On discovering Grand Central’s Eggslut

 

As a student of a university located in one of America’s most vibrant cities, I’ve always found it strange that many students — particularly first-years — don’t take advantage of all the local happenings as much as they could. As a native New Yorker, I’m perplexed by the idea of wanting to stay within a college bubble. Even as young children, we would explore all of our city’s neighborhoods: on foot, on bike and via public transportation. These adventures we had were even often shared free of charge. We’d peek into corner stores and make plans to go window-shopping. And when we saw new establishments taking over all that was old and familiar, we’d rummage past the early construction and blacked-out windows and inquire as to what would be coming next.

Like many students who come to Los Angeles from other metropolitan areas, I was disappointed to find that our public transportation here really, really isn’t the optimal way to get around. Though this may have been the understatement of the year and often keeps our car-less young’uns in the neighborhood, one positive aspect of this is that our campus remains spirited and lively. But in spite of ensuring that USC’s campus culture is alive and well, it’s dually important (and rewarding) to become acquainted with the eclectic sprawl of this city that surrounds us, one that is in the height of its development, evolving before us daily.

Upon this realization, I made a vow to myself a while back that I would try once a week to “live Los Angeles” in some way that I hadn’t prior. This could be in the form of checking out a new concert venue, seeing a gallery show with friends, or more often for me, trying to find some really great food.

Early on in the semester, a friend first brought me to Eggslut. As an aficionado of all eggs cooked in all forms, my life was transformed.

A self-described “chef driven, gourmet food concept,” Eggslut aims to cater to those of you who (hopefully) love eggs as much as I do. The menu takes what once was a mere breakfast staple and nurtures it to appeal to burger lovers, foodies and health freaks alike, making the egg a fully accessible all-day dining item. Widely Instagrammed favorites include the Slut — a coddled egg on top of a smooth potato purée, poached in a jar to be served with a baguette — and the more traditional Eggslut Cheeseburger — a flavor-heavy blend of ground American wagyu beef, caramelized onions, bread and butter pickles, cheddar cheese and dijonnaise, topped with an over medium egg in a warm brioche bun. Though the menu includes options that appeal to food lovers of many backgrounds and preferences, in true L.A. fashion, salad can be substituted for bread at no extra charge and avocado can be slipped into even the most overstuffed sandwiches.

Developed in 2011 by Executive Chef Alvin Cailan, a graduate of the Oregon Culinary Institute, Eggslut sought to find the happy medium between culinary comfort and innovation. Their mission details their goal of creating food that constitutes more than a meal, but instead, an experience. This is done by directing attention to not only how the food tastes, but also how it looks and the manner in which it’s presented. At Eggslut, customers are presented with dishes that are ingredient-heavy and unique, but they also have a great deal of freedom to customize their options as they wish.

Eggslut shares the Homer Laughlin Building, or the Grand Central Market, with about 30 other vendors. As L.A.’s first and largest public market, Grand Central still continues on with its 98 year-old mission to celebrate and unite the city of L.A. through cuisine and culture.

On weekend mornings and afternoons, long lines leading up to Eggslut snake through the market’s narrow walkways. As students and other hungry Angelenos wait impatiently to start their days, kitchen employees are hard at work frying, poaching, and serving up a mean cold brew too. Those who have been lucky enough to finally pick up their orders leave the market to enjoy the meals under the red umbrellas on Broadway, or perhaps they continue to scour the market, to find the accompanying iced coffee or smoothie. Regardless, more visitors will amble on in to Grand Central Market, likely stopping to notice the lit-up yellow Eggslut sign.

If you’re a true fan of all things egg, you’ll have no trouble bracing the short Metro ride downtown to check this place out. Grand Central Market’s hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Viviane Eng is a freshman majoring in print and digital journalism. Her column, “Among Us & Other Things,” runs Thursdays.