© 2013-2026 Cue the Critic. All rights reserved.

Good food. Honest opinions. Stories from the road.

Independent restaurant reviews, food culture, and travel with Quincy James Freeman, better known as Cue. Based in Los Angeles, curious everywhere.

Every place is judged against its class.

See how Cue scores →

What's Cooking

Somerville, Leftovers Included

by Quincy James Freeman
Free guide · Los Angeles

Where Cue Would Send You

Somebody stops you on the street and asks where to eat in LA, right now. These are the places I name first. Not a ranking. 26 places across the county, grouped by area, with what to order at each one.

  • South Central
  • Inglewood
  • Westside
  • Mid-City
  • East Hollywood
  • Eastside
  • San Fernando Valley
  • Glendale
  • San Gabriel Valley
  • Southeast
  • Long Beach
  • South Bay
It keeps growing. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
South Central

M’Dears Bakery & Bistro

Diner and family dining · Independent

Sweet potato pancakes and chicken wings. I grew up less than seven blocks from here.

Boyle Heights

Mariscos Jalisco

Street food · Independent

The fried shrimp tacos. Where seafood and tacos combine.

Thai Town

Jitlada

Casual and full service · Independent

Crying tiger beef and the morning glory salad. The spot where the night ends.

23 more in the guide →
WATCH

Roll the Tape

Sweet & Spicy Whataburger | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 79

A Broken RV & A Long Day in Columbia, SC | The Road...

The Federal Burger | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 43

Buffalo Bill at Hopdoddy Burger Bar | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 35

Asian Cheesesteak Burger at Slater’s 50/50 | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 36

FROM THE ROAD

YouTube Shorts

A quiet brunch at Toasted Brunch in Beavercreek

Back in Emporia for another Spangles order

Waffle House after a late night pickup

My first Potbelly sandwich and some unexpected heat

Buc-ee’s Brisket: Sandwich vs. Burrito

Fresh Off the Grill

THE ORIGINAL SERIES

The Burger Crawl

Burger King’s Brownie-batter Shake | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 80

by Quincy James Freeman
CLASSIC CUE

Collabs & Appearances

Wreckless Eating – Nickelodeon’s Good Burger Pop Up – Fries, Deep Fried Pickles & Onion Rings

Restaurant Reviews

Somerville, Leftovers Included
by Quincy James Freeman

I’m writing this …

A Seat for One at Lucia
Race, Culture, and Cuisine: A Disappointing Dinner at Alta West Adams
Killer Shrimp Potpie

Cookin’ with Lenny’s Smokehouse BBQ

Holy Aioli Burger at Dog Haus Biergarten [Video]

Chicago Italian Beef Burger at Slater’s 50/50 | The Burger Crawl – Ep. 4

CLASSIC CUE

Meeting Cue Anthony

Taco Bell Doubledilla after Dentist | Meeting Cue Anthony – Ep. 1
L.A. Times’ The Taste 2016 | Meeting Cue Anthony – Ep. 2
Tom Urban’s 5 Minute Frog Legs Eating Challenge w/ FreakEating | (Unedited Version)
 

Reverse Cheat Day

Real Ass Juice Experience | Reverse Cheat Day
Mint Leaf Pasadena with RKVC | Reverse Cheat Day – Ep. 2
Necco, A Japanese Tapas Restaurant | Reverse Cheat Day – Ep. 1
Bacon Brussels Sprouts | Reverse Cheat Day – Ep. 0
© 2013-2026 Cue the Critic. All rights reserved.