California is known for its incredibly diverse and contemporary menus that surged in popularity after the modern food truck movement. The modern restaurant-on-wheels emerged on the streets of Los Angeles, where generations of California natives and immigrants brought some of the best flavors from home.

The state attracts thousands of chefs, farmers, and entrepreneurs with its variety of different ingredients and dishes, some of which you would never find in other states. California serves as the birthplace of canned-soup, fast-food cheeseburger, fortune cookies, and ranch dressing.

So if you're looking for the best restaurants in California, here is a mini-list you need to get you started on your food adventure.

Guerilla Tacos

This Los Angeles food truck has some of the best Mexican dishes in the city. Wesley Avila, a chef trained to master his mother's Mexican soul food and to navigate the pressure in high-end kitchens, has taken his flavors to the streets.

Guerilla Tacos a very extensive menu that includes char siu pork tacos with avocado and sweet potato tacos with corn, feta, and chile. They also offer quick bites such as Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Tostada, which has tarragon oil, cocktail sauce, red onion, and a yellow corn tortilla.

The Guerilla Tacos food truck is often parked in front of LA's hippest cafes. Check out their website to see where you can catch them.

Masa Latina

 

Masa Latina is a Latin American kitchen that offers outdoor seating, delivery, and take-outs. The restaurant is known for serving breakfast and brunch dishes that are packed full of the exciting flavors Latin food is celebrated for.

Located in 1800 W. Yosemite Avenue, the Masa Latina features a wide range of Latin American comfort food, including their bestselling Asada Fries, Asada Tacos, and Flan de Caramelo. They also serve arepas, nuevas pupusas, and empanadas.

The French Laundry

A fine dining restaurant that has been open since 1994, this old stone cottage dining establishment has been considered as one of the holy grails in California. Known for their signature dish of Alaskan King Crab, The French Laundry has attracted the attention of kitchen pros and celebrities alike.

Thomas Keller, chef and owner of The French Laundry, offers two tasting menus. The chef's tasting menu often includes Royal Ossetra Caviar and Sauteed Fillet of Wild King Salmon. The Tasting of Vegetable menus includes Garden Tomato Vine "Consomme" and Roasted Garden Sqaush.

Mister Jiu's

 

Mister Jiu's is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant located in none other than San Francisco's Chinatown. Their menu features the traditional flavors and spices that are fundamental in Chinese cooking.

Their menu options are creative and the food is amazingly delicious. One of the restaurant's bestsellers is their stir-fry smoked tofu that is slathered with oyster sauce, tripe, and tendon. They also offer cocktails named after Chinese virtues-Eternity, Happiness, Courage, Vitality, Presence, Luck, Longevity, and Wealth.

Mister Jiu can be found at 28 Waverly Place, San Francisco, Chinatown.

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