Son of a Gun Reviews

I have been to Son of a Gun for both lunch and dinner and have not been disappointed. The food is delicious, innovative and predictably great. The service is also friendly, helpful and attentive. I would eat here as often as possible if it weren't for the ear piercing noise at dinner. The noise was of no concern at lunch, but the dinner decimal level left me begging for relief. This is one of the best restaurants in town, but if you go for dinner bring ear plugs. Seriously.

A friend took us to "Son of a Gun" on 3rd street in Los Angeles to celebrate my birthday. I had never heard of this place but I'm glad I know about it now. This small, casual restaurant in a super cool, disarming setting. It's technically a seafood restaurant, but I had to indulge myself in the incredible Fried Chicken Sandwich. Try the amazing seafood dishes, but do yourself a favor and order the Fried Chicken Sandwich for the table. Also, order the fries with vinegar aioli. They have a complete bar, attentive staff and incredibly talented Chefs working out of a small kitchen delivering huge flavors. Check out Son of a Gun and I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed.

Fantastic lunch which left me wanting to go back.....a lot! Shared a bunch of dishes including lobster roll (amazing!) fried chicken sandwich and the octopus salad. Highlight though was a cucumber salad which was unreal!!! I'm not doing it justice but worth going just for that....

Ate here with my husband back in December (2013), and was by far one of the most delicious meals we had on our trip. The fried chicken sandwich was extremely satisfying and tasty, as were the smaller fish dishes and the drink menu. The atmosphere was warm, and the staff friendly.

Usually after few years of being great, many restaurants lose their edge or get comfortable with success and start to be predictable or worse, pretentious. Son of a Gun, on the other hand maintains it's passion for good food, still welcomes you with a smile, provides a friendly and dynamic service. Every time I come to LA, I always have to go back there and it's still always a good experience. Totally recommend.

Brought to you by the guys who did Animal, Son of a Gun is a masculine tribute to the sea. The decor is authentic fisherman. The pictures of the fish and fishermen in the men's room were so great I really wanted to steal a couple. The tackle and rods and antlers on the wall add to the atmosphere and are a foreboding for what awaits. The menu changes daily. everything we had was outstanding. Service was casual and prompt without being rushed. Brunch is highly recommended as it's a little less hectic. We had poke, clams and uni a la oglio, oysters and a side of fries. Banana bread pudding to finish. Each one of these dishes was individually remarkable. I will be back again and again

We went 2 couples for dinner. I’m lactose intolerant and also had a stomach bug so I had to be careful with my food. This restaurant WILL NOT acomódate anybody. Absolutely no changes to the menu to the point that they will not leave something out of the dish. The manager who is very nice tried to suggest something but it would not work. They comped our drinks and we left to another restaurant. If you have any allergies or intolerances for food do not go there. We are sorry we could not stay and we will not be back due to my intolerance and theirs too to make any changes.

Four of us had reservations for 8:15 and it was packed but we were seated on time. Crowded and loud because everyone seems happy and enjoying the food and drink there.Started with 2 dozen oysters (Fanny Bay?) and I could have eaten 2 dozen more. Had a perfect old-fashioned and brought 2 bottles of wine, having called earlier to check their corkage policy ($30 a bottle I think). Had Amberjack sashimi, hamachi, lobster rolls, skate wing, hamachi collar (wonderful), etc. Ordered another bottle of white off the list which the waiter suggested for our fish dishes. It was a Corsican white which I'd never had but was OK, though not like the Puligny Montrachet we had with the oysters. Waiter was great and knowledgeable. Want to return - soon!

We had seven people at our table and we tried many, many different dishes. The place is set up for sharing small plates. The food and the service were both spectacular. The restaurant is tiny, so make advance reservations. Do not miss the fried chicken sandwich, the hamachi and the lobster roll. The kale caesar was delicious, too. Too many good things to name here!

I ran in here spontaneously on the way to the airport to catch an evening flight, with an hour to spare for some good food! Nice little place - good selection of small plates. Very good seafood with a non-classical take on it. Good cocktails. Good service.

Truly great food and service in a quirky and low key environment. Try the shrimp toast, lobster roll and chicken sandwich to start. Impressive (if exy) wine list and great cocktails.

Last April when I was visiting friends in LA, they brought me to Son of A Gun for dinner. It is a favourite of theirs and I could quickly understand why! The food is soooooooo good! We shared a bunch of plates and I couldn't wait to bring my husband here on a trip in August. Both times, I had the hush puppies with prosciutto and honey butter. OH. MY. GOD! They are an incredible delight! And when the waitress told me that we could purchase a box of their hush puppy mix to take home, all I could say was "shhhh...please, take my money." We also loved the Yellowfin Tuna w/ leche de tigre. I'm a ceviche addict and this didn't disappoint! Both times, I have had the Lobster Roll which is delicious but pricey. Then again, with quality comes cost. Can't wait to go back when I'm in town next!

Our group of four stumbled across Son of a Gun while shopping on a Sunday evening. We ended up having a great dinner. Our waiter was excellent - fun, attentive, gave good recommendations. All the appetizers we tried were really good - our favorite was the Smoked Mahi Fish Dip - really good and different. Really enjoyed the yellowfin tuna as main course - a different presentation - served in a spicy/citrus juice/sauce that was outstanding. All in all a great experience.

This was my first meal at Son Of A Gun. It was hands down my favorite meal of the year. Shrimp toast, lobster rolls, fried chicken sandwich were all amazing. The staff was friendly and on point. I will definitely be back!

Great food, but high prices. We went to Son of a Gun to celebrate our anniversary. Our meal included two cocktails (one for each of us), a Caesar salad, a lobster roll, and two fried chicken sandwiches. Drinks: Our cocktails were good...a Boulevardier for me and a Bea-cation for my wife. Lobster roll: OK, but I've eaten better. A three bite roll priced at $12.50. Definitely not worth the money. Caesar salad: Delicious, classic Caesar. Would definitely order this again. Fried chicken sandwiches: Amazing, perhaps the best we've ever had. The tab: $103 The service was great. When we return, and we will be back, I'll stick with the Caesar and the fried chicken sandwich.

Since there were four of us and only three of us love oysters, we settled on half a dozen to start. I could easily have eaten all of them and another dozen (my record is 3 dozen in one sitting). They were the freshest, most well opened ones I've eaten since I've been back in the US. The grated horseradish and a squeeze of lemon were all I sparingly added to my pair. We decided to order a variety of dishes so we could taste a bit of everything; first out of the kitchen was the lemonfish poke with black radish escabeche, citrus, and crispy sunchoke for $18. The plates are small, so we each had about one bite. The ingredients were good quality but nearly all the flavors underwhelmed. When we were warned by our server that the lobster roll was small we didn't expect it to be this tiny for $11. Yes those are potato chips to give you an idea of the size, and once again we each had a bite of the two we ordered. We all enjoyed the buttered brioche more than the seafood dressed in a nondescript bit of lemon aioli that tasted of neither lemon nor garlic. We tried the hamachi with galbi vinaigrette, radish, and radish sprout for $18 that was like the poke with the use of fresh quality fish but it did not wow any of us with the flavors. Our favorite dish of the evening was the half pound of chilled peel and eat shrimp for $22 that did not need the side of lime mustard sauce. We doggedly kept ordering, next was the yellowfin tuna, tortilla, leche de tigre, and avocado for $23. It arrived like this, and yes the size was about 2 tablespoonfuls. Underneath the drape of tuna was a small mound of avocado mixed with crisp tortilla strips. I wish I could say that it was something other than a poor plating attempt to justify the price tag. We tried some cooked dishes like the shrimp toast for $13 that was again a very small bite with more toast than shrimp. We didn't want to give up, so we ordered the trout almondine on asparagus rice with lemon brown butter and dill for $25. It was the heartiest dish we ordered and like most of the other plates, lacking any zest. Everything we ordered was prepared with quality ingredients and the prices reflected that, but we were sorely disappointed by some of the very boring flavors and nearly all of the dishes. The blatant overcharging for miniscule amounts of seafood or fish while using bread, toast, or avocado to make the portions seem bigger was so distasteful to me that I will not be returning for anything other than the oysters, which is a sad conclusion to an evening where four of us spent more than $250.

Basically the chicken burger here is to die for. Come in and have that and a decent wine but don't go crazy. The fish in soup was grim and the shrimp toast ok but minuscule. We also got recommended a 65 dollar bottle of wine and it was not worth it.

This is a tiny mainly fish and seafood hot spot. We visited on a Saturday night with friends and the place was jammed and buzzing with an arty crowd. The menu is full of interesting if not somewhat over-complicated items with the raw section being delicious and exciting. Hamachi was a favourite , as was the tuna carpaccio with guacamole. If i can get a reservation I shall be coming back frequently. Cocktail list was blow your mind fantastic, with a great and unusual selection of beer and ales.

We were six sitting at a round table in the window. Nice atmosphere, noise level acceptable and efficient, if not very empathic service. It is all small bites/tapas and the six of us could sample quite a number of dishes which ranged from simply good but not particularly intresting to original and delicious. Verdict on the plus side: I will be back. On the down side: somewhat expensive.

Tired of meat? Looking for a fun seafood restaurant in LA, then you want to check out this place. Fun and interesting menu with a lot of options. Vibrant theme with the locals, make sure you make room for desert. Reservation is highly recommended.

Do you really greet your guests with a warm bottle of Sauvignon Blanc ($62) which should have been a hint of what was to come; this meal was such a disappointment. Great flavours in some of the dishes but honestly; 10 mussels in a bowl with a flavoursome broth does not a cuisine of excellence make! Skate wing was a ridge of skate deep fried with some fairly good salsa but would I order it again, not. Two of our group ordered the famed Fried Chicken Sandwich, be aware that that this arrives 'COLD' and is not so specified on the menu. Grilled Brussels sprouts with a poached egg was 'trying too hard'. Hamachi Collar; too bony with lovely flavour but little flesh. Overall this place is trendy, but so lacking something that I will find in another restaurant. Son of a Gun indeed.

This restaurant is just amazing, a nice cozy ambiance, and the perfect food. I love their chicken sandwich but the best there are for sure seafood! So fesh and tasty! Will come back over and over!

While I don't expect Buca di Beppo portions, the plates here were on the ridiculous portion size. While size may not be a factor in LA, this was a challenge to pay $17 for three riblets, and then eat a two inch lobster roll. Our service was impeccable, but the owners must guffaw at their food costs. The atmosphere is ocean shacky - if you like a bite of food, try this out.

We really enjoyed our lunch at Son of a Gun, the food was outstanding and creative. Our server was great and made the experience even better, true professional.

While staying at a B&B three blocks away, we just started walking up 3rd street checking out places for an early dinner. Somehow we hit it right and got a table at what we later found out is one of the areas "hot" places. Boy, were we lucky First, the place is gorgeous and the service from Amanda was friendly, professional and efficient. We can highly recommend the Lobster Roll, the Fried Chicken sandwich with pickle slaw, and the incredible Brussels sprouts with purple turnip, cinnamon, peanut and egg (don't know how they did this, but wow!). The coconut sorbet, and banana bread with candied pecans and coffee ice cream were not too shabby either. Lucky West Hollwood!

We are visiting from Australia and stumbled upon photos of this place on a famous Aussie chefs Instagram - Dan Hong. I am so glad we did because every single thing was spectacular. My boyfriend and I both left saying it was the best meals we had ever had. Seriously you have to go here!

The seafood (amongst other things) was amazing, fast friendly service! A great place for a casual dinner with a group of friends. Highly recommend the brussel sprouts....smoky flavour. Yum!

This place does amazing food. Such a great mix of small bites and larger share plates. Really clever and different culinary treats but not so wild that it wasn't good. The fried shrimp sandwich was lovely. The Sprouts were amazing. The Trout almondine was so delicious. We were all very impressed :)

For a town that is on the seacoast, it is actually pretty hard to find really good fish in Los Angeles. Add Son of a Gun to the relatively small list of places where the fish is reliably fresh and creatively cooked. Note, however, that Son of a Gun is one of those "small plates" restaurants where the portions range in dimensions from minuscule (lobster roll) to almost main course (black bass in pho broth). Also, some of the plates, such as the shrimp toast, pack a powerful load of calories in a small package. One attempting to assemble a satisfyingly proportioned meal should rigorously cross examine the wait staff on each item (fortunately our waiter was cooperative and helpful). A special treat the night we were there was the linguine with clams and uni. For those who shun fish, there is the excellent country ham (definitely appetizer size) and the fried chicken sandwich. Were it not for the very pricey wine list (most selections are over 3x retail, so stick with the Muscadet, which is a good value), it would be easy to give the place a five-star rating.

Four of us had dinner here after a 45 minute Uber ride from an LAX hotel and it was well worth the trip. SofaG is a small, cozy place with unusual cocktails and really fine seafood. We had the raw hamachi nicely finished with crisp radishes; the octopus salad was a winner and so was the citrus and fennel salad. Our two main dishes, Escolar and trout were outstanding, tasty, nicely finished and left you wanting more. I don't know where the name comes from but I'd go back again and again.

The chicken burger will take you back time after time along with the exceptional salads and has a real buzz worth the wait if it’s busy ..

My family went for a dinner and were served tapas-sized plates with full entree prices. Very disappointing in service-food came out slowly and in no order. Food was not of the quality one would expect and the sizes were ridiculous. I have no idea how this restaurant stays in business with the competition out there. I don't think this was a one-off situation as many reviewers had the same issues. Bottom line- we will not return.

The skinny: Parking: valet or street (metered) Decor: Nautical Bathroom: single use, also nautical Service: very good Food: it was just ok soooooo we really wanted to go to Animal and although I tried to get a reservation, after 3 calls, no one ever called back so on a whim we decided to try Son of a Gun (same owner). Despite winging it, we were seated in 10 minutes at the bar. The bar only seats 5 and the bartender was super friendly and the service was good. Not so good was the 3 people who stood next to us trying to drink and eat appetizers on literally 1 foot of bar space. We ordered: Cucumber salad: different and refreshing with so many types of cucumbers that I had never tried before, the crispy shallots were a nice addition to the dish. Chicken Sandwich: somewhere we heard that it was the best ever. Well, it was tasty...best ever....not really. The bun is soaked in butter then toasted and the slaw was nice. Not much chicken but a lot of breading. Fries: really good, best thing we had Shrimp Toast: soaked in oil and so much mayo that when I tried to cut into it, the mayo spooged out the sides. I had the scrape if off, not appetizing. The oily taste overwhelmed any shrimp flavor. Not so great. Maybe sitting at a table would have been better? Not sure Will I go back? prob not Will I try Animal? yes, but I will only make one call.....

I could eat at Son of a Gun every night - so many ways to create a meal of bite size servings; each surprisingly delicious. My favorites were the hamachi and the crispy brussel sprouts. The waiter was attentive to my food and wine allergies, and despite being quite busy, managed to keep an eye on us in order to get us out in time for a show. He was able to guide us through selections and pairings. As for the small size of the place, I'm usually a little claustrophobic in tiny restaurants with close tables, but in addition to our window table being a win, the full-house chatter wasn't overpowering.

Okay, the three stars is for the fact that we wanted to find a place near LAX during a layover, BC LAX is one of the worst airports in the world to have to wait in. So, we searched for places "near" LAX according to tripadvisor and this place, is not remotely to considered close, so, not their fault, but TA needs to get it togethers. That said, I had heard of it and their other place and it sounded awesome so we sprung for the cab and it was worth it I suppose. The fried chicken sandwich was great, but the menu was more seafood heavy than I expcted. We should have gone to Animal (pork belly!), but I would recommend this place on its merit IF you are in the city proper.

Delicious hipster take on old school New England, and I say that without hipster having a negative connotation. The food is great, these guys always knock it out of the park. Curry mussels: yum.

Dined with three others and we shared all the dishes.Great food, laid back ambiance, no LA attitude. Standouts: lobster roll, peel and eat shrimp, linguini and clams and grilled octopus. Yum.

Artisanal quality to food and décor, trendy neighborhood, hipsters galore inside and in the area, pricey food and drinks, so be careful what you order. Chicken sandwich the house specialty really good. Cherry bomb drink for $14 I thought should have been bigger in size for the price - wasn't sweet either - but OK. Ice cream for $7 was one scoop, should have been a bowlful for that price. Each small diet coke in a bottle - mini size - is $5, and that $5 price should cover all refills, but it didn't they charged each time they brought another. This place for a single location restaurant without an advertising campaign, just word of mouth (that's how I found it, friend recommended it) getting customers in the door, they really should work a little harder to impress with the value for what you are paying. I paid nearly $60 with tips for a single meal - pricey. Still can recommend it for a try.

I had plans to go to one of my fav places on 3rd st to eat, and while walking there passed Son of a Gun. It was somewhat early (7'ish) and the place is small, so it was already pretty booked. I walked in, saw all the tables full and the hostess said there's a single seat against the wall. Ok, I thought, I'll try it. didn't care for the seating- facing the wall of marine paraphernalia- but the menu looked interesting, and I was craving fried chicken. The waitress came by quickly and took my drink order - tiny wine list, all french (great for me, but kind of strange), overpriced, though. My drink came right away, and she also was quick on the food order, but it seemed to take a long time for my food to arrive. Backing up, I did find the menu creative and very "Maine-ish with an LA twist". I ordered the lobster roll (which everyone talks about here)- and while tasty, it was very small and definitely not as good as the east coast original. I then had the fried chicken sandwich w/ spicy pickle slaw and rooster (?) aioli. THIS was great. The chicken was perfectly done- crispy and juicy and it came on a brioche roll- killer. The slaw was actually spicy- something I tend to complain about - calling a dish "spicy' only to taste a watered-down flavour. I had to cut the sandwich in half to eat and it was filling. Back to the service, the place was getting really busy by now, and trying to get my waitress' attention for another drink was a challenge. I finally did, but I was pretty well finished with my meal by then... I had high hopes of having the peach & berry pie w/ salted buttermilk ice cream, but was really full. I would probably recommend this place for takeaway food- the atmosphere leaves alot to desire, and the service, while friendly, was slow.

The seafood was very good. I had the escolar and my colleague had the trout (amazing!). The wine list is a little small, but the Cremant I had was lovely. No beer on tap, but a large cocktail section. Christie was wonderful.

Dimly lit restaurant - I guess provides some atmosphere. Pricey and limited menu. Ordered the fried chicken sandwich which was a big burger and difficult to eat. Also had the octopus salad which had a variety of greens but only a little seafood. Staff seemed surprised when we were paying for a 50 meal with a 100, and asked for change. The change took a while to come back to us and we generously left them a tip.

This resaurant is worth fighting the parking and making a reservation for. The combination of flavors is heaven and the portions make is possible to try several creations. The service was just right…I didn't get our servers name but he was from Michigan. Everything was served in a timely and informative way but he did not try and become part of our party. Warm and available but not intrusive. We passed on their chicken sandwich and lobster roll - which looked amazing - and went for various sashimi, salads (white peach makes me weak just typing it…) hushpuppies and ham shavings. If you enjoy really good food - put this on your list. I hear their other restaurant 'Animal' is good too but I haven't' been there.

The food at Son of a Gun is delicious. My favorites are the lobster roll, the shrimp toast, and the amazing linguine and clams. Honorable mentions to the chicken sandwich which I get each time I come. Due to the portion size (not very big) the restaurant is really conducive to sharing. It's nice because you can order lots of options and taste everything. Also even the fries are awesome. They have an amazing bar with craft cocktails and a great beer and wine list. I've eaten several times at Son of a Gun. It's quite possibly my favorite LA restaurant. That's a big statement from me because my friends and I are diners. We eat out probably 5 nights a week and try new places often. Money isn't a concern so we expect quality, service and delicious food. I didn't think I was going to like Son. The restaurant is poorly lit, small and gets crowded quickly. It isn't efficiently laid out and the bar area is a joke. They once had communal tables and I am not a fan of that. Especially in a restaurant of this price point. They have since gotten rid of the communal tables. Son of a Gun is owned by the same group that owns Trois Mec, Animal and Jon and Vinny's which are also very, very good.

We had dinner at Son of Gun last night. A unique menu and priced reasonably for the great quality, presentation and best of all delicious food. The portions are small and sharing is encouraged (tapas style). The service was great from the hostess, to the bartender, manager and our excellent server Ricky! The place is small a little noisy but a very fun and energetic atmosphere. Definitely a restaurant we will return to.

Great food, busy, hip and friendly. All the pieces in place to have an exceptional night. Good value and very fun for groups to share bites,...we went full out with a group of six and the bill came to be around four hundred with tip. All of us would go back in a second.

I had heard so much about Son of a Gun I was excited to try it. Swing and a MISS. This restaurant should be ashamed of the food they serve, the prices they charge for it and then for charging 18% on TOP of the bill that is NOT a gratuity. The food was horrendous. Not one dish to save the next. Felt like eating at a frat house. The best part of our meal was the sparkling water… Also it’s not because you say “sliced bread” in French that it isn’t still sliced bread. These guys spent a dollar at 7-11 for a loaf of white bread two weeks ago and are still serving it up as “pain de mie”, which is, you guessed it: sliced bread. Do yourself a favour and go to jack in the box. They won’t charge you $18 for the same sandwich. And they might crack a smile while you’re there.

Nice accessable restaurant with some ambitions. Very well made food with humour and structure. Wines ok and service very good. Relaxed atmosphere and friendly. Try it!

We really wanted to like this restaurant, which has a friendly hipster vibe, but the food was inconsistent and pricey for some of the dishes. It's tapas style, and we really liked the ham and hush puppies that came in a large portion, but our order of amberjack sashimi was 2 tiny pieces for 8 or 9 dollars and not especially tasty. I guess we could have asked our server how large each dish we would be sharing would be, but it didn't occur to us it would be so disparate. There are lots of good restaurants in LA. Won't be returning to this disappointing one.

This is a primarily small plates and salads, primarily fish and seafood hot spot. I dined here with my 23 year old aspiring actor son on a Labor Day weekend excursion of his favorite spots in LA. Mid-evening on a Saturday night, the place was jammed and buzzing. The menu is full of interesting if not somewhat over-complicated items. The ingredients, preparation and presentation are very good. And the service was excellent. The portions are more tasting-menu sized and somewhat pricey - so probably best to visit when your hunger-meter is reading somewhere below "voracious".

We were so lucky, we did not realize how popular this place was but we were staying at The Orlando and stopped by, we got a table outside and ordered the Shrimp toast, hush puppy balls, fries cheese and some wine. The server Alex was a star he was the head runner & made our eve lovley with his explantions of things. It was a perfect way to end our trip. We got there at 7pm on Monday eve & then floods of people came. VERY popular joint. AMAZING food, NOT PRETENTIOUS at all :) we were wearing chilled clothes & made to feel very welcome. Bill was 150$ with well deserved tip.

Having eaten at their sister restaurant Animal Ive been wanting to try Son of a Gun. Similar creativity. The combinations of fish, fresh ingredients, and plating makes this place a much visit. 2 of us had 7 menu items. Started with 4 things- Amberjack, Uni, Shrimp Toast and Grilled octopus. All very very good and the octopus and shrimp toast really really good. Followed that w/ heirloom tomato salad, soft shell crab and the blackened cod. Again all excellent. Portions are not huge and wine prices are high which is why rating s not a 5. Surprised most if not all wines European and price point is often above $100. Ouch. Still I'd recommend it. Not aware where else can find a similar menu. Place is small but has a great vibe. Bill for above food, 2 drinks and cheap ($58) bottle of wine $240

Son of a gun is such a unique restaurant. As Australian's travelling we like to try different restaurants. every trip to LA must include Son of Gun. each time it is more imaginative and leaves us wanting more! The fusion of different styles - traditional and modern american, japanese, thai ... every dish is a surprise. Drinks are great - had my first sour beer. Staff and cool and friendly.

An ideal place to go in search of small plates, and particularly so when they are shared round the table. We just start ordering and stop when we’ve come to a happy place. Best plate this time — the country ham and hush puppies, though the smoked mahi was stupendous.

Along with other reviews, we had heard about this place and thought we'd give it a try. Very disappointed. Felt more like a tourist trap than anything. Firstly staff, our waiter was rude and it felt like he didn't care to serve us or not. When we denied his upselling of the ludicrous $39 lobster roll, he seemed to take it as a personal insult. Like the other reviews, the food is tapas. But doesn't excuse the horrible pricing for tiny portions. $15 shrimp toast that fits in the palm of my hand, $14 for the small lobster roll or $39 for the large, so you may as well just get two smalls and save $11. Also bottled water is $9, make what you will of that. The bill was also a joke. They include a "service" charge that goes towards the living wage of their employees. So just up the already high menu prices to compensate for that? Why is management passing a service charge on to me for taking care of their employees? Speaking of the bill, they calculate tip based AFTER tax AND "service charge", instead of before, like is customary. Our bill was $106.50 with an added $31.12 in "service charge" and tax. A 20% tip off $106.50 is $21.30. But because of the shady practices of this establishment, they suggested a 20% tip off a bill of $137.62. Overall, a horrible experience with this place. Highly do NOT recommend. Go down the street further to the grove for better eating options.

We were recommended by an LA friend and it was a terrific suggestion. Delicious starters, incredible fries (a fry is a fry? No, not really, these are unique!) and sandwiches that were over the top, not just in size, but in taste and in quality of ingredients. The dessert menu was too tempting to ignore and their take on key lime pie, which was a frozen lime mousse on a bed of grahan cracker crumbs was worth every decadent calorie. The prices may seem a little on the high side but you absolutely get what you pay for in quality, imagination and service.

This place is always busy and we only managed to get take out Lobster Rolls, which was by far the best we've ever had! It is quite expensive for the portion but its the quality... not quantity!

You can share, you can order for yourself. We shared and got to taste more things because of it. Everything was great. The only reason I couldn't go all the way to Excellent was the wine list. Great wines but the prices are VERY high. Stick with the cocktails and you will do just fine. Even the wine by the glass wasn't as costly.

The area is so congested, it is easy to walk by this small gem without giving it a second thought. After having lunch there, I went back within a week with a party of six for dinner. I wanted to go with a larger party to try more of the dishes. It is a small plates venue and although primarily seafood, there is something there for everyone and is (ironically) famous for their fried chicken sandwich. The Chips with homemade french onion dip, Kennebec fries, Brussels sprouts, smoked mahi dip and chicken sandwich were all outstanding!

Taken there by friends, we allowed them to do all the selecting, and it seemed like they ordered almost everything on the menu. Dishes range from small ones to larger, from sashimi scallop to a chicken sandwich, with just about everything in between. Great variety of flavors and textures, with well-paced service. A great evening!

The hip gal helping us at nearby RH recommended this restaurant but warned it was a very popular, tiny local spot. The gods were in our favor since we miraculously found street parking on a Friday night and 2 spots at the bar where we enjoyed a spectacular dinner. It was tapas-y. We had fish and delicious french fries, some sort of crab cake and salad. Fabulous, friendly service, a knowledgeable bartender, a darling hostess. I never leave my local South Bay neighborhood but I will for this place. Next time, I will make a reservation! Overall, it has a great vibe and excellent, creative small entrees you share.

Great little place, relaxed, fun and excellent food. I love small plates and sharing lots of dishes, so Son of a Gun is perfect for that sort of dining. Staff were very welcoming & service was spot on. The atmosphere is noisy & with a great buzz.

So on our rare date nights out from the kids, we decided to go here. You have to get there before it opens because you'll be waiting. We were the first ones so we got a table. The ham and hush puppies and sweet butter is delicious. The moist fried chicken sandwich fantastic, but those are the only 2 entree items on the menu. Other stuff are just small plates. The small plates have a lobster roll and I'm serious when it's 1 bite size roll and that cost $8 which I don't think it's worth the price. I hope they will expand their entree and get more "bang" for your buck on menu in the future. Nice friendly staff as well.

We come back again and again, for amazing food and lovely servers. The atmosphere is casual and warm, with a small bar in the way back. We order the broccoli salad, the signature chicken sandwich, the skirt steak (only available at dinner) and the trout, which is beyond flavorful and amazing! Do NOT skip the Kennebec fries. Diet tomorrow! The Gem Caesar is also delicious. The meals are always consistent, and the servers are friendly and gracious. Order dessert, the Italian hamburger (gianduja, caramel, heaven!) Son of a Gun is our go-to in LA.

What a great lunch find. We enjoyed the tuna melt, nice size and the lobster BLT with homemade potato chips. Cute restaurant with an interesting wine list. Diana our waitress was helpful and a delight.

Love this place Fantastic juicy fried chicken sandwich with spicy slaw does not miss. Shrimp toast is interesting and a nice thing to cut up and share. Seating is a little wierd but service is good - attentive and fast Mulltiple dishes means many visits from the staff. They are not intrusive but smart and professional. Desert was just right. After a bunch of different creations stretch your Taste buds, the subtle design of the lime yogurt meringue was perfect!

A must try! Only negative is it's loud. BUT the food outstanding! the sashimi was awesome! The fried chicken sandwich was outstanding. 8 of us had dinner and not one bad thing! HIGHLY recommend!

Everything I had was very good, but the portions were so small in some cases I barely was able to fully appreciate the flavors. I left there spending $110 on a dinner for 2 and felt like I need to stop by and get a burger somewhere. This coming from a person who rarely ever cleans her plate when dining out and who firmly believes that restaurant portions these days are out of control.

Love this restaurant! Amazing food, especially the fried chicken sandwich and lobster sliders/roll. Very small inside so definitely get a reservation.

I came here around the holidays with reservations and because there were so many people in town my group and I ended up waiting more than an hour to finally sit. To make us happy they ended up giving us a few plates on the house. (Which was very nice) We tried the Chips & Pimento, Smoked Mahi Fish Dip, Shrimp Toast Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich I tried the Black Cod and Lobster Roll and enjoyed every bite. Mind you the Lobster roll isn't a big portion. Food was great, service was great as well. They completely made amends with the 1 1/2 hour wait with the several plates of food on the house. Bit was such an inconvenience.

Came here on a Saturday night. Quite a squashed setting but super friendly and tasty food. Good pasta and ribs and all in all a good experience but it is quite expensive. Recommended

I love that when I found this place they say that there attire is hipster, that was the fist thing I love about this place. When you get there the ambience is awesome it has a sea decor or more like someone that loves fishing *but don't get me wrong it is tasteful I love the decor. The food is OUTSTANDING, and so are the drinks, when they give you the menu, the waiter ask you for everything you want to eat that night to that the chef can see the whole menu. and wow that was the best thing that they could do, every flavour was so unique and tasty every bite was better with time. It is exquisite... if your reading this just go and taste it for yourself you won't regret it. My complements to the chef, he is doing and AMAZING job!!

We shared 8 or 9 dishes among three of us and everything we ate was fabulous and memorable! These guys know how to prepare gourmet food! I will definitely return, but will probably make a reservation rather than sitting at the communal table.

I came here with some friends on a recommendation from a few colleagues. We were not disappointed! Excellent seafood. We enjoyed the oysters and the most unique Hamachi preparation I've ever had.

There were three of us and I only wish we had a larger party. This is the kind of place meant for sharing small plates, so it was tough to pick which we would choose for just three. Your choices are Raw, Shellfish, Fish, Meat, Seasonal, Snacks and Dessert. We were told by the very competent waitress that a favorite is the Lobster Roll and we should each order one. We then shared the shrimp toast sandwich, roasted escolar, fried chicken sandwich and the best dish of the night? A superb curly kale with caesar dressing,walnuts and parmesan. I almost licked the empty plate! Atmosphere was like a cozy bar in New England, ship paintings on the wall, mounted antlers. It's fairly small, so do make a reservation, or I think you can sit at a long communal table.

From the outside the restaurant may not look impressive, but this is one of the absolute best restaurants in Los Angeles, and a top restaurant in the country. Inside the atmosphere is beautiful but not pretentious. You feel right at home, and the food and service is excellent. I have been multiple times and not a single dish will disappoint. This place makes a salad taste like the best thing you have ever eaten and it does not contain and heavy dressing or cheese... that is rare. Would recommend this place highly!

Everything we ate was truly amazing. We had the escolar, creamed corn, potatoes. Did not like sitting at a communal table though. Would return.

We sauntered in and the place was packed. We didn't have reservations. But fear not - the welcoming community table i the middle of the room will have seats in no time. While you wait have a tiki-cocktail sno-cone. You wont regret it! The food here is served as small plates, so it's great for sharing and sampling - be adventurous, nothing was disappointing. Top of my list of delicious bites is the lobster roll - I'm still not sure wat was more delicious: the roll or the lobster. The scallop carpaccio was also highly memorable and a little piquante! There was a dish that can only be called the fanciest tuna salade that you've seen. I don;t know what it is on the menu, but just ask for the dish that they serve with salteens. Seriously, salteens. Sattf = lovely. Vibe = lively. Neighbourhood = great (we even found street parking). It is not a quiet resto, so be advised! Go with friends and have some drinks and great food!

Weird setting with modern food and music and fisherman like interior. Most of the dishes we tried and we had a lot of them, look beautifully but the combinations are weird and gimmicky. The tuna is great, the chicken sandwich is very good. The crudos are fresh but taste combinations are strange. Why does this restaurant have almost only European wines ?

All three words in the title of review apply, so if loud isn't your thing (and it usually isn't mine), don't bother. But the food is SO good, SO interesting, SO thoughtfully prepared, and the small place (42 ? seats) is so cozy that the only noise you'll hear is your own purring with delight. Their lobster rolls are miniatures bites of perfection, the fried chicken sandwich is a party in your mouth, and the delicate raw foods are so lovingly thought-out that you won't regret one little night of talking louder than usual. Reservations are a must, but there is bar seating, inside and out, that's first come first served. There's no place to wait except outside, but Third Street is nice and (shameless plug) Tina's Nails across the street is my go-to manicure spot.

We/family have been really anxious try this place. Look for the bright red door/entry to the restaurant. It's very low key, not fancy, very casual feel. The hostess was very nice and our server was excellent. She explained that some of the entrees were on the large size and best to share. Spot on, so glad we did. As we had heard the mini lobster rolls for an appetizer were the appetizer to order. Glad we did, they were divine! The 4 of us shared the fish & chips and the fried chicken sandwich. More than enough food and really good. Fish & Chips were done to perfection and had a killer tarter sauce and the chicken sammie had a fabulous slaw. Definitely make a reservation, as Son of a Gun is a tiny little place.

I had a night to myself so decided to make a reservation for one on a weekday night. Everything was awesome. The menu was special and somewhat limited. I had the tomato/miso/corn salad which was incredible. It had the right amount of acidity and sweetness with some savory flavors in there too. Then I had the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Holy. S&^t. That sandwich is insane. My hands were so messy by the end, but was well worth it. The crispiness of the chicken and the bun and the lettuce and the sauce and the spice-- heaven in your mouth (maybe a little kick of Hell...) I had the coconut sorbet for dessert. Everything was delicious. The server wore a face shield and the proper COVID attire, and often checked in on me. The one thing I would comment on constructively, which really may be outside the restaurant's control, is their outdoor dining situation. The table felt a bit sticky and wobbly, and was on the sidewalk of 3rd, which isn't the most nice. I was often checking to see if someone was gonna swipe my food walking by. I wish there was an alternative location for their outdoor dining set up, perhaps in their back lot, but maybe they can only work with what they're given. OVERALL-- HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It's not great for those with allergies like dairy/gluten-free. This is definitely a cheat meal. Prices were moderate.

We dined here twice and just loved everything. This restaurant is very popular so it's wise to make a reservation. On our second night we didn't have a reservation but were lucky to get a table right away. The food is absolutely delicious. During our dinners we ate 8 different servings and 2 desserts. Everything was tasty and fresh, full of wonderful flavours. This is pretty casual place that serves excellent food. I would definitely eat there again.

Having loved Animal, their sister restaurant, we have decided to have dinner here, too. It was a bit of a letdown. Not that the food was bad, it just didn't have the wow factor of Animal. Also, our table was a bit cramped and the room was pretty loud. But the service was very nice and we enjoyed the dinner. Still, Animal is the clear winner for us.

If you're going to serve small plates at communal tables and charge a premium, the experience better be perfect. It was not. They want to re-imagine and upscale the experience of string in a Maine crab shack, I get it. But it just didn't work. For starters, there was a shell in our lobster roll. I suppose I could end the review there, that's all you need to know. They did the right thing and took it off our check, but still...come on now. Aside from that, except for the linguini with clams which was great, there was nothing all that memorable. In another setting with less hype and a less hip location, this would not be a big deal and really expensive for what you get. If you're from the east coast, you're definitely not going to be impressed. At all.

We went there for lunch on our last day LA and it was by far the best meal we had there (we were travelling with a chef, so we visited quite a lot of the foodie scene). Casual seating, it was surprisingly easy to get a table at lunch. The food are basically small tapas and bites. Top were the lobster roll, the chicken sandwich, the uni with burrata cheese and the spicy kel salad. Absolutely great! The ambiance its quite casual and low key, but the food is top. We tried quite a lot of stuff and have some glass of wine-beer and cocktail each of us and teh damage was around 60-70 bucks (cant remember exactly) A must if you visit LA!

Good location, nice service. Food taste good, but almost everything is very heavy. They should use less oil. I want come back to this restaurant.

they have some standby dishes which are good like the lobster roll and fried chicken sandwich, but it was a couple of the not so standard dishes that really impressed me. raw amberjack in white soy with concord grape, pear, and shiso amazed with its clarity. the hamachi collar in malay green curry with bok choy and celtuce was warm, rich, and completely rewarding. look forward to trying more on the next visit. It's a bit pricey, so i am only giving four stars, but food wise its a five.

We had eaten lunch here before, but went for a Sunday evening dinner this time. We made a last minute decision around 6:30 in the evening, and they had no reservations for two available until 9:30. So, we went and ate at the bar. The place was packed and lively. Service was quick, food was good, but we made the mistake of just ordering a glass of Chardonnay and a glass of Merlot without specifying a price range. Ouch! $17 a glass! We hope we have learned a lesson from that, but the dinner was excellent.

when they say small plate they mean small bite.First thing server said to us was she recommends two to three plates per person.And that is at $12 to $18 per plate.The lobster roll looked good but you would need at least three to just taste them.The only large sandwich was the fried chicken sandwich and the only difference between their chicken sandwich and McDonald's is $10.Good news is the french fries are very good so load up on carbs.I would recommend if your date is a 90lb model who thinks 50 calories is a meal.If you enjoy this place I would recommend Dorsia.

We had booked the day before and that evening we were tired , not really keen to go . But at the end we decided to go . So we were not easy to be made happy . The menu is short ( always a promising indication of a good restaurant ) , service is attentive , friendly without excess . That night we did not want to take a full bottle of wine and the wine they offer by the glass was quite reasonable . We both took fish and we liked the way it was cooked . A kind of fusion well mastered . Overall you will not regret .

My son was in Los Angeles before my trip and told me he heard very good things about Son of a Gun.....so I went for dinner Sunday night with my date. We were seated very promptly having reserved , we called them because we were running 15' late, it was no problem. I ordered Uni burrata very good but very small , we shared some lobster rolls interesting but nothing special. I had the linguine with clams & garlic.....it was superb....the next time I will order 2 portions . We were still rather hungry so we ordered each a banana bread and shared a piece of pie both excellent. A bottle of Girard Mugneret Pinot Noir excellent. The place was crowded but not to noisy very friendly atmosphere and service. I will certainly go back

This restaurant should be ashamed of itself. Son of a Gun used to be one of my favorite restaurants in LA but they have recently started charging a hidden 18% service fee that is buried on the menu in fine print. Typically you're lead to believe that this fee automatically adds a tip for your server, which would be fine, but when we were given the bill we were informed that this fee is not a tip and if you don't leave anything additional your server will not be tipped. Apparently the fee is used to pay workers higher wages but according to our server, the servers don't see any of it. You're then left with the decision to either stiff the server or tip an additional 15-20% on top of the 18% you were already charged. We chose the later as our server definitely did not deserve a 0% tip but we left feeling ripped off and swindled. We're all feeling the effects of the pandemic, especially restaurants. However, secretly charging an 18% service fee that customers are not made aware of until they're given the bill isn't the way to solve your problems. If anything it will make your previously loyal customers, like myself, to never return.

While we really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was great it was not mind blowing thus the 4 star. The ambience an d small plates really created a relaxed environment. The wine from italy great and at a very reasonable price. Definitely would be a regular if i lived in LA

This restaurant is quite unassuming. It's a small restaurant located in Beverly Hills and most of their offerings are small plates. They recommend sharing but I wouldn't. The plates are just so small that they're not for sharing, but definitely for tasting. However, with that being said, everything was absolutely delicious. I think me and party tried about five different appetizers (because it was our first time there and the appetizers were so small), but by the time I go my entree, I got full pretty quick. Which is why I recommend that you start with the entree and then go to the appetizers if you have room for more. The place is small, and gets a little crowded around the 7:00 hour but it's not a noisy spot for it to be that small. I would definitely recommend Son of Gun to anyone looking for a great meal, cozy atmosphere and excellent wait staff all in Beverly Hills.

We walked in without reservation on Saturday night. Although the place was fully booked they offered us a table for one hour. We ordered four meals for sharing - oysters, avocado in tuna wrap, cold shrimps and shrimp toast. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly. The wine choice was excellent. The service was very good. The place is crowded but it adds a nice vibe. We truly enjoyed our dinner and felt it was worth the money. Looking forward to our next visit.

Great restaurant, good menue and fun to be there. Not very expensive, four people just below $400 without wine. Go there you will enjoy yourselves

If you are a fish lover, this is the place for you. The dress-code is casual, the ambience relax and woody. As a starter we got raw salmon wrapped in a ball of crunchy avocado, then a couple of lobster rolls to make way for an amazing white fish with mascarpone and pancetta tartare... Cocktails are great, as well as after dinner drinks. A must visit restaurant on W 3rd!

This is the kind of restaurant you wish you had in your block. Great and helpful staff, the food is just amazing with dishes like broadbent’s country ham, honey butter, hush puppy and yellowfin tuna, leche de tigre, avocado, tortilla. Great food to share with best friends.

I really enjoyed my dinner. I went to dinner with a a girlfriend. The place is small, cozy and had excellent service. We shared our food and each course was a delight. We has oysters on the half shell which were very fresh. The next course was hamachi in ponzu sauce that was melt in your mouth good. Lobster rolls, shrimp toast and a fried chicken sandwich. I ate too much but enjoyed every bite. I highly recommend this eating experience.

Family table for 4. Overall good even if overpriced (like many restaurants in LA), excellent Lobster Roll. On the other hand, there is an unpleasant surprise in the bill: we add 15% on top of the service and taxes. This is the only restaurant we have seen this in LA. Not transparent and therefore unpleasant.

fried chicken sandwich you will ever have. I have to visit this place every time I make it to L A. Sometimes I do dinner sometimes lunch. The French fries are great and their shrimp toast was delicious.

Service was good, maybe too good. They were trying to turn the tables quickly so the food overlapped, appetizer to main course. Lobster rolls are a must. Tiny but delicious. Tuna and avocado was good, sauce was solid, but it was a very thin piece of tuna over a whole bunch of avocado. Way too much avocado. Poke was good but dry and too much topping. Wine selection was excellent. Not sure I would run back given all the choices, but it certainly has a nice atmosphere and I might go give some other dish a try.

I really liked the lobster roll which is tiny ,but good. The shrimp toast was full of flavor. The octopus salad was good but on the sour side. The oysters were excellent. The amberjack and linguini are a mus try. Portions are small more like tapas style.

We couldn't get a reservation so we sat at the tiny extension of the bar. We heard about the lobster rolls, they were a mouthful of lobster and at least a tablespoon of mayo. The shrimp toast is delicious because it is toast with butter and, yes, more mayo. The ribs were very good, they had a very good, spicy sauce and for three ribs very expensive. We shared the chicken sandwich which was mainly coleslaw and aioli. Our service and drinks were very good. The atmosphere is simple and the music good. This is a place for young people. Our meal was over 100 dollars and my husband went across the street to get a slice of pizza when we left. We won't be returning.

This small and local "sea food joint" is innovative, fun, colorful. There are unusual combinations of foods that reflect local and seasonal produce paired with fresh fresh sea food. Excellent drinks that are well balanced and again innovative.

We sat here for a family dinner. Despite a warm presentation of the menu we were highly disappointed by the content of each dishes we ordered. The taste was somehow there, but the quantity ridiculous. The clams linguini plate served as main course, was not even close of what we could expect for an appetizer. We got a very poor advice on what looks like an extensive card of wine, but without any Californian references.... In short even if it looks interesting it doesn’t come close to a nice culinary experience, and far too expensive. Not to avoid but not recommended.

I will not come back here again! This restaurant is just a hype and serves mediocre food that is overpriced. We ordered the Tuna ball, which was tasty, but definitely not work $27. We also ordered the Crispy chicken sandwich, which lacked flavor, and a side of fries that practically came out for dessert. I ordered a sandwich and fries expecting them to come out together. After asking the manager, I was told that "food comes out as its ready", I don't find that to be an acceptable excuse. Unfortunately, I think this place has lost its vision of serving great food and has become focused on its name rather than customer satisfaction. Message to management: focus more on your customers and not on your name... teach your managers the message: "the customer is always right".

Great reviews and a friend recommending brought us here. Felt super uncomfortable when I asked and was declined the ability to adjust a few dishes. So ended up with fries and beets. They were super tasty but left feeling very unsatisfied. I understand the dishes are about a perfect mix of flavors but note to staff: we vegetarians and/or fish eaters are used to adjustments and promise we won't be disappointed if you agree to change up a dish for us. If you are a meat eater who wants a great mix of flavor and creativity, this is your place. Small and crowded but cool vibe.

My family recently dined at Son of a Gun in West Hollywood - the menu offers many mouthwatering options - but we shared oysters, a fried chicken sandwich that was amazing and delicious mini lobster rolls!!! We absolutely adored this restaurant and every single bite of food. I understand from a local that the shrimp toast is a must. The wine list offers a lot of fun options to pair with the food. I highly recommend a reservation!!! I am still remembering my dinner at Son of a Gun and cannot wait to visit on my next trip to LA!

This restaurant is outstanding. I have eaten at Michelin restaurants, they were fabulous, ‘Son of a Gun’ was off the charts delicious. Thanks to all their team, you all raised the bar in service and cuisine this evening, it was unforgettable for all the right reasons.

Visited with my husband he had the ribs (three) and I had the soft shell crab which the waitress recommended, there was hardly any crab just batter. We had to order a side of fries which came when we had nearly finished, would never go again

Went there on recommendation by several friends. We didn't have a reservation, but if you show up right when they open for dinner service, you can be seated at the communal table or the bar. We met a lovely couple who sat next to us, so sharing a table was not a big deal at all. Had the Hamachi, lobster roll, shrimp toast, smoked Mahi dip, and heirloom tomato salad. Everything was great. The dishes were small, but we were stuffed after sharing those five dishes. The lobster roll and shrimp toast were very buttery, so portion size was actually bang on. I have to mention that the service was excellent. Kudos!

The Good: - Lobster roll. Delicious. 3-4 bites and great for a starter. - BBQ ribs. Falling off the bone. - Himachi collar. Well prepared with lovely bok choy and mushrooms. - Prawn on toast. Delicious and decadent. - Caesar salad. The OK - Shucked oysters. Reasonable price but oysters were small and average. - Trout with dill rice. Lacking salt. The service was indifferent. Waiter humored us by allowing us to taste 3 wines before choosing. After that, he never came by to pour wine for anyone, check on our food or experience, or change plates (as we were sharing all our food). Not acceptable at these prices. Four of us ate for $400 including a bottle of Sancerre and a beer. While the food was good, I won’t come back for this level of indifferent service.

Just got back to my hotel from this place. The food was really good but the menu was limited. No worries as each of the dishes were very yummy. Great attentive service in a dimly lit setting, this ultra hip restaurant is sure to please the more discerning pallet. Lastly, definitely save room for the Italian hamburger- an incredible dessert!

We've been to Animal several times. Now we've been to Son of a Gun. It's a tie. My hubby loves Animal best, he's a carnivore. I love SOAG best, I'm a veg. However, we both had seafood...so it's a true tie. Animal has a slightly better vibe, more interesting people. The Roe with maple, and the Mahi Dip were totally divine. Also had their home brew which was refreshing & fab. Totally recommend SOAG, and Animal...both make us happy when we're in L.A.

Son of a Gun as some unique food from sandwiches to fish, to salad and sashimi dishes. It was taste and prepared nicely. I would have to say that they need to add a little lighting for the guests to be able to really see and appreciate the restaurant more. You should go there on an empty stomach , because the food is very filling!! Staff is polite and friendly. It can be a hard to conversation with the noise levels but the food is so good!!

April 2012.....Son of a Gun became legend in our family. Wow. It's casual, it's friendly, the service is impeccable (and they know what is on your plate inside and out) and their attention to detail is fantastic; from sourcing great ingredients, to advertising their suppliers (wish restaurants in UK did that more often) to presentation on your plate and finally to the great value of the dishes.....this is a MUST visit for ANY trip to the big LA. In the words of a chef, "Take time, make nice." It is a seafood heavy menu, in case you're expecting a meat feast.

I love their food. The lobster rolls, peel and eat shrimp, and chicken sandwich are all fantastic. Fish & chips is big enough for two. Shrimp toast is very tasty, but a bit greasy. Service is great. What annoys me is they want to charge you $70 for a bottle of wine that retails for about $15. Even their by the glass prices are out of line with what you are getting. Go someplace else to drink. Noise level is out of control during peak periods, and they have the bad habit of making the music too loud.

My daughter is a foodie and also in the food industry, so while in LA we made reservations as soon as we had our travel details confirmed. Food was unique and delicious-great small plates. The real show is those who are dining- lots of hip people from the movie and magazine industry

What can I say besides SOn of a Gun is my fave restaurant in Los Angeles right now. It's hard to get a reservation so call well in advance or walk in and wait to sit at the community table. Seafood is the star, drinks and service are just as terrific as the food. Make sure to try the hamachi it's heavenly!

Had a variety of different things. The linguini and class with uni was creative and fun. Also had Escobar with truffles mashed and Chantrelles. I know they are $18/lb, but if they are in the description give more than 3 little pieces. Our dessert was banana nut bread with coffee ice cream. Wish the coffee ice cream was more bold to stand up to the banana. Was told by a friend the portions were small. Wish they could be bigger. Still a really good meal. Would definitely go back there are many other items to try

This is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches i've ever tasted.Nice crispy coating on a bun with a slaw whose ingredients I don't recall but I do recall the great taste. Had some of my son's soft shell crab which was just as good and flavorful. It is a noisy place but the food is worth it.

Hard to get a reservation due to it's small size, but sometimes there are seats outside you can land at the last minute. Great (though expensive) cocktails! Portions are small, but so good you don't mind.

We were looking for lunch on 3rd street and walked out of one place after not getting a menu after 20 min. We stumbled in Son of a Gun, not realizing that it was an "in" place. I would consider it a small plates restaurant. While you can order sandwiches and salads, sharing plates seems the best way to enjoy their food. The food was very good. The fish and chips had a couple of small pieces of fish and enough fries to feed an army. The salads are different, but really good. They do charge for "Still Water" bottles.

Great atomoshere. The bar mixes up nasty drinks. These guys came up with original and incredible interpretations for old school seafood dishes liek lobster roll and shrimp toast - don't miss out. I suggest sharing a wide variety, as the menu offers nothing by top selections. Desserts are as good as appetizers and entrees.

what an exceptional place the foods quite something else brilliant ,novel, but is was one of the best meal i have had in USA Service was exquisite

Son of a Gun offers fresh, delicious, excellent food. Not to miss are the Fish n' Chips - available for lunch only - super tasty, generous portion you will not want to share! The fried chicken sandwich is also to die for - it must have originated here, because other version pale. Great drinks, good people watching, well done decor. Perfect cocktails. This is a wonderful place to check into while shopping W. Third Street or the nearby (dreadful) Beverly Centre.

The food and service is worth 4 stars, and the restaurant itself is cute, but it's small and incredibly loud. I went there to catch up with a friend and we couldn't have a conversation without shouting at each other and constantly asking "what did you say?". Not to mention there was a table seated next to us (literally two inches of space between our tables) and I don't remember hearing them say anything...I'm sure they couldn't hear each other either. It's really too bad because the food is really good and the service was great. The waiter was super nice and attentive but not annoying.

Interesting menu.. Average execution. Small portions. Stubborn on modifying recipes. Not even removing bacon from the top of a sandwich. Don't drive out of your way specially for it. Just go if you happen to be in the area.

5 of us loved everything but special shout out to crispy brussel sprouts with Chinese sausage and egg as well as the hamachi. Fried chicken sand which is the go to comfort food winner. French fries are a must order. Only seats 55 so make reservations and be prepared to wait a bit, but service is good and the vibe is warm and friendly. Also has a communal table.

My family and I visited Son of a Gun recently as a celebration of me ending a 6 year vegetarian diet. And I can't imagine a better way to start my new meat-eating-life. ;) With every dish and with every bite, we sat there and wondered how on earth it was possible to make such incredible food. Best meal of our lives. By far! Our favorites? The shrimp toast and brussels sprouts. I'll just go ahead and say you're welcome.

very cool spot, playfulness is the motto, dishes are small size, good for sharing and the lobster roll was amazing

We were shopping at closing time and asked the staff for a dinner recommendation. They never hesitated: "Son of a Gun" was a couple of blocks away. We stood eagerly at the door waiting for 6:00 pm for the door to open. Good thing as we got the only inside table not reserved! We knew we were on to something. I had the Linguine & Clams--savory and delicious. My son went for one of the favorites, the Fried Chicken Sandwich--tall and outstanding. My wife had the Trout Amandine--perfectly seasoned. The Caramelized Onion Dip was a great way to start. Amanda, our server, was terrific. By 6:15 the place was packed. Three observations things: (1) Not cheap (2) small plates (3) food comes as ready, not all together; my son waited noticeably longer than we did for his meal. That said, I should mention the seasonal cocktails too; the OG Julius 2.0 was yummy, the vanilla so tantalizing. My wife had the My Bloody Valentine; the ginger was delicious. Loved the place so much, we bought the cookbook! Would totally go back again--and make reservations!

I have a couple of chicken sandwich connoisseurs in my house, and we think the regular chicken sandwich and Nashville hot chicken sandwich are worth the trip. Please take the hidden 18% fee off - I'm happy to tip the server but don't know if they even benefit from this fee.

Read about this restaurant in Bon Appetit and made a reservation for a late lunch. We were not disappointed. Service is not rushed and we enjoyed a wonderful, leisurely lunch. The chicken sandwich and banana bread were highlights. The Cider Cup cocktail was outstanding. Cool place for lunch.

Expensive, poor value for money and fussy, disingenuous service. $85 for 2 people - one course each and a glass of wine for one. Total Rip Off. This place is for those that done really appreciate food but want to be seen at the latest hipster hangout.

A quirky, casual space with truly funny decor (think a vintage thrift version of Maine kitsch) that serves some truly excellent food. each one of our salads was spectacular. Items are served family style (coursed out as the plates are ready, usually lighter to heavier) and our favorites among the early dishes were the heirloom tomatoes, the beet salad, the mahi dip and the ham with hush puppies. Hearty recommend on the chicken sandwich as well as the trout almandine. For desserts you can't go wrong with their bread pudding and the peach pie with salted buttermilk gelato. Some things to note: It's a small dining area/bar, not a lot of tables, and lots of hard surfaces. So it can get noisy. Secondly, they obviously need to turn the tables here (especially on weekend evenings) to make ends meet; so your chances of a long leisurely meal probably won't happen (at least not on a Friday or Saturday). Very reasonable prices considering the quality of ingredients, the portions and kitchen's skill. Reserve a table, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Our second visit here. Every dish tasty but overly flavorful sauces that masked the taste of the hamachi, for instance, or the yellowtail neck. the last dish garnished with heirloom beans and not sure it was a success. Is the fault with the preparation or the conception? And this time around the uni on top of burrata did not convince. Not a happy mariage. Wine list more or less way too expensive considering the store-front atmosphere and cutlery and dishes. Wines by the glass rather obscure but good, but very expensive. Beer selection fine and more reasonable. Not in a hurry to go back, sorry. Imagination, good ingredients, good service, interesting decor, yes, but successful harmonious dishes, sorry, not this time.

We ordered the: kennebec french fries, malt vinegar aioli- Super tasty, good crispy and nice amount of seasoning. fried chicken sandwich, spicy b&b pickle slaw, rooster aioli- All of these ingredients are in the sandwich and though slightly challenging to eat (read messy) lots of flavour. wreck fish, pho fumet, herbs, lime, bok choy, crispy shallots- a slant of vietnamese pho without noodles (which I have to say I missed a little), also tasty, fairly salty broth. hamachi, galbi vinaigrette, pink lady apple, radish sprout- small and SUPER tasty, thin slices of hamachi with the galbi vinaigrette best sashimi I have had since Japan. We went on a Friday night, happened to walk by thought it looked cozy, and fairly busy took a chance and glad we did. We did have to sit at the bar, which was quite squishy, server was super fun and helpful in choosing dishes. I find the food prices reasonable, and the drink prices a bit high.

** If this review helped you - please vote it useful at the end so I keep on keeping on and reviewing on trip advisor!** This places has nice food and a fun atmosphere. The chicken sando is great - just like everyone says. Cozy seating - smaller room that's lively. I'd say that it's the combo of fun food and atmosphere that makes eating here a great experience overall. I wouldn't say the food blew me away - but it's real good, and the whole package is fun. Go - eat - laugh - have a couple good drinks!

I went with two friends, and we shared six different dishes. It was perfect. Excellent service also. I hope to go there again get next time I am in LA.

Inventive riff in a seafood restaurant, complete with nautilus decor (photos, stuffed marlin, wood paneling). The dishes are creative and fantastic. We had the hamachi and the poke from the raw bar. Then a deliciously rich shrimp toast and a linguini with claims and bread crumbs. We then had an awesome ham with hush puppies and butter (a great way to mix it up with seafood). We also had a trout almandine that was divine, along with a side of Brussel sprouts. We finished it off with Son of a Gun's famous fried chicken sandwich. For dessert we had a deconstructed key lime pie with frozen yogurt, the chocolate pie, and a creamsicle ice cream.

Great service and great food. Had the chicken burger and the chilled shrimps are awesome too. Sat by the bar but also other seating. Not too big a place but nice buzz to the place.

My husband and I were seated in the very back corner of the restaurant. Make no mistsake- on a crowded night this place can be very cramped, especially back where the kitchen and bar are as we were located. It's not an ideal dining location within the space at all (as it also gets very dark), so ask to be seated toward the front if you can. The decor is a bit ironic and tongue-in-cheek as most trend spots are, with all the much-too-on-the-nose-for-LA nautical touches. You know you're in a seafood joint, but they wouldn't at all want you thinking you're in a run-of-the-mill fish restaurant complete with cheese biscuits, a daily halibut special, and a lobster tank that your parents go to when they're on Cannery Row. No no, this is for the hip Instagram crowd. Those antlers on the wall say it all. The beer selection was very good (I had the Golden Draak, which I love) and the menu is different and creative. Seafood lovers will really, really enjoy the twist. However, we'd read about the infamous chicken sandwich so we both gave it a go. The flavors were beautiful, as if it were Chick-Fil-A on steroids and without any sense of modesty. A spicy slaw gives it a nice pop that balances out the "rooster" aioli (think a better version of chipotle mayo- sorry to sound so plebian). However, the sandwiches, being as obnoxiously big as they were, became very messy to eat. Ours both fell completely apart, and the fried skin slipped off the chicken quite easily. To enjoy something so delicious, the chef may find it prudent to perhaps reduce the size of the sandwich. But whatever, everything seems to be working out well so no matter. I wasn't blown away by the service as it was fairly detached and impersonal, but that's probably just my inner Myers-Briggs coming out. It's also Hollywood, so that's a thing. I'd recommend this place to those who really enjoy variations on a theme of seafood. Beyond that, I would personally go elsewhere with all the options in the area.

I recently went to "Son of a Gun" for a birthday lunch and we had a great table in the front window. It was a first time for all of us so we ordered some sashimi dishes for starters which were very small portions and not particularly good with the exception of the Hamachi which was very nice. They have a Mahi Mahi spread or dip which is interesting as an appetizer. The waitress the crab roll which we all tried and liked. It is a crab salad on a brioche like bun topped with potato chips and is small but great. Then on to the Comfort Seafood as I would describe the Lobster BLT. I is a huge butter soaked bun with lobster and thick Bacon tomatoes and of course plenty of mayo. Heart attack on a bun but really delicious. They also had a fried chicken sandwich which was deep fried chicken on the butter bun but we did not partake. Strange to see that on the menu of a seafood restaurant, but why not? We ordered the octopus which is in a salad and it was excellent. So good we ordered more. The check arrived and with minimal drinks (no wine) it came to about $80 per person before tip, which had me thinking of where else we could have eaten for that price. All in all I am glad to have experienced the place but like to keep things on the low calorie side. If you are a comfort food type and don't mind the pricing, this may be for you. Don't miss the photo in the Men's room of Hugh Hefner holding up a giant fish with a bimbo at his side. Vintage and fun!

Went on my own and was sat at the albeit busy bar immediately. Had a super friendly waitress who gave awesome recommendations, about how much as well as what to eat. Would definitely go back!

Went to Son Of A Gun with a friend for lunch and to catch up after not seeing each other for a while. I arrived early while it was still quiet although the noise level did increase once the restaurant filled. However, the food was spectacular. Small plates although some bigger than others. The fried chicken sandwich seemed to be very popular because I saw many of them coming out of the kitchen and we shared one of these. We each had a lobster roll, shared the blood orange, tangelo and spring onion salad. The blood oranges were so tart and juicy and all the flavors melded together so well. Who would have thought? However, the piece de resistance was dessert. The Italian Hamburger was to die for. Don't leave without trying this. We should have had one each. I haven't been back to Son Of A Gun yet but it is always on my mind.

Wow this was so delicious - every bite was literally an explosion of different flavors and it was fun trying to isolate which was what taste. We ordered the Yellowfin Tuna under the RAW section and it arrived in quite a unique presentation - the flavor was extreme - loved every bite. The apple, persimmon salad was really unique - not my favorite, however still delicious.The Brussel sprouts were divine except the egg which though flavors off for some reason - may have been quail egg? The Trout Amandine was one of the best I've ever had. This is a home run restaurant with impeccable service.

I went with a friend at 7:30 on Sunday night, the place was full but we had a reservation and were seated promptly. our waiter Alex was helpful and not intrusive. My friend ordered the Lobster Roll , the escolar and the banana bread and loved it all. I ordered Uni with burrata, excellent but minuscule portion.....I should have ordered 2 !!!! than the linguine with clams and chili, I loved it ,spicy as I had hoped. I finished with banana bread ( delicious ) and a portion of passion fruit sorbet. A bottle of white wine for $86 ( 0ne of the cheapest on the list) They should have more wines below $50. Big bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water. total $ 218 and I added a 20% tip. Surprisingly at 8:30 the place was almost empty. I was an excellent evening.

We ate with a group of 6 people, initially we were placed on a 4 person table (the one next to us wasn't ready yet) but shortly after we were able to get the extra table which was a lot more comfortable. This was a good solution to not having us wait an extra long time. Food was really really good, we had a selection of many different dishes and enjoyed most of them. Very tasteful and with good service and wine accompanied. It was a great evening with a lot of fun, good food and drinks. Definitively a great restaurant!

This is one of those hip restaurants that's always packed, so not on my list when I have a hankering to dine out on little notice. I was able to get a 6:15 pm reservation, however, and found the excellent, eclectic food, prompt and friendly service -- and tolerable noise level -- way better than what I'd imagined. Share the sauteed haloumi cheese with olive oil, thyme and chili; the salad of impossibly thin-sliced apple, kohlrabi, mint, pepato and hazelnuts; and the crisp Kennebec potato french fries with malt vinegar aioli. My husband found the fried-chicken sandwich too spicy for his stomach, but he couldn't resist devouring it. I adored the steamed clams in a Spanish sofitro and creme fraiche-scented broth, with a luscious chunk of grilled ciabatta bread for dunking. Love the cozy, retro seafood-restaurant decor and ambiance. Wish the wines by the glass were less expensive -- and that it was easier to get a table at 8 pm.

I sat at the bar. Food was very good however I did not like that when ever I asked the bartender if I could change a couple of things in my order. like less spicy I was told they do not change the menu items. So I was limited to just a couple of items. I had the trout and it was very good.

We had: 1) Linguine & Clams, Uni Aglio - Olio, Chili, Breadcrumbs - it was the worst pasta I had in my life, if they dared to serve this in Italy, they'd go to jail. A tiny portion of linguine cooked to a pie, 4 clams, and LOTS of oil. Aglio? Niente. Olio? Moltissimo. Taste? Not measurable. Prezzo? Altissimo = 29.75 $ 2) Roasted broccoli, carrots, red quinoa, peanuts, honey date vinaigrette 18.75 $ - roasted to charcoal, sprinkled with peanuts out of a bag, the vinaigrette? we couldn't detect it. 3) 6 Oysters. 21 $. - I didn't know such small oysters even existed. 4) Shrimp toast sandwich, hoisin, herbs, sriracha mayo 14.50 $ - Soaked in mayo. 5) Lobster Roll, Celery, Lemon Aioli 12.50 $ - ok 6) Bigeye tuna, leche de tigre, avocado, tortilla 29.75 - Looks like a lump of don't-know-what-that-could-be and tastes exactly like that. Poor tuna, didn't merit such a pitiful end 7) Fries 8 $ - ok With 2 glasses of wine an one beer we spent 205.88 $, plus 20% service. By the way, service: The girls did not know anything about the wines. Our worst LA experience.

I recently returned to Son of a Gun for dinner and was even more impressed than my first visit. The restaurant has a cozy, upscale East coast seafood shack vibe. The lobster rolls are small but reasonably priced at $7 and taste fantastic. The shrimp toast sandwich is excellent and the fried chicken sandwich one of the best you'll find. With moderate prices, good service (the waiter substituted a cocktail free of charge after I chose poorly on my first selection), attractive decor and outstanding food, this place is a gem.

A celebrity recommend this restaurant, before I went, I have checked the price is affordable. When I got this place is not occupied, but the food is so delicious. My family is satisfied with the food, will be willing to go there again.

Pleasant enough, small, dark, hip restaurant. All dishes were remarkably good but also quite small. Expensive too for what you get.

This 1 star review is for the horrible service provided by a tall and big gentleman who was working today (1/22/2022) between 1:45 pm to around 4:30pm. The gentleman seemed like he was in a bad mood or having a bad day since we checked in. After we sat down at our table he was not very attentive, our order ended up being taken by another very friendly lady with long hair. We ordered a big eye tuna, 1 Maui dip, 3 lobster rolls, broccoli, 1 fish with rice, 4 latte, sparkling water and hot water. The gentleman repeatedly asked "you want dessert or you want your check" around 4:00pm while we were still finishing the dishes we ordered. Our check was sent to our table without asking. The check showed clearly that they charged 18% service charge and that additional tips are welcome if you have a fantastic experience. At first we did not add additional tips on the merchant receipt. Then the gentleman came back with a rude attitude telling us that "gratitude is not included on the check". We asked for the original invoice then the friendly lady delivered the original invoice to us. We pointed out that it shows 18% service charge already charged on our check. We are willing to pay additional tips if the experience is good, but it was far from fantastic. We ended up adding additional $28 as tips but we told the lady to keep it all to herself as the gentleman was so mean, so rude and so not customer centric !!!!! Again We don't think we deserve that kind of horrible customer service while paying 32% of tips !!!! Very disappointed and you have lost a group of loyal customers due to the negative dine in experience !!! Food was good as usual and I come here often but I don't think I will come back anytime soon or ever again due to the negative experience today. There are so many new restaurants with creativity, high quality food & beverages and much better service. Parking is not so easy so recommend to arrive 15 mins in advance to find parking

We had a fabulous dinner with our son and his fiance two nights before their wedding at this delicious restaurant. The menu was very interesting and we ended up ordering 10 small plates for the 4 of us. Great cocktails and wine and even a fabulous dessert. The staff was so helpful and the service was so good. We loved it.

We started with the Lemonfish poke w radish escabeche w citrus ponzu sauce, which set the tone of things to come. This ponzu delight even had small chunks of fruit in it, excellent. Next came yellowfin tuna covering avocado with leche de tiger citrus sauce, all in the shape and look of a large tomato. Biting into this dish hit crunchy tortillas - very daring, very original, extremely delicious! Finally, we had to order the waiter's #1 recommendation - the fried chicken sandwich with pickled vole slaw, and this dish was my wife's favorite. Great job Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo, for reinventing the art of seafood dishes - beyond fusion - true innovation!

I do feel like this is a wonderful place to eat but I feel like the prices are a bit much for portions that aren’t overly huge. I didn’t book and subsequently was seated at the communal table, which isn’t so bad but I do wish I had a little more privacy when I’m eating out and if I were to return I would definitely ensure that I book a table. The service however is incredible and the detail they pay to everything is really wonderful. I do want to return to the restaurant again, it was a lovely experience and I would definitely recommend the place to anyone going to Los Angeles. It is a fantastic place to eat at, the atmosphere there was really friendly.

I love this place! The service is top notch and the food is delicious! It is expensive but it is well worth it. The only complaint I have is that the portions could be bigger. Other than that, I highly recommend Son of a Gun! Make sure to check this place out if you are in the LA area.

We went with friends and were very disappointed with the whole experience. Noisy, crowded, and more like an endurance test than a relaxing evening out with friends. I don't know why all these other reviewers were so positive! The Caesar salad was good, the lobster roll was tasty but very small. The shrimp (? where was the shrimp!) toast was disgusting; small and deep fried for a very long time, something I would not serve to any guests I was feeding. There were 6 of us and we arrived as it opened on a Sunday evening but still all our orders arrived at different times so that two of us had finished while two others were waiting for their full order. As for the fried chicken sandwich; buy fried chicken and coleslaw from Kentucky Fried chicken and get a brioche roll from the supermarket and you would end up with a better tasting dish at half the price! Sorry, but that's how I feel about the whole experience.

Jon and Vinny have yet to disappoint. My friends and I went to try the spot that was new-ish to them. They once again presented us with food that is yummy. People ask what type of cuisine it is and I think they may have pioneered 'yummy' as a satisfactory cuisine type. It is predominantly a seafood place and the chicken sandwich is one of the best things I've ever put into my mouth. I suggest trying out this place that does not seem to ever have an off day....they are CONSISTENT!!!

Seven people in for a birthday party. Shared most of the stuff. Everything was tasty and beyond. Shrimp toast sandwich and lobster roll on top but poke and octopus salad very good too. Even dessert was good (tin roof ice cream). Probably star was the foie gras with its apple taste. Awesome.

Enjoyed this restaurant day after Christmas with family. Expensive prices for gourmet bites of varying dishes. If you’re going for a full meal, I wouldn’t go there. They serve you a small plate and then you share with others. That’s the best way. Food was fantastic. Never tasted anything like it. Next time I’ll take just the wife because I already know what I enjoyed. Good ambiance and great service.