Getting Lunch for Writers' Rooms in Sherman Oaks
Being a PA (Production Assistant) has its ups and downs, but there’s nothing more unnerving and stressful than getting lunch for everyone. As a writers’ room PA I got lunch for between five and thirteen people every day, and while some of my co-workers had tips and tricks to get me through the process, a lot of the knowledge I gained from coordinating this task was learned firsthand. Hopefully, if you’re working in the Sherman Oaks area, this list and the below tips, will help you navigate this tricky task.
Tips
Never panic. Even if you’re running late, even if there’s no parking, all the food is wrong, and you’re on the brink of disaster, you must remain calm. More panic lends to more mistakes.
Always label the containers of food with names and always ask the restaurant to do so. You will not remember whose is whose after you get back, trust me.
Never trust the restaurant. Even if they’ve made it right a hundred times, or they’re highly recommended, or everything looks right, or the order is already packed up, do not trust that everything is right. Check that all the food is right and properly labelled with names. Do not worry that the restaurant workers will be angry with you for not trusting them. They would rather rush out and to fix their mistake while you’re still in the restaurant than have you angrily calling them after you’ve already gotten back to the office.
Always treat the restaurant staff with complete respect and gentility. Besides the fact that you generally get better service and even freebies from being good-natured and sweet, they also deserve every nicety you can muster. Trust me, as someone who has worked in food service, a compliment or a bit of understanding can go a long way.
Create a checklist of items that you need before getting lunch to ensure that you’re well prepared. My lunch runs always precipitate the need for the office keys on a lanyard around my neck, my car keys, wallet, phone, the physical lunch order, a sharpie marker, sunglasses, and gum. Each of these items helps in dire situations.
If you’re going to a new restaurant always over-plan: look up parking options on Google Maps, call as early as you can, arrive early, check the weather, dress accordingly, and forewarn support staff that you may be late back. Inconveniences that often arise include: the restaurant being out of a dish, the menu has changed, the parking lot is full, the order might be wrong or missing something, etc.
Try to learn the staff’s preferences. On our staff we had someone with multiple allergies who preferred only a couple of different dishes. Another person constantly favored salmon dishes, and another mostly got salads. Once you become accustomed to the rhythms of ordering it will be that much easier to get everything back properly labelled and organized.
It’s always easier to phone in an order rather than use a second party online service. Postmates and Grubhub don’t account for a knowledgeable human on their end who might point out something wrong with your order. They also don’t account for restaurant closures or menu changes.
Make sure the receipts you get back have an itemized list of the food and also state your choice of payment. If these are incomplete, accounting will ask that you go back to the vendor and get a new receipt, which is a pain in the ass. My advice is to keep every physical food order just in case.
And finally: Don’t worry if you mess up. It’s a task that should be relatively easy, but it is actually very stressful and hard. You’re going to make mistakes. It happens. If you have a good group of co-workers, they will understand. If you have a hostile workplace, I apologize for the vitriol that will come at you, but you shouldn’t take it personally. You will improve, and become organized, and figure out your method through this Hollywood madness. Do not fret and enjoy reading this easy guide to the surrounding area for guidance.
Restaurants
Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill (12905 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Fresh Mexican restaurant that has many healthy options and always tastes amazing. There is a closer location in Sherman Oaks, but I always opt for this one because it has a spacious parking lot and an easy out for getting back into traffic.
Advantages: They always label everything and even go through the order with you. Good parking. Always a crowd pleaser.
Disadvantages: Sometimes their bags are hard to carry and you do need to set the order for 11:45 in case of traffic.
Menu Link: https://www.sharkys.com/food/menus/
California Chicken Cafe (15601 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436)
Comfort food that primarily revolves around rotisserie chicken. There are salads, wraps, and chicken dinners.
Advantages: While the parking lot can be hard to navigate, it is free, and you can almost always find a space before noon. If you put in the order through their website it’s generally all correct and properly labelled by the time you get there.
Disadvantages: It’s always crazy crowded with customers and delivery drivers. It’s sometimes so busy that it’s hard to double check the order, since you have little space to do so. They also mess something up about 50% of the time, though they’re very quick to fix it for you.
Menu Link: https://califchickencafe.com/menu/
The Sherman (14633, 3617, Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
New American cuisine and high tier public house food. The shrimp tacos and sliders are especially loved.
Advantages: The restaurant opens at 11:30 am. If that seems too late for you to order by phone and get back for lunch in time, you can always get there when they open and wait for the food. The restaurant is always empty, there’s nerdy collectibles on the bar, they play ESPN on the TVs, and you can just sit and chill. Great choice for when you’re dead tired and need time to decompress.
Disadvantages: The only good parking is on Vesper and it’s metered, which I always try to avoid because it isn’t covered by my employer. Do not park in the Wells Fargo lot, which has a security guard.
Menu Link: http://theshermanla.com/themenus/
Hamptons 818 (14917 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
Upscale American fare located in a weird shack-like enclosure without a proper roof, complete with heat lamps and raggedy tables. Don’t judge a book by its cover, because the food is actually pretty delicious.
Advantages: They put all the food in wine and food boxes so it’s very easy to carry. They’re very good about getting stuff done in time and it was always a huge hit with staff.
Disadvantages: Their online menus are off-putting and hard to print and disperse to staff. You’ll also need to park on Kester Ave or a surrounding street, which can sometimes be tricky if it’s street sweeping day. If you’re willing to walk a little farther you can also find parking on Saloma Ave or Lemona Ave.
Menu Link: http://hamptons818.com/lunch/
Corner Bakery Cafe (15626 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436)
Chain cafe with salads, soups, and sandwiches. A little below Panera in quality. Very low cost.
Advantages: There’s a huge parking lot that’s almost never full. If it is, there is residential parking one street over on Haskell Ave. They always read back your order three or four times before you personally go through it, and it’s always properly labelled. You can also put it in online and expect it to be perfect when you get there (just make sure you have your receipt when you leave.)
Disadvantages: They don’t have oatmeal or roasted potatoes as a side after 11 am. They cost a lot less than most studio minimums, which people generally don’t like, though if your minimum is closer to $10-$12, this place is perfect!
Menu Link: https://www.cornerbakerycafe.com/menu
Hyperion Public (12969 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Public house food in the American style with a fun mix of breakfast, sandwiches, and salads.
Advantages: There’s never any customers there for a lunch rush, and they always have it done on time and perfectly labelled. The food is really good, the menu is colorful, and most of our staff liked it.
Disadvantages: Parking is often hard to find close by, but there’s always something on Ethel Ave or Mary Ellen Ave. If you’re willing, you can parallel park on Ventura Blvd. (which I am not. I will park residential, even if it’s nearly a mile away because I hate metered parking so damn much).
Menu Link: https://www.hyperionpublic.com/studiocitymenus
Sweet Butter Kitchen (13824 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
It’s a cute and quaint farmhouse kitchen styled cafe. If you’re picking up just go through the left door or ask the host for help.
Advantages: They label everything perfectly, box everything in front of you, and know the ins and out of PA life, so they’re very empathetic to your stress. During my tenure as a PA I met several others PAs for other writing rooms, so it’s also a great place to network. Also, there is always a spot down Matilijia Ave for free residential parking.
Disadvantages: Sometimes they’re a bit busy and you feel like you’re in the way.
Menu Link: http://www.sweetbutterkitchen.com/lunchmenu
Marmalade Cafe (14910 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
Cafe that specializes in breakfast food and California cuisine. Relaxed space with knowledgeable staff and older clientele.
Advantages: The menu is pretty diverse, and everything always tastes great. They always label everything perfectly and even go through the order with you if you ask.
Disadvantages: This is in the same area as Hamptons 818, so the parking isn’t always great but not completely dismal. There is a valet in the back who will park you for free if you’re just picking up, but I feel bad about not being allowed to tip him so I never parked there.
Menu Link: https://marmaladecafe.com/locations/sherman-oaks/
Granville (12345 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Family friendly California cuisine cafe. Very popular with writers’ rooms in Studio City.
Advantages: The food is really good (especially the grilled cheese dipper shareable. Seriously, it’s amazing). There’s parking down Rhodes Ave, in a nice residential neighborhood that feeds back to Laurel Terrace Drive, and then to a stop light for Ventura. There’s also a crosswalk for Ventura that leads straight to Granville.
Disadvantages: Because they’re a Studio City favorite they dictate when you pick up the order, and some writers’ rooms aren’t willing to wait until 1 pm to eat.
Menu Link: http://www.granvillecafe.com/studio-city
The Six Chow House (12650 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Bustling gastropub with an ever-changing menu best known for its happy hour.
Advantage: They have a nice parking lot that always has spots. They always label everything (though the boxes are those stupid paper ones that never close back up properly after they’re opened) and they go through the order with you. The food is also pretty good.
Disadvantage: They don’t open until 11:30 am, but if you call a little early you can put the order in. Their menu is always changing so you may have to have people change their orders while putting it in on the phone, though their current online menu is correct.
Menu Link: http://www.thesixrestaurant.com/menus/
Public School 818 (15300 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
A school themed gastropub with American classics and eclectic fusion cuisine.
Advantage: If you’re working near the Sherman Oaks galleria, this is the closest and best option for lunch. They label everything, even the sauces, and they have a specific person in charge of take-out meals, so they don’t take much time. Their menu is always a hit, and the food is always good. They also have a parking lot in the back.
Disadvantage: Honestly, I can’t think of one.
Menu Link: https://www.psontap.com/menus/ca/ps818/#lunch
Le Pain Quotidien (15503 Ventura Blvd Ste 100, Encino, CA 91436)
French themed chain cafe located right next to California Chicken Cafe.
Advantages: If you’re approximately close to this location, even with a big order, you’re good for the walk back because the bottoms of the bags are lined with cardboard and the handles are thick plastic. The menu is small, so you never get confused. They always label everything perfectly and the staff is very nice. If you have to drive there there’s parking on Haskell Ave.
Disadvantages: If you want a take-out menu you have to go to a location because the ones online are SO unreliable. If you go to Hyperion Public to pick up an order, there’s a Le Pain on the same street, so you can kill two birds with one stone
Lemonade (12401 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Cafeteria style chain that mostly serves fresh California cuisine. Sits across the street from Granville.
Advantages: A lot of the same advantages as Granville, when it comes to parking. They also are very good at labeling, and because the portions are so small there’s often only one bag to carry.
Disadvantages: You need to go to a location for a physical menu. If you pick up at Granville just cross the street and grab one. It’s also a somewhat confusing menu and your best bet is ordering it online, which is always a little unnerving.
Aroma Coffee & Tea Co. (4360 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604)
Housed in a rambling house/cafe in the cutest part of Studio City, this is the most beloved restaurant for many productions.
Advantages: Where to begin? The location is gorgeous, the food is diverse and higher quality, and it is completely beloved by most studios. The staff have a back area just for PAs to come and check out the order. The staff are nearly maternal in their care and skill. If you’re putting in a bigger order and want to reserve a time, your best bet is e-mailing them. Just call and ask for it and keep it on hand for the next time you order from them.
Disadvantage: It’s far from Sherman Oaks. You have to take the 101, which is a beast sometimes. The parking isn’t great, unless you can find metered parking on Moorpark. Otherwise you can always find something on Woodbridge St.. Also, as it is beloved sometimes it gets really packed.
Menu Link: http://www.aromacoffeeandtea.com/menu-1/
Tender Greens (12050 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
A chain restaurant boasting clean, fresh food for a lower price. LOTS of salads and green options.
Advantages: It’s one of the easier choices. The online ordering is super easy to use, there’s a ton of free parking, because it’s in a plaza, the food is always done early, perfectly labeled, and it’s always a hit with staff.
Disadvantages: From Sherman Oaks you have to take the 101, which is sometimes dicey.
Menu Link: https://www.tendergreens.com/locations/studio-city/menu
Coral Tree Cafe (17499 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316)
Cafe chain with a large menu, bakery, and coffee and tea menu. Housed in a barn-like structure in Encino.
Advantages: The menu is large, so there’s a lot of options for a lot of people. The food is always well labelled, and the staff always go through the order with you as they bag it. I’m going to say the parking situation is a positive (even if I sometimes have to park far down Encino Ave) because the neighborhood is extremely quaint and there’s an awesome house at the corner of Embassy Drive that I am obsessed with.
Disadvantages: Going that direction down Ventura always means dealing with city workers, construction, and constant traffic. Set the pickup for 11:45, for sure (If you need to be back by 12:30, which I do). Also, in my opinion, the food isn’t that great. Aroma does a better job with the same sized menu.
Menu Link: http://coraltreecafe.com/encino-breakfast/
Comoncy (12265 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
Quick bite comfort food chain. It’s actually a division of Coral Tree Cafe.
Advantages: The location has valet parking, but make sure to say you’re picking up for 30 minutes or else you have to pay $2, even if you were only gone five minutes. They label everything well and the food is always well received.
Disadvantages: The menu isn’t as large as Coral Tree, and the staff are somewhat curt on the phone.
Menu Link: https://comoncy.com/menus/
Sushi Katsu-ya (16542 Ventura Blvd #100, Encino, CA 91436)
Best known and loved sushi chain in Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City.
Advantages: Yummy sushi that always pleases.
Disadvantages: There are so many: It’s super expensive, there’s no good parking, you have to physically get there at 11:30 am to put in the order (unless you want to chance the phone), and then you have to sit there and wait for them to make it.
Advice: If you want to have secure parking, go to the Ralph’s two blocks away, and walk there. To cut down on confusion have each person’s order put into a separate bag and ask that everyone’s food be labelled. Easiest way to do it and the quickest. Also, triple check the order and the menu before you leave, especially if you haven’t ordered sushi for anyone besides yourself. It really helps.
Menu Link: https://www.katsu-yagroup.com/studio-city-menu/
Other option: The Little IZAKA-YA by Katsu-ya (4517 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
Same chain but this restaurant has a smaller menu.
Advantages: Less choices means an easier time of discerning whose is whose. They have great lunch specials under $15. They have a parking lot in the back.
Disadvantages: I’ve never been able to figure out how to pay for my space in the back parking lot. I usually park at the Whole Foods across the street, which I always feel anxious about. There’s also a security guard there, but he’s very friendly. You should get there at 11:30 am to place the order, and there’s usually already a line to get in fifteen minutes before.
Jinya Ramen Bar (11239 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CzA 91604)
Ramen shop housed in a Studio City strip mall. Not to be confused with Robata Jinya.
Advantages: Seriously good ramen. It’s in a plaza so there’s a lot of free underground parking. They carefully label everything for you and go through the order with you. Also the bags are very strong, though small. You put the order in online and you can trust that it will be perfect when you get there.
Disadvantages: It’s far, so set the order for 11:45. You will have to take the 101 to make it back. The escalators are somehow ALWAYS broken, so sometimes you have to walk up to the 2nd floor to take an elevator down two floors. The printable menu isn’t always great so I often send several links through e-mail so that they can order.
Menu Link: https://jinya-ramenbar.com/locations/detail/studiocity
Tuning Fork LA (12051 Ventura Pl, Studio City, CA 91604)
Small café and bar in the heart of Studio City.
Advantages: They’re never slammed, their menu has a lot of crowd-pleasing favorites, they label everything perfectly, and the staff is very courteous.
Disadvantages: If you’re travelling from Sherman Oaks you will have to take the 101, which is always stressful. They don’t have close parking, so you’ll have to park on Hoffman St. and walk two blocks.
Menu Link: https://tuningforkla.com/Los-Angeles-Studio-City-Tuning-Fork-food-menu?&domain=tuningforkla.com#
Veggie Grill (16542 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436)
Advantages: There’s free valet parking in the back with a one hour validation from the restaurant. If you order online it will all be correct when you arrive.
Disadvantages: They’re vegan, a concession that a lot of staff won’t be onboard with. You will also have to explain to almost anyone who doesn’t regularly eat vegan that it’s vegan because there’s a lot of tofu meats listed on the menu.
Menu Link: https://www.veggiegrill.com/menu.html#downloads
Toast Café (15001 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403)
Beloved local eatery specializing in Mediterranean cuisine.
Advantages: The food is good and the vibe is really chill and laid-back. Lots of great breakfast items. Residential parking is easy to find on side streets.
Disadvantages: Whenever I pick everything up there’s always at least one thing wrong with the order. They don’t really label anything, or have a process for doing it, so I generally have to do it. Last time I didn’t even ask them to do it, instead doing it as they went through the order with me, which was simply easier.
Menu Link: https://menupages.com/toast-cafe/15001-ventura-blvd-sherman-oaks
Artisan Cheese & Wine (12023 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604)
French themed Studio City café and cheese and wine shop.
Advantages: The food is always rich and fragrant, making it a huge crowd-pleaser with staff. They prefer that you e-mail them the order, especially if you want it labelled. You can find parking in the same area as Tuning Fork, down Hoffman.
Disadvantages: It’s a farther destination so you would have to take the 101. People who eat healthier have very little to choose from, though there are several salads.
Menu Link: http://www.artisancheeseandwine.com/cafe-menu/
Remember to enjoy this opportunity, even amidst all the networking, errand running, driving, placing and answering phone calls, fixing hiccups, forgetting your life, and falling deeper and deeper in love with writing and film production. It’s all worth it. Trust me, I would know.
For general questions about getting lunch for productions shooting in LA I would advise checking out the Anonymous PA’s blog:
http://www.anonymousproductionassistant.com/tag/lunch/
If you have any of your own experiences being a writers PA, or any recommendations, leave a comment below so we can build on this existing list.
