Gab Chabrán
Food & Culture Writer
(he/him)
Gab Chabrán is a lifelong resident of Southern California. He grew up in Whittier, where he attended Whittier College. He began his journalism career writing for the local music rag L.A. Record where he wrote album and live music reviews. He became a regular contributor at L.A. Taco, where he was part of the James Beard Award-winning team. His monthly music column "Taco de Sonido", profiled up-and-coming artists from the Latinx community. He's been a regular contributor to LAist, Eater LA, Thrillist, Los Angeleno, KCET Artbound, and The New York Times.
My approach to coverage is to discover how food connects us to the ever-so-layered social fabric of Southern California and how food tells the region's story. Every dish has its historical significance. A taco is not just a taco; it's a window to the Mexican Revolution. Pizza is not just pizza; it's the vehicle for immigrants to enter the restaurant game. Noodles aren't just noodles; it's the personification of generational conflict and perseverance. My framework for writing and assigning stories aims to highlight the rich cultural histories of the L.A. region and broaden the LAist platform further to include, but not exclusive to, previously overlooked populations that exist beyond the confines of the city-area proper yet remain vital to its existence.
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It’s summertime and it's hot out, so why not grab a drink to cool you down? We found three spots whose menus invite you to try something new. -
Pizza fans and fast food nostalgia fans rejoice: The former site of Arby’s on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood is now serving pizza via drive-thru till Halloween. -
The biggest winner Monday night was Los Angeles Chef Jordan Kahn, who took home honors in three different categories. -
From Egyptian cuisine to Yemeni dishes, from lolling on sofas to takeout at food trucks, go on a multi-national gastronomic adventure. -
It's fighting talk, but LAist associate food editor Gab Chabrán says his hometown's combo of newcomers making waves and old timers making faves hits the spot. -
Your favorite LA outdoor restaurant patio is safe — for now — as the permitting deadline is extendedThe city’s emergency al-fresco program, which allowed restaurants to open outdoor dining areas with minimal red tape, was due to sunset this week. Then, the Mayor stepped in. -
In a city that's exploding with excellent bakeries, deciding where to go for that croissant or cupcake can be a challenge. You told us your fave raves -
We head to O.C.'s Fountain Valley to find some delicious bites that are easy on the wallet. -
As the summer sizzles, LAist is gearing up for an Ice Cream Social event that promises diverse and compelling flavors from our favorite local independent ice cream makers around L.A. Picture this: a calm, creamy oasis in the city's heart. It's all happening on Wednesday, July 31, at The Crawford in Pasadena. -
Del Taco’s birria ramen is back on the menu due to popular demand, but only for a limited time. Food editor Gab Chabrán and LAist Senior Editor George Kiriyama finally got to try it.
Stories by Gab Chabrán
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