Comments (0) Best Fast-Casual Concept - 2013
ShopHouse
From the owners of Chipotle — yes, Chipotle — comes a new Southeast Asian chain. ShopHouse shares many of Chipotle's best attributes: fresh ingredients, "sustainable" meats and quick, choose-your-own-adventure, assembly-line service. But we'd argue that ShopHouse's food is actually better than Chipotle's. You choose from cold rice noodles, or brown or white rice, then one topping from each category: protein, vegetable, sauce, topping and garnish. You end up with a bowl piled high with food, a pretty substantial serving for less than $8. But the most surprising thing about ShopHouse is how bold this food is. It's possible to get a low-heat meal, but most of this food is aggressively and appropriately spiced. The curry sauces are thicker than many Thai curries, and pretty intense. The green beans are cooked with chile jam, and pack quite a kick. The eggplant is full of Thai basil and appropriately smooshed and delicious. If ShopHouse's dreams are realized and it takes over the nation, as Steve Ells' other venture did, then this is a chain restaurant we'd gladly pull off the interstate to frequent. 6333 W. Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. (323) 462-2856, shophousekitchen.com. —Besha Rodell
