Top Eight L.A. Takeout And Outdoor Space Pairings

We pair our favorite takeout spots with outdoor spaces

Chicago | New York | San Francisco 

Angelenos always lament about not taking full advantage of L.A.'s gorgeous summers. Well, here's your chance.

We've picked eight ideal spots for outdoor feasts, from Venice Beach to Downtown, and paired them with perfect picnic locales mere blocks away.

LOCATION PICNIC PLAN
Griffith Park (Los Feliz)  Next door to Little Dom's is the Bronx-inspired delicatessen Little Dom's Deli, which is to meatball subs what its older sibling is to family-style linguini marinara. Try the meaty muffaletta or the Sicilian tuna melt–or create a DIY picnic spread. 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; 323-661-0055

Beverly Gardens Park

(Beverly Hills)

Mix and match hot and cold Mediterranean mezze at Beverly Hill's Momed café. The unanimous favorite here is the duck confit "shawarma" wrap, bound tightly in fresh pita with oven-dried tomatoes and roasted fig spread. 233 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; 310-270-4444

Palisades Park (Santa Monica)

Santa Monica's touristy pier isn't home to many places of culinary note, but Pier Burger serves a fantastic version of the classic Southern California cheeseburger along with frozen custard concretes and fresh-cut fries. And yes, the beach is only steps away. 330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; 310-587-2747
Los Angeles State Historic Park
(Chinatown)
Roy Choi's rice-bowl shop recently moved to Chinatown, but the flavor-packed combinations at Chego are as tantalizing as ever. The crispy Ooey Gooey Fries, smothered in sour cream, sambal, cheese and roasted garlic, are a rewarding post-stroll snack. 727 N. Broadway, Chinatown; 323-380-8680
Barndall Art Park (Hollywood) If you've never sampled Honduran cuisine, there is no better gateway than the famed baleada at Lempira Restaurant, a thick and fluffy flour tortilla folded with soft scrambled eggs, avocado, refried beans and a drizzle of fresh crema. Pair one hidden gem with another by exploring lush Barnsdall Park down the street. 4848 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323-662-2927

Westwood Park
(Westwood)

The menu rotates often at Fundamental L.A., a cubbyhole sandwich shop on Westwood Boulevard, but nothing we've sampled between bread has disappointed us–including garlicky roast beef dabbed with horseradish and a pork banh mi with pickled root vegetables. 1303 Westwood Blvd., Westwood; 310- 444-758

Venice Beach

(Venice)

Known by some as "surfer's sashimi," Hawaiian poke is ideal for beachside lunches. Poke-Poke specializes in cubes of ruby-red of ahi marinated in shoyu and sesame oil, then tossed with diced green onion. Select toppings such as macadamia nuts, kale or avocado, then go catch a wave. 1827 Ocean-Front Walk, Venice; 424-228-5132

Bunker Hill
(Downtown)

One of the newest additions to Grand Central Market, Sticky Rice, offers homey Thai street food from Spirit House chef Johnny Lee. Combinations like jungle curry with coconut rice or sweet BBQ pork with green papaya salad can be wrapped up for a short jaunt up the Angels Flight funicular to the top of Bunker Hill. 317 S. Broadway, Downtown; 626-872-0353