Celebrity-owned restaurants are spread throughout the United States. As such, it should come as no surprise that with the number of “stars” — music, pro sports, film and television — residing in California, that bars and restaurants owned by celebs are fairly common in the Golden State.
Here is a small selection of some of those celebrity-owned restaurants where you can taste food imagined by your favorite star. The variety of offerings ranges from luxury fare to some of the best tacos in town.
Clint Eastwood
The Restaurant at Mission Ranch
26270 Dolores St., Carmel, 93923
Info missionranchcarmel.com/restaurant.htm
Eastwood starred in the Western TV series “Rawhide” (1959-65), and as the Man with No Name in Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone’s trilogy of spaghetti Westerns, as well as antihero cop Harry Callahan in the five “Dirty Harry” films. He has starred in, and/or directed, more than a dozen films. Eastwood’s “Unforgiven,” won him “Best Director” and “Best Picture” Oscars.
The Restaurant at Mission Ranch is one of the most spectacular spots to dine on the Monterey Peninsula. The view includes sheep grazing in the meadow, spectacular sunsets, the Santa Lucia Mountains and Point Lobos with the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Moderately priced. Classic American cuisine.
George Lopez Brewing Co.
21770 Del Amo Circle E, Torrance, 90503
Info thebrewshall.com
Comedian George Lopez stared on “The George Lopez Show,” a sitcom on ABC-TV from 2002 to 2007.
Located in Torrance’s first multi-concept brewery and food hall, it serves authentic Mexican-style beers, while the George Lopez Chingon Kitchen dishes up traditional Mexican eats and eclectic sides.
Tony Hawk
GuacAmigos Tequila & Tacos
2607 Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, 92663
Info uacamigos.com
Skateboard legend Tony Hawk and former Playboy Playmate Nicole Dahm Kelly teamed up to offer shelf tequila, tableside guac preparation and elevated Mexican dishes like Wagyu carne asada tacos to Newport Beach.
Ryan Gosling
Tagine
132 N Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90211
Info aginebeverlyhills.com
Gosling starred in “Blue Valentine” (2010), “Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011), “The Place Beyond the Pines” (2012), “The Nice Guys” (2016) and “La La Land” (2016).
Tagine is a secluded and cozy Moroccan hideaway in the heart of Beverly Hills. Co-owned by Chef “Ben” Benameur. Offers an impressive drink collection, featuring imported wines and beers from around the world.
Danny Trejo
Trejo’s Tacos
Seven locations 048 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., 90019
1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 90028
21550 Oxnard St., Ste 125, Woodland Hills, 91367
835 W Jefferson Blvd., USC Village, L.A., 90089
The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St #322, L.A., 90036
11419 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 90025
1 World Way, LAX Terminal 1, L.A., 90045
Info trejostacos.com
Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts
6785 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., 90038
Info rejosdonuts.com
Trejo is an actor seen in many of director Robert Rodriguez’s films and star of two “Machete” movies, as well as a famous Snicker’s commercial. He has seven “taco shacks” in Los Angeles and a Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts in Santa Monica.
Robert DeNiro
Nobu LA and Nobu Malibu
903 La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 90069
22706 CA-1, Malibu, 90265
Info oburestaurants.com/losangeles/home/
Actor and director DeNiro co-founded the first Nobu, an upmarket Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant, in 1994, with co-founders celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa (the Japanese chef who made black cod with miso famous) and film producer and entrepreneur Meir Teper. Nobu Hospitality is now an empire with 39 restaurants and eight luxury hotels across five continents. Two locations of Nobu are open in SoCal.
Mark and Donnie Wahlberg
Wahlburgers
Three locations 85 University Ave., Palo Alto, 94301
USC Village, 835 W. Jefferson, Unit 1710, L.A., 90007
8615 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
Info ahlburgers.com/all-locations/california
Mark Wahlberg is best known as the frontman for the group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. As an actor he starred in the 2001 “Plant of the Apes,” as well as a score of other films.
Donnie Wahlberg is a founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. He currently stars in the CBS drama series “Blue Bloods” as Danny Reagan.
