Jitlada Restaurant
Thai restaurant · East Hollywood ·
Spicy Southern Thai fare with a massive menu and celebrity fans
Spicy Southern Thai fare with a massive menu and celebrity fans
"When it comes to great Thai food in East Hollywood, your options are pretty much endless. That said, if you only have time to try one spot, make it Jitlada. This iconic family-run restaurant on Sunset Blvd. isn’t just our favorite place to eat Thai food in the neighborhood, it’s one LA’s great restaurants, and a place everyone needs to experience at least once. There’s a solid chance you’ll spot a celebrity or two inside the kitschy, cramped dining room, but even so, the star here will always be Jazz, the legendary owner who still walks around to every table asking if you’re enjoying yourself. Don’t worry, after a meal featuring savory jungle curry, catfish salad, and the off-menu Jazz burger, your only answer will be a resounding “YES.”" - brant cox, cathy park
"Jitlada is one of the best restaurants in LA. It’s also one that - for no apparent reason - a lot of people still haven’t heard of, especially if they live west of the 405. This Thai Town spot gets visitors from around the country, so a drive across the city on Sunset is nothing. It’s best to come with a group that’s not afraid of spice, so you can go big with your order and split everything. And by everything, we specifically mean the crispy catfish salad, the Jazz Burger (it’s not on the menu, but if you ask for it, they’ll make it for you), the pad Thai, the Jungle Curry, and about four rounds of Tsingtao." - brett keating
"It's a kitschy, homey Thai spot in the heart of Thai Town may be slightly no-frills, but it's got a lot of heart—not to mention heat. There are over 300 dishes on the Jitlada menu, so it definitely takes some navigating. One thing you can be sure of, though, is that pretty much all of them are scorchers. Highlights include the Southern dry curry, spicy eggplant, green curry with mussels, fried morning glories, and crispy catfish salad. The showstopper of all of them is the seabass, served whole and studded with loads of punchy ginger. You'll want something to cool your palate, like a sweet Thai tea or a Singha beer. That and a bowl of rice, which actually cools the palate. The staff is loving and attentive and will make you feel right at home. Owner Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong is the Thai auntie you always wished you had." - Celeste Moure
"You’ll find Jitlada in a well-worn strip mall, but its loyal following is a testament to the lingering reputation of this long-standing Southern Thai institution. The setting even has a touch of Hollywood; next to their framed awards and reviews, find illustrations by the Simpsons creator (and Jitlada super-fan)—Matt Groening. The menu, split between Thai standards and a selection of southern specialties, is nothing shy of gargantuan, but certain dishes jump off the page. A zingy salad of crispy catfish and green papaya is a favorite, and don’t miss unique offerings like the bubbling-hot Taepo chicken curry with and tender morning glory stems, rich with coconut milk and aromatic warm spices, or the enticing array of “Spicy Thai Dipped Dishes.”" - Michelin Inspector
"LA does Thai food better than any other city in America, and Jitlada is the best of the best. It’s the spiciest of the best. Its decor is the kitschiest of the best. And most importantly, its corkage fee is the lowest of the best. This restaurant doesn’t just set the bar for LA Thai food - it’s constantly raising it." - kat hong
