I know, I know, this is supposed to be about food… but it must be said first and foremost that The Misfit probably has the best happy hour in West LA. This happy “hour” runs every day from the minute the restaurant opens until 7 PM. Forget happy HOUR—it’s a happy DAY. So do yourself a favor and just Uber there (trust me). Now that I’ve raved excessively about their happy hour, would you believe me if I told you that the food is even better? You should, and here’s why…
The Misfit is a bustling place that has a trendy vibe – the ambience is casual, but you probably shouldn’t roll up in a tank and flip-flops for dinner. It’s dimly lit, but has a loud and fun atmosphere. The menu is drool-worthy and has a disclaimer at the bottom that says they’ll accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan requests. If you tell your server about your gluten allergy, they will alert the chef and manager and make sure that you are taken care of. Don’t you love them already? Many of the dishes on their menu are already gluten-free or can be easily modified, including burgers that can be made on gluten-free buns and sandwiches that can be made on gluten-free bread. Say goodbye to all of those sad lettuce-wrapped burgers of the past and dive into their signature Misfit Burger with your very own “special” bun. In case you’re still not sold, did you know that they try to source ingredients from the local farmer’s market and the meat they use is grass-fed and antibiotic free? Welcome to Santa Monica.
Luckily, you may not even have to modify your meal because one of The Misfit’s most popular dishes and my personal favorite is the Baked Mac & Cheese that is completely gluten-free—made with brown rice pasta. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is one the best mac & cheese dishes that I’ve ever had. And I’m basically the authority on mac & cheese (still working on that certification). I really don’t think you can go wrong on this menu– for brunch, lunch OR dinner. The salads are all fresh and delicious, but I will definitely be back for an Ahi Burger on a gluten-free bun. In the meantime, it’s probably necessary for you to go get your mac & cheese fix here ASAP.