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:

  1. Stuff I Eat

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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 - Sweet Red Peach

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting at Sweet Red Peach

Rotating cupcake flavors at Sweet Red Peach

Rotating cupcake flavors at Sweet Red Peach

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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!

Rotating cupcake flavors at Sweet Red Peach

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 in LA

Pann’s Restaurant iconic architectural and retro interiors in Ladera Heights

Pann's Restaurant red booths in LA

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!


Inglewood forum

Thanks for reading up on Inglewood eats with me. If you go let me know what you think! linhdy@outlook.com

 
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