Eagle Rock Restaurants

Wondering what "contemporary soul food" is all about? Try barbecue, catfish po' boys and $15 fried chicken, all served in a converted Craftsman house. Oh, and don't forget the deep-fried grilled cheese sandwiches.

A step up from Baja Fresh, this order-at-the-counter joint serves everything from tofu tacos and ahi burritos to carne asada fries and gut-busting combo plates. Don't miss the killer salsa bar--the habanero could quite possibly be lethal.

Calling all dudes: This no-frills burger shack serves up monstrous messy burgers, draft beer and sports on the tube. If you really want to blow it out, order the "Cardiac."

There's a reason Auntie Em's is always packed. Beyond the fresh, seasonal diner fare, the bakery serves up the city's most celebrated red velvet cupcakes. LA's best? You decide.

Whether you go for the pastrami, pulled pork or burger, top it off with a draft beer and a side of addictive Belgian fries (apparently the geniuses in Belgium double-fry their spuds).

This California bistro offers white tablecloth dining and meticulously presented dishes, but it's the bread pudding French toast on the brunch menu that draws the most raves.

Head to the greasy spoon immortalized in "Reservoir Dogs" for hearty diner food like corned beef hash and biscuits and gravy. It's not exactly dirt cheap, but you probably won't need to eat again for the rest of the day.

Huge subs and fresh smoothies are reason enough to stop by, but daily specials like pulled pork on Wednesdays and the famed Pilgrim on Thursdays (think Thanksgiving on a bun) are two good reasons to make a special trip to Dave's.

Date night in Eagle Rock? This authentic French bistro delivers without the snob factor or inflated prices often associated with restaurants that serve escargot.

Laidback cafe serves breakfast and lunch to the Cafe Beaujolais faithful, who sip mimosas and nibble on oeufs et pain perdu (eggs and French toast) for a leisurely weekend brunch.

Slow food comes to Eagle Rock in the form of a seasonal menu stocked with farmers' market staples. Beyond salads, sandwiches and weekend breakfast, don't miss fantastic sweets like blood orange upside down cake.

More than a place to sip coffee while you surf the web, this cavernous cafe features an extensive menu with breakfast burritos, half-pound Angus burgers, sandwiches galore and a few dinner entrees. Bonus: beer and wine are served.

This famed old-school Italian joint has been tossing their popular thin-crust pizzas since 1955. If you're not in the mood for the hyped pies, there's also plenty of traditional pasta dishes to fill your, um, pie hole.

Three words: strawberry cream cake. Just don't forget your cash--like a true lady, Ruby's doesn't do plastic. Good thing that giant cream puff costs less than the change rattling around the bottom of your pocket.