[HossC]

Originally Posted by Tourmaline

Culinary Invention Claims From the L.A. Area
The French Dip Sandwich - by Phillipe Mathieu (Phillipe Restaurant, L.A., 1918)
The Cheeseburger - Lionel Sternberger (Rite Spot Restaurant, Pasadena, 1924)
The Hot Fudge Sundae - at C.C. Brown's (Hollywood)
The Shirley Temple & the Cobb Salad - at L.A.'s Original Brown Derby (Hollywood)

I've also seen claims that the Margarita cocktail was invented by Johnny Durlesser while he was head bartender at the Tail o' the Cock restaurant. He's obviously in a long line of claimants, some of whom can be found here.