Dining Just Beyond the USC Campus

BY MOSAIC / JULY 26, 2019

We LOVE food at Mosaic Communities! That’s why we want you to have a delicious experience before or after your USC classes. So, check out the best places you can go to grab a bite just beyond the USC campus. The good thing is that most are near Metro stations, so it will be very easy for you to try all of them!

Here are Mosaic’s Top 3 Favorite Restaurants:

Border Grill (445 S Figueroa St) : Where creativity takes on traditional Mexican fare and fun cocktails are served in a high-energy space. The colorful murals are the work of artists Su Huntley and Donna Muir, inspired by the festivals, road signs and advertisements of Mexico. Mirroring the chefs’ strong, bold take on Mexican street food, the artists created an equally edgy and contemporary look resembling an urban cantina!

Bottega Louie (700 S Grand Ave) : Pizzas, pastas and small plates in a bright, bustling space, plus weekend brunch and macarons to-go! Bottega Louie is known for its open kitchen and menu of pastas, salads, small plates, pizza and pastries. Additionally, Bottega Louie runs a gourmet market where patrons can purchase packaged foods including confections, chocolates, pasta sauces, dry pastas and preserves. How cool is that?

Clifton’s Republic (648 S Broadway): Low-lit, legendary venue offering cocktails and American plates amid taxidermy & nature dioramas. Clifton’s, the world’s largest public cafeteria and California’s lone survivor from the Golden Age of Cafeterias, is the culmination of five generations of dining innovation. Small plates and rotating classics provide guests a diverse choice of creative selections, allowing Clifton’s to not only re-imagine the cafeteria, but to redefine the experience of dining.

Other cool dining options just outside the USC campus:

El Cholo (1037 S Flower St): Local Mexican chain serving classic dishes and margaritas in a traditional setting since the 1920s.
Lemonade (505 S Flower St): Cafeteria-style chain serving seasonal comfort-food, paired with many types of lemonade.
Mendocino Farms (444 S Flower St): Creative gourmet sandwiches, soups & salads, made with local and seasonal ingredients.
Nickel Diner (524 S Main St): Cozy vintage-style diner that serves updated versions of old-school comfort fare, plus creative desserts.
The Original Pantry Café (877 S Figueroa St): Casual cash-only diner, open since 1924, dishes up ample portions of American eats around the clock.
Wokcano (800 W 7th St): Serves sushi rolls and other Asian-fusion favorites in a lively atmosphere.

So, no matter what mood you’re in, trust us when we tell you that you will always find a terrific dining experience just beyond the USC campus area.
Bon Appétit!

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