UNASSUMING SPOT #7

India Jones Chow Truck (all over LA)
http://www.indiajoneschowtruck.com/

I was walking back from Sunset Junction Fest on Sunday when I spotted the India Jones Chow Truck. Even though I was full from some very mediocre Mexican food, I knew that I had to grab some tasty street food to go. I did just that and ordered up a Samosa and Mango/Jicama salad for the road. When most of you think about food trucks I bet you go straight to the dirty roach coaches we're all familiar with. India Jones is spotless and everything made fresh to order. Chef Sumant Pardal is super friendly and can educate you about anything on the menu. The menu kicks ass but they also have daily specials. My only complaint is that I was already full and couldn't order more. You better believe I'll be following India Jones around town. Of course, I'll need Twitter to do that...http://twitter.com/indiajonesct (will someone please explain to me how Twitter works!?)

Unassuming Food Enthusiasts Grade: A

UNASSUMING SPOT #6

Orange County Fair (Costa Mesa)

Fried White Castle burgers, fried Oreos, chocolate covered bacon, fried s'mores... no this is not a fantasy sequence brought to you by your starving brain after a few days on the liquid diet. This plethora of all things fried and delicious is just another day at the Orange County Fair. Each direction one turns, you are bombarded by colorful booths advertising everything from fried frog legs to fried pizza to my personal fave... the smoked turkey leg. While most of you are vomiting a little bit in your mouths at the thought of soggy, fried, greasy fair food, it's important to note that the food is actually quite tasty and is cooked in front of you as it's flying so fast off of the shelf. As if the food wasn't all-consuming in itself, there is also entertainment provided, this years main attraction being the silly yet rather fantastic 3-D "Go Inside Weird Al's Brain" experience. My friends and I also adored cheering at the pig races (though I was a bit crushed my little guy, "Spider-ham" was M.I.A. this year - side note: no more chocolate covered bacon for me). Not for the weak of heart/stomach, some of our crew went on rides that spun you every which way possible while the rest of us (ahem, me) watched in awe, ice cream cone happily being consumed in the process. I must say the OC Fair has yet to let us down, 3rd year in a row... looking forward to what new dish they decide to dip in fried dough next summer!

Unassuming Food Enthusiasts Grade: A for taste; perhaps a C for calorie consumption guilt ;)

UNASSUMING SPOT #5

Samosa House/Bharat Bazaar Groceries (Culver City)

I write to you from my desk where I'm currently chowing down on a combo plate made up of Jackfruit, Paneer and mixed veggies. I also had a Samosa which was heaven on Earth. I've been dining here for quite some time and just turned my bosses on to it. This is by far the best Vegan Indian I have ever come across. I'm madly in love with everything but especially any of the cauliflower dishes. I also love the grocery store itself. The delicious buffet seems like an after thought in the store. It's a tiny counter tucked away in the back. While it may be tiny the food sure packs a punch. I'm trying Jackfruit for the first time today and only one word comes to mind - DIVINE. If you dig Indian food at all I beg you to go visit this unassuming spot on Washington Boulevard. You won't be sorry! You can catch their daily specials on Twitter (http://twitter.com/samosahouse) Also, they'll be opening a new location on the Corner of Overland and Washington for all you Sony folks.

Unassuming Food Enthusiasts Grade: A+

Jackfruit!

UNASSUMING SPOT #4

Auntie Em's Kitchen (Eagle Rock)

Ok, so I was having a "bonding day" with my mother in her new hood of Eagle Rock and have to admit I was skeptical when she raved about this fabulous restaurant she "discovered." I was more than a little surprised when we parked at this adorable cafe with a line out the door and tables outside full of chatting patrons. We are led past a heavenly dessert case (and by heavenly I mean I was instantly willing to sell my soul for any one of the cakes/brownies/cookies - hey, don't judge me unless you've smelled the sugary goodness for yourself) and weave past packed tables with gourmet looking dishes (where I found myself drooling over plates of delicious open-faced sandwiches with eggs on top; delectable pancakes; huge salads, oh waiter, please bring me one of everything stat). Our table is located on the quaint back patio making it feel like we've stepped outside of LA for a nice mini break if you will. The waiter informs us they shop daily at local farmer's markets insuring the food is fresh and organic; the menu changing with the seasons and the prices surprisingly affordable. I had the most divine honey orange french toast covered with piles of amazing strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and yes I also got a red velvet cupcake to go… for the curious, I can confirm it was eternal damnation worthy! You know a restaurant is a new staple when you’re already planning your next meal as you walk to your car dessert in hand.

Unassuming Food Enthusiasts Grade: A

UNASSUMING ITEM #1

If you are like me you LOVE coffee. You can't get enough. You can't live without it. And when you do go without it you have a case of the serious shakes. If you're like me then you are also too lazy sometimes to actually walk or drive somewhere to get the perfect cup of joe. That is why Starbucks VIA Ready Brew is beyond GENIUS. Now I know what you're thinking, how could instant coffee be any good? And 9 times out of 10 you are right - instant coffee sucks and can't compare to a freshly brewed cup. But VIA doesn't fall into that category. Starbucks actually figured it out! They ground the beans so fine that it makes the perfect cup of instant coffee. Like perfect. In fact, I bet if we conducted a taste taste people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a freshly brewed cup and a cup of VIA. I like to throw mine in a bottle of cold water, add some vanilla creamers and a Splenda, shake it up and I have a killer cup (bottle) of iced coffee. I've made it with hot water too and it's equally as tasty. Starbucks definitely has the taste thing down but what makes this product even better is the convenience and size. A little packet of VIA fits in your purse or your pocket. You could enjoy it in a box, with a fox, in house, with a mouse, here, there or anywhere.

UNASSUMING FOOD ENTHUSIASTS GRADE: A+

UNASSUMING SPOT #3

Tito's Tacos (Culver City)

I don't know if this actually falls under unassuming food but I feel the need to write about it anyway. Tito's Tacos...hmmm. I'm still trying to figure out what all the hype is about. My tacos tasted and looked like they had been sitting under a heat lamp since yesterday. I don't like these kind of tacos. The only way I can describe them is Americanized tacos and if I want that kind of taco I will go to Jack In The Box for 99 cents. Jack blows the competition out of the water if we're talking about that kind of taco. I'm really dissappointed, Tito, and I won't be visiting you again.

Since my dining partner and I don't agree on this place it gets two letter grades:

Skeptical diner grade: A

My grade: D-

UNASSUMING SPOT #2

Skratch (Culver City)

Skratch... I mean, what kind of establishment is this exactly? Crazy cat-lady store? DJ academy? I am hesitant to try such a destination on my hour-only escape from being chained to a desk, aka, lunch hour, however there are only so many times one can eat the tuna salad sandwich at the over-priced cafeteria so I persevere with my much braver food companion. Once we claw our way through the long line (ha, see what I did there? "claw" "skratch" no? ok) we see the menu written on a chalkboard informing us that we can order any of the delicious sounding meals as a sandwich, wrap or salad. We. Are. Sold. This is without a doubt a hidden gem amongst Culver City hospitals and pharmacies, Skratchlicious if you will. And ever since that fateful day, we can regularly be found at one of the outside tables chowing down on any one of the various salads or wraps, often with a side of the delish wild mushroom brie soup. Some of our faves include: the braised pull-pork, waldorf turkey, chipotle chicken (note: to my delight salads are served with a nice hunk of bread to meet my need for carbs). The prices are affordable, food is fresh and gourmet, leaving your stomach full and happy, wallet only slightly lighter. Nicely played, Skratch.

Unassuming Food Enthusiasts Grade: A