Top 7 Places to Spot a Celebrity on an Empty Stomach

7) The Original Farmer’s Market at Third Street and Fairfax.

This is one of those places where celebrity sightings are a “well-known secret.” I’m there at least once a week, and I see famous people there about half of the time. It’s not necessarily the kind of place where you would want to approach a celebrity for conversation or an autograph. I’m there to relax, enjoy some good food and people-watch. I have to assume that the same goes for the famous people. In fact, I’ve talked to a lot of people about this, and there seems to be a unspoken rule that you should not bother the movie/TV stars. Look, but don’t touch. These are celebrities in their natural habitat.

What to eat: Get an iced tea (no lemon) and an Apple Fritter at Bob’s Coffee and Donuts. It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with food at The Farmer’s Market, but if I had to pick one treat, this would be it. If you aren’t in the mood for sweets, get 2 crunchy beef tacos at Magee’s.

6) Amoeba Music in Hollywood

For some reason, I’ve seen Johnny Knoxville there 3 times. But I see other famous people just about every time I go. I have a 99-cent vinyl addiction, so I can spend hours filing through the discount record bin.

What to eat: Next door at the Arclight Cinema, there is a cafe in the lobby that’s open from 11:30 AM to 12:30 AM. The food is decent (I recommend sticking to the appetizers), and the prices are reasonable.

5) Scientology Celebrity Center Sunday Brunch in Hollywood

I’m not so much recommending this as much as I’m suggesting that its creepiness level needs to be experienced to be believed. In all fairness, the food is really good, and it’s only about 20 bucks if you mention the coupon from their website. Also, if, like me, your last name is Hubbard (no relation), you get some serious double-takes from the person running your credit card. After you finish eating, you are asked if you would like to tour the facility. Do it. Don’t be scared. Just do it.

Where to eat: The buffet, of course.

4) Vidiots Video in Santa Monica

This one sounds weird, but I’ve seen more celebrities here than anywhere else in all of Los Angeles. The  main reason is because tons of famous people live in Venice, and Vidiots is the only decent video store in the neighborhood. In all fairness, I used to work there, so I probably have an advantage over the average joe browsing the aisles, but several of my out-of-town guests have experienced a good celeb-sighting after having been there for only a few minutes. Plus the windows of the store are painted by the awesome local artist Patrick McGilligan, so that’s worth the trip alone.

Where to eat: The bowling alley diner next door. Bay Shores Lanes is right across 4th street from Vidiots, and the whole place kind of reminds you of The Big Lebowski (though the film was shot elsewhere). The diner is overpriced, and the food isn’t very good. So why am I recommending it? I have no idea. I have been told by an insider that if you are really nice to the staff at the diner, they will let you order the awesome tacos that don’t appear on the menu. But don’t tell them I sent you.

3) Philippe The Original in Downtown Los Angeles

This is my favorite restaurant in all of Los Angeles. It’s not a celebrity hot spot with food nearby. It’s an awesome French Dip joint with food so good that it attracts celebrities and regular people alike from miles around. With sawdust on the floors, friendly counter ladies (called “Carvers”), and 9-cent coffee, you can’t go wrong. I kick myself every time I realize that Los Angeles Foodie hasn’t done a full review of Philippe’s. I will soon. I must.

Where to eat: At the counter, obviously. Get a beef sandwich, double-dipped, with blue cheese. On the side: a pickled egg, a pickle, and cole slaw. To drink: a cup of coffee and a glass of cold iced tea. Finish everything off with a bowl of tapioca pudding. I’m told that they have the best breakfast in town, but I’ve never been awake early enough to have tried it. They say it used to be a brothel. You decide.

2) The Sunset Strip

A no-brainer, right? This is where people come to be seen. It’s also the slimiest place in the whole city. I have a standing rule to come nowhere near this place on a weekend. And I’ll only go there after nighfall on a weeknight if I’m absolutely required to do so. Everything that the rest of the world hates about Los Angeles can be summarized by The Sunset Strip. But if you can stomach it, you have about a 100% chance of spotting a celebrity.

Where to eat: Carney’s. The bright yellow train car beckons hungry and/or drunk passersby to climb aboard and sample their famous hot dogs and equally awesome hamburgers. It’s messy, but it’s worth it. And considering that Carney’s is in the heart of trendy Hollywood, the prices are shockingly reasonable. I once read that Carney’s is Jerry O’Connel’s favorite restaurant. So if you are a fan of Verne from Stand By Me, don’t forget to bring along a DVD for him to sign.

1) LAX

If you don’t see a celebrity at LAX, you aren’t looking. They’re everywhere.

Where to eat: Encounter. The iconic, insect-like building defines Los Angeles better than any other building or structure – with the possible exception of the Hollywood sign. Recently, a huge chunk of concrete broke free and pumeted to the sidewalk below. So the whole building is encased in a massive scafford, but it won’t always be. The elevator from street-level up to the lounge is like a ride, complete with futuristic theme music. Encounter itself looks like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, and it’s tons of fun if you have some time to kill and you’re not on a budget because it’s expensive. I took a friend there once, and after he ordered, he said, “I guess that in the future, salads cost 18 dollars.”