Caitlin White
Staff Writer
Although a certain health-crazed consciousness seems to have crept into the very corners of every pantry this side of Texas, a few beacons of wonderful, down-home, deep-fried food remain — even in Malibu. Students must band together and admit that being unhealthy is sometimes great — even if all of Malibu condemns it. Fight back against the kick-boxing, yoga-posing, organic food-eating brain-dead of the world and go your own way. The tried and true grease joints of Los Angeles are surviving for a reason, and, if one plans to survive those 18 units and the weekly phone calls from parents, fast food will be a must. So, go check out this amazing grub.
Lily’s Café & Pastries
Hardly anyone goes here for the pastries (that’s so Valley). The only real reason to go to Lily’s is for the burritos — specifically, the breakfast burritos.
Feeling a little low from last night’s activities (or lack thereof)? Simply head to the almost literal hole in the wall right near Point Dume. Although nothing special to look at, this egg, bacon and bean concoction will have you wondering why it shares a name with the drab knock-offs that Taco Bell serves.
Lizeth Ramirez, who has worked at Lily’s for three years, said she loves her job because the customers show their appreciation.
“When the customers get here, they usually see other people they know, and everyone is just really nice,” Ramirez said. “They really show how much they love Lily’s, and it makes it nice to work here.”
Ramirez said one of the secrets to Lily’s magic is the fact that the recipe is half Mexican, half Salvadoran. It’s an unlikely, but spectacular, combination that has saved the sanity of many students.
Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles
This restaurant might be a good choice if one is from a state that still embraces lard with loving arms. That is right — southern cooking. Renowned for it’s unlikely combination of fried chicken and waffles, “dining with Scoe” is an experience in itself. The founder of this infamous Harlem-born restaurant, Herb Hudson, is actually a Pepperdine alum, which is just another reason to make the drive to downtown and get a piece of the action. Senior Ashley Burt defends the bizarre pairing, Hudson serves.
“I know it sounds gross, but it’s delicious,” Burt said. “People always doubt you whenever you say it, but you can’t talk until you’ve tried it.”
Just one whiff of the homemade waffle, sugary maple syrup and fried chicken is enough to win over most. So, see if it is possible to master half of a chicken and two waffles with syrup, because most of the customers can order this and more. For sides, the cornbread, macaroni and cheese and 60 cent biscuits are recommended.
Neptune’s Net
This county-line hangout offers not only delicious seafood, but also the chance of spotting a fresh catch of surfers stopping in for dinner. Then again, it is also a prime biker spot, so the eye candy can be hit or miss. The food and atmosphere, however, are guaranteed to satisfy, whatever mood you’re in.
Arleene Solis has worked at Neptune’s Net for 21 years, and said she can’t imagine working anywhere else.
“It’s beautiful out here, and it’s so casual you can watch the waves while you eat,” Solis said.
Her personal favorite dish is “the Net’s” fish tacos. Though she said the restaurant offers un-fried foods, like her favorite plate, the traditional greasy foods seem to be the winners for most guests.
“Most of our customers prefer the deep-fried stuff, though, anyway,” she said.
It’s easy to see why, with a shrimp, fish, crab and fries combo for $13.75, even dead-beat Malibu locals can afford to indulge.
Pink’s Hot Dogs
There’s something to be said for a hot dog stand that has been in business for 69 years. The “family owned hot dog stand” has been serving up its homemade chili and incredible hot dogs for almost as long as John McCain has been alive.
With its own tiny parking lot, a line that’s substantial even up until it closes at 2 a.m. and the best white plastic furniture your local Big Lots has to offer, Pink’s certainly makes an impression. Although it may not be the place to take aloof friends, Pink’s has hot dogs that deliver.
Junior Abby Uhrinak said she was impressed with the chili-dogs.
“We waited in line for forever, but when I got my dog I couldn’t even see the bun because there was so much chili on it,” Uhrinak said. “You definitely have to eat it with a fork.”
With celebs from Bill Cosby to Martha Stewart frequenting the brick, dilapidated venue, it is apparent that where there is a good product, people will flock. So, grab those quarters saved for the Coke machine, and take that $3.10 down to Pink’s.
09-25-2008