For the month of January Kathryn and I challenged ourselves to a Thick Quest.
Thick Quest is a term used to describe the challenge of eating at all the restaurants on a street. It traces its origin to the concept of “honorable gluttony” in medieval Europe, which was the concept that consuming large amounts of food was a noble and brave act. During this period, people would travel around the countryside and visit different restaurants, sampling different types of food in a way that was deemed socially honorable. The challenge of eating at all of the restaurants on a street is a modern take on this historic custom.
More recently in history the famous Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold was known for his 1980’s gastronomic odyssey of visiting every restaurant on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles.
As an experiment, he set out to try every restaurant—places that served pupusas, chili fries, Korean barbecue—along the boulevard. He gave himself a year, at the end of which he planned to join the Foreign Service, so that he could go off and have adventures in the world. When he was finished eating Pico, he realized that he could have just as exotic a life without ever leaving Los Angeles.
The Scavenger by Dana Goodyear, from the November 2009 issue of The New Yorker
This Thick Quest was in our neighborhood of Atwater Village along Glendale Blvd. Much shorter than Gold’s Pico Quest we only looked at restaurants from where Glendale crosses over the LA River to where it drops under the train tracks. That is about ten blocks of 27 restaurants (and a few more bars and liquor stores). This is the result of our quest including links to 3 Minute Review, our daily podcast, where we discussed each meal within our allotted time frame.
The Restaurants of Glendale Blvd
All’acqua
Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
It means Atwater in Italian. We had the Smoked Trout Bruschetta, Fusilli al Pesto, Corn Agnolotti, and the Ricotta Cheesecake.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 677 reviews.
“Gem of an Italian restaurant.”
“It was really good.”
“Food was … well seasoned.”
Baracoa
Baracoa is the place in Cuba where Christopher Columbus first landed and is the oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba. We had the Bistec Empanizado (Breaded Top Sirloin) and the Arroz Con Polla (Chicken and Rice).
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it: ⭐⭐½/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 427 reviews.
“The meat inside was really good and filling.”
“I recommend their house made flan. Very good.”
“Wonderful service. Clean restaurant.”
Bon Vivant
“Bon vivant” is a french term for fancy lads. We had the Prosciutto & Brie Sandwich and the Au Original Burger, both with fries (regular, not sweet potato).
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 1,059 reviews.
“Better than I expected.”
“Well, the place is cute…”
“Please put hummus back on your dinner menu!!!”
Black Elephant
Blossom
A Vietnamese noodle shop. We had the Bun Cha Gio, Bo Nuong (Imperial Rolls & Grilled Lemongrass Steak), Bun Tom, Cha Gio (Shrimp and Imperial Rolls), and an Iced Ginger Limeade.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 80 reviews.
“Spring rolls don’t miss.”
“Really good and tasty.”
“My husband calls his “favorite part” the Aesop’s essential oil hand soap and hand sanitizer! Yes, he’s weird.”
Blu Jam
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
With seven locations they have created a system for serving their french toast and french press coffee (they don’t do drip). We had a breakfast burrito and crunchy french toast and coffee.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 135 reviews
“I’ll go if my family decides to go back as well.”
“I wish the reservations were easier to make!”
“The ordering system is confusing.”
Cafecito Organico
The name means organic coffee. We had a batch brewed coffees and a blueberry muffin, and I bought some beans to take home.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 16 reviews
“Great place to get your fix.”
“This is a great spot if you’re on the go, which I normally am.”
“They have oat milk.”
Coral Reef
If you order online the navigation of the menu is a little weird. We had the Beef Broccoli Complete Dinner, Orange Flavor Chicken, and Fried Wonton.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐½/5.
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 222 reviews
“Super friendly staff.”
“It’s a simple place with delicious food and great prices.”
“The portions are huge but the flavors are pretty bad.”
Crispy Crust
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, tumblr, Snapchat
A proud member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, I was incredibly skeptical of Crispy Crust. We only tried the 7″ Personal Pepperoni as part of a larger neighborhood order but I am still curious about the Breakfast Pizza.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐½/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 377 reviews
“Always enjoyed the great pizzas!”
“The wings were still very tasty, as was the ranch.”
“Their dinner salad was great.”
Dune
We know this food, we love this food. We got the Hummus & Fried Chicken Plate.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 975 reviews
“This food slaps!”
“They just know what they are doing with the hummus and chicken.”
“It reminded me the LA I remembered before the whole pandemic thing.”
Dunkin’
Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
The only doughnut shop in the neighborhood is sadly a Dunkin’, but also, it’s a doughnut, so it’s gong to be fine, right? Wrong. Wow, hard to disappointed considering how low my expectations were…
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐/5.
Yelp: ⭐⭐½/5 from 265 reviews
“Prepare to wait a long time.”
“Avoid if possible.”
“Stay away. Don’t waste your time or money.”
El Buen Gusto
We needed to eat light and picked up some pupusas and they were fantastic.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 557 reviews
“Cheese & pork pupusas oooommmggg so bomb!”
“A hidden treasure!”
“Portions are huge! Employees are kind.”
Hail Mary Pizza
Went here with Kathryn’s nephews and tried a few different pies, but have had many. Once I had a salad that was too salty, but everything else has been amazing and this was a regular spot during the height of the pandemic. I love it.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 269 reviews
“That sauce is sensational!”
“The absolute best!”
“The marinara has me in a chokehold.”
Hugo’s Tacos
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Generally I have a low opinion of this place but the day we rated it I was surprised at how much I liked it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐/5 from 644 reviews
“The Al pastor is very popular.”
“Tastier than I had anticipated.”
“Not as good as the Studio City location.”
Indochine Vien
Got a couple of Banh Mi sandwiches to go and they came with some pretty good french fries.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 403 reviews
“The smell is amazing this is my favorite place!”
“Very tasty soup.”
“Hands down most complex broth.”
Kava Kulture
What is kava? I’m not sure, but I kind of liked it? No, not really.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐½/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 41 reviews
“I felt effects on my first go.”
“I have an affinity towards the Kava Ultra Shock cup.”
“It’s some of the best kava you can find … but goddam do they miss the mark on atmosphere.”
Link N Hops
I don’t remember which sausage we got. We ordered this when we got Crispy Crust so it was a weird two-fer.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 467 reviews
“One of the chillest bars in Atwater!”
“Chill vibe.”
“Saw this place on a Netflix show!”
Morihiro
Very expensive Michelin starred sushi restaurant. Quite different from everything else on Glendale!
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 85 reviews
“Aside from its location in Atwater Village, Morihiro is a delight for the senses.”
“The chef handmade all the plates and cups that he used during dinner.”
“The guest to server ratio is about 2:1.”
The Sweet Secret
A boba place. A crepe place. I dunno, we got a boba as part of a collection of food we put together one night. I’m not really a boba guy but I liked it.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 33 reviews
“I’d been trying to find an Acai place that’s open past 6.”
“Sweet tooth galore.”
“The cutest little crepe shop in Atwater Village!”
Proof
Proof is the best. End of story.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 1057 reviews
“I love everything at this bakery.”
“The staff was very friendly.”
“What a great bakery.”
Ritual Acai
When you want a day time dessert that you can pretend is healthy you want an acai bowl.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 93 reviews
“OMG I loveddddddd it!!!”
“Unlimited toppings, reasonable prices, cute location.”
“What a cute little shop.”
Sepan Chicken
Walked by this place so many times but never stopped in.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 382 reviews
“Very warm, welcoming place that has great service & excellent food!!”
“Parking was a cinch in their little lot.”
“The meat and the rice I got were all right…”
Subway
Subway is gross.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐½/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐½/5 from 37 reviews.
“The service was awful.”
“Worst attitude from the person that made my sandwich.”
“Avoid this subway at all cost.”
The Juice
Expensive juice.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐½/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 140 reviews
“It’s really expensive.”
“AMAZING smoothie for quite an expensive price.”
“Everything was a little on the expensive side.”
Tacos Villa Corona
Part of what makes Atwater special.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 from 733 reviews
“Hands down. Best breakfast burrito in LA.”
“Cheap breakfast burritos made with love.”
“A decent meal for a decent price.”
Viet Noodle Bar
Better than expected.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 587 reviews
“One of my favorite restaurants.”
“This is a dope minimalistic pho spot.”
“Food and service was superb!”
Wanderlust
I’m not a sweets guy but I’m glad we have ice cream in the neighborhood and it’s pretty weird, which is nice.
Our 3 Minute Review is here.
We rated it ⭐⭐⭐/5
Yelp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½/5 from 1230 reviews
“Delicious!”
“I love Wanderlust.”
“Card only, they do not take cash!”
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