One of the best sandwiches in Los Angeles can be found in a charming hidden cottage just behind downtown Malibu.
Opened earlier this year, Casita Basqueria looks straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie. The brainchild of Basque chef Sebastien Pourrat, this shop and cafe is stocked with a range of specialty foods and home goods, from gourmet potato chips imported from Spain to candles and textiles made locally by hand.
But Casita Basqueria is best known for their delicious sandwiches. Pourrat got his start at Cocotte in New York City, the acclaimed Basque eatery he opened and ran in Soho for nearly a decade. The restaurant garnered a reputation for impeccable small plates made with only a few high-quality ingredients, and that culinary ethos has continued with Casita Basqueria. The sandwiches are simple but delicious, made with the freshest local veggies and bread, with high-quality meats and cheese imported from France and Spain.
We’d share a menu if we could. But there isn’t one. Casita Basqueria only serves one kind of sandwich each day, and it’s constantly changing. And be forewarned: there aren’t many to go around. The sandwiches go on sale every day at 11 a.m., and are often sold out within an hour.
But it’s worth braving the line, if just for the ambiance. Casita Basqueria is located in Surf Canyon, an adorable new shopping center that a lot of locals don’t even know about yet. Situated on a tree-lined street tucked next to Whole Foods, the Surf Canyon shopping center features a collection of adorable bungalows housing independent stores and artisans.
Enjoy your sandwich and play a round of cornhole on the shady Surf Canyon patio, which looks straight out of Provence. Once you’re done, explore the local shops. Some of our favorites include Temporarily on Leave, which features impossibly chic bags and clothing, and Kenzan, a flower shop which specializes in Japanese Ikebana arrangements.
