USC Restaurant Guide

Statue USC

Roger Noble Burnham sculpted the bronze statue that became known as Tommy Trojan for USC's 50th anniversary in 1930.

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DOWNTOWN CASUAL

Eating near the University of Southern California can seem bleak at times, considering the plethora of fast food surrounding the school. On-campus dining options have greatly improved in past years, with the introduction of Nekter Juice Bar and the Habit Burgers, along with staples Lemonade, Seeds Marketplace, and Moreton Fig. The Icon Plaza, right across Figueroa from Marshall Business School, has also given Figueroa’s fast food reputation a slight lift with the openings of Pizza Studio, Built, and Which Wich. Even better for the USC community, Downtown LA is undergoing a Renaissance with the openings of aesthetically appealing hotels, underground-trendy stores, and quality-based restaurants. I’ve compiled a list of my 12 favorite places to wine and dine right near USC’s campus as well as in DTLA.

Cabbage Patch [CLOSED]


Hamburger Los Angeles

Chef-founder Samir Mohajer, previously with Axe, Little Door, and Rustic Canyon, brings us Cabbage Patch, featuring food made with high quality ingredients with a home cooked feel. Cabbage Patch emphasizes organic, natural ingredients at an affordable cost. They now offer delivery to USC with an order minimum of $20 and also offer curbside pickup. Be sure to ask for the 10% USC discount. I personally recommend the Salmon Bowl and Yam Wedges.

Grand Central Market

Breakfast Sandwich Los Angeles

Grand Central Market has celebrated Los Angeles’s wide array of cuisine since 1917. You can find anything from barbeque to fresh vegetables to homeopathic remedies at this market, as well as some of the best casual food downtown. My favorites are Eggslut, DTLA Cheese, and G&B Coffee. With that being said, don’t be afraid to walk around and sample. My favorite egg sandwich at Eggslut is the Fairfax (pictured). I also like the coddled egg, which is aptly named “The Slut.”

Marugame Monzo

Japanese Food Los Angeles

As soon as you walk into Marugame Monzo, you will see a chef hand-making the udon behind a glass window. This place is legit. Marugame offers a variety of udon from the traditional preparation to their re-imagined signature flavors. They are known for their Sea Urchin Cream Udon, which surely lives up to the hype. Other mentionable dishes are the Scallop Carpaccio, Negitoro Bowl, Vongole Udon (pictured), and the Soft Boiled Egg Tempura.

Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

Ramen Los Angeles

Men Oh Tokushima is the perfect place for your ramen cravings. The wait was very reasonable compared to other Ramen places in Little Tokyo. I tried the Shoyu Ramen and loved it, and the soft-boiled egg that comes with it is absolutely unreal.

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