"I’m going to Los Angeles” and “I’m going to eat so much dairy" aren’t exactly phrases that go hand in hand. But LA has a long and loving history with dairy. In the 1950s, Los Angeles County produced more milk than any other county in the US. Though
you won’t see cows chewing cud next to Hollywood Boulevard, restaurants throughout LA are making milk the star of their menus.
From hot fudge sundaes at an old fashioned soda fountain to ice cream covered in spicy, cheesy toppings, here are some of the most delicious milk dishes in Los Angeles.
A Travel Diary of LA's Best Creamy Treats
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Domi
Domi, a New York transplant that opened in LA in 2020, has an array of Instagrammable baked goods. The profiteroles are perfect and the mirror cakes look like they belong in a museum. But the biggest hit might be their savory buns. You’ll never feel the same about an everything bagel after Domi’s Everything Bun. Made with housemade Japanese milk bread, the bun is covered with everything seasoning, garlic butter, and garlic cream cheese. Garlic butter and garlic cream cheese? What else could you want in this world?
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Churros Calientes takes churros seriously. The eco-friendly restaurant uses all-natural ingredients and more importantly, covers their fried confections in incredible toppings. Plus, they offer an array of coffee specials and hot drinks to pair perfectly with your churro. Try their Spanish churro covered in dulce de leche or sweetened condensed milk. Or go for a churro sundae with vanilla bean gelato and your choice of housemade topping. Complete your meal with a cortado leche y leche (espresso with two types of milk!) or Chocolate Caliente. Their fresh-made Spanish drinking chocolate is far richer than your average cup of hot cocoa, yet doesn’t overwhelm you with sweetness.
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Churros Calientes
The Tipsy Cow serves comfort food favorites like burgers, nachos, and mac ’n cheese. But the highlight comes from the most literal interpretation of their name — boozy milkshakes. There are at least eight deliciously unique milkshakes on the menu every day and you can add liquor to all of them! The shake names are inspired by ’80s and ’90s films like "National Lampoon’s Vacation" and "Revenge of the Nerds." Try the Good Talk Russ (vanilla ice cream, banana, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff) with rum or the What the Fudge is a Frush (vanilla ice cream, nutella, banana) with a shot of vodka. Or, if you’re in the mood for a non-alcoholic dessert, order the bananas Foster bread pudding a la mode or the seasonal shake of the month.
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Tipsy Cow
In business since 1915, this South Pasadena staple is a classic old school soda fountain, serving lime rickeys, phosphates (an old timey soda known for a tart kick), kitschy retro keepsakes — and prescriptions! It’s still a working pharmacy, so you can get a side of ibuprofen with your side of fries. Fair Oaks always offers classics like hot fudge sundaes, hand dipped malted milkshakes, and old fashioned egg creams too. Despite what the name suggests, an egg cream contains neither egg nor cream, just soda water, milk, and ice cream — and the fizzy chocolate milk is surprisingly refreshing. Or try an in-house concoction like the Arroyo (a scoop of vanilla ice cream covered in hot fudge and a scoop of chocolate covered in marshmallow topping) or the Mission (a scoop of chocolate and vanilla covered in hot fudge and hot butterscotch) and enjoy the nostalgic vibes.
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Fair Oaks Pharmacy
Want ice cream covered in Cheetos served next to a car dealership? It sounds crazy but it’s actually Krazy Cup Munchies Bar. The Downtown LA location is inside a local car dealership, so you can check out new wheels and enjoy a mango ice cream covered with Takis and Clamato! Okay, that might not be the best combination, but with over 70 toppings to choose from, you’ll definitely walk away with a one-of-a-kind dessert. Get a squat cup (16 ounces), krazy like your ex (20 ounces), or krazy like your MOMMA (24 ounces) and fill it to your heart’s content, or get shopmade creations like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shake or Circus Animal shake topped with cookies and cotton candy.
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Krazy Cup
La Monarca is a popular Mexican bakery with locations throughout Los Angeles. From tres leche cake to dulce de leche empanadas, La Monarca has almost too many delicious milky treats to choose from. Try the buttery mini palmier cookies, cinnamon hojarasca cookies from Northern Mexico, or a slice of their housemade flan in caramel sauce. Top it off with a blended champurrado latte. The frozen mocha with a hint of cinnamon doesn’t overpower the cookies, cakes, or sweet empanadas, but it does give you a caffeine kick to power you through the next round of La Monarca goodies.
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La Monarca Bakery
CREDITS
Written by Amber Petty
Edited by Christie Rotondo
Illustration by Kate Prior
Art Direction by Meg Konigsburg
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