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Son of a Gun

Seafood Restaurant$$$$

Mid-City West, Los Angeles

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Son of a Gun

8.4^/10

514

ratings

Ranked #3 for seafood restaurants in Mid-City West
Has a stamp of approval from Bon Appetit Magazine and LA Weekly
"Lobster Roll, Shrimp Toast and Chicken Sandwiches are amazing."(39 Tips)
"The fried chicken sandwich was one of the best I've ever had."(33 Tips)
"Lobster Roll (pictured) and the Shrimp Toast are AMAZING!"(43 Tips)
"Linguine and clams are delicious too and the crispy brussels sprout."(6 Tips)

158 Tips and reviews

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trendy
good for dates
country ham
desserts
shook and vinny dotolo
burrata cheese
healthy food
confit
salads
casual
yogurt
ice cream
fried pork belly
great value
flourless chocolate cake
potato purée
chili
Irish coffee
quinoa
pickles
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LA WeeklyFebruary 27, 2015
Son of a Gun is open until midnight on Friday & Saturday and 11 p.m. during the week, with a menu like linguine and clams with uni, chili & breadcrumbs making it one of the best late-night spots. Read more
goopJuly 30, 2014
While you might have to wait for a seat, the linguine and clams, peel and eat shrimp, insane sashimis, shrimp toast, smoked trout with crackers, and mini lobster rolls fully justify the time spent. Read more
EaterDecember 20, 2016
This behemoth of a fried chicken sandwich is a towering construction of audibly crispy and powerfully seasoned fried chicken, vinegary slaw, crunchy bread and butter pickles, and spicy mayo.
Maina KhojaAugust 4, 2023
Food quality is consistently excellent, their snap peas salad& linguine with clams & Uni r a must. Their fried chicken sandwich is simply delicious.The service is outstanding, & needs reservation.
Upvoted Mar 15
Megan OutlyAugust 3, 2013
The country ham, honey butter, and hush puppies are a must have! My BF and I were near-tears upon our first taste of the beautifully sliced ham! Also be sure to check out their lovely cocktail menu!
olivier PEYREDecember 22, 2017
If you only have one meal in LA, make it Son of a Gun. Go on the later side, ask for a booth, and try all the seafood dishes - especially the Leche de Tigre. Don't forget to make a reservation.
Los Angeles TimesJune 7, 2013
The most popular dish? Definitely the fried chicken sandwich, with coleslaw and what must be the only aioli on the planet spiked with Rooster hot sauce. Read more
ℳ𝒶𝓎♍August 3, 2015
Really fun & scrumptious. Campy interior with an insane amount of nautical memorabilia tacked up on the walls. Can get a bit crowded & noisy but it has a great vibe. Very casual & the food is SUPERB!
Los Angeles TimesAugust 3, 2014
Pig guts are manly, as Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo discovered at Animal. Seafood can also be manly, as at their Son of a Gun, as long as you get rid of the twee beurre blanc and court bouillon. Read more
AT WawaAugust 8, 2016
The hamachi was amazing! The yellow fin tuna with avocado & crisps on the inside was very good too. The fried chicken sandwich wasn't the best I've had. Onion dip & cheese dip were ok.
LA WeeklyNovember 6, 2015
There's fried decadence here, in the form of the much-celebrated, outrageously rich shrimp toast with Sriracha mayo and the even more celebrated fried chicken sandwich. Read more
LA WeeklyNovember 6, 2015
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's quasi-Southern, seafood-focused restaurant is somewhat less frenzied than Animal, their other, more famous business, or Jon & Vinny's, their newer business. Read more
Agathe BarbierApril 4, 2014
The lobsters roll are to die for ! Linguine and clams are delicious too and the crispy brussels sprout. I would recommend ordering two dish per person, three if you are very hungry, The staff is great
Sin-Young ParkMarch 14, 2016
Good ambience, decent food - with a touch of Asian-fusion and friendly staff. Portions are quite small, like a tasting menu. Quite pricey but worth a visit.
LA WeeklyNovember 6, 2015
Son of a Gun's uni with burrata and yuzu, eaten at one of the restaurant's relaxed lunches with sunshine streaming in through the windows, is music to our mouths. Read more
Paul T.August 13, 2016
Not a seafood fan and found a vegetarian and a chicken option. The fried chicken sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. Crispy with tangy cabbage and spice aioli. Don't ask for substitutions.
J GSeptember 24, 2017
The fried chicken sandwich is delicious - not as heavy as I thought it might be. The breading is very light and flaky, and the flavors form an incredible mix!
Glenda FeldenNovember 7, 2012
Absolutely perfect meal. Get the fried chicken sandwich, linguine w/ clams & uni and the hamachi w/ grapes & oranges. Oh, and did I mention the New Zealand oysters? Outrageously good. All of it.
Rachel EkmanSeptember 20, 2012
Fantastic food!! Mostly share plate style dishes. However The lobster rolls are amazing, you won't want to share!! (and they are small) the fried chicken sandwich was out of control good as well!
Justin DeanOctober 22, 2015
My favorite restaurant in LA. Get the shrimp, a salad, whatever crudo they have and dig in to the 70's summer suburb New England beach house vibe.
Odile RoujolNovember 19, 2022
Nice decor. Lobster 🦞 roll. Trout . Sashimi . Just close to Joan the third if wanting an ice cream after or shop
Zach AaronsMay 8, 2012
This is one of the hottest restaurants in LA for good reason. The vibe is cool and nautical and the food is inventive, fresh, and good. I liked the alligator. (3 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
BJ F.April 4, 2013
Great place. The smoked mahi fish dip was excellent and the pork cheek was succulent to boot. Can't wait to come back and try new items. Hip hip hooray, bitches.
Judith CheunJune 15, 2016
I haven't been since it's opened many yrs ago. Foods yummy as I remembered. Consistency is a plus especially with food.
Steven YApril 2, 2013
Get the raw scallops, lobster roll, Dungeness crab, shrimp toast and local rock fish, and finish with the Italian hamburger - perfect portions to share for two
jennifer hanSeptember 25, 2011
yes, the lobster roll and shrimp toast are very good. but my other favorite is the escolar with potato puree, mushrooms, corn, fried pork belly, and chicken jus. i promise, it's magic on a plate.
Barbara GalvezSeptember 25, 2012
Walk-ins around 7pm are easy. If you want a table, apparently 1-2 week adv reservations are needed. 1) chix sandwich 2) blackened rockfish 3) clam linguine were my top faves!
Sharon RonenSeptember 11, 2011
If you can't get a rez, just roll in (early bird gets the lobster roll) and grab seats at the huge community table. Food is fresh, delicious, seasonal, and somewhat tiny but delicious and shareable.
Sarah NelsonFebruary 16, 2013
One of the rare instances where there are 40 items on the menu & I want to order every single thing. Inventive food and spot on cocktails, paired w/ *friendly* -not snobby- service.
Los Angeles magazineJanuary 24, 2012
Plates of sliced Benton’s country ham arrive heaped with warm corn bread and honey butter. Alligator schnitzel is topped with hearts of palm slaw that’s shot through with a Myers’s Rum sauce. Read more
MarcJanuary 30, 2013
Recommended highly. Get a bunch of items (all relatively small) and split. The lobster roll, brussel sprouts, hush puppies and shrimp toast are especially good.
RJ DuganOctober 23, 2015
The hamachi sashimi Is insanely good. Lobster roll is bite size but really good. Fried chicken sandwich is maybe the best I've ever had.
Simple FoodieApril 20, 2021
Hamachi, galbi vinaigrette, apple, radish sprout, Sprouted mung beans & Bigeye tuna, leche de tigre, avocado, tortilla
AskMenMarch 14, 2011
A seafood-driven menu & fun nautical decor to match. The menu changes daily, but earlier this month you could find pink grouper, alligator schnitzel & sardine escabeche on the menu. Read more
Cyndi BerzowJuly 11, 2013
One of the best in LA. Don't leave without getting the scallop, hamachi, fried chicken sandwich and the tuna are amazing. #animalvinny is a genius.
Katie WelchDecember 16, 2012
Fried chicken sandwich, pimento cheese tip, mahi mahi dip, kale salad, lobster roll, ice cream hamburger were all must orders. Yum! Awesome decor, too.
Johnnie SkywalkingSeptember 6, 2015
Raw fish section is so tempting and it's worth picking 2 or 3 from here but never skip shrimp toast.
Leslie CMay 18, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Everything here is good. It's all quite small, except for the fried chicken sandwich, which is inexplicably enormous (and delicious).
Gail HJune 22, 2012
Real ginger beer in their Moscow Mule. Shrimp toast and fried chicken sandwich (sans slaw w onions) - note the chef won't make any adaptations for you!
AmateurConciergeAugust 9, 2016
I love that there's never a wait. Loved the raw tuna in the leche de tigre.
Kevin TMarch 25, 2017
Definitely order the Brussels sprouts, country ham with hush puppies, and of course, the lobster roll.
naveenJanuary 5, 2014
the shrimp toast sandwich was so good i ate the whole thing with my eyes closed. also: fried chicken sandwich; lobster roll.
Amy WJanuary 4, 2013
Smoked mahi mahi with crackers, lobster roll, fried chicken sandwich, shrimp toast, and escarole, all fantastic! Perfect amt for 2.
Justin MatherDecember 22, 2015
You can't go wrong with the hamachi, lobster roll, skate wing, or italian hamburger dessert!
Olivia Sarmiento-BaylenAugust 22, 2013
Expect to burn a hole in your wallet when you eat here. Food is really good but portions are on the smaller side. Try their Pimms Cup drink, it's refreshing!
kim gApril 29, 2013
Lobster Roll is amaze!! And the Fried Chicken Sandwich is finger lickin good!! They also make a great Moscow Mule :0)
Neil RososMarch 11, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Shrimp toast, Lobster Rolls, and Butter Lettuce were my picks, but everything I had here was good. The bartender makes a great Old Fashioned as well!
AT WawaAugust 8, 2016
Banana pudding was ok I'm not a banana fan & the chocolate hamburger was good but I wouldn't say dessert is their strong suit
Patrick FluryOctober 25, 2015
One of the best place I have been recently. The food was delicious and the staff was friendly
MohamedOctober 17, 2015
If you are hungry you will need to order more than 2 sliders

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