If you’ve spent any time drifting through Echo Park, you’ve probably walked past that unassuming Sunset Boulevard storefront more than once. It’s Button Mash. For a while there, during the height of the pandemic, it felt like we might lose it forever, and honestly, the neighborhood held its collective breath. But the version that exists today—a bizarre, beautiful hybrid of a world-class arcade and a kitchen that refuses to play it safe—is arguably better than the original. Button Mash restaurant Los Angeles CA isn't just a place to play Donkey Kong while drinking a craft lager; it’s a case study in how a business can lose its identity and find a sharper one in the aftermath.
It’s loud. It’s dark. It smells like a mix of ozone from old circuit boards and the sharp, vinegary punch of fermented chilis.
The story here isn't just about high scores. It’s about the food. When Button Mash first opened in 2015, it was a collaboration with Starry Kitchen, the legendary underground-turned-famous pop-up known for those addictive crispy tofu balls. But things change. Partnerships evolve. Today, the kitchen is steered by the Tsubaki and Ototo team—specifically chefs Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan. This changed the DNA of the menu from "eccentric pan-Asian comfort food" to something more refined but equally unpretentious.
The Weird Intersection of Vintage Joysticks and Serious Culinary Ambition
Most "barcades" treat food as an afterthought. You usually get a soggy basket of fries or a burger that tastes like it was thawed in a microwave five minutes ago. Button Mash restaurant Los Angeles CA decided that was a boring way to live. Instead, you're looking at a menu that features Matzo Ball Ramen and Dan Dan Macaroni.
It's weird. It works.
The Matzo Ball Ramen is a perfect example of the "fuck it, let's see if this tastes good" energy that defines Echo Park. You have the rich, fatty comfort of a traditional ramen broth paired with the dense, schmaltz-heavy satisfaction of a matzo ball. It shouldn't make sense. But when you’re three beers deep and you just lost your last life on Ghost ’n Goblins, it’s exactly what your soul requires.
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The arcade side of the house is managed with a level of reverence that borders on the religious. We aren't talking about those busted machines at a suburban bowling alley with sticky buttons and flickering screens. The curation here is tight. You have the heavy hitters like Pac-Man and Street Fighter II, but then you stumble onto something like Killer Queen—a ten-player strategy game that turns strangers into screaming teammates in about thirty seconds.
Why the Pinball Machines Actually Matter
Pinball is a dying art, or at least it was until places like this saved it. The machines at Button Mash are maintained by people who actually give a damn about leveling and solenoid strength. If you’ve ever played a "soft" pinball machine where the flippers feel like wet noodles, you know the frustration. Here, the snap is crisp.
The selection rotates. You might find a classic Addams Family table one month and a modern Godzilla Stern machine the next. This constant rotation keeps the regulars coming back, creating a genuine community of players who know each other by their three-letter initials on the leaderboard. It’s one of the few places in Los Angeles where you can see a guy in a $400 designer hoodie losing his mind next to a local who’s been living in the same rent-controlled apartment since 1994.
Surviving the "Starry Kitchen" Transition
There was a lot of anxiety when Starry Kitchen moved on. People loved those green tofu balls. But the Namba and Kaplan era has brought a different kind of focus. The beverage program, in particular, leveled up significantly. Since they also run Ototo—one of the best sake bars in the country—the drink list at Button Mash isn't just a list of IPAs.
You can get actual, high-quality sake. In a barcade.
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They also lean heavily into natural wines and small-batch breweries. It’s a very "Los Angeles" move, blending high-brow consumption with low-brow entertainment. You’re sipping a funky orange wine while trying to remember the fatality combos for Sub-Zero. It’s chaotic. It’s great.
The physical space itself is a vibe. Designed by Design, Bitches (the same firm behind some of the coolest spots in the city), it feels like a 1980s fever dream that grew up and got a job in mid-century modern furniture sales. It’s got those deep booths, the geometric wallpaper, and lighting that makes everyone look better than they actually do at 11 PM on a Tuesday.
What to Order When You’re Overwhelmed
Look, the menu is shorter than it used to be, but it’s more consistent. If you’re heading to Button Mash restaurant Los Angeles CA for the first time, don't overthink it.
- The Double Cheeseburger: It sounds basic. It isn't. It’s a smash burger style with charred edges and a sauce that actually cuts through the fat.
- Dan Dan Macaroni: A mashup of Szechuan spice and American comfort. The numbing sensation of the peppercorns is a wild companion to a cold pilsner.
- Crispy Cauliflower: This is for the people who still miss the old menu. It’s crunchy, salty, and disappears in about four minutes.
The service is usually fast, which is necessary because the place gets packed. On a Friday night, the noise level is "I have to scream to tell you I like your shirt," but that’s part of the draw. If you want a quiet, contemplative dinner, go somewhere else. If you want to feel the kinetic energy of a city that refuses to sleep, stay here.
The Logistics of a Night at Button Mash
Parking in Echo Park is a nightmare. This is a fundamental truth of the universe. There is a small lot, but unless you arrive at 5 PM, forget about it. Your best bet is ride-sharing or hunting for a spot on the side streets, but read the signs carefully because the parking enforcement in this neighborhood is predatory.
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It’s also surprisingly family-friendly—to a point. Before 9 PM, you’ll see parents teaching their kids how to play Galaga. It’s a nice bridge between generations. After 9 PM, the lights go down, the music goes up, and it becomes a 21+ playground.
The Cultural Impact on Echo Park
Echo Park is changing fast. Gentrification has ripped through the neighborhood, replacing old-school bodegas with boutiques that sell $80 candles. Button Mash occupies a weird middle ground. It’s definitely part of the "new" Echo Park, but it feels more authentic than the polished, corporate spots popping up. It feels like it belongs to the neighborhood because it was built by people who live here and care about the history of the space.
The arcade culture in LA is surprisingly competitive. You have spots like Family Arcade in East Hollywood that are more "pure" gaming environments, but they don't have the food. You have fancy bowling alleys with "game rooms," but they lack the soul. Button Mash sits in the sweet spot. It respects the machines and the ingredients equally.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of Button Mash restaurant Los Angeles CA, follow this specific game plan:
- Arrive Early (or Late): The "sweet spot" is 6:00 PM on a weekday if you want a table without a massive wait. If you’re there for the games, the crowd starts to thin out around 11:30 PM on weeknights.
- Get a Card: They use a card system for the games now. Load it up at the kiosk. Pro tip: start with $20. It lasts longer than you think unless you’re playing the newer Stern pinball machines, which eat credits faster.
- Check the Specials: The kitchen often runs one-off items that aren't on the main printed menu. These are usually the chefs experimenting with seasonal ingredients from the nearby farmers' market.
- Respect the Machines: These are vintage pieces of hardware. If a joystick is sticking, tell the staff nicely. They have technicians who actually know how to fix them. Don't be the person slamming the glass on a 40-year-old machine.
- Walk the Neighborhood: After you’re done, walk down to Echo Park Lake. It’s just a few blocks away. The view of the skyline over the water is the perfect way to decompress after the sensory overload of the arcade.
Button Mash is a reminder that Los Angeles is at its best when it's being a little bit "too much." It’s a restaurant, a bar, a museum of 80s technology, and a community center all at once. It shouldn't work, but in the middle of Echo Park, it’s exactly where it needs to be.