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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Here are the 16 most popular cheeseburgers across the region. Vote to keep your favorite in the running as we whittle them down to the Tasty 8! -
Cheap Fast Eats makes its inaugural visit to the San Fernando Valley. This time, we’re checking out the Canoga Park and Winnetka neighborhoods. -
The State of California has banned “junk fees.” Here's what that means for your next restaurant bill. -
Here are the most popular cheeseburgers across the region. Vote to keep your favorite in the running as we whittle them down to the top 16! -
The Japanese snack Takoyaki — fried octopus balls — is a staple at baseball parks in Japan. -
The Arts District near downtown L.A. has many taco styles to try, all representing different regional tastes. Here are a few of our favorites. -
We spoke to Zach Brooks of Smorgasburg LA about what’s in store for the upcoming Tournament of Cheeseburger event on July 7. -
L.A. can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be when there are burgers. This is a story about friendships that get stronger with each bite. -
It's a food that connects LAist food editor Gab Chabran with memories of his mom and wife, who also cherish this dish. -
A new crop of restaurants in L.A. and O.C. just earned the "recommended" nod from the biggest name in food and dining — the Michelin Guide.
Stories by Gab Chabrán
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