Getting Our Daily Dose

The wonderful folks at the Daily Dose Cafe and our friends at SoCal Bloggers invited me and my hubby for a blogger tasting.  What follows is my true and honest review - with input from my hubby.

Varying salads and side dishes, including couscous and kale salad

It's not often that we venture east of Hollywood.  Although it's a trek driving from the Westside, it's mostly because we have yet to find a restaurant that is worth driving an hour to get to.

I know, I know, we tend to be snobbish about that "one" small detail when it comes to dining out.

It goes without saying that when my friends at SoCal Bloggers invited my hubby and me for a blogger tasting, I really had to think about it: A) I'm still donning my beautiful, yet completely uncomfortable, walking boot.  B) It was a drive.

But venture out we did.  In the middle of the day. On a Saturday afternoon.
Yes it was a drive, and parking can be a royal pain in the rump, but once we arrived at Daily Dose -which was mostly a long alley adorned by lights, exposed brick, and a mish mosh of varying tables and chairs- it was completely worth it.
Trust me, it was.
Now, for those that are not fans of dining al fresco, don't fret, there was also a very large private room that was, well, not private.  Correction: on Saturday afternoon it was, but any other day of the week, it isn't.  So use and enjoy.
Everyone, and I mean everyone that works at Daily Dose is completely focused on giving you the best dining experience. 
Don't know what to order?  No worries, they will make suggestions.  Can't decide between sandwiches or need to know if anything might cause your allergies to flair-up? Don't fret!  Everyone from the manager (who I swear we've connected on another - or several - other occasions), to the barista will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy every last morsel your lips come in contact with.
Which brings me to the food: simple menu (salads, blended fruit drinks, and their signature sandwiches), made with artisan ingredients in a delightful creative way.

The daily special: Braised lamb stew with fried egg.
This dish changed my life.

Who knew that something healthy could make my (fast-food-eating) hubby into a foodie tailspin.  No joke.
Not only is the food, well, incredibly good (and I don't say this often), it's GMO free, locally raised, healthy, and nothing is brought from outside of California. I was also quite impressed to find out that 75% of the produce and other food items, are local, rBST and/or organic.
The Daily Dose goes as far as to not provide or make anything with tortillas because they can't find a non GMO corn supplier. 
No joke.
Want to know something that really threw me in for a loop?  Nothing is sweetened with sugar. Nothing.  From agave nectar to the fruits own sweetness, the Daily Dose is serious about making the healthiest, and damn good tasting, food...with a realistic price point.  
Get this - NOTHING is priced over $15, and the majority of the dishes and smoothes are $10 or less.

"The Guildsmith" sandwich, the Daily Dose version of a grilled cheese:
pan-fried akawi cheese, avocado, tomato, serrano peppers, feta cheese, arugula & sauce verte served on a ciabatta.

"The Tailor" fra' mani rosemary roasted ham, fiscalini cheddar, house pickles, sauce verte & mustard on a baguette.

Luis Sierra Campos, a proud Angelino and Latino no less, is serious about the food he serves at Daily Dose. Ask him about any one of his creations, and he will literally go into great detail about his local suppliers, how he educates vendors, and get this, is even in the process of opening (if that is the correct term) a garden - in the middle of the Arts District - to grow his own produce.  

Oh, it gets better, and to help the local community eat healthier food.

I'm sold and my hubby can't stop raving about the food.
I guess we're venturing East - again - much sooner than later.

Michael Walsh from Eating Around SoCal Blog and Luis Sierra Campos, the owner and founder of Daily Dose Cafe

To view more photos of our dining experience, stop by my Facebook and Instagram.

Daily Dose Cafe
1820 Industrial Street #104 (Walk through the alley)
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 2281-9300

Reservations: Not necessary

Hours: 

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
After hours: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Price:

$15-$20 per person, including non-alcoholic drink
Find & follow the Daily Dose Cafe:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DailyDoseIncTwitter:  https://twitter.com/tweetmydoseInstagram:  http://instagram.com/dailydosecafe