Chocolate Old Fashioned and Sugar Raised Donut from Randy's Donuts

Are you familiar with the TV series The Simpsons? Homer loves his pink donuts with the giant donut sign on top. While driving around Los Angeles, we spotted a store with a similar giant donut on top called Randy's Donuts. We didn't have time to stop by any of their stores.

However, as luck would have it, they have a small kiosk inside Terminal 6 of Los Angeles Airport (LAX). The Glazed Raised is sold out, so I chose Sugar Raised Classic Donut. I am a sucker for any bread sprinkled with plain white sugar.

Chocolate Old Fashioned Donut from Randy's Donuts

Meanwhile, my husband went for the Chocolate Old Fashioned Deluxe Donut. It is also so good with a slightly crunchy exterior and moist interior.

Sugar Raised Donut from Randy's Donuts

If you tell me that this is my last bite of food on earth, I will die a happy woman.

Meal before flight at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX

Let's start this post by introducing Wolfgang Puck, in case you have not heard of him. He is a highly acclaimed Austrian-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur. He is renowned for his innovative approach to California cuisine and is credited with popularizing gourmet pizza. He has a restaurant inside Los Angeles Airport at Terminal 6 (which primarily serves United Airlines), so we grabbed a late lunch there.

Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo from The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX
Wild mushrooms, English peas, and goat cheese

My husband ordered the Spaghetti & Meatballs while I went for the Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo. I know that airport food is usually terrible, and I found my Alfredo too salty. Or this could be intentional since it is a common phenomenon for people to experience a dulled sense of taste when flying.

Spaghetti & Meatballs from The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in LAX
Tomato-basil-garlic sauce, aged parmesan, and basil

The Spaghetti & Meatballs are more enjoyable.

Happy Kid at Taco Bell in LA

 In the Philippines, we (me and my siblings) absolutely love Taco Bell. It's our only introduction to "Mexican" food, of course, now that we're in Canada - we know better and have tried better Mexican food and not even the Tex-Mex kind.

Our meal at Taco Bell

Anyway, my husband and I were flying out of Los Angeles Airport this evening and slept in (woke up late) to enjoy our last day. For our last meal (outside the airport) in LA, we saw Pizza Hut, Denny's, and other American chains, but we all have those in Vancouver. Meanwhile, there's Taco Bell - they have branches in Metro Vancouver, but not the city itself. Boo!

Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
Seasoned beef and refried beans between two Mexican Pizza shells with Mexican Pizza sauce, a three-cheese blend, and tomatoes on top.

Nacho Fries from Taco Bell
Golden, crisp Nacho Fries seasoned with bold Mexican spices and nacho cheese sauce for dipping.

We took a Lyft to Taco Bell, and I picked everything I used to order back in the Philippines. I feel like a high schooler again hanging out at the Taco Bell in Gateway in the middle of Cubao.

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes from Taco Bell

Chicken Quesadilla from Taco Bell
Simple flour tortilla with grilled chicken, melted three-cheese blend, and creamy jalapeño sauce.

We got chicken quesadilla, nacho fries, and my absolute favourite: Mexican Pizza and the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. I happily and giddily devoured things.

Cinnamon Twists from Taco Bell

It also made me miss my high school best friend and how our once-a-week date would be at Taco Bell in Trinoma when we were attending different universities. Thank God for the many Taco Bell memories.

Drinks at Landings Bar in Hilton LAX

After our adventure at SoFi Stadium and being safely back in the hotel, I planned to go to Griffith Observatory. However, we couldn't get a Lyft or Uber to take us. After an hour of trying, we called it quits and decided to hang out at Landings Bar, adjacent to the lobby of Hilton Los Angeles Airport.

Drinks at Landings Bar in Hilton Los Angeles Airport

Fries from Landings Bar in Hilton Los Angeles Airport

As always, I'm feeling snacky, so I got the fries and cocktails. We watched the Sunday Night Football game on one of the many TVs in the bar. We also discussed the project we were doing with close friends. My hubby and I don't drink alcohol, so when we do, it always feels special.

In-N-Out Burger near SoFi Stadium

After watching our first-ever NFL game in person at SoFi Stadium, we struggled to return to our hotel. Lyft and Uber are nowhere in sight, and traffic is horrible, with thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium simultaneously. We walked to Hollywood Park Casino, hoping it would be easier for ridesharing, but we were wrong.

We discussed plans for the rest of the evening, and the primary goal is to have dinner at In-N-Out, and it just so happens that there's one nearby. We walked there praying that traffic would be more manageable after our meal. The line in In-N-Out was LONG, but service was quick. It's the first time my brother has had the burger since 2007!

Hamburger from In-N-Out

It's also the first time I've tried it inside a restaurant since I was 18. Wow. It's genuinely an excellent classic burger and fries. It's crazy how real potatoes cut and fried in-store mean quality and taste. I'm so happy.

Cheeseburger from In-N-Out

After enjoying our meal, we tried to figure out the best way to return to our hotel. I explored walking and taking transit. There is a bus that will stop in front of our hotel. Woohoo! The trip should take 15 minutes, but the traffic makes it closer to 30. We're happy to be back at our home away from home.

Nachos, Tater Tots, and Churro Bites at SoFi Stadium

The primary reason we flew to Los Angeles was to watch the National Football League (NFL) match between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers.

In 2016, my brother watched NFL games on TV and would teach me the rules so I could understand it better. I told him that we should watch it in person. When I said that, he was still in college, and I was unemployed in Canada.

After 7 years, we finally made that dream a reality. We're inside the beautiful SoFi Stadium to watch the game, and of course, I'm here for the food, too. Honestly, none of the items looked super appetizing, so we went for what looked like a safe bet.

We got the Barbacoa Loaded Nachos and Churro Bites from Olvera Street and the Korean Chicken Loaded Tots from Sawtelle Blvd.

The Barbacoa Loaded Nachos is the perfect game-day food, with the crisp tortilla chips topped with tender barbacoa and covered with gooey melted cheese. Yum!

Barbacoa Loaded Nachos from Olvera Street inside SoFi Stadium

Meanwhile, the Korean Chicken Loaded Tots features crispy tater tots topped with succulent Korean-style chicken covered in a sweet-spicy sauce.

Korean Chicken Loaded Tots from Sawtelle Blvd inside SoFi Stadium

To end our meal are the churro bites. They are bite-sized pieces of delight! They are oh so perfectly crispy on the outside and irresistibly soft on the inside. They are tossed in a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. I want more.

Churro Bites from Olverra Street inside SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Chargers lost, but I am happy and blessed to be able to watch an NFL game in person with my husband and brother. Thank God!

Sipping Wellness at True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica, CA

Following our heartwarming reunion at Ellie's, the family embarked on a journey back to Murrieta, finding solace in the embrace of our auntie and uncle's serene retirement haven. Meanwhile, my cousin offered to drive us to our hotel near Los Angeles Airport (LAX). As we navigated through the bustling cityscape, the question arose - what did we want to see in LA? Inspired by glimpses in Criminal Minds, Monk, and the spectacle of 2012, I suggested the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

As the sun dipped into the Pacific horizon, casting a warm glow over the historic pier, I found myself not craving a hearty meal but rather thirsting for a refreshing drink. Our cousin recommended True Food Kitchen.

I opted for the invigorating Kale Aid – a blend of kale, ginger, apple, celery, cucumber, and lemon for drinks. In sync with the vibrant California spirit, my husband chose the Bright Eyes, a concoction of pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger, turmeric, beet, and lemon. The drinks, vibrant and bursting with freshness, were a testament to the commitment of True Food Kitchen to wellness.

Left: Bright Eyes (Pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger, turmeric, beet, and lemon)
Right: Kale Aid (Kale, ginger, apple, celery, cucumber, and lemon)

While my appetite called for moderation, the Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap, with its medley of avocado, roasted red pepper, mixed greens, and hatch chilli ranch, emerged as the perfect choice. 

Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap from True Food Kitchen
Avocado, roasted red pepper, mixed greens, hatch chilli ranch

My husband, drawn by the allure of seasonal flavours, savoured the Hawaiian Fried Rice. A harmonious blend of quinoa brown rice, uncured ham, pineapple, pickled red onion, and fried egg was a delightful journey for the taste buds. I love it!

Hawaiian Fried Rice from True Food Kitchen
Quinoa brown rice, uncured ham, pineapple, pickled red onion, Vital Farms pasture-raised fried egg.

As we concluded our wholesome meal, the satisfaction echoed from satiated stomachs and hearts filled with the joy of shared moments. The drive back to the hotel was adorned with the glow of contentment – a testament to the power of family, the beauty of exploration, and the simple pleasures of a thoughtfully prepared meal.

With stomachs full and hearts fuller, we retired to our hotel, cherishing the day's memories and anticipating the adventures ahead in the City of Angels.

Family Reunion Brunch at Ellie's, Long Beach CA

In the winter of 2007, our family from the Philippines flew across the Pacific Ocean to share the festive season in the sunny embrace of Los Angeles, CA. It was a special time filled with first meetings, warm family bonds, and the beginning of cherished connections with my mom's three sisters and family.

More than 15 years later, we are back in the City of Angels, this time from our new home in Vancouver, BC. With its vibrant culture and coastal charm, Long Beach became the backdrop for our reunion with aunts, uncle, and cousins. The reunion had an added layer of excitement as one of our cousins embarked on the journey of marriage, introducing us to our newest family member, our nephew. We also met his wife for the first time.

With Long Beach as our chosen rendezvous, we sought a spot that would encapsulate the essence of our familial reconnection. The recommendation led us to Ellie's.

My husband, guided by the suggestion of my cousin and his wife, opted for the monumental Short Rib Hash – a dish that unfolded as a masterpiece on the plate. Crispy potatoes formed the base, crowned with a massive piece of succulent short rib, salsa macha, pickled peppers, perfectly poached eggs, and a velvety hollandaise sauce. The dish, a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, mirrored the complexity and richness of our family's journey.

Short Rib Hash from Ellie's Long Beach
Crispy potatoes, salsa macha, pickled peppers, poached eggs, and hollandaise

In contrast, my culinary desire leaned towards the sweet side, and the French Toast beckoned with its promise of delight. A canvas of pork butter, adorned with seasonal fruits and generously drizzled with maple syrup, presented a symphony of sweetness that resonated with the joyful moments we were creating.

French Toast from Ellie's Long Beach
Pork butter, seasonal fruit, and maple syrup

As the sun bathed us in its California glow, our family relished the culinary delights, shared stories, laughter, and the warmth of familial bonds. The experience at Ellie's became more than a meal; it became a celebration of the ties that endure the test of time. In these moments, we were again reminded of the profound blessings we have received.