ANIMAL

I decided to open up this blog with one of my favorite restaurants anywhere, Animal. Animal is the kind of place you go when you want no frills, no sommelier, no ass kissing and food with flavor that will punch you in the face.

Let me begin by describing the overall aesthetic of the restaurant... The store front is black with no sign anywhere to be seen. As you walk in you will notice the bare bulbs, white walls with no art and burnt wood tables. This place will not be trying to get the panties off the girl you're taking here for a first date.

The owners/chefs of this restaurant, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, cook food that will make you crave it like you are 8 months preggers. They are just a couple of dudes that make food they love to eat and if you like it too, great.

I must warn you that the food here can get to be on the heavy side and most everything includes some kind of meat, mostly of the pig variety. That being said, I'd suggest you don't bring your headband wearing vegan friend.

The menu here changes daily. I love this because every time I go, there is something new and interesting to eat. They do keep the most popular crowd favorites on the menu to prevent being tarred and feathered. Let me go into detail about these favorites: BBQ Pork Belly Sandwiches are maybe as addicting as crack(so I've heard). They take baby brick sized pieces of pork belly and braise them for 12 hours, throw some homemade bbq sauce on them with crunchy slaw, finishing it by throwing it all between buttery brioche buns. The result of this is a melt in your mouth bbq sando that makes you want about 35 more before you leave. Another crowd fav is the Fois Gras and Biscuit. This dish is comprised of a large piece of fois gras that is scored and seared on both sides just until it gets to be deliciously brown and crispy. The fois gras is then placed on top of a sweet homemade cornbread biscuit and is topped off with a dirty maple sausage gravy that ties every ingredient together.

In conclusion, Animal is a restaurant that speaks only with its food. It is a place where you can go and feel comfortable knowing that you won't be judged cause everyone is there for the same reason that you are. Kick back, have some wine, enjoy yourself and most importantly... Shut up and eat!


Recommended dishes, fun facts and tips:

Dishes - BBQ Pork Belly Sandwiches, Fois Gras and Biscuit, Pig Ear, Poutine, Flat Iron Steak

Fun Fact - Animal is open until 2am on Friday and Saturday

Tips - Make reservations a couple days in advance or you can sit at first come first serve bar that seats 6ppl.

Animal Restaurant
435 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-9225