The LA Restaurants That Never Disappoint Danny Trejo

Welcome to Perfect For, an Infatuation series of ultra-specific restaurant recommendations from people around town you don't know personally, but might wish you did.

Actor Danny Trejo (AKA Machete, but let's be honest, his filmography reads like a phone book) was born and raised in and around Los Angeles. He’s spent a lot of his 40-year career finding the city’s best places to eat, and opening his own restaurants. His first cookbook, Trejo’s Tacos, recounted how he became Hollywood’s best Bad Ass, and his latest book, Trejo’s Cantina, shares recipes for celebratory cooking and tips for stocking your own booze-free bar. 

Like the man himself, the restaurants on his all-time-favorites list are classic LA institutions—and more dependable than a Dallas Raines forecast.

“Living in LA, you need to know where to get a pastrami sandwich fix and I believe there’s no better than from Norm Langer himself.” 

“Did you know Musso & Frank opened in 1919? That’s pretty crazy, but man it’s always consistent and my favorite for Chicken Pot Pie.”

“Since 1939, Formosa has been serving the BEST Chinese food in Los Angeles. Anytime I walk into their dim, neon red restaurant, I know it’s going to be a good time!”

“Have you ever drooled over the bakery and deli counter at Canters? If I’m ever driving by, I’ll always stop to grab some corned beef.”

“Oh yeah, you can’t go wrong with Magaly’s beef tamales in red sauce. The best part is they hit the spot for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.”