Articles in the “food” category

When A Business Struggles In Your Neighborhood, Who You Gonna Call? GoFundMe
There is no relief money, only Zuul.

The LAist Pizzapedia: An In-Depth Guide To LA's Many Varieties of Pizza And Where To Find Them -- Vol. 1
Detroit. Chicago. New York. California. Sicily. Naples. Rome. Fusion. Frozen. We take a deep dive into a doughy subject.

RIP: Wah's Golden Hen And 101 Coffee Shop
2020 couldn't bid farewell without another couple kicks in our collective teeth.

How Are Restaurant Workers Doing As 2020 Ends?
Anyone who has ever worked a service job can tell you that the customer isn't always right. But during a pandemic, customer entitlement can endanger restaurant workers' lives.

The Outdoor Dining Ban Will Stay In Place Until At Least February
An appeals court verdict that says the temporary ban on outdoor dining at restaurants in L.A. County can stay in place halts a judge's decision from early December.

How Noa Noa Place Turned A Boyle Heights Sports Bar Into A Queer Latinx Hub -- In The Middle Of A Pandemic
There's more than money at stake in this new space where alcohol-infused aguas frescas meet luchador-level swagger.

A Farewell To El Gran Burrito, East Hollywood's Perfect Late-Night Pit-Stop
What's so great about clean lines anyway? As L.A. becomes more homogenized and polished, an urban planner reflects on what we've lost.

Basking In The Basque History Of Hottinger's Meat Market In Chino
Founded in 1948 by a Swiss immigrant, the intimate butcher shop has been owned by the same family for four generations.

More SoCal Restaurants Are Openly Defying The Outdoor Dining Ban
From Temecula to Solvang, businesses are pushing back -- and the heart of the resistance seems to be in Orange County.

Even During A Pandemic, Food Halls Just Keep Opening
COVID-19 has threatened their explosive growth, but Southern California's food halls keep fighting to make it work.

A History Of Food And Chaos Bonds LA's Salvadoran Community
In the perpetually crisis-challenged lives of Salvadoran families like mine, food has always been there for us.

Judge Overturns LA County's Outdoor Dining Ban -- But You Still Can't Eat Outside
That's because the regional stay-at-home order currently blanketing SoCal also bans outdoor dining and it overrides any countywide orders.

Why Is Outdoor Dining Closed Everywhere In Southern California Except Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach has reclassified outdoor dining as "public seating areas" to get around the county ban.

A Mostly Local, Mostly Affordable, Foodish Holiday Gift Guide So You Can Eat (And Drink) Your 2020 Feelings
Crazy cookbooks. Face-melting hot sauces. Artisanal boba. Fresh kimchi. Tamale kits. Locally-roasted coffee.

After A Catastrophic Start, The $30,000 Restaurant Aid Program Relaunches On Monday
The new portal will accept applications until December 8 at 5 p.m. or until 2,500 applications are received -- whichever comes first

Cities Might Ditch LA County's Health Department Over The Outdoor Dining Ban
Beverly Hills. Lancaster. West Covina. Whittier. They top a growing list of cities who are thinking of launching their own health departments.

LA's Ghost Kitchens Aren't An Illusion -- But Beware Of Phantom Branding
They live and die by delivery. Without a location, are they building sustainable brands or just offering fancy catering?

A Running List Of CA Officials Who Warned Us About Eating At Restaurants, Then Did It Themselves
If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk.

LA County Launches A Grant Program For Struggling Restaurants -- But How Many Will Qualify?
Restaurants located in the city of L.A. can't apply for the $30,000 grants.

COVID On The Menu: How Failed Contact Tracing Leaves Diners in the Dark
Public health researchers believe restaurants are among the most common places to get infected with COVID-19 but contact tracing has been so lackluster that few health departments have been able to link disease clusters to in-person dining.

Pasadena Will Keep Outdoor Dining Open -- For Now
Officials could change course but if they don't, it will be a major policy break between the city and the county.

LA Supervisor Says She'll Fight New County Order Banning Dine-In Restaurant Service
Kathryn Barger says she'll oppose the newly revised public health order that bans in-person dining for the next three weeks.

It's A Round Robin Thanksgiving For One Family Trying To Stay Safe During Covid
One SoCal family is resorting to round robin-style porch drops of food.

10 PM Statewide Curfew For Restaurants And Bars In The Purple Tier
The new overnight stay-at-home order for all California counties in the Purple tier is similar to the one L.A. County announced two days ago.

Here's What LA County's New Restrictions Mean For Restaurants (And Bars And Breweries And...)
A 10 p.m. curfew. Outdoor dining limited to 50% capacity. No large gatherings.

Bakers & Baristas In Survival Mode Is Tastier Than Most Places When They're Fully Operational
The Cerritos cafe fuses Filipino cuisine, fine dining and Fruity Pebbles. (Plus, heroic resourcefulness.)

Veterans Day Food And Drink Deals
Some restaurants around Southern California are offering deals to current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans. Here are a few.

LA's Best Turkey-Optional Thanksgiving Takeout For 2020
From taco kits and tom kha mashed potatoes to vegan tamales and chicken parms, think outside the bird this holiday.

Election Day 2020 Food And Drink Deals
Udon, fries, churros. Here's where to score some sweet -- and savory -- deals on Tuesday, November 3.

LA's Food Trucks Try Not To Lose Their Lunch During The Pandemic
The pandemic has killed lunch. And nobody is mourning that death more than L.A. County's 2,700 food trucks

'Donut King' Ted Ngoy's Life Is Even Crazier Than The Documentary About Him
Directed by Alice Gu, "The Donut King" chronicles Ngoy's thrill-of-victory/agony-of-defeat rollercoaster ride through the American Dream.

Fast Food Donation: How Is Your Favorite Chain Spending Its Political Bucks?
Please make your Super PAC donation at the next window. Here's how fast food restaurants are supersizing political campaigns.

An Epic Guide To LA's 25 Most Epic Breakfast Burrito Spots
Breakfast burritos are pure comfort. They're cheap. They're filling. They offer the maximum bang for your caloric buck. They're a blank slate for creative line cooks. And they're delicious.

The Farm Of The Future Might Be In Compton. Inside A Warehouse. And Run Partly By Robots
Plenty, a company backed by big tech bucks, wants to open a vertical farm in Compton. Can it change the way we grow and eat food?

How Angeles Crest Creamery (And Its Goats) Are Recovering After The Bobcat Fire
Along with 60 goats, four dogs and two pigs, Gloria Putnam had to evacuate her ranch. She's back and still trying to build a water-appropriate foodshed for Los Angeles.

RIP Trick-Or-Treating: LA Cancels Halloween
No treats for you. COVID-19 has officially, temporarily, ruined the best secular holiday of the year.

City Bean Makes The Best Coffee You've Never Heard Of -- And That's By Design
City Bean paved the way for L.A.'s current coffee scene. In the pandemic, it's trying to highlight the importance of locally owned businesses.

Officials Are Not Chill About The Community Fridges Popping Up Around LA
Organized and overseen by residents, these fridges are filled with free food but they exist in a legal gray area where health codes can sometimes hinder community nourishment.

Why Grab-And-Go Meals Around SoCal Could Change This School Year
The answer lies in the complicated rules governing school nutrition.

With BCD Tofu House, Hee Sook Lee Built More Than A Restaurant Empire -- She Created A Cultural Phenomenon
"She has a very gentle smile but behind that, she has nerves of steel," her son Eddie says.

Next Move: What Happens To Board Game Cafes In The COVID Era?
When L.A. County guidelines for reopening restaurants forbade certain activities -- including board games. If you run a board game cafes, what do you do next?

For Restaurants Trying To Ditch Delivery Apps, The Struggle Is Real
Steep commissions. Marketing fees. Concerns about safety. No wonder restaurants have issues with food delivery apps.

How One New Jersey Transplant Finally Found An Indian Restaurant That Feels Like Home
Namaste Spiceland caters to a diverse clientele but still feels like it's run by Indians, for Indians -- and that's no easy trick.

Foraging In A Pandemic Means Digging Up A New Business Model
Jess Starwood used to forage wild fruits and herbs for some of L.A.'s top restaurants. When they fully reopen, she's not sure she'll sell to them again.

Mis Ángeles: A Legendary Restaurant in Southeast LA Survives, For Now
In the middle of March, chefs and owners Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu of La Casita Mexicana shut the critically acclaimed Bell restaurant all the way down due to the pandemic. The future looked uncertain. Now there's a ray of hope.

How A Healer, An Artist And A Chef Are Fighting For Black Food Sovereignty In South LA
"When we take care of each other, when we give half of our very little to other people, it's because we're all connected in this collective struggle."

The Gelatina Gets A Pop Culture Glow-Up
Business is booming for Myra Vasquez, who updates a classic Mexican dessert with a world of flavors and unapologetic Latinx pride.

Sqirl Is In Berry Hot Water With Allegations Of Moldy Jams And POC Erasure
The bastion of "south Silver Lake" foodie hipsterdom allegedly sold moldy jam, operated a secret (and illegal) kitchen, and failed to credit the its opening chef, as well as other employees of color, for their contributions.

LA's 'Wet Markets' Could Be On The Chopping Block
Also known as live animal markets, they fill a need for thousands of residents. City officials want to ban them -- but first, they need to figure out what "wet markets" are.

Closed! Open! Closed Again! Bar Owners Get Whiplash After Latest Order To Shut Down
One owner worries, "Everyone's going to freak out and not feel safe to go out" but also believes, "What the state is doing is the right decision."

Long Beach's Wrigley Tavern Reopens -- With Face Masks, Temperature Guns And Tons Of Hand Sanitizer
This is the new normal, not just for Tommy Mofid but for the proprietors of most L.A. County bars -- if their establishments haven't closed for good.

LA County's Restaurant Reopening Has Been Like Trying To Cook A Pot Roast In A Microwave
Which is to say: very fast, messy, and possibly risky to your health.

Want To Support LA's Black-Owned Restaurants? Here's One Way
There's an excellent Google doc that lists a bunch of them. We can't take credit for it but we want to spread the word.

LA Restaurants Can Reopen For Dine-In Service As Soon As Tonight
They just have to follow the county's health and safety guidelines... even though the health department hasn't yet released detailed guidelines.

How SoCal-Grown Flour And Grains Are Powering LA's #QuarantineBaking
At the King's Roost, Roe Sie is spreading the gospel of heritage grains -- and because of coronavirus, more people are listening.

You Might Be Able To Drink In LA's Streets This Summer
You'll almost certainly be able to eat in the streets later this summer but what if you want a beer with nosh? It just got a little easier.

How Hard Is Coronavirus Hitting San Gabriel Valley's Restaurants?
Old school restaurants pivoting to stay afloat, new ones struggling to establish themselves, diners showing their support. A glimpse into the 626's vast and diverse restaurant culture.

Long Beach Will Let You Dine In The Streets -- And Other SoCal Cities May Follow
Pasadena, Palm Springs and Sierra Madre are all considering similar initiatives.

ESSAY: Feel Free To Cry When You See The New Plans For Taix. We Did
Here's our question: Does this new iteration of Taix even deserve the name?

Warning 'Countless Restaurants' Face Closure, LA May Act To Curb 'Exorbitant' App Delivery Fees
Concerns about delivery app fees have been growing for the last few years but the COVID-19 quarantine has given them new urgency.

Coronavirus Hasn't Ruined Iftar -- But It Has Changed The Way Muslims Break Their Fasts
"In a way, this feels almost like a spiritual lockdown within a physical lockdown."

People Are Souper Sad About Souplantation Closing -- And What That Means For Buffet Restaurants
Coronavirus might be the death knell for other buffet restaurants.

Santa Barbara Sea Urchins, Prized By High-End Restaurants, Are Being Sold To Home Cooks
Only thing is you've got to crack them open and scoop out the gonads on your own.

Yeah, LA Got Shafted By The James Beard Awards (Again)
In a particularly bitter irony, two restaurants just named as finalists announced last week they're closing.

This Undocumented Farmworker Is Worried About How She'll Feed Her Kids If Coronavirus Takes Her Job Away
"It's not just me, it's thousands of people," said Maria, choking up. "I feel a sense of despair, I feel worried.

Mis Ángeles: How A $100 Gift Card Helped A Lynwood Family Start A Menudo Delivery Service
And they did it in the middle of a pandemic.

How LAUSD Handed Out 13 Million Free Meals In 6 Weeks
Since March 18, nearly 3,000 workers and volunteers have distributed hundreds of thousands of meals each day.

Denied By Their Insurance Companies, These LA Restaurants Are Waging A High-Stakes Battle In Court
Musso & Frank is the most famous local restaurant to file a lawsuit against its insurance company for denying its coronavirus-related claim.

MacArthur Park's Street Vendors Are Hiding But Not Gone
A few food vendors are willing to risk their health and freedom so they can make ends meet.

Kura Sushi Will Return Its $6 Million Federal Loan After Outrage
The Irvine-based restaurant chain has 25 locations, $24 million in cash on hand, and access to $20 million more.

How LA's Victory Gardens Helped Win WWII
"Soldiers of the soil" planted 20 million victory gardens and they supplied 40% of the produce in the U.S.

No, Major Chain Restaurants, You Can't Take Millions Of Dollars Meant For Small Businesses And Expect People Not To Hate You
How did Shake Shack, which has earned $143 million in 2020, even qualify for the PPP?

SoCal Food Banks Are Seeing Epic Lines And Epic Need
"No one's ever seen anything like this," says the CEO of Second Harvest.

Mis Ángeles: How A Downey Food Bank Is Helping Feed Families Who Have No Safety Net
The food bank is one of the few places that has been a consistent source for Latinos from around Southeast L.A., including undocumented and mixed-status families left out of federal stimulus relief.

Pop-Up Markets In LA Restaurants -- Your Neighborhood Guide
It's one way to turn all those unused lemons into lemonade.

Coronavirus Help: Where To Get Free Food In LA This Week
Community organizations are hosting drive-thru pantries and other food distribution events every day for people in need. Here's a list of upcoming events around L.A. County.

24 Million Pounds Of Strawberries Each Week Might Get Thrown In The Trash
Strawberry season is about to peak in California. So is coronavirus.

A No-Stress Guide To Grocery Shopping During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Here's everything we do and don't know, so far, about COVID-19 and food -- and here's what you can do to minimize your risk.

Classic LA Recipes For Your Quarantine Cooking Needs
Take a trip to L.A.'s scrumptious past for a zucchini casserole, Hungarian comfort food and a chili so delicious Elizabeth Taylor requested it in the hospital.

Asian Grocery Stores In The Time Of Coronavirus
Say hello to short(er) lines and extra provisions -- but not necessarily a lot of rice.

How You Can Help Feed Our Health Care Workers
Here's what Southern California is doing to feed the medical personnel on the frontlines, fighting the coronavirus.

Little Tokyo Fights To Preserve Its Soul In Face of Coronavirus
An effort is underway to save cornerstone businesses in Little Tokyo that relied on foot traffic by creating takeout menus and getting them on social media.

How Carnicerias, Liquor Stores, Tienditas And Latino Supermarkets Are Feeding Their Neighborhoods
These mom-and-pop shops have played a key role keeping their shelves stocked and people fed.

Where Are All The Beans? What The Run On This Staple Teaches Us About The Supply Chain
One bean supplier reassures us calm is coming and then 'walking into the supermarket will not look like you're in Venezuela or Cuba.'

Dining Bonds Are The New War Bonds... The Restaurant Industry Hopes
Uncle Sam wants you... to eat out!

How LA's Restaurant Industry Is Trying To Save Itself -- And What You Can Do To Help
Empty dining rooms. Shuttered businesses. Laid off employees. For restaurants and bars, the stakes are dire.

SoCal Distilleries Start Making Hand Sanitizer Instead Of Liquor
How can they do this? The liquor you pour in your martini and the sanitizer you rub on your hands have the same key ingredient.

Chinatown's Restaurants Were The First To be Upended By The Now Industry-Wide Crisis
All L.A. restaurants are hurting now because of coronavirus. But some Chinese restaurants felt it weeks earlier.

Maps: LA & OC Families In Need Can Get Free Food At These Places While Schools Are Closed
We are updating this list as we hear more - and we want to hear from you.

Mis Ángeles: It Hurts To See Los Angeles This Way
What's happening to L.A.'s service industry right now is terrible but necessary. What's going to happen to the street vendors will likely be worse.

Here's What Happened The First Day LAUSD Handed Out Free Meals
There are 60 spots around the district where kids can pick up breakfast and lunch while schools are closed.

Some Grocery Stores Are Letting Seniors Shop For Food An Hour Before Everyone Else
Does it actually reduce the coronavirus risk? And where can you find Southern California stores doing this?

Your No-Panic Guide: The Supply Chain Is Fine. So When Will Everything Be Back In Stock?
We asked experts to help us understand the supply chain and let you know what to expect to see on the shelves of your local stores.

Here Are Places That Will Provide Food To Families In Need While Schools Are Closed
We are updating this list as we hear more - and we want to hear from you.

7 Takes On Pao Doce, The Portuguese Treat Also Known As Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Portuguese laborers and traders brought pao doce to the world -- and the world has brought it to Los Angeles.

Alpine Village Says Auf Wiedersehen To Its Restaurant
The Bavarian hamlet off the Harbor Freeway is shutting down after 51 years of sausages, schnitzel and sweets.

Why Did Curry House's Closure Break LA's Heart?
After 37 years, the chain's demise was nasty, brutish and swift. Its most devoted fans roux the day and attempt to curry on.

Whatever Your Valentine's Mood, There's An LA Bar For You
On February 14th, revel in or renounce your romantic choices. Either way, we salute you.