![A mix of Mexican and Texan culinary traditions draw diners of all ages to Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a1968f8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3200x2133+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4a%2F80%2F5953f7d24a44be15e7eb930b38e0%2F1194163-fo-101-2022-moos-craft-barbecue-002.jpg)
19 great family-friendly picks from the 101 Best Restaurants guide
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School is back in session and parents readjusting after summer break might be craving a break from cooking. Or maybe you’re celebrating an occasion and seeking a destination that the entire family will enjoy. On restaurant critic Bill Addison’s annual ranked guide to 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, you’ll find plenty of options fit for diners of all ages, many with kids’ menus for those who prefer classic plates such as chicken tenders and fries and plain cheese pizza.
From comforting soul food to local favorites for barbecue and a weekly food festival, keep this guide handy whenever you’re in need of family-friendly dining ideas. — Danielle Dorsey
![LOS ANGELES, CA - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2021 - The breakfast biscuit with both meats served at All Day Baby restaurant. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) -](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c0e1172/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6097x4065+0+206/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2F87%2Fa3cfced44f319053c1a3df15cf06%2Fla-photos-1staff-851578-la-fo-2021-101-all-day-baby-04-1.jpg)
All Day Baby
![SANTA MONICA, CA- September 25, 2019: Hangtown Brei from Birdie G's on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3885b58/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5568x3712+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fec%2Fbbe2c9ad1c16ea81514b09d31b48%2Fimg-la-photos-1staff-466-2-1-us5v2t1q.jpg)
Birdie G’s
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Oxtail with collard greens, mac and cheese and cornbread from Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/423efa8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3579x2386+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2F2f%2F8d62eee44433ae4f5867c26ba71b%2Fla-photos-1staff-630768-fo-1013-101-dulans-mrt-02-1.jpg)
Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
Bonus: Family member Greg Dulan, who is close to reopening Dulan’s on Crenshaw, and Kim Prince, whose Hotville Chicken heartbreakingly closed late last year, teamed up for a food truck they call Dulanville, serving Nashville-style hot chicken in tacos and red beans and rice loaded with sausage. Follow along on Instagram to see where they’ll pop up next.
![ALHAMBRA , CA - NOVEMBER 2: (From left to right) The beef curry stew, tiger prawns, deep fried salted pigs feet, the Vietnamese style fried fish, and the winter melon soup (center) at Henry's Cuisine on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Alhambra , CA. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a1522da/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3199x2133+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2Fa3%2F2da6dd174edc928cac2db11a7a04%2F1209510-fo-101-2022-henrys-cuisine-09.jpg)
Henry's Cuisine
![Aluminum platters filled with meats and chicken smoked onsite at Heritage Barbecue & Brewery in Oceanside.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6c03575/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1599x1066+1+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F79%2F033ce2ea4409bc08148b62ce49cc%2Fplatters.jpg)
Heritage Barbecue
![LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 11, 2023: A Taco de Pescado al Carbon from Holbox inside Mercado La Paloma on June, 11th, 2023 in Los Angeles . (Ron De Angelis / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/65998ad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8100x5400+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd5%2Fd5%2Fd2d93f5f43aeace0b520d44e1e8e%2F1306686-fo-holbox-restaurant-of-the-year-2023-rad-47.jpg)
Holbox
He quickly began dreaming bigger, though, wishing to articulate a sum expression of the coastal flavors he loved across Mexico — and his own imaginings. Some of his menu’s early scene-stealers grew out of relationships he developed with top-tier seafood suppliers. They include limey kanpachi ceviche, garnished with avocado puree and tongues of Santa Barbara sea urchin, and the pata de mula (Baja blood clams) with more citrus and a sauce of morita chiles blended with balsamic vinegar that reaches a thrilling intersection of smoke, brine and acidity. Then there’s the smoked kanpachi taco buzzing with peanut salsa macha and a stretchy knot of queso Oaxaca, the fried octopus taco anchored by mulchy sofrito stained black from squid ink, and the bisque-like stew showcasing delicate seafood sausage.
Even though he can’t serve alcohol at the Mercado and considered relocating, Cetina decided to stay put and invested in a recent renovation. He gained four counter seats, but critically he expanded the kitchen, allowing him to hire additional staff. Doing so has created more room for community and creativity, and for possibility. Holbox is The Times’ 2023 Restaurant of the Year.
![Empanadas filled with custard and pastelitos de pollo.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a3baf31/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x5461+0+1/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4a%2Fa8%2Fcc61a90c4b81b608a7604f761f8c%2F1206727-fo-101-2022-la-papusa-001.jpg)
La Pupusa Urban Eatery
![LOS ANGELES , CA - OCTOBER 01: El Trio at Moo's Craft Barbecue in Los Angeles , CA on Saturday, Oct. 01 2022. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4ab53d4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3199x2133+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F77%2F38ec6f15451981e2ce855b806d2b%2F1194163-fo-101-2022-moos-craft-barbecue-006.jpg)
Moo’s Craft Barbecue
An important factor: The line to order can move along glacially, and another 20 to 30 minutes often elapses before your food is ready. Plan accordingly — sipping one of the more than two dozen beers on draft can nicely fill the time — or consider ordering takeout online for pick-up.
![LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 8, 2023: Left, oxtail tacos with roasted tomato, shreded kale and whiskey reduction; and on the right, shrimp and grits (corn grits with Creole beurre monte and parmesan) from chef Alisa Reynolds, the owner of My Two Cents, a reimagined soul food restaurant in Pico-Robertson neighborhood in Los Angeles, photographed on one the restaurant's hand-painted tables by a London-based artist Kione Grandison on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. My Two Cents will be opening their second location on the L.A.'s west side in December. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) 1371916-fo-101-2023-my-two-cents](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1185681/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7622x5081+0+181/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F86%2F0b%2F17b7aa0349189e685d59ad8dcc3c%2F1371916-fo-101-2023-my-two-cents-sr0464.jpg)
My 2 Cents
If you haven’t yet seen Reynolds’ globe-traveling show “Searching for Soul Food,” released on Hulu in June, make it your next binge watch.
![WESTMINSTER, CA - NOVEMBER 02: BBQ mix combo and Tum mak huong (papaya salad) from Nok's Kitchen on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 in Westminster, CA. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f07f047/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5499x3666+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2F1b%2F2cc61b854dc794c037ee68d34a59%2F1368753-fo-101-2023-noks-kitchen-mrt-03.jpg)
Nok's Kitchen
![REDONDO BEACH, CA - NOVEMBER 07: from left: Feijoada, Carne de Panela (pot roast), and the BBQ plate from Panelas Brazillian Cuisine on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 in Redondo Beach, CA. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d8b18cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5568x3712+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F25%2Fbd%2F70946039428fa8d4a7f5e8250dd7%2F1371375-fo-101-2023-panelas-mrt-03.jpg)
Panelas Brazilian Cuisine
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 14, 2022: A Wiseguy and a Rosa pizza and an Antipasto plate at Pizzeria Bianco (Ron De Angelis / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/93f171e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8100x5400+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F83%2F87%2Fe776bb1f4bdc81cddbd10f839f1c%2F1200535-fo-101-2022-pizzeria-bianco-008.jpg)
Pizzeria Bianco
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 7: Tortelloni from Rossoblu on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. (Katrina Frederick / For the Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6879f1d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2Fc5%2F3d52ccac4d088b4253bcd5bf8a84%2F1197608-fo-101-2022-rossoblu-002.jpg)
Rossoblu
![LOS ANGELES, CA- December 30, 2019: The enchilada plate with 1/2 Mole Negro and 1/2 Coloradito de Pollo O Puerco from Sabores Oaxaqueños on Monday, December 30, 2019. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8ec2061/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5480x3653+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2F8b%2Fa302edaf4e25861e03bcd93ace6c%2F476498-fo-1230-best-moles-oaxaquenos-mrt-007.jpg)
Sabores Oaxaqueños
![LONG BEACH, CA - JUNE 10: An array oof dishes from Selva, clockwise from top left: Bandeja paisa,market green salad, corn arepa, arroz chaufa, yucca fries and Colombian hot dog on Friday, June 10, 2022 in Long Beach, CA. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/790bf13/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3712x2475+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2Fa5%2Fbabfb9704e71a10a61cdfe2abcf5%2F967874-fo-selva-review-mrt-07.jpg)
Selva
Read the full review of Selva.
Smorgasburg L.A.
The pleasure of attending Smorgasburg in its eighth year is revisiting vendors that have gained citywide followings, while also scouting out newcomers. A recent Sunday tour included a breakfast burrito from Jonathan Perez’s Macheen, lamb barbacoa flautas from Steven Orozco Torres’ Los Dorados, and a green chorizo torta from Evil Cooks. For dessert? Velvety scoops of sour cherry and orange blossom-pistachio ice creams from Kinrose Creamery, which landed official vendor status in September.
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4, 2022: Burrito 2.0 with Grilled Steak at Sonoratown in Los Angeles. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6fe449c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8100x5400+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2Fa6%2F529aa56343ada5dd285d61a8439e%2F1195561-fo-101-2022-sonoratown-002.jpg)
Sonoratown
![MONTEREY PARK, CA - OCTOBER 20: Tokyo chicken sandwich and the 3 piece box with drums from Tokyo Fried Chicken on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 in Monterey Park, CA.(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eeb91a9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3712x2475+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2F52%2Fdcdbdb224e0d913a08e1e3b4e487%2F1203799-fo-101-2022-tokyo-fried-chicken-mrt-05.jpg)
Tokyo Fried Chicken
![LOS ANGELES , CA - OCTOBER 08: The Villa's Trio at Villa's Tacos at El Mercado Street Festival in Highland Park on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 in Los Angeles , CA. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff5160f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3200x2133+0+133/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2F9c%2F1b665aca4dfc9400c5b5cce0f095%2F1198019-fo-101-2022-villas-tacos-007.jpg)
Villa’s Tacos
Read the full review of Villa’s Tacos.
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