so arrive early on weekdays.
Where we found it: Time Out Los Angeles: Sushi Gen · The Infatuation: Sushi Gen · LAist: A taste for the traditional, Sushi Gen
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How we pick: open 40+ years and still praised now; our own stories and guides first, then this year's critics and best-of lists; every place checked open. Photos marked "a photo like it" show that kind of food, not that place's. Chef Amazing is not paid by any place on this page.
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Researched and published by Chef Amazing, from our own stories, this year’s critics and food press, and a check that each place is open. Nobody pays to be on our lists: how we pick. Spot something wrong? Tell us and we fix it.