7 Best Inglewood Eats, from a Neighbor
Inglewood is a South Bay, 9 square mile tract bordered to the East of the 405 and the North the 105 . Inglewood has been having a moment, for years. There’s been huge changes and investments - most notably the SoFi Stadium and the surrounding complex!
What is Inglewood known for?
The newly 2020 opened NFL stadium the SoFi Stadium. It cost a cool $5 billion SoFi Stadium is the area’s shining baby. Slated to host the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremony, this venue is ready for its international debut.
2022 Superbowl - perhaps. most noteworthy, the SoFi Stadium is hosting the 2022 Superbowl! According to LA Magazine, LA county is expecting more than $477 million tax revenues from hotel rooms, day spending, and other activities, while creating between 2,000 and 5,000 jobs across the region. Epic!
Tyra Banks, the fashionable TV host and form model, was born in Inglewood!
Before the Staples Center, The Forum was the LA Laker’s home. Architect Charles Luckman designed the circular columned structure and then the Engineers figured out how to construct it with no major support pillars — at the time, groundbreaking for an indoor arena at that great scale. Famous musicians including The Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, and Barbra Streisand have performed at the Forum.
Inglewood Park Cemetery - a landmark local cemetery and park; I love wandering the grounds. Wander the neatly landscaped grounds, and go back in time by visiting the graves of historic legends including Ella Fitzgerald, Sugar Ray Robinson, or Ray Charles.
Downtown Inglewood - I consider this the core restaurant and downtown area! I usually start at the intersection of N. Market St and E. Regent St; it includes well-known staples like Hilltop Kitchen + Coffee and Stuff I Eat (yummy vegan food, more on that below).
After several years of living in South LA, below is my initial list of Inglewood eats:
Stuff I Eat
Vegan food for those people who don’t like vegan food. Fresh, healthy, and tasty! Popular dishes include the Soul Food Plate, the Lunch Burrito, and the Nut Burger. Don’t miss out on their rotating list of desserts like Potato Pie.
2. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
When I first moved to South LA, I couldn’t hear enough about Dulan’s. In my mind, Dulan’s is THE essential Southern food of Los Angeles. Myself hailing from North Carolina, I am a big-big Southern fan with historic roots in the importance of food. Southern food stables include Chicken, Ribs, Candied Yams, and Fried Fish.
3. Sunday Gravy
Blowing up the scene and surviving the pandemic, Italian-American newcomer Sunday Gravy is Inglewood’s rising star. Get in my belly! Order dishes including Spaghetti and Meatballs, Ragu, and Cheesy Garlic Bread. Fresh pastas, quality bread and pastries, all made and sourced locally.
4. Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Smoke Salmon Droptop from Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Website @Inglewood
Relevant, socially involved, and gaining momentum is the Issa Rae backed cafe, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen. I frequent the Slauson location (they also have a third Eagle Rock location!), but Inglewood is their piece de resistance. Prior to covid, it was deemed the coffee shop hangout — for, what I like to think all of LA. Don’t be fooled by the coffee, the food is good and decadent too. Highly rated dishes include the Smoke Salmon Droptop (pictured above), the Breakfast Sandwich and the Breakfast Burrito!
5. Sweet Red Peach
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting at Sweet Red Peach
Rotating cupcake flavors at Sweet Red Peach
If there was ever an OMG moment - check out their IG with decadent images of Red Velvet cake being drizzled with even more rich white chocolate before being decorated with a seasonal Fourth of July flag! I’m just saying, they go ALL OUT! Popular on IG to their rich content and because we’re all drooling over dessert.
Swing by Sweet Red Peach; literally across the street from the SoFi Stadium complex. It’s common to find a line 10+ people deep so come early, do curbside, or be prepared to wait. They do and will sell out of certain flavors!
My favorite, to this day, is Strawberry Cheesecake (only available on a rotating basis).
6. The Serving Spoon
The greasy spoon established in 1985, offers up Southern inspired brunch fare. It’s a true family affair, today helmed by the founder’s daughter and son-in-law! Standout dishes include Fried Chicken, Chicken and Waffles, the Soul Food Plate, French Toast and Salmon Croquettes, alongside a wide selection of omelettes and pancakes.
7. Off Da Hook Fish House
New to the neighborhood but picking up steam on NextDoor. Off Da Hook Fish House for when the seafood craving hits! Order yourself a good helping of Fried Fish, Fried Lobster Tail and Jumbo Shrimp with a side of coleslaw, mac and cheese.
Nearby and Worthy
The Coffee Company
Website @Westchester
If you frequent the Westchester Sunday Farmer’s Market, then you are familiar with the Coffee Company. Lined with families and couples waiting to be seated for weekend brunch! Dishes and portions look delicious and generous!
The Westchester Sunday Farmer’s Market
Sundays at 9am and shop locally sourced fruits and veggies, along with a rotating list of food vendors!
The Westchester Farmer’s Market
Pann’s Restaurant
Website @Ladera Heights
Go for the historic googie architecture and retro interiors, stay for the solid breakfast food and diner fare.
Pann’s Restaurant iconic architectural and retro interiors in Ladera Heights
More Noteworthy Places To Try
Cluckin Bun - hot, spicy cheetos + Nashville + fried chicken, enuff said
Located Further North, Leimert Park / View Park Area
Simply Wholesome
Website @View Park
Mix of sandwiches, salads, patties - with plenty of vegan and meat options available. Large interior so many people treat this like a local coffee shop and eat and work.
Orleans and York
@View Park
Dripping with grease, fat and flavor - I usually get the Catfish Sandwich and bask in the glory of a battered and fried fish, slapped on a mayo filled bun. It’s a burst of New Orleans on your tongue. Rumor has it they have new owners, so let’s see if service and quality maintains!
Thanks for reading up on Inglewood eats with me. If you go let me know what you think! linhdy@outlook.com