McDonald’s in black America and cool beans

Hosted by Evan Kleiman Feb. 15, 2020 Food & Drink

A variety of beans and legumes. Photo credit: Jan Nijman/CC 2.0, via Pixabay

In the turbulent days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., white McDonald’s franchisees fled their inner-city locations. How did the fast food company emerge as a community hero then and subsequently, following the 1992 L.A. Riots and Ferguson in 2014? Plus: in the produce popularity contest, beans are winning.

From this Episode:

Relationship status between McDonald’s and Black America? It’s complicated

The first black franchised McDonald’s opened in December 1968.By 1971, the number of black franchises grew to almost 50.

11 min

Food nerd alert! Beans are trending

“There is literally no downside to eating beans,” says Meghan McCarron . She rounded up her favorite bean varieties and obsession with Rancho Gordo in her latest story .

8 min

Simmering beans in our global melting pot

How are people eating beans around the world? How do you cook a perfect pot of beans during cooler winter months? Washington Post Food and Dining Editor Joe Yonan has...

9 min

Racism spreads to Chinese establishments in the wake of the coronavirus

With restrictions on international travel and a steady increase of reported cases, the coronavirus is taking a toll on Chinese businesses in the United States.

15 min

Papaya pageantry hits the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market

There’s a parade of papayas at the market this week, and Market Report correspondent Gillian Ferguson talks about homemade tajin with acclaimed pastry chef, Cecilia Leung.

5 min

Patricia Escarcega gets acquainted with the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto sope

At Tirsa’s Mexican Cafe near LA’s Chinatown, there are half-pound burritos and colossal Hot Cheetos concoctions. L.A. Times restaurant critic Patricia Escarcega...

9 min