PAUL’S KITCHEN IS TOMMY LASORDA’S FAVORITE CHINESE RESTAURANT IN DTLA

Tommy Lasorda is a legend, so if you read an article that says Paul’s Kitchen is Tommy Lasorda’s favorite Chinese restaurant in DTLA, you have to try the place out, right?  Well, we did.  Paul’s Kitchen is located on So. San Pedro Street a part of the Fashion District that I would recommend you not walk around at night.  Luckily, Paul’s Kitchen has a parking lot.  The restaurant dates back to the 1940’s and when you walk in the place, you take a trip back in time.  There is an old-style diner counter and vintage black and white head shots of people, most of who I don’t recognize.  It’s a family owned restaurant and when you arrive you are greeted by someone who is probably related to the “Paul” of Paul’s Kitchen.  It’s total kitsch, and it’s not even trying.

On the menu is the “Tommy Lasorda Special.”  It’s $12.50 a person, with a two person minimum, for a laundry list of food including soup, egg rolls, chasu, spareribs, asparagus with beef, Kung Pao chicken and house special fried rice.  We ordered it and the parade of plates started.  It was a lot of food for two people.

It was not the best Chinese food I have ever eaten, but I don’t think you go to Paul’s Kitchen for the food.  You go in hopes of dining at a table next to Tommy Lasorda.  We were not that lucky.

Paul’s Kitchen 1012 So. San Pedro Street (at 10th Street) 213.749.5004