Hits Only: The 5 Best Dishes I’ve Had This Week
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this week, it’s that Bob Ross spoke gospel when he coined “happy accidents.” I walked into a smashburger joint dead set on grabbing a burger, yet ended up having some of the best barbecue I’ve had recently after finding out that the burger spot doesn’t open until dinnertime.
Brisket Sisig Mac & Cheese
Smoked and Salted Barbeque — Los Angeles, CA
And that brings us to said best barbecue I’ve had recently. The owner was kind enough to slide a full plate of shumai sausage links, succulent beef brisket, tocino pork ribs, and a bowl of glory in the form of Brisket Sisig Mac & Cheese. It’s a powerhouse combo of luscious brisket, cheesy mac, and the flavors of the motherland (the Philippines). Hold me.
Adobo Chicken Wings
Open Market — Los Angeles, CA
Speaking of flavors of the motherland, my favorite local market in Koreatown resurrected a crowd favorite in their Adobo Chicken Wings as part of their weekly Friday specials. The memory of sticky adobo glaze coating every millimeter of crunch is still doing cartwheels in my head.
Miso Black Cod
Mrs. Fish — Los Angeles, CA
‘That perfectly cooked black cod’ is how I’d file this dish in my memory banks. More tender than the greeting card aisle, gracefully flaky like the homie you can never get mad at for giving an honest excuse to not show up.
Mushroom Garlic Noodles
Pho Saigon Pearl — Los Angeles, CA
It’s hard to fuck up garlic noodles, really. Just let the garlic do its thing and let the supporting cast of veggies and protein lift the dish into go-to territory.
Tomato & Garlic Skillet
Mija Handcrafted Kitchen — Culver City, CA
Good bread is always the vessel to a great meal. Throw on a luscious spoonful of heirloom cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, thyme, and boursin, and you’ve got yourself a skillet that kills in silence like a mosquito bite.