Location: Compton
Top Restaurants in Compton
Where to Eat in Compton: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, situated south of downtown Los Angeles. Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 96,455. It is known as the "Hub City" due to its geographic centrality in Los Angeles County. Neighborhoods in Compton include Sunny Cove, Leland, Downtown Compton, and Richland Farms. The city is generally a working class city with some middle-class neighborhoods, and is home to a relatively young population, at an average 25 years of age, compared to the American median age of 35 (2010 data).
Things to do in Compton
1. Eatalian Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By LATraveller77 - Los Angeles
This warehouse-like eatery in Gardena is a most welcome addition to an area sorely lacking in Italian restaurants. It's a downscale version of EATALY, the mega-restaurant operation with locations in Los Angeles (Century City), New York, Chicago, Boston and European cities. For what it is, this is probably the best Italian food in the South Bay, but it's a very low bar. The pizza, for example, is good, but not great. Yes, the crust is thin as it ought to be and yes, thank the food gods, they don't pile on a bunch of artery-clogging toppings, yet... I could be mistaken, but sitting at the counter as I peered into the pizza oven, I'm pretty sure I saw gas flames. There was a "wooden log" towards the front of the oven, but I think that was there for "show" only. I'd bet money the pizza oven is gas-powered. Why does that matter? It matters because that's the difference between wood-fired ovens and gas ovens in terms of how the crust turns out - blistered or not. In this case, NOT. With the flavor you can only get from a wood-burning oven or not. In this case, NOT. As for the pastas, the good news is that they are cooked al dente. BRAVO! Sadly, when it comes to authenticity in pasta, we Italians do not like overly sauced pasta. The pasta I ordered (penne arrabiata) was tasty enough, but badly oversauced. The generous portion was too much for me to eat in one sitting, so I took the leftover pasta home and scraped off most of the sauce the next morning and thoroughly enjoyed it cold out of the fridge - the ultimate compliment to a good pasta. Eatalian features a "house wine" list. Those wines are undrinkable. I'm glad I asked for a taste before ordering a brand name glass of wine from the fairly decently curated wine list. I cannot imagine anyone naming this as a favorite restaurant in America. There are way too many spectacularly good Italian restaurants in Los Angeles alone that are far, far superior to Eatalian ( including Osteria Angelini, Bestia, Jon & Vinny's, L'Opera, EATALY, etc. to name a few), to call this a "best restaurant" in America, but if you substitute the phrase "South Bay," for the word "America," this is by far the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay. For me, I'll go back to Eatalian when I'm in the area, but I wouldn't drive any distance to eat there.
2. Louis Burgers
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By ChalkyDog - Redditch, United Kingdom
We were looking for a place that served great burgers in and around Long Beach for our last meal in the USA before returning home. The hotel porter recommended this place so we thought we'd try it out.
Fast food cooked fresh and plenty of it.
Don't expect gourmet food from here and presentation isn't there strong point.The place is not the cleanest we ate in during our 7 days in the USA but the food tasted good and the staff were friendly.
3. Jongewaard's Bake N' Broil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Max G - Los Angeles, California
This place is always great, especially for pies and other baked goods. Their burgers are also delicious. Every time we get to Long Beach we make sure to stop by. The portions are large and the prices are small.
I think they make the best pies in the Los Angeles area. I'm partial to coconut cream, unless they have fresh peach or strawberry pie.
We also love to bring home some of their frozen chicken pot pies.
4. Coco's Bakery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Matthew J - Buena Park, California
I went with a few colleagues for lunch. Several people ordered salads, and I ordered a sandwich. Service this time and in the past has been reliable, and they are good about things like putting dressing on the side and following other requests. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get.
5. Starbucks
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Furyhorn - San Antonio, Texas
Quick and easy order. Took about two minutes. Friendly staff, order correct, no issues. Facility was clean.
6. Giuliano's Delicatessen
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Debra-Lynne T - Los Angeles, California
What a wonderful place, filled with happy customers! My husband and I enjoyed exploring around this deli. We were surrounded by intoxicating aromas of freshly prepared foods, as well as an attractive case of to-go Italian delights, reasonably-priced wines and creatively fun cheeses. We ordered two dinners, a clam linguini and an oil and garlic fettuccine; a pizza and a bunch of exotic cheeses. The dinners were crazy good. There was so much food that each dinner actually covered four dinners! The garlic in both dishes was the best ever. We baked the pizza in our oven at home and it was yummy! We are enjoying the selection of delicious cheeses from hot wasabi horseradish aged cheddar cheese to natural hot pepper muenster cheese. Due to very limited seating, we had to take everything home. Checkout was efficient and friendly. We have just one warning. Parking is available on the main street in front of the deli but you need to back out very carefully to avoid an accident. Drive carefully and eat well!
7. T G I F
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Trita162 - Long Beach, California
I have visited this location several times before, the service is typically slow but the food has always been good. This time we had the worst waiter ever! He was extremely slow, unprofessional, and unorganized. Even worse the kitchen staff was Also horrible. Our food took a very, very long time and it was not good. The manager said they were backed up on orders. It was obvious, because our meals were prepared wrong and barely edible. I will return again as I am hopeful this was one isolated incident.
8. Pacific Pho Noodle House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Joshua W
Recently started eating this type of food; however, if you are in the area you are in for a treat! My father-in-law ate here for the first time and promised to here again. The customer service is good, but the food is even better. Not to mention the large portion of Pho is only $9; likely will keep you full all day.
9. Pizza Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By rosathomas54 - Compton, California
You can get a great pizza made your way, fresh, for a decent price.and they have an array of drinks to choose from, and they stay open till a descent time. I like it.
10. El Pollo Loco
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Jan M - North Vancouver, Canada
One of the best menu of chicken in my life. The excellent condiments were free and unlimited.
The staff in all the branches we visited were excellent in customer service, friendliness and the performance of their tasks in all functions. All branches were clean. Restroom was clean and well supplied.
My wife, son and myself were always excited to dine at El Pollo Loco for our lunch and dinner.
