Unique and tasty Southern California eateries

ABC Seafood

There are few experiences as wild, chaotic and hypnotic as entering one of Chinatown’s huge, busy dim sum dining rooms.

My favorite: ABC Seafood. At ABC, mirrors, tablecloths and polished brass add that veneer of elegance, but this is truly a great value. I’ve fed five people for lunch, with lavish spreads of crab, shrimp and lobster, for less than $50. My Cantonese is a little rusty, so I don’t know the names of half the items I order. But that’s the beauty of dim sum, where the food comes in little appetizer-sized portions, served from metal carts that work the aisles like bumper cars. You can sample something, then wave on the waiters to bring more and more.

Getting there: ABC Seafood is in the heart of L.A.’s Chinatown, a block from the famous Philippe’s. Metered parking is usually available on the street or use the free parking lot in back. 205 Ord St.; (213) 680-2887)

-- Chris Erskine

Pictured: Visitors stroll through one of the main squares in L.A.’s Chinatown.  (Benjamin Reed / Los Angeles Times)

Bagel Broker

Although there are plenty of foods worth fighting gridlock for, what about the ones that are best enjoyed while in gridlock? Bites of a hubcap-sized bagel can make the stop-and-lurch of a morning commute a bit more enjoyable.

These New York-style carbfests, available in mostly mainstream varieties such as blueberry, garlic, onion and rye, are just soft enough to soak up schmear without gumming up in your mouth. They first entered my life as a former employer’s Friday morning treat -- the only job where I saw co-workers show up on time at the end of the week -- and now serve as comfort food to help me face a hectic day.

Getting there: The mini mall is at 7825 Beverly Blvd., just east of Fairfax Avenue. The parking lot leaves something to be desired, as do the handful of metered spots. Because seating is limited, make it breakfast-to- go, or park at the Grove and Farmers’ Market and eat on the walk back to your car.

-- Whitney Friedlander  (Whitney Friedlander / Los Angeles Times)

Carnitas Michoacán

Order the carne asada taco at Carnitas Michoacán. Actually, order three or four of them. They’re delicious, but rather small, so it might take a few to fill you up. At $1.35 each, though, you can still get a hearty meal for about five bucks. The nachos grande, though a little too cheesy, is excellent as well. All the menu items go for less than $5, so you get a tasty deal no matter what you order. Carnitas Michoacán is hard to miss: It sits in a bright yellow and red building on a corner. The inside is just as festive, with an image of the Virgin Mary resting casually against one wall and a painting of a grazing cow against the opposite wall. Those who dine in bus their own plates, so don’t be surprised if a few of the tables are a little dirty. People come here for the food, not the ambience.

Getting there: Carnitas Michoacán, 1901 N. Broadway.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Deliah’s Bakery

Ever wonder which magical baking wizard is behind the luscious lemon ricotta and bacon and pepper jack muffins on display at Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea at Silver Lake Junction? Delilah, that’s who. Go straight to the source, a quaint yellow cinder-block cottage a few blocks north of Sunset in Echo Park, for cream cheese-frosted red velvet cupcakes, Coca-Cola bundt cake, ‘smore brownie bars and rich pecan bourbon pie. Roll out of bed a bit late? For brunch and lunch, there’s house-made quiche and egg salad sandwiches with home-fried chips that will make Mom jealous. Oh yeah, the coffee ain’t bad, either.

Getting there: From Sunset Boulevard, head north on Echo Park Avenue. Keep left at the Y intersection and start looking for parking. The MTA’s Dash Pico Union/Echo Park line also passes by. 1665 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 975-9400, www.delilahbakery.com

-- Andrew D. Nystrom  (Pamela Wilson / Los Angeles Times)

EGGSACTLY WHAT YOU NEED AFTER A LONG WEEK

Talk about heaven on a bun, except khachapuri (sometimes spelled kachapouri or khachapury) is more like heaven in a bun. It’s a combination of crust (shaped like a little gondola), feta, mozzarella and eggs that look poached and stare up at you from their bed in the gondola. Which sounds both disgusting and like a heart attack waiting to happen. I promise it’s not the first; I make no guarantees about the second, especially if you order a big one ($7.50) from Pizza Boy in Glendale.

Getting there: From California 2, exit at Colorado/Broadway and turn left. 1321 E.Colorado St., Units C and D; (818) 247-5555, www.pizzaboy.us.

-- Catharine Hamm  (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)

Samosa House

Las Vegas it isn’t, but the price is right. At Samosa House in the Westside’s Mar Vista area, $7.99 buys you a vegetarian Indian lunch or dinner and endless entertainment in the form of a stream of Bollywood movies and music videos playing on a big flat-screen TV.

Lunch and dinner are self-service from a small hot table.The best deal, $7.99, is a combination plate. You choose three dishes, such as cheese paneer, spinach and jack fruit; riata and two pieces of flat bread are included. The mango lassi ($2.99) is pretty great too. Both the divided plate and flatware are recyclable and eco-friendly.

Getting there: From the 405 Freeway, exit west on Washington Boulevard. Samosa House is at 11510 W. Washington Blvd. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. (310) 398-6766.

-- Jane Engle  (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)