Downtown's Delicious Duo

By Sara Ibranossian

A feast for your eyes | Photo by Sara Ibranossian for 10thStreetLA

About two years ago I was transferred to the beautiful and vibrant Downtown Los Angeles for work. Despite the horrendous commute every morning and evening from the Valley and back, I was transported into a new realm of living having been dropped into the center of this gorgeous metropolitan area and its bevy of unique restaurants, delicious food and stunning historic buildings.

Pete’s Café and Bar was one of my first introductions to a new way of dining in Downtown, and I couldn’t think of a better first.


Situated on the corner of 4th and Main streets, Pete’s offers anything you could want in a meal and restaurant: Great food, beautiful views and ornaments of decorative lights connecting the streets. It’s a charming sight…dare I compare it to New York.

One of Pete's strengths - and one of the many reasons I continue to return - is the blue cheese fries, a side dish that has been transformed among friends from a mere accompaniment to a phrase synonymous with deliciousness. Once you’ve gone, you’ll understand, but here's why: Pete’s has perfected a fine twist to cheesy fries, and, although some may disagree, they have perfected it. Other restaurants have tried to re-create this with their perfume infused truffle oils and strange combinations of cheese toppings but none have succeeded. Other attempts seem to always fall short, missing the pizzazz. Nothing more magnificent than what Pete's has done, with their shoestring golden daggers covered in subtle blue cheese, can be done to fries without completely adulterating the potato.

Now, I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of blue cheese, which can be a bit too pungent and moldy for my taste. But what happens on top of these potato strings is fantastic. The flavor of the cheese becomes subdued in its melted state, transforming into an amazingly mild and creamy taste and texture. This is a marriage made in heaven. How these fries keep their form without becoming too soggy and inedible is a phenomenon.

When you visit, I would recommend going all in with the Hellman Burger. The delicious, grass fed beef patty is always tender, tasty and best as-is filled with fresh tomatoes, onions and a crisp leaf of lettuce with a generous slice of fontina cheese and a tomato aioli on the side.

Pete’s won’t disappoint. It’s a neighborhood favorite catering to the working class conducting business meetings over lunch, while keeping up with the young crowd looking for a late night meal on a Friday night.

After you down a delicious burger and unbelievable fries, head across the street for the most amazing cupcakery you’ll ever encounter. Big Man Bakes specializes in perfection and, like the blue cheese fries, they cannot be topped.

The cupcakes are almost as good as the story behind the shop. William "Chip" Brown and his 6'5'' frame was practicing medicine before entering the baking business. Legend has it that he would whip up a batch and offer them to colleagues at the hospital, baking at his leisure. Word spread of the big man's cakes as Hollywood came calling and, eventually, a brick and mortar shop was planted where his lab background helped Brown concoct a cupcake that carries with it among the most delicious reputations in Los Angeles.

Almost as tall as the sky-high buildings in Downtown, each cupcake is monstrously big - big enough to satisfy any of the 10 flavors you’re craving. Big Man's most popular cupcake, naturally, is Red Velvet. But they offer a variety of other flavors, such as Caramel Apple (chunks of Granny Smith apples in a spice cake and with caramel frosting), Mounds (cohoclate cake with a buttercream/coconut frosting) and, of course, Old School, which is anything but ordinary.

They also have daily specials, meaning you may see cupcakes laced with Nutella or a green cake in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. These cupcakes are so moist, the cake practically melts in your mouth and each one is topped with a frosting that has just the right texture and sweetness.

In order to truly appreciate this confection, you should know that this level of moisture in a cupcake is not easy nor does it just happen by following a Betty Crocker recipe. Having baked trays upon trays of the miniature treat myself, I can tell you there’s a science behind it all. Big Man has it down.

Pete’s Café and Bar is located at 400 S. Main St. Los Angeles, 90013. This is their menu. Big Man Bakes, across the street, is located in Downtown at 413 S. Main St., Los Angeles, 90013. This is their menu.

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