Kymberleigh Richards'
Eating Guide for Valley Transit Users

As someone who uses public transit exclusively, I tend to look for places to eat that are easily accessed by public transit. Over the years, I have found a few "gems" which I feel are worthy of sharing. I have listed them alphabetically by name and included directions via transit. I do not receive any kind of compensation for any of these (nor do you get any "specials" for mentioning me), and you won't find any chicken eateries (I can't eat poultry) on the list. The address links will open Mapquest maps in a separate window.

Abe's Deli, 19626 Nordhoff St., Northridge: Their sandwiches are obscenely humongous (I've never eaten there and not had to take part of my meal home in a doggie bag), and the waitresses are your best guide as to what's best today. (½ block east of the Metro 166 and 243 stop at Nordhoff/Corbin.)

Beeps, 16063 Sherman Way., Van Nuys: A Valley landmark, Beeps (no apostrophe) celebrated 50 years of operation in 2006. In typical drive-in fashion, just about everything you could think of -- including breakfast -- is on the menu, and none of it disappoints. If you plan on being a frequent visitor, ask for a Beeper "free fer" card, which entitles you to a free sandwich or burger after you've bought 12. (Literally at the Metro 163-363, 169 and 237 northeast corner stops at Sherman Way/Woodley.)

China Olive, 9224 Reseda Blvd., Northridge: I am not a big Chinese food eater, but this buffet-style, all-you-can-eat restaurant has a wide variety and is a great value. (One block north of the Metro 166-364, 167, 240, Rapid 741 and Northridge DASH Reseda/Nordhoff stop.)

Happy Dogs, 6235½ Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys: It doesn't look like much from the outside, and some of the tables and plastic chairs are on the sidewalk, but the food is great ... in fact, this shack is very popular with the government workers in the offices across the street. If the weather is nice, consider ordering your food "to-go" and eating across the street along the Erwin Street Mall. (Four blocks north of Van Nuys Orange Line Station, three blocks south of the Metro 164 and Rapid 761 stop at Van Nuys/Victory, midway between the Metro 233, 237 and Van Nuys-Studio City DASH stops at Van Nuys/Sylvan and Van Nuys/Delano, on the west side of the street.)

Judy Deli & Venezia Pizza, 7205 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys: Okay, I admit that I've never actually set foot inside here, but I have ordered their pizza online for home delivery and it's decent. (The website always has several offers; I've seen them offer two medium pizzas for only a buck more than the menu's single pizza price.) (On the northwest corner of Van Nuys Blvd./Sherman Way, in the strip mall adjacent to the westbound Metro 163-363 stop.)

Lido Pizza, 15232 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys: Don't let the name fool you; this is a full-fledged Italian restaurant where pizza only takes up a small corner of the menu (although I know people who believe their pizza is the best on the planet). Their pasta is marvelous. (Just east of the Metro 164, 234, 237 and Rapid 734 stop at Victory/Sepulveda.)

Little Toni's, 4745 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood: You simply will not believe the pizza at this restaurant, which has been family-owned for more than a generation. (At the Metro 156 and 224 stop at Lankershim/Vineland/Camarillo, at the tip of the triangle formed by Lankershim and Vineland on the south side of the intersection.)

Nat's Early Bite, 14115 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys: This is a genuine, old-fashioned coffee shop, with good food at reasonable prices. If you are there for breakfast, try one of their large scrambles! The current owner, who started there as a busboy before purchasing it in 1983, has just opened a breakfast/lunch-only spinoff in Canoga Park, which we hope to get to soon. (On the northwest corner of Burbank and Hazeltine Blvds., near the stops for Metro 156 and LADOT 549 and Van Nuys-Studio City DASH.)

Tortilla Inn, 18114 Parthenia St., Northridge: The food is far better than the rather corny name of the restaurant implies (and so are the margaritas, according to dining companions who enjoy them), and the tortilla chips never stop coming, regardless of what you order. (In a strip mall on the southwest corner at the Metro 239 stop at Lindley/Parthenia.)

More listings to come in the future; if you'd like to suggest a location, please use the feedback form.