Kathleen “Sweet P” Vaughn, L34 Partner Agent
I love food. I love to think about it, talk about it, and — most of all — eat it. I don’t always love cooking, but I love feeding my husband and son, and I really love discovering new places that make every meal feel like a treat. This is my second article about food, and this time we’re going on a little tour of three of my favorite streets in Northeast L.A.: Figueroa, York, and Eagle Rock Boulevard.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner — here we go.
On Figueroa
Breakfast: Go Get Em Tiger
I mentioned HomeState in my last article (and yes, I could live on their breakfast tacos), so this time I’m starting with Go Get Em Tiger. Their Protein Brekkie is everything I want in the morning: soft scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, avocado, and a little gem salad. The Summer Squash Breakfast Bowl is another favorite — roasted squash, avocado, jammy eggs, brown rice, pickled onions, herbs, radish, and a creamy tahini dressing that ties it all together. They also have overnight oats, granola, and avocado toast if you’re keeping it simple. Yummy, yummy, yummy.
Lunch: For The Win
I haven’t made it here yet, but the buzz is impossible to ignore. The cheese smashburger with bacon on a potato bun is calling my name, and judging by the rave reviews, I’ll be there very soon.
Dinner: Hippo
Dinner on Fig is a toss-up between Highly Likely and Hippo, but Hippo is my go-to when I’m craving a full-on feast. Start with shared plates — the wax beans, roasted cauliflower, and burrata are all excellent. The pastas are what I dream about though: the butternut squash cappellacci and the herbed ricotta tortellini are my favorites. For mains, the chicken thighs are a standout, but pace yourself — you need room for dessert. Their butterscotch pudding is non-negotiable.
On York
Breakfast: Bagel & Slice
Bagel for breakfast, pizza for lunch — it’s all good at Bagel & Slice. They make their bagels in-house, and my pick is the breakfast bagel pocket stuffed with eggs, bacon, and chili crisp. Or you can build your own with a pile of toppings.
Lunch: Ggiata
I admit it: I’m in a chicken Caesar wrap rut. It’s so good I can’t seem to order anything else. But Ggiata’s menu is packed with tempting options — chicken parm, eggplant parm, turkey sandwiches, you name it. I will branch out one of these days.
Dinner: Joy
Here’s a funny thing: I don’t like Chinese food, but I love Taiwanese food. Joy is the restaurant that finally made me listen to my husband, who’s been raving about it for years. When I finally went with a friend, we were treated like family — the counter guy even gave us a few free dishes for my first visit. Standouts: the lotus root, the thousand-layer pancake, spicy wontons, and (please don’t skip) the dan dan noodles. Pure happiness in every bite.
On Eagle Rock Boulevard
Breakfast: Habitat Coffee
Habitat is my morning spot for coffee or, even better, the best turmeric latte in town — spicy, creamy, and completely addictive. Their soft scrambled eggs are a favorite too, but they also serve great breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and plenty of pastries if you’re like me and enjoy “breakfast dessert.”
Lunch: Bub & Grandma’s
Sandwich heaven. Bub & Grandma’s nails the classics but also offers creative vegetarian options like carrot shawarma or roasted cauliflower with cheese. I recommend the Turkey Trot, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here. And dessert? The banana cream pie and strawberry shortcake are my double favorites.
Dinner: Dunsmoor
Dunsmoor is best enjoyed family-style. Start with dressed greens and an appetizer or two, but whatever you do, order Edna’s sour milk cornbread. Add the cheddar-chef potatoes, then go big with either the mushroom-crusted pork chop or the ribeye steak. It’s a feast. I first discovered this spot while working on a film shoot, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Final Bite
Northeast L.A. is spoiled with good food, and Fig, York, and Eagle Rock Blvd each have their own flavor personality. Whether it’s a turmeric latte at Habitat, dan dan noodles at Joy, or butterscotch pudding at Hippo, there’s always something worth craving. And for me, the best part is sharing it all with the people I love.
Until the next meal.
Kathleen “Sweet P” Vaughn, L34 Partner Agent
