clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

18 Springtime Getaway Restaurants to Try in the LA Mountains

The 13 Hottest Cocktail Spots in Los Angeles

19 Showstopping Breakfast Burritos in Los Angeles

More in Los Angeles See more maps
In n Out Burger
In-N-Out
Crystal Coser

The Most Popular Restaurants in LA, Ranked by Wait Times

LA’s cult classics

byCrystal Coser
12comments/new
View as Map
In-N-Out
|Crystal Coser
byCrystal Coser
12comments/new

It isn’t always easy to understand the hours-long wait that hungry diners endure just to claim their seat at a restaurant. However, there are plenty of eateries in LA with such die-hard cult followings that snaking lines become a fixture outside of the establishment, only to be considered a part of the experience. From the two-hour-plus wait that comes with hot chicken mania to the city’s favorite drunk eats, here are the most popular restaurants in Los Angeles, ranked by peak wait times (by Eater’s estimation).

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See ourethics policy.

Howlin' Ray's — 2+ hours

Copy Link

There is no longer wait in Los Angeles than for Chinatown’s Howlin’ Ray’s. It is difficult to explain the mania that surrounds the masochistically delicious hot chicken until one has tried it for themselves, and likely returns for the afternoon-long wait.

727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 935-8399
(213) 935-8399
Yelp

Also featured in:

Din Tai Fung — 1 hour 30 minutes

Copy Link

台灣連鎖鼎泰豐找到了一個殺手倪che in malls across Los Angeles, as hungry shoppers andxiao long baoaddicts will wait well over an hour for their chance to pop juicy pork dumplings.

400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA
(626) 446-8588
(626) 446-8588
Yelp

Also featured in:

Eggslut — 1 hour

Copy Link

While there are many terrific options within Grand Central Market, none come close to nearing the hype of Eggslut, where it is nearly impossible to get an admittedly delicious egg sandwich in less than an hour.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Eggslut Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

Pink's Hot Dogs — 1 hour

Copy Link

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the cult status of Pink’s, a major tourist destination thanks to the signed celebrity headshots on the walls and monstrous hot dogs that can only be consumed with a fork and knife.

709 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 931-4223
(323) 931-4223
Pinks Hot Dogs

Also featured in:

SUGARFISH — 1 hour

Copy Link

Is there a better price to quality ratio in all of Los Angeles than chef Nozawa’s “Trust Me?” Probably not, which explains the unrelenting wait times at all locations of the expanding sushi empire.

600 W 7th St Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 627-3000
(213) 627-3000
Sugarfish Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

Sun Nong Dan — 1 hour

Copy Link

David Chang is a leader of the Sun Nong Dan bandwagon, as the founder of the Momofuku empire is known to visit the Koreatown restaurant several times during each stay in Los Angeles. It isn’t hard to understand why, as the bubbling pots of spicy braised beef, orgalbi jjim, turns first timers into loyal fans.

3470 W 6th St Ste 7, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 365-0303
(213) 365-0303
Sun Nong Dan David Chang

Also featured in:

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle — 1 hour

Copy Link

是的,很有可能會有一個小時+ f等or the opportunity to slurp LA’s most beloved noodles. But the cult following for Tsujita’s tsukemen, aka dip ramen, is for good reason, as the process of dunking noodles into the sinfully fatty broth becomes a ritual that begs repeating. The wait is equally disheartening at the ANNEX across the street.

2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 231-7373
(310) 231-7373
Tsujita

Also featured in:

Daikokuya — 45 minutes

Copy Link

Thankfully there are plenty of cutesy shops in Little Tokyo that help pass the time while ramen fanatics wait for their names to be called off of Daikokuya’s unfortunately long wait list.

327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 626-1680
(213) 626-1680
Daikokuya LIttle Tokyo Yelp

Also featured in:

Hangari Bajirak Kalguksoo — 45 minutes

Copy Link

The no-longer-under-the-radar Hangari Bajirak Kalgooksoo currently sports lines that rival its neighbor Sun Nong Dan. Thankfully, the blogger darling recently expanded, taking over the neighboring location to serve its eponymous soup,kalgooksoo, to the masses. The rich chicken broth that surrounds thick knife-cut noodles is denser and starchier than most, making it a hearty meal when you need something to stick to your ribs.

3470 W 6日聖、洛杉磯、CA
(213) 388-2326
(213) 388-2326
Hangari Bajirak Kalguksoo Crystal Coser

Sqirl Kitchen — 45 minutes

Copy Link

Sqirl is no stranger to serious hype, as the Silver Lake eatery has graced the pages of nearly every local and national restaurant publication. Come in any day of the week and expect to wait the larger portion of an hour for Jessica Koslow’s acclaimed brioche toast and sorrel pesto rice bowls.

720 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 394-6526
(213) 394-6526
Sqirl Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

The Griddle Cafe — 45 minutes

Copy Link

There’s little question The Griddle is LA’s king of pancakes. Come for the frisbee-sized flapjacks with a slew of outrageous toppings, but be prepared to wait in the line that stretches a full block of Sunset Boulevard.

7916 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 874-0377
(323) 874-0377
The Griddle Cafe Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

In-N-Out Burger — 30 minutes

Copy Link

Little needs to be said about the loyal following for Southern California’s very own In-N-Out, which garners at least 30 minute drive-thru waits at every location anytime near lunchtime hours.

7009 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
In n Out Burger Crystal Coser

Saigon Dish — 30 minutes

Copy Link

Drive past this Lawndale strip mall gem around lunchtime, and there will probably be a line out the door for this South Bay cult favorite. While the pho broth boasts clean flavors and the Saturday special shrimp crepe merits a dedicated weekend visit alone, the loyal following is mostly thanks to the extraordinary hospitality by the proprietor John, who greets everyone with warmth and remembers the order of every regular.

15725 Hawthorne Blvd Ste 108, Lawndale, CA
(310) 676-8778
(310) 676-8778
Saigon Dish Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

Tito's Tacos — 30 minutes

Copy Link

While not everyone understands the love for Westside icon Tito’s Tacos, the dedicated following for its crunchy tacos and hefty bean burritos is undeniable.

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA
(310) 391-5780
(310) 391-5780
A box of tacos from Tito’s, with shredded cheese on top of hard shells.

Also featured in:

Uncle Bill's Pancake House — 30 minutes

Copy Link

There’s nothing quite like the quaint beach bungalow-turned pancake house Uncle Bill’s. The Manhattan Beach mainstay is quite the local hangout, with serious weekend lines. But when flapjacks come with ocean views, who can really complain.

1305 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 545-5177
(310) 545-5177
Uncle Bill's Pancakes

Also featured in:

More inMaps

Donut Friend — 30 minutes

Copy Link

Build-your-own doughnut or selected from signature compilations at beloved Highland Park sweet shop Donut Friend. Just don’t take too long to build each order, as the lines grows hangrier by the minute.

5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 995-6191
(213) 995-6191
Donut friend Donut

Also featured in:

The Apple Pan — 30 minutes

Copy Link

This LA icon has been hawking classic diner fare since 1947, and the wait times for the restaurant’s signature hickory burger and old fashioned slices of pie haven’t changed much since then.

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 475-3585
(310) 475-3585
The Apple Pan Lindsey Baruch

Also featured in:

Luv2eat Thai Bistro — 20 minutes

Copy Link

Breakout strip mall star Luv2eat is busier than ever, with Hollywood denizens lining up for one of the area’s best lunch gems. That’s because Phuket natives Noree Pla and Fern Kaewtathip have been turning out blazing hot, masochistically delicious curries and noodles that have been at the receiving end of much well-deserved praise. Don’t skip the Phuket-style crab curry and ferociously hot papaya salad.

6660 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 498-5835
(323) 498-5835
Luv2eat Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

Leo's Tacos Truck — 20 minutes

Copy Link

Peak hours for taco truck legend Leo’s Tacos stretch from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., when weekend warriors wait in a snaking line to get some of the best drunk eats in the city thanks to the wallet-friendly al pastor tacos that help soak up a night of excess. Bonus point for quick service despite the less-than-sober masses.

1515 S LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 346-2001
(323) 346-2001
Leo’s Tacos Crystal Coser

Also featured in:

More inMaps

Loading comments...

© 2023Vox Media, Inc.All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Howlin' Ray's — 2+ hours

727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA

There is no longer wait in Los Angeles than for Chinatown’s Howlin’ Ray’s. It is difficult to explain the mania that surrounds the masochistically delicious hot chicken until one has tried it for themselves, and likely returns for the afternoon-long wait.

727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 935-8399
(213) 935-8399
Yelp

Din Tai Fung — 1 hour 30 minutes

400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA

台灣連鎖鼎泰豐找到了一個殺手倪che in malls across Los Angeles, as hungry shoppers andxiao long baoaddicts will wait well over an hour for their chance to pop juicy pork dumplings.

400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA
(626) 446-8588
(626) 446-8588
Yelp

Eggslut — 1 hour

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA

While there are many terrific options within Grand Central Market, none come close to nearing the hype of Eggslut, where it is nearly impossible to get an admittedly delicious egg sandwich in less than an hour.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Eggslut Crystal Coser

Pink's Hot Dogs — 1 hour

709 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the cult status of Pink’s, a major tourist destination thanks to the signed celebrity headshots on the walls and monstrous hot dogs that can only be consumed with a fork and knife.

709 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 931-4223
(323) 931-4223
Pinks Hot Dogs

SUGARFISH — 1 hour

600 W 7th St Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA

Is there a better price to quality ratio in all of Los Angeles than chef Nozawa’s “Trust Me?” Probably not, which explains the unrelenting wait times at all locations of the expanding sushi empire.

600 W 7th St Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 627-3000
(213) 627-3000
Sugarfish Crystal Coser

Sun Nong Dan — 1 hour

3470 W 6th St Ste 7, Los Angeles, CA

David Chang is a leader of the Sun Nong Dan bandwagon, as the founder of the Momofuku empire is known to visit the Koreatown restaurant several times during each stay in Los Angeles. It isn’t hard to understand why, as the bubbling pots of spicy braised beef, orgalbi jjim, turns first timers into loyal fans.

3470 W 6th St Ste 7, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 365-0303
(213) 365-0303
Sun Nong Dan David Chang

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle — 1 hour

2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

是的,很有可能會有一個小時+ f等or the opportunity to slurp LA’s most beloved noodles. But the cult following for Tsujita’s tsukemen, aka dip ramen, is for good reason, as the process of dunking noodles into the sinfully fatty broth becomes a ritual that begs repeating. The wait is equally disheartening at the ANNEX across the street.

2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 231-7373
(310) 231-7373
Tsujita

Daikokuya — 45 minutes

327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA

Thankfully there are plenty of cutesy shops in Little Tokyo that help pass the time while ramen fanatics wait for their names to be called off of Daikokuya’s unfortunately long wait list.

327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 626-1680
(213) 626-1680
Daikokuya LIttle Tokyo Yelp

Hangari Bajirak Kalguksoo — 45 minutes

3470 W 6日聖、洛杉磯、CA

The no-longer-under-the-radar Hangari Bajirak Kalgooksoo currently sports lines that rival its neighbor Sun Nong Dan. Thankfully, the blogger darling recently expanded, taking over the neighboring location to serve its eponymous soup,kalgooksoo, to the masses. The rich chicken broth that surrounds thick knife-cut noodles is denser and starchier than most, making it a hearty meal when you need something to stick to your ribs.

3470 W 6日聖、洛杉磯、CA
(213) 388-2326
(213) 388-2326
Hangari Bajirak Kalguksoo Crystal Coser

Sqirl Kitchen — 45 minutes

720 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Sqirl is no stranger to serious hype, as the Silver Lake eatery has graced the pages of nearly every local and national restaurant publication. Come in any day of the week and expect to wait the larger portion of an hour for Jessica Koslow’s acclaimed brioche toast and sorrel pesto rice bowls.

720 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 394-6526
(213) 394-6526
Sqirl Crystal Coser

The Griddle Cafe — 45 minutes

7916 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

There’s little question The Griddle is LA’s king of pancakes. Come for the frisbee-sized flapjacks with a slew of outrageous toppings, but be prepared to wait in the line that stretches a full block of Sunset Boulevard.

7916 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 874-0377
(323) 874-0377
The Griddle Cafe Crystal Coser

In-N-Out Burger — 30 minutes

7009 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Little needs to be said about the loyal following for Southern California’s very own In-N-Out, which garners at least 30 minute drive-thru waits at every location anytime near lunchtime hours.

7009 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
In n Out Burger Crystal Coser

Saigon Dish — 30 minutes

15725 Hawthorne Blvd Ste 108, Lawndale, CA

Drive past this Lawndale strip mall gem around lunchtime, and there will probably be a line out the door for this South Bay cult favorite. While the pho broth boasts clean flavors and the Saturday special shrimp crepe merits a dedicated weekend visit alone, the loyal following is mostly thanks to the extraordinary hospitality by the proprietor John, who greets everyone with warmth and remembers the order of every regular.

15725 Hawthorne Blvd Ste 108, Lawndale, CA
(310) 676-8778
(310) 676-8778
Saigon Dish Crystal Coser

Tito's Tacos — 30 minutes

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA

While not everyone understands the love for Westside icon Tito’s Tacos, the dedicated following for its crunchy tacos and hefty bean burritos is undeniable.

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA
(310) 391-5780
(310) 391-5780
A box of tacos from Tito’s, with shredded cheese on top of hard shells.

Uncle Bill's Pancake House — 30 minutes

1305 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA

There’s nothing quite like the quaint beach bungalow-turned pancake house Uncle Bill’s. The Manhattan Beach mainstay is quite the local hangout, with serious weekend lines. But when flapjacks come with ocean views, who can really complain.

1305 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 545-5177
(310) 545-5177
Uncle Bill's Pancakes

Related Maps

Donut Friend — 30 minutes

5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Build-your-own doughnut or selected from signature compilations at beloved Highland Park sweet shop Donut Friend. Just don’t take too long to build each order, as the lines grows hangrier by the minute.

5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 995-6191
(213) 995-6191
Donut friend Donut

The Apple Pan — 30 minutes

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

This LA icon has been hawking classic diner fare since 1947, and the wait times for the restaurant’s signature hickory burger and old fashioned slices of pie haven’t changed much since then.

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 475-3585
(310) 475-3585
The Apple Pan Lindsey Baruch

Luv2eat Thai Bistro — 20 minutes

6660 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Breakout strip mall star Luv2eat is busier than ever, with Hollywood denizens lining up for one of the area’s best lunch gems. That’s because Phuket natives Noree Pla and Fern Kaewtathip have been turning out blazing hot, masochistically delicious curries and noodles that have been at the receiving end of much well-deserved praise. Don’t skip the Phuket-style crab curry and ferociously hot papaya salad.

6660 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 498-5835
(323) 498-5835
Luv2eat Crystal Coser

Leo's Tacos Truck — 20 minutes

1515 S LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Peak hours for taco truck legend Leo’s Tacos stretch from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., when weekend warriors wait in a snaking line to get some of the best drunk eats in the city thanks to the wallet-friendly al pastor tacos that help soak up a night of excess. Bonus point for quick service despite the less-than-sober masses.

1515 S LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 346-2001
(323) 346-2001
Leo’s Tacos Crystal Coser

Related Maps

Baidu
map