Off the menu and into your home - Little Joe's

I came upon a curious factoid and had to delve deeper. Little Joe's, a famed Italian restaurant of yore, started life at 900 N. Broadway as an Italian grocery and delicatessen famed for it's imported cheeses and meats. When Little Joe's opened in 1927 this area was known as Little Italy. It's empty building is still here (though significantly altered from the original) and stands across from what is now called New Chinatown. More on the who/what/when of Little Joe's later but the restaurant apocryphally went through a 225 lb wheel of imported Swiss cheese every two weeks. Really? It must have been their formaggio fritto appetizer that did it. Glorified cheese sticks.

Little Joe's Formaggio Fritto

1 lb imported Swiss cheese
1 cup of flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2 eggs, well beaten
Oil for frying

Cut the cheese into strips/sticks, roll in the flour mixture, then into the egg and back into the flour. Heat the oil to 350 degrees and fry the coated cheese until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel laden plate and voila. Enjoy your fried cheese!

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Andre's Italian since 1963

Located in the Town & Country Shopping Center (across from the famed Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax), Andre's Italian has been drawing them in since April 1963. They tend to fly under the radar of those driving by but the locals know they offer cheap eats and huge portions.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Little Toni's since 1956

I would like to name Barbara as my favorite waitress this year. She has a great personality and anticipated our every need, couldn't have asked for a better experience. I love the naugahyde-boothed, mom & pop Italian joints with delicious red sauce and giant meatballs. Little Toni's fits the bill. A lazy Saturday afternoon gorging at Little Toni's sounds ideal but alas they don't open until 5pm. Don't daudle as they fill up quickly....

Enjoy L.A.- Eat Out More Often! Casa De Pizza since 1961

If you are ever out in Granada Hills do yourself a favor and stop in for a meal at Casa De Pizza. Located at 16161 San Fernando Mission Blvd (at Woodley), Casa De Pizza has been serving up delicious pizza and pasta since 1961. Take out prices are cheaper than dining in (and you'll save yourself a wait if you don't have reservations) but you'd miss out on dining in the Sinatra Room, chockful of Sinatra memorabilia. A live band plays 'the sounds of Sinatra' every Thursday night (reservations recommended at 818-366-6311). They are open Tuesday-Friday for lunch 11:30am-2:30pm; dinner Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 5pm to 9pm and dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday 5pm to 10pm.