The Best California Restaurant Guy Fieri Visited On Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives
Chef, author, and TV host Guy Fieri celebrates culinary excellence wherever he finds it, whether at a humble hot dog joint or an award-winning local institution. The latter certainly describes Los Angeles' Jitlada, which has been serving up Southern Thai cuisine since the 1970s and was selected as our California pick in our roundup of the best restaurants featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" in every state.
Known for its rich, complex flavors, the food at Jitlada stands out even among the wealth of Thai restaurants in L.A., allowing it to earn a spot on our list of the best Thai restaurants in America. With a menu that quite literally contains hundreds of dishes, Jitlada certainly spoils its customers with a variety of options.
Fieri discovered the restaurant through Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong, who took over ownership of Jitlada with her brother Suthiporn "Tui" Sungkamee in 2006. The Mayor of Flavortown first encountered Singsanong when she was a contestant on "Guy's Grocery Games" and was impressed enough to visit Jitlada himself after the show. Since then, Fieri has said on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives that he's eaten at the restaurant "a million times" and has described it as one of the best Thai dining experiences he's ever had.
Fieri isn't alone in his praise either. Jitlada has earned recognition from the Michelin Guide, and Singsanong received a James Beard Award nomination for the Best Chef in California Award. Aside from Fieri, Jitlada's other celebrity fans include Ryan Gosling and Drew Barrymore.
Jitlada has become one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles
Named after the royal palace in Bangkok, Jitlada has been credited with transforming the way Angelenos see southern Thai cuisine. Sungkamee garnered a reputation for using only the best and freshest ingredients, no matter the cost, and had a habit of making curries late at night, as he believed this made them taste better than preparing them in the morning. Sadly, Sungkamee passed away in 2017. However, his daughter Sugar Sungkamee now works in the kitchen of Jitlada alongside Singsanong.
Online reviews reflect the loyalty and passion Jitlada inspires. Writing on Tripadvisor, one customer enthused: "It is difficult to describe how wonderful the food was." Another commented: "We've tried many spots in Thai town and elsewhere, but there's nothing like Jitlada." Patrons of Jitlada can expect some of the spiciest Thai food in L.A., with one Reddit user warning: "Order the Jungle Curry at your own risk."
Because of Jitlada's popularity, anyone wishing to eat there should be prepared for a long wait. Given its vast menu, narrowing down the options can be tricky. In a Reddit thread devoted to customers' favorite things to order at the restaurant, several commenters recommended the "Jazz Burger," an off-menu item that must be requested in advance because of the extensive preparation required and the fact that only Jazz herself knows how to make it.