Fiona Ng
is LAist's deputy managing editor and leads a team of reporters who explore food, culture, history, events and more.
Published May 24, 2025 5:00 AM
Philz Coffee will soon open on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz.
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Fiona Ng
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LAist
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Topline:
Hillhurst Avenue is one of the most walking-friendly strips in Los Angeles. And soon, a new business is joining the thoroughfare of cool restaurants and nice shops.
What business? The new addition is Philz Coffee, a chain from Northern California.
Why is that an issue? Well, a number of coffee shops already congregate along a short strech of Hillhurst where Philz will soon open. That is leading residents to wonder, are there just too many coffee shops?
Read on ... to hear what new shops residents would like to see open instead.
As one of Los Feliz's most walkable strips, Hillhurst Avenue has a lot to offer. The thoroughfare connects to Griffith Park and boasts a number of restaurants, shops and cool hangouts.
Soon, a new business is opening up — not unusual for any neighborhood. But this particular addition, a Philz Coffee that's taking over the space once occupied by gourmet butcher McCall's, is raising a blunt question: Are there too many coffee spots on Hillhurst?
" Yes, absolutely,” said Steven Shinnick, a Los Feliz resident of about a decade. “I mean, we got Starbucks across from a Coffee Bean. There's a new one coming in over here ... Pete's... Leet's ... I don't even know the names anymore." Yeah, Philz. "And then Blue Bottle, of course."
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Los Feliz.
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Fiona Ng
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LAist
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Here’s the lay of the land. Along a stretch of just a few blocks of Hillhurst, depending on how you count, a Los Feliz Daycare-following hipster can get his caffeine fix in at least seven places: Start at Starbucks Reserve (read: fancy Starbucks) near the intersection with Los Feliz Boulevard. Down the block and across the street is the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Across from that is a Blue Bottle Coffee. Cafe Los Feliz and Alcove will feed you as well as make your $5+ espresso drink. And don’t forget homegrown roaster Maru Coffee.
Blue Bottle Coffee on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz
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Fiona Ng
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Add Philz and that’s seven coffee joints within a roughly 10-minute walk.
" It's very saturated. We are very lucky to have a lot of coffee so close to us," said Troy Born, another decade-long resident. " I can just walk down Hillhurst and choose what coffee I feel like that day."
On this very day, Born is feeling the siren calls of two places. He bought a box of coffee filters from Blue Bottle, as well as a bag of beans and a cup of drip from Maru.
As for the new kid on the block, he said the people will be the judge of whether it gets to stick around.
Overkill aside, choice can be good for the wallet, said Jacob Ross, who's lived in the neighborhood for about five years.
"You can kind of get a cheap coffee, but you can also get a super fancy cup."
But " there is quite a lot of coffee," he admitted.
Ross isn't familiar with the Northern California chain Philz but said his wife has heard of it. As a habitual coffee drinker, his go-to place on Hillhurst for a nice cup of black is All Time — a restaurant.
Does All Time make it eight coffee places on Hillhurst?
"It's super accessible, and it's a really good cup of coffee," Ross said.
What does the neighborhood need more of? Ross said he wouldn't mind seeing a few more watering holes, as a number of bars shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maru Coffee on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz.
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Fiona Ng
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"There's definitely a lot of places that have kind of stopped being a hangout after a certain time and then they become restaurants that you have to have reservations to get into. So it makes it a little harder to hang out in the neighborhood at night," Ross said.
Born wants to see a tried-and-true culinary establishment rise up in the beating heart of Los Feliz.
" Houston's restaurant," Born said, dead serious. "I swear it would kill. Because it's so good."
His wife emailed the steakhouse to soft launch the idea. But the chain responded to say that they would only consider opening a new location if they can own the building.
For one longtime resident and business owner, it doesn't matter what kind of new business comes in – as long as it isn’t coffee.
"We can use other things here in the community. We can always use another restaurant or a boutique. Or some sort of accessory store, or music," said Dr. Michele Ware, right after a coffee run to All Time.
Ware has lived in Los Feliz most of her life and owns Los Feliz Med Spa, just two storefronts down from the new Philz.
Given the proximity, is she at least tempted to give Philz a try?
" Probably eventually," Ware said. "But I'm not lining up to get in there."
Julia Barajas
covers what Angelenos need to know and the essential news of the day.
Published July 24, 2026 3:00 PM
A LAHSA Commission meeting held on Friday, on April 25, 2025.
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LAist
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission unanimously approved a $496 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, moments before the agency released its annual homeless count.
Why it matters: The agency's new budget, approved today, is down 40% compared to $829 million approved last year. The drop accounts for L.A. County’s move away from the agency — along with fewer dollars from the state. The agency’s budget is now 73% funded by the city of L.A. At the same time, homelessness in L.A. is up. New numbers show the population of people living outdoors in the city grew by7.9% between early 2025 and 2026.
What does the money do: In addition to the annual tally,the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority uses federal, state, county, and city dollars to provide a range of services — everything from safe places to park for people who live in their cars to permanent housing placement.
Who’s on the commission? LAHSA is governed by a 10-member commission that is half appointed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, and half appointed by each of the five county supervisors. Bass has served on the commission since appointing herself to it in fall 2023.
The backstory: The embattled agency, which has been at the forefront of the region’s response to homelessness for more than three decades, is currently fighting for survival. Following a series of harsh audits and a judge’s rebuke of LAHSA’s spending and management, L.A. County supervisors pulled funding from the agency. LAHSA is also in the middle of a court battle with the Trump administration, which is seeking to cut its access to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds.
The Pio Pico - Koreatown Branch Library in Koreatown is one of several cooling centers recommended by the city.
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Gary Coronado
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The LA Local
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Topline:
While a late July heatwave baking Los Angeles is expected to break by Monday, a new heatwave could be following close behind next week.
More details: Temperatures will linger in the high 80s and low 90s in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, including Koreatown, Pico Union and Westlake. The National Weather Service projects temperatures will peak on Sunday afternoon. Meteorologist Bryan Lewis with the National Weather Service said residents can expect more humidity than usual.
Stay cool: During hot weather, the beach is an immediate go-to for folks that want to stay cool, but Lewis warns against this as the surf will be extra choppy. Here's some places to beat the heat.
Los Angeles will be under a heat wave advisory until Monday evening as temperatures show no signs of letting up over the weekend.
Temperatures will linger in the high 80s and low 90s in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, including Koreatown, Pico Union and Westlake.
The National Weather Service projects temperatures will peak on Sunday afternoon. Meteorologist Bryan Lewis with the National Weather Service said residents can expect more humidity than usual.
While dense, urban centers have more concrete and see more vehicle traffic, downtown and the surrounding areas will not be the hottest locations during this heatwave in the Southland, as the Antelope Valley will be under an extreme heat advisory over the weekend.
During hot weather, the beach is an immediate go-to for folks that want to stay cool, but Lewis warns against this as the surf will be extra choppy.
The Pacific Coast will see large swells “coming up from tropical systems off the coast of Mexico,” Lewis said. “We are issuing a beach hazard statement that’ll be in effect through at least the weekend [which] may be extended.”
While the weather is expected to cool down on Monday, forecasts show that another heatwave could develop by the end of next week.
Councilmember Heather Hutt’s office recommends residents to rest in shade or a building with air conditioning and to stay hydrated with plenty of water.
Residents should also:
Cool down at a public library, recreation facility, senior center or other public air-conditioned building
Check up on relatives and neighbors, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions
Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances
When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening
Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments and staying hydrated
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Faheem Khan
is an associate producer for LAist's daily news show, AirTalk
Published July 24, 2026 2:24 PM
Chaiwale and Co.'s location in Orange, CA.
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Shilapjot ‘Sunny’ Singh
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Courtesy of Chaiwale & Co.
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Topline:
The owner of Chaiwale & Co tells us about where chai comes from and misconceptions around the drink. Plus, we try some South Asian desserts.
The backstory: The Indian subcontinent’s dominance in tea production can be traced back as early as the 19th century when British colonizers established plantations in western India. While the British preferred their tea black and lightly sweetened, the Indian populace began to make their own version of the tea, giving birth to what we now know as chai. Today, chai has become more than just a drink for South Asians around the world. It is a symbol of hospitality, community and respect.
What is chai? Traditional chai is prepared in a dhoodh pati style, which refers to chai that is boiled with milk, sugar, green cardamom and sometimes other aromatics like cinnamon, ginger and star anise, a combination known as masala.
Chai tea? No, no, no: To set the record straight once and for all, chai in Hindustani directly translates to “tea.” So, the term “chai tea” — which many people use — is actually redundant because it translates to “tea tea.”
Listen
13:36
Food Friday: Chaiwale & Co
How to visit:
Address: 177 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866
Hours: Sun-Thurs from 8-10 a.m., Fri-Sat 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: A 12 oz. cup of chai costs $4.99, Samosas are $7.99 each, Rose Pistachio Loaf is $6.49 a slice, and a slice of Gulab Jamun Cheesecake is $7.99
Read more... to learn how Chaiwale provides the ultimate chai-drinking experience with traditional clay cups.
Chai is more than just a drink for South Asians around the world. It’s a symbol of hospitality, community and respect.
Shilapjot ‘Sunny’ Singh, co-owner of Chaiwale & Co., joined AirTalkFriday host, Austin Cross, to talk about how he’s preserving the traditions around the drink — and to sip some chai, of course.
Community and connection
For as long as he can remember, Singh has been connecting with loved ones over a cup of traditional homemade chai.
“Desi chai is very different from what the Western world knows – not only in taste, but the meaning of it too,” Singh said.
The phrase desi comes from the Sanskrit word desha, meaning "land" or "country," andis used to describe people, cultures and products of South Asia and its global diaspora.
Singh and his brother opened the chai shop in 2024 with a clear goal in mind — community and connection.
Chai in its truest form
Chai takes on many different shapes and sizes, but its truest essence can be traced back as early as the 19th century, when British colonizers established plantations in western India, where the Indian populace made their own version of tea, called chai.
To set the record straight once and for all, chai in Hindustani directly translates to “tea.” So, the term “chai tea” — which many people use — is actually redundant because it translates to “tea tea.”
Traditional chai is prepared in a dhoodh pati style, which refers to chai that is boiled with milk, sugar, green cardamom and sometimes other aromatics like cinnamon, ginger and star anise, a combination known as masala. So, chai tea latte — also redundant.
Singh was inspired by all the misconceptions around chai to fill what he saw as a gap in the market.
New Desi wave
In addition to the nostalgia Chaiwale & Co. provides, they’ve also dabbled in South Asian fusion, most notably with their rendition of a gulab jamun cheesecake.
Gulab jamun cheesecake
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Shilapjot ‘Sunny’ Singh
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Gulab Jamun — deep-fried dough balls soaked in a sugar syrup — are a South Asian household staple, usually enjoyed at festivities and weddings, and of course, over chai.
The clay cup tradition
Dhoodh pati style chai served in a traditional clay cup
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Shilapjot ‘Sunny’ Singh
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Courtesy of Chaiwale & Co.
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The chai at Chaiwale is served in traditional clay cups and copper teapots to pay homage to how it's done back in the subcontinent.
One of the most nostalgic chai snacks is Parle-G cookies, which are served complimentary with the chai.
The ultimate Chaiwale experience
Every Sunday, Chaiwale & Co. has ‘Bollywood High Tea’ from 12-2 p.m. at its Orange location, where you can experience traditional chai and samosas to fusion items like a butter chicken burrito and gulab jaman cheesecake.
The experience costs $35.99 per person ($15 online reservation + $20.99 in-store) with a table minimum of two people.
The Paramount logo is displayed at Columbia Square along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Calif. on March 9, 2023.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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AFP via Getty Images
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Topline:
Skydance-owned Paramount on Friday agreed to delay closing its $81 billion buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery well into next year, as a judge continues to consider a challenge from 12 states seeking to block the deal altogether.
The backstory: Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount’s pending buyout of Warner last month — alleging that such a combination would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers.
Read on... for more on the backstory.
NEW YORK (AP) — Skydance-owned Paramount on Friday agreed to delay closing its $81 billion buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery well into next year, as a judge continues to consider a challenge from 12 states seeking to block the deal altogether.
In a court filing, Paramount said it wouldn’t close the merger until five days “after the merits determination in these matters” or June 1, 2027. The move arrives just days after U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín granted a temporary restraining order requested by the states to freeze the transaction for several weeks.
Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount’s pending buyout of Warner last month — alleging that such a combination would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers. Paramount has called the states’ claims meritless and vowed to “vigorously defend” its merger.
