Last day in LA: Joan’s on Third & Kogi BBQ

I was going to spend my last half day in Torrance to check out some of Lena Hanson‘s suggestions, but Twitter friend Jay Terauchi‘s time suddenly got freed up, so we got to drive around a little more. He took me to see the L.A. Lakers’ secret practice arena (I didn’t get to see any players, only the secret entrance and fans in the know), then to pick up cookies for the demanding Jason Kim.

Along the way, Jay took me to a fab deli/market/bakery called Joan’s on Third, which is like a cross between Dean & Deluca and the long-gone Strawberry Connection. There’s no parking, but Los Angelinos don’t care. If the food is good enough — and Joan’s is — they’ll find a way to get in.

To cap off the trip, Jay took me to the famous Kogi BBQ truck that started the whole social-media-meets-mobile-food craze. I had never eaten at any Los Angeles taco truck, but at the very least, I needed to see what the hype was for this one, and I was lucky that there was no line.

Joan’s on Third

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Jay said that no matter what, we had to have the New York breakfast sandwich ($9) — crusty bread filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and lots and lots and lots of crispy bacon. It’s so filling, though, you should share it with someone or prepare to save half for later.

Joan’s on Third
8350 W. 3rd St.
323-655-2285

And that was it for my California adventure! Big mahalo to everyone who made this trip super fun: Deb Aoki, Estria Miyashiro, Jay Terauchi, D.K. Mashino, Lee Wyers, Glen Shannon, Lynda Takara, Jeff Nitta, Rimel Mangali, Roxanne Razo, Kendall and Alyce Lee, Michael Ni, Anthony Nagun and Maybelle, Fernando and Bricia Lopez, Turk Fontaine, Kara Kansaku, Matt Cohen, Jeremy Hicks, Jordan Kretchmer, and Jenna Langer. Woot!

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You can read all of Melissa’s blogs at www.nonstophonolulu.com/urbanmixplate. Follow Melissa on Twitter@Melissa808, on Foursquare as Melissa808, or email at Melissa@nonstophonolulu.com.