In The Weeds

In restaurant lingo, to be "in the weeds" is to feel overwhelmed in the thick of chaos. In pre-pandemic times, it often referred to drowning in orders. COVID-19 radically altered the restaurant industry, and brought a different kind of chaos and struggle to those who depend on it to survive. These intimate first person confessions are their stories.

The corner of 7th and Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles has seen its fair share of lumpia. If restaurant spaces have lineages, Petite Peso is a third generation Filipino concept.

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Tacos are life in LA and every great taco starts with a great tortilla.

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Spoon by H is the food world’s equivalent of a Cinderella story.

‘In the Weeds’: Koreatown darling Spoon by H’s roller coaster ride

Spoon by H is the food world’s equivalent of a Cinderella story.

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Golden Rice Co. , a pop-up run by the mother and daughter team of Farah and Sophia Parsa, was originally a backyard supper club that ran for five years.

‘In the Weeds’: golden, crispy domes bring solace

Golden Rice Co. , a pop-up run by the mother and daughter team of Farah and Sophia Parsa, was originally a backyard supper club that ran for five years.

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Some restaurant models are designed for doorstep delivery so much so that they have their own packaging. Think pizza, Chinese takeout cartons, even a bright pink donut box.

‘In the Weeds’: Pasjoli opts for takeout in lieu of tableside

Some restaurant models are designed for doorstep delivery so much so that they have their own packaging. Think pizza, Chinese takeout cartons, even a bright pink donut box.

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Cathy Asapahu has a foot in two worlds, or at least two restaurants.

‘In the Weeds’: Pastry chef Cathy Asapahu reflects on her family’s sacrifices

Cathy Asapahu has a foot in two worlds, or at least two restaurants.

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Just as Tezeta Alemayehu was about to fulfill her dream of a brick & mortar restaurant to serve her Ethiopian-influenced vegan food, COVID struck.

In the Weeds: Sharing a healthy Ethiopian lifestyle

Just as Tezeta Alemayehu was about to fulfill her dream of a brick & mortar restaurant to serve her Ethiopian-influenced vegan food, COVID struck.

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For this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” Monica May describes the renovated diner that she and her business partner, Kristen Trattner, opened in 2008 during the last economic…

In the Weeds: feeding the neighborhood with leftover biscuits

For this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” Monica May describes the renovated diner that she and her business partner, Kristen Trattner, opened in 2008 during the last economic…

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Chef Natalia Pereira speaks about her respect for food because at certain points of her life it was scarce.

In the Weeds: providing a sense of home

Chef Natalia Pereira speaks about her respect for food because at certain points of her life it was scarce.

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Cheesemonger Lydia Clarke and her sister Marnie have been hand selecting wheels of cheese for customers at the Grand Central Market.

In The Weeds: the cheese stands alone

Cheesemonger Lydia Clarke and her sister Marnie have been hand selecting wheels of cheese for customers at the Grand Central Market.

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Chef Glen Ishii describes the chashu marinade that his grandmother started with her pre-World War II restaurant in Little Tokyo.

‘In the Weeds’: keeping family recipes alive in Little Tokyo

Chef Glen Ishii describes the chashu marinade that his grandmother started with her pre-World War II restaurant in Little Tokyo.

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Justin Pichetrungsi’s father started Anajak Thai Cuisine in Sherman Oaks in 1981. Pichetrungsi grew up in the restaurant and describes his dad as a hustler in his native Bangkok.

In the Weeds: What we’re willing to give up for family

Justin Pichetrungsi’s father started Anajak Thai Cuisine in Sherman Oaks in 1981. Pichetrungsi grew up in the restaurant and describes his dad as a hustler in his native Bangkok.

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Chef and owner Daniel Navarro’s grandmother, Gladys, opened El Cochinito in 1988 in a small strip mall along Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

‘In the Weeds’ with Silver Lake Cuban staple El Cochinito

Chef and owner Daniel Navarro’s grandmother, Gladys, opened El Cochinito in 1988 in a small strip mall along Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

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Found Oyster in East Hollywood opened last November with the intention of customers easily dropping in for a cup of chowder, a beautiful grilled branzino, served with a Coors Banquet…

‘In the Weeds’ with Ari Kolender of Found Oyster

Found Oyster in East Hollywood opened last November with the intention of customers easily dropping in for a cup of chowder, a beautiful grilled branzino, served with a Coors Banquet…

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Roti came to the Caribbean in the 1800s when British colonialists moved southern Indians to the islands to work on plantations. They brought their cuisines with them.

‘In the Weeds’: finding West Indian food in the Arts District

Roti came to the Caribbean in the 1800s when British colonialists moved southern Indians to the islands to work on plantations. They brought their cuisines with them.

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After losing their jobs in the pandemic, sisters Celene and Tara Carrara decided to open a pop-up from the driveway of their childhood home.

In the Weeds: Bali-style bungkus served in a driveway

After losing their jobs in the pandemic, sisters Celene and Tara Carrara decided to open a pop-up from the driveway of their childhood home.

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Justin Pichetrungsi’s father started Anajak Thai Cuisine in Sherman Oaks in 1981. Pichetrungsi grew up in the restaurant and describes his dad as a hustler in his native Bangkok.

In the Weeds: What we’re willing to give up for family

Justin Pichetrungsi’s father started Anajak Thai Cuisine in Sherman Oaks in 1981. Pichetrungsi grew up in the restaurant and describes his dad as a hustler in his native Bangkok.

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Along with her husband, Omayra Dakis owns and operates the Triple Threat truck, the only Puerto Rican food truck in Los Angeles.

In the Weeds: Behind the wheel of LA’s only Puerto Rican food truck

Along with her husband, Omayra Dakis owns and operates the Triple Threat truck, the only Puerto Rican food truck in Los Angeles.

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In this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” Bricia Lopez and her sister and brother have taken over Guelaguetza from their parents.

‘In the Weeds’: Serving the Oaxacan community and Los Angeles

In this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” Bricia Lopez and her sister and brother have taken over Guelaguetza from their parents.

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In this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” sisters Mary and Kelley Liang share the story of their parents, Lupe and Judy, opening Hop Woo in Chinatown.

‘In the Weeds’: 8 tables and an American dream

In this week’s installment of “In the Weeds,” sisters Mary and Kelley Liang share the story of their parents, Lupe and Judy, opening Hop Woo in Chinatown.

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