I used to work in Downtown Los Angeles in the late 90s...and. I. hated. it.
At the time, there was nothing to do other than work and walk to a handful of very dated and expensive restaurants for lunch; stomach a bad sandwich from the building lunch counter; order from a limited number of dives that would brave the drive to downtown; or, order from what we called the roach coach. This was, as you can tell, Downton pre-revitalization.
Downtown has needed cleaning-up and updating for some time; and slowly, but surely, Angelinos have seen the changes Downtown LA has made to create an urban hub that we can be proud to call our own.
Nothing is more significant in this new era for Downtown LA than the new 7th and Fig, a once pitiful corner on, you guessed it, 7th and Figueroa. 15 years after I quit my job in Downtown, 7th and Fig is looking very nice!
Completely updated with a central courtyard that faces an upscale food court, 7th and Fig has become a Downtown open-air shopping & food destination.
Clean, modern and housing a curated food experience for the cosmopolitan nine-to-fiver, 7th and Fig has also become a hotspot for local residents not only because of the unique dining options, but also because of the many retailers that have chosen to create a unique Downtown experience at 7th and Fig.
On a recent weekday I headed east to have lunch with my friends at 7th and Fig, who were just as excited to curate my lunch experience as I was to having an elevated sandwich tasting.
I tried sandwiches that were completely unique to Los Angeles, such as the "Not So Fried" chicken sandwich from Mendocino Farms, and a throwback to my years living and traveling to Mexico, the Poblano Torta, from Loteria's Grill "Torta Company."
To end a perfect lunch, we had Los Angeles-native Sprinkles cupcakes. All yummy, but the S'mores Chai Tea cupcakes both being my absolute favorites.
Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi Sandwich
Mendocino Farms
"Not so Fried" Chicken Sandwich
Mendocino Farms
Torta Poblana
Loteria Grill's Torta Company
Torta Cubana
Loteria Grill's Torta Company
The Mac Daddy
The Melt
Cupcakes
Sprinkles
7th and Fig will be a convenient stop in your excursion of Downtown LA, not only because of it's central location, but for their free seasonal events, and complimentary shuttles to either the Staples Center or the Disney Concert Hall. (Parking is only $5 with validation or free after 5 p.m., and the metro is a short walk away.)
But the best reason to visit 7th and Fig? The food!
Where else can you dine among the beauty of the downtown skyline and pick your lunch, or dinner, from a selection of eateries unique to LA?
Ana Lydia