Onion Rings

They’re battered, they’re deep-fried, they’re best with lots of salt--in fact, onion rings are the exact opposite of diet food. But every now and then, don’t you really have to have some?

* Jake and Annie’s: Jumbo-size slices of onion, dipped in buttermilk, breaded and deep-fried to a blistered crunchiness, the rings at this American cafe are served with the housemade ketchup. (Onion rings, $4.50.) Jake and Annie’s, 2700 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 452-1734.

* Crocodile Cafe: Sliced thick, lightly battered, golden and crunchy on the outside, sweet and onion-y on the inside, the onion rings at these reliable upscale coffeeshops are invariably satisfying. The order is generous, so share one with a friend. (Onion rings, $4.75.) Crocodile Cafe, 140 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 449-9900; 975 E. Birch St., Brea, (714) 529-2233; 626 N. Central Ave., Glendale, (818) 241-0203; 101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 394-4783.

* Twoheys: Hand-cut and breaded daily in a buttermilk batter, Twoheys’ onion rings come as a delicious, crispy tangle of deep-fried bliss. Order a la carte or as “ring special” in which a small order of onion rings can accompany any burger or sandwich for $1.80. (Onion rings, small, $2.25; large, $3.15.) Twoheys, 1224 N. Atlantic Blvd., Alhambra, (626) 284-7387.

* Lola: Run to Lola, the West Hollywood supper club for the housemade onion rings; thick-cut, simply battered with eggs, milk and flour, they’re your basic burger side dish. (Onion rings, $5.) Lola, 945 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood, (213) 736-5652.

* Babalu: Another thick-cut ring where the onion really sings, Babalu’s beer-battered, well-seasoned onion rings are served in manageable portions--afterward, you’ll at least have room for one of the lavish desserts! (Onion rings, $2.95.) Babalu, 1002 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 395-2500.

* Tony Roma’s: How ‘bout a loaf of onion rings? Sweet onions are thinly sliced, lightly breaded, molded into loaf-shaped frying baskets and cooked to a golden brown. Half and full loaves are served with Tona Roma’s barbecue sauce. (Onion rings, whole loaf, $4.99; half loaf, $3.99.) More than 20 Southern California locations.

* The Grill: Listed on the menu as “fried onion,” these string-thin, battered and deep-fried onion threads set the standard for the whole school of skinny onion rings. Have a plate or a combo platter of rings and shoestring potatoes. (Onion rings, $5.50. Onion rings and potatoes, $7.75, serves 2; and $11.25, serves 4.) The Grill on the Alley, 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, (310) 276-0615.