From Delish Bagels to Deli Classics, Bronson Knows Best
Written By: Charlotte Farrell Action Bronson Vice LA
Photography Provided By: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Olmeca Altos Tequila
Expert: Action Bronson | @bambambaklava
Credentials: Rapper, Author, TV Show Host and Star of “Fuck, That’s Delicious” on Viceland
When Action Bronson touches down in LA, he wastes no time soaking up the rays and living up to his foodie-reputation. “I spend a lot of time on the Westside. I like the beach…when I come out here I just relax and barbecue and just enjoy everything that California has to give,” he said.
Ciao Time
He went on to break down his top hits. “In Santa Monica, there’s this place called Bay Cities. It’s like the Italian deli equivalent of something that would be in New York…they have all kinds of beautiful things,” he said hungrily as he listed them off one by one—great olive oil and bread included.
Bay Cities
1517 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.395.8279
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You can take the man out of New York, but, he explains, “I’m always looking for something [that’s] a part of home, like Wexler’s [Deli].” In the opinion of the expert, the bagels are on par with those of the Big Apple. He gets a shmear of cream cheese, tops it off with a little Golden Osetra Caviar and voila! Bronson bagel perfection.
Wexler’s Deli
616 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
424.744.8671
Dip, Don’t Trip
And for the times he wants something other than that NY-style grub? “I would just go to Philippe’s and get a French dip…that’s really it. That’s what you need to do.”
Philippe’s
1001 North Alameda
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.628.3781
Bring the Heat
But sometimes, he craves something with a bit of a kick. “I think Cha Cha Chicken is fire, too,” he said, asking me if I had been myself. “It’s right on the beach…it’s like this Cuban, Jamaican, different kinds of Carribean-style fire.” To Bronson, it’s places like these that define SoCal cuisine. “Little chill spots…family spots.”
Cha Cha Chicken
1906 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.581.1684
Doin’ It, LA Style
In his eyes, the city isn’t really defined by one particular type of cuisine. “LA is really spread out, you know? But there are a lot of amazing neighborhoods here that are very close-knit. You have that a lot in Queens.” From coast to coast, Bronson makes the most of his surroundings and explores every city’s culture the best way possible: through his stomach.