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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We travel to the San Gabriel Valley to try bargain-priced Thai lunch combos, Northern Chinese pan-fried dumplings, and Malaysian brunch. -
Located along the Slauson Corridor, Somerville is designed to be “a tribute to South Central L.A.’s Golden Age.” -
Flavorful, vibrant soups from Burma, Thailand, Mexico and Vietnam to help you get through the cold, right here in SoCal. -
A new cluster of halal food trucks means Angelenos looking for halal options don’t have to drive down to O.C. -
With so many choices, how can you choose one that best suits your needs? -
Everything on this list is a winner, so consider picking up something for yourself, too. You deserve it. -
Many of us will be heading out of town for the holidays, but our vacation-rental kitchens are often low on essentials -
III Mas doesn't have a fancy restaurant right now, but its food is making waves. -
So many sandwiches, so little time. From a vegan Milanesa to lox bagels with crisp salmon skin and beet cream cheese to a perfectly restrained Italian sandwich, Highland Park hits the spot. -
Once a vibrant wine-making region, L.A. is back to reclaim its crown.
Stories by Gab Chabrán
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