DINO'S CHICKEN AND BURGERS
Located in the Byzantine-Latino Quarter (sounds romantic, doesn’t it? It’s not, but should be), Dino's Chicken and Burgers is an LA institution amongst locals. An unassuming counter-serve option that calls attention to itself via a heady and inviting aroma of char-grilled smoke; leisurely billowing out over the parking lot as you enter. This is a taste buds yes moment.
Two words: Red Chicken. A Dino’s staple--and rightfully so--the Red Chicken or “Pollo Maniaco”, as it’s more faithfully known, is bliss served in Styrofoam. A charred, crimson half-bird perched atop fresh-cut russet potato fries and doused liberally in what’s simply referred to as “Juice.” Heresy would be the first thought in drowning an innocent spud before knowing its truest, stem tuberous potential…in this case, however, right and proper.
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION: DUI Fries - Them fries make a return appearance, only this time covered in copious amounts of cheese, beef and pastrami. (The popularity of pastrami in LA leaves me somewhat befuddled being an East Coaster who lived in New York for more than seven years, begging the questions, “How?” and “Why in LA?”...but I’ll explore that at a later date.) This is hangover food. After club partying till 3 AM food. Or, in my case when I tried them, rainy day comfort food. There are so many reasons to indulge in this sumptuous and sinful delight, and absolutely no reason not to. Treat yourself…share with your friends...should you want to share.
Founded by Demetrios K. Pantazis, Dino’s opened on Pico Boulevard in 1968, just a stone’s throw from Koreatown. Pantazis sadly passed away in 2017. His daughters Katerina, Konstantina, Maria and Nicole, along with their mother and Pantazis’ wife, Eleni, continue to run the business; maintaining Pantazis’ legacy.
ADDRESS: 2575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
PRICE RANGE: $ (Under $10.00)
