I like meeting up with foodies over meals because we all know what to expect. For instance, when the food arrives for non-foodies, they eat. Simple right? That doesn’t go down with foodies. Instead, when plates arrive no one touches them unless it’s to reposition them for a photo. But the best part about meeting up with other foodies is that you can do it pretty quickly. Unlike making friends or dating, you don’t have that awkward period where days pass before anyone calls, you don’t have to ask multiple Diane Sawyer style questions to see if you have mutual interests, and there’s little struggle in finding a place to meet. Instead, with foodies, you take a look at their social pages and then derive answers to your basic questions. How much do you like food? Are you local to me? Are you going to throw me in your windowless van and try to kill me at the Santa Fe Dam? If you can pass that rigorous test, then we’re hanging out. Last week, Scott of Locals Only cleared my foodie/potential murderer exam and we met up at Mohawk Bend in Echo Park for dinner. I guess that means I passed his test too, unless he doesn’t have one. Wait, I have a windowless van. Kidding, I have windows in the front.

A few years ago when I started working in this part of Echo Park, I came across Mohawk Bend. I never stopped in the restaurant to eat and really have no idea why. Having a food blog now has given me every reason to eat at a restaurant I’ve only noticed in passing. Finally walking into the restaurant, I could see why people love it. It’s a spacious with a luxurious decor. Considering that it’s on the cusp of Echo Park and Silver Lake, the place is a hipster delight. The kind of hipster spot where the guys have rugged tattoos and handlebar mustaches and the girls wear Warby Parker glasses for men. But that’s not me talking badly about the restaurant, it’s the opposite. Because if I could grow a mustache, trust that the tips would curl. And I also own a pair of Warby Parker glasses for men–Wiloughby, Tennesee Whiskey to be exact. So clearly, this place was perfect for me.

Once I was done looking over the restaurant we sat down to order. Scott gott the OMG Thang (14). The flatbread pizza had sausage, short rib, bacon, mozzarella, cherry tomato, and jalapeno. I didn’t dive into it because we just met and I didn’t need to look like a fat kid. Instead, when I took pictures of it, I let the fragrance of the pizza waft my way. It smelled and looked delicious!

I acted like an adult and I ate only what I ordered. I didn’t go the pizza route, but got a sandwich instead. I ordered Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich ($12). It had a thick and juicy piece of fried chicken and it was topped with radicchio slaw, jalapeno-mustard, house made pickles, and came with a side of fries. The chicken was crispy on the outside with tender meat. I usually don’t like slaw of any kind, but the one served here wasn’t too bad. I’m not sure what part made it agreeable to my taste buds, but it blended well with the fried chicken and I ate it quickly. The fries were also made perfectly. They were just like the chicken–crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I didn’t finish the sandwich in that seating, there was a lot on my plate. I had the rest of it the next day and it was just as good as it was the day before.

Mohawk Bend is great restaurant, but it’s unfortunate that it took me so long to find that out. I’m glad I finally stepped inside to see what it looked like and that I got my own take on the menu. It’s a place where people sit and stay thanks to the nice decor and the comforting food. It will be a place that I continue to visit in order to get my fodie fix. Yes I should have gone in a long time before, but it’s better late than never.

Follow Them.
Address: 2141 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: (213) 483-2337
Hours: Monday through Thursday – 11:30am to 12:00am or later, Saturday – 9:30am to 2:00am, Sunday – 9:30am to 12:00am or later
Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter