The LA Food Podcast
Episodes
Q&A: Full-of-Sh*t Influencers, Bad Restaurants That Stay Packed, and How to Find a Wife + Pizza Lies with Daniele Uditi
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca checks in from Las Vegas in full Uncut Gems mode while Father Sal returns for a chaotic, no-holds-barred ...
Noah Galuten Co-Hosts: LA Chef Mount Rushmore & Noma Art vs Artist Debate. Plus, LA Taco Enters The Chat (Finally).
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, James Beard Award-winning author, restaurateur, and longtime Angeleno Noah Galuten joins as guest co-host for a wide-ran...
Noma-Gate in LA: The Timeline, The Fallout & The Protest Press Conference
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, Luca Servodio and Karen Palmer break down the biggest restaurant industry story of the year: the escalating Noma sca...
COUCH POTATOES: Top Chef Is Back & The 2026 Top Chef Fantasy Draft
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new podcast is hitting the LA Food Podcast feed.Welcome to the debut episode of Couch Potatoes: A Food TV Podcast. To kick things off, Luca Servodio...
Matt Rodbard Co-Hosts: Sqirl By Night, More Noma Thoughts & the Food Media Startup Ignoring the Algorithm
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Rodbard of This Is TASTE joins Luca Servodio as guest co-host on The LA Food Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of food med...
Is Michelin Wrong About SELINE? A Gloomy James Beard Industry Report & The Guys Disrupting the Wine Club
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Father Sal records his final episode as a bachelor, we launch our new Couch Potatoes Top Chef recap series, and then we head straight to Santa Monica ...
Eater Takes Max & Helen's Heat, New York Times Declares LA's "Essential" Dishes & Echo Park Survives The LA Food Pod Bar Crawl. Plus, Mirate/Daisy Margarita Bar's Max Reis on Mezcal & More.
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re diving deep into LA’s cocktail culture with James Beard semifinalist Max Reis, beverage director of Mirate...
Alison Roman on AI, LA Dining & Reinvention. Plus, Major Noma Drama, @ComfyWithKerry Episode Fallout & a Major RVR Apology.
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Roman joins The LA Food Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on cookbooks, creativity, and the unsettling rise of AI-generated recipes. We d...
The LA Dining "Scam" Debate Breaking People's Brains: @ComfyWithKerry, Influencer Hype, and Why Dining Out Feels So Fraught Right Now
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca Servodio is joined by food reporter Karen Palmer to break down the viral LA dining discourse sparked by K...
LA's James Beard Supremacy; Noma Silences the Haters (Kind Of); Plus, Revenge of the Neighborhood Restaurant with Adam Weisblatt (Last Word Hospitality) & DK Kolender (Hermon's).
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we’re doing a little bit of everything — industry analysis, hot takes, and a long, thoughtful sit-down wit...
Keeping Up With Kato: Why Jon Yao & Ryan Bailey Never Stop Evolving
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca sits down with Chef Jon Yao and Ryan Bailey (Co-owner, DOO & Wine Director) of Kato, one of Los Angel...
In Defense of Noma's $1500 Price Tag (Not Really). Plus, Jason Lee of Expense Account.
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, we break down the LA food story that set the internet on fire: René Redzepi brings Noma to Silver Lake at $1500 per per...
New Year, New Laws for California Restaurants. Plus, RIP Horses, Welcome Back Bäco, and Sorry Bill Simmons.
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The LA Food Podcast! In our second episode of 2026, Father Sal and Luca kick things off with Recent Eats, covering Hermon’s, Superba...
Food Resolutions, What’s In & Out for 2026, and Luca’s 2026 Countdown Announcement
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first episode of The LA Food Podcast in 2026, and Luca Servodio and Father Sal are kicking off the new year the only way they know how: wit...
Building Budonoki: From USC Apartment Pop-Ups to One of LA’s Buzziest Izakayas
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a Christmas-week episode of The LA Food Podcast, and we’re celebrating with one of the most joyful restaurants in Los Angeles.This week, Luca...
The 2025 LA Food Awards
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The LA Food Podcast does awards… our way. In this first-ever LA Food Awards, Luca Servodio and Father Sal toss out the tired “Best Chef / Best New...
Inside the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants List With Bill Addison and Jenn Harris. Plus, Biggest Drops, Rising Stars, and Notable Exclusions with Father Sal.
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The LA food equivalent of a new Taylor Swift album dropped this week. The Los Angeles Times has released its annual 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angele...
James Beard Awards Controversy Explained, Wagyu Wars, and LA Dominates Esquire’s Best New Restaurants. Plus, 2025 Gift Guide Feat. My Wife.
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to The LA Food Podcast. This week, Luca and Karen Palmer dive into one of the most fascinating food stories of the year: the global fight...
New York Dining in 2025: NYC's American Bistro Boom, Reservation Crisis, Credit Card Wars — and Why LA Should Care
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, Luca welcomes back Nancy DaSilva, co-host of Compliments to the Chef, certified New Yorker, and our official ambassa...
3 LA Restaurants Make Eater’s Best New Restaurants, Bay Cities’ Fall From Grace, Recipe Brain Rot, and Eric Greenspan’s Tesla Diner U-Turn. Plus Recent Meals at Wilde’s and Camphor.
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, Luca and Sal dive into the most chaotic, delicious, and debate-worthy stories shaping Los Angeles dining and the nat...
Eater/Resy Founder Ben Leventhal on Blackbird and the Future of Dining. Plus: Good News for Food Media, The Infatuation’s Best New Restaurants, Michelin Demotions, and Recent Eats at Betsy & More.
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, Luca sits down with Ben Leventhal — the founder of Eater and Resy — to talk about his most ambitious project yet...
Ludo Lefebvre Just Wants To Be Free. Plus, David Chang's Super Peach, Garibaldina Society, And The SoCal Kabob Chain Taking Over America.
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, host Luca Servodio sits down with legendary chef Ludo Lefebvre — the culinary rockstar behind LudoBites, Pet...
150th episode mailbag: Peer-pressured meals, LA food media blindspots & what we’d do as mayor. Plus Katie Parla on Rome, Italian food, and why to avoid Eataly.
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a spooky milestone — 150 episodes of The LA Food Podcast! In this special Halloween edition, Luca Servodio and Father Sal dig into your liste...
NYT savages Spago. Plus, Next Gen Chef hot takes and recent meals at Republique, OyBar and Ototo.
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did the New York Times just cross the line with its brutal review of an LA dining icon? 🍽️ This week on The LA Food Podcast, we unpack Tejal Rao’...
The dark side of "enlightened hospitality," with Adam Reiner. Plus, Great White's racist controversy, LA Taco's "best" Mexican restaurants, and thoughts on Quarter Sheets Pizza.
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, we’re flipping the script — focusing not on the restaurant, but on you, the diner. Joining Luca and Father Sal is Ja...
66 years of wild, wonderful stories at Chez Jay. Plus, Hermosa Beach's culinary rise, Taylor Swift's Hollywood haunt, and our 3 favorite classic LA restaurants.
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do Marilyn Monroe, Jeff Bezos, and Henry Kissinger have in common with The LA Food Podcast host Luca Servodio? They’ve all dined at Chez Jay, t...
A Frankly Psychotic™ Analysis of North America's 50 Best. Plus, Baby Bistro impressions, Bub & Grandma's Pizza, New York eats, and Zohran Mamdani the foodie.
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s LA Food Podcast, Luca Servodio and Father Sal recap recent eats in NYC and LA before diving into Tejal Rao’s review of Baby Bistro ...
Is Santa Barbara California’s most underrated dining city? Plus, an interview with the Dom’s Taverna dream team.
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Santa Barbara might be known as the American Riviera, but its food scene is finally demanding the spotlight. This week on The LA Food Podcast, we reca...
Boycott brewing at Enrique Olvera’s Damian? Plus, 2 LA restaurants win Bon Appétit honors, 4 endangered LA restaurants find lifelines, and the NYT dunks on Alinea.
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into one of the most heated debates in the LA dining scene: why are Angelenos calling for a boycott of Enriq...
And Dave Beran took that personally. Plus, Food & Wine snubs LA, three LA restaurants score major NYT praise, and our favorite CA pizzas outside of LA.
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, Dave Beran—the award-winning chef behind Santa Monica’s Pasjoli and the tasting-menu temple Seline—sits down for h...
Nancy Silverton, y’all. Plus, did our first visit to Kato live up to the hype?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Nancy Silverton — LA’s Queen of Carbohydrates, President of Pizza, and Secretary o...
The ultimate Las Vegas food weekend featuring MY WIFE !!! Plus, Cracker Barrel in crisis, restaurants face new allergen legislation, and an interview with La Fontaine's Laetitia Rouabah.
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens on the pod, stays on the pod—or does it? Following the hit Palm Springs recap, Luca is joined once again by his wife to break down a he...
Is food media... dying? Eater's race to the bottom and the fight for local food journalism. Plus, hot people restaurants, Italian sandwich fatigue, and Top Chef’s biggest competitor.
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, Luca and Sal dig into the biggest story in food media: the latest round of layoffs at Eater. With reporters like Jay...
Michael Voltaggio on legacy, LA’s fine dining rise, and why he won’t slow down. Plus, restaurants pivoting “for the right reasons” and a preview of LA Chef Con 2025.
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s LA Food Podcast is a first — our debut three-part episode. First up, host Luca Servodio breaks down the week’s biggest food stories, fro...
Unpacking the Joshua Weissman scandal. Plus, Daniel Patterson opens up on mental health, Michelin, and his next big move.
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chef Daniel Patterson has lived more culinary lives than most chefs could dream of. From earning multiple Michelin stars at San Francisco’s Coi, to ...
How should food writers cover Elon Musk's Tesla Diner? Plus, the influencer who closed a restaurant, the taqueria that scored national headlines, and a ray of hope for Cole's French Dip.
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk’s space-age Tesla Diner has been grabbing headlines—but when activist group Tesla Takedown staged a protest, it forced the media to look...
Palm Springs' culinary coming-of-age, featuring MY WIFE (!!!). Plus, Elon Musk's Tesla Diner opens, In-N-Out's owner steps in it, and LA Chef Con returns.
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode of The LA Food Podcast, we’re diving into the culinary comeback of Palm Springs. Once dismissed as a “culinary wasteland,” ...
Inside the Closure of Cole’s French Dip with Owner Cedd Moses and IHC's Eddie Navarrete. Plus, the Trends Defining LA Dining in 2025
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Downtown LA just lost a legend. This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Cole’s French Dip owner Cedd Moses and Independent Hospitality C...
Santa Monica legend Raphael Lunetta on food, friendship, and feeding Larry David. Plus, RIP Cole's, goodbye to The Angel, and apologies to Evan Funke.
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Santa Monica’s dining scene wouldn’t be what it is without Chef Raphael Lunetta. This week on The LA Food Podcast, host Luca Servodio sits down wi...
Has Michelin rewired LA fine dining… for good? Plus, Chef Daniel Patterson’s Jaca Social Club, Tejal Rao’s first review as NYT critic, and a taste of Let It Rip, our companion pod for FX’s The Bear.
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎆 Happy Fourth from The LA Food Podcast! This week, we go stars over stripes as Michelin unveils its 2025 California Guide — and LA finally joins...
Bill Addison on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants in California. Plus, Top Chef Season 22 recap, a trailer for our new podcast, and flowers for LA’s 3 Michelin-starred restaurants.
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we welcome LA Times critic Bill Addison to go deep on his freshly dropped list of the 101 Best Restaurants in ...
Unsolicited James Beard takes and an interview with Evan Algorri and Andrew Lawson of Etra and Cafe Telegrama
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎧 Today on The LA Food Podcast, we break down the biggest moments and key takeaways from this week’s James Beard Awards — with a spotlight on L...
The gourmand’s guide to San Diego, featuring Addison, Tribute Pizza, The Lafayette Hotel and more.
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we're heading south to explore San Diego’s rising food scene. Known for craft beer and beaches, San Dieg...
How AI is infiltrating fine dining. Plus, Evan Funke’s back at it, Jonathan Gold under fire, and Father Sal tries the Erewhon Hailey Bieber smoothie.
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into Pete Wells’ provocative New York Times piece on how some of the world’s top chefs are using artific...
Could “entertainment zones” save LA restaurants? Plus, Matu’s Scott Linder and Ryan Gianola on expanding their wagyu beef empire.
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we're diving into a bold new plan to revive Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade: open-container entertainment zo...
Is Thomas Keller losing it? Plus, Found Oyster's Ari Kolender on cooking the finest things in the sea and Queen’s savvy rebrand.
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into one of the wildest chef vs. critic stories in recent memory: Thomas Keller of The French Laundry allege...
Condiment Claire, the LA-raised content creator taking over the world. Plus, burger love/hate, oyster economics, and Nobody Wants This bagels.
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Claire Dinhut—aka Condiment Claire—cookbook author, flavor scientist, and social media sensati...
Are LA diners too hard to please? Survey results from The Angel, Top Chef progress report & big news from Bill Esparza
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into the results of a new survey from Substack favorite The Angel that asked Angelenos what they really want...
Meteora Rising: Is Jordan Kahn's Melrose restaurant ready for 2 Michelin Stars? Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 4, AKA the ins and outs of designing a menu.
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Jordan Kahn's Meteora on track for a second Michelin star? On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we dive deep into LA’s most ambitious fine...
Inside Lele Dinner Club, LA’s hottest reservation. Plus, Pizza City Fest preview with Steve Dolinsky.
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lele Dinner Club is the buzzy new supper club from Pizzana chef and master pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi, offering an exclusive 10-course Neapolitan tasting...
From border town to Beard semifinalist, with Barra Santos’ Melissa Lopez. Plus, Jenn Harris on tariffs, Khushbu Shah on influencers vs. experts, and a hot LA restaurant survey making the rounds.
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa Lopez is the James Beard semifinalist chef behind Barra Santos, one of the buzziest restaurants in recent memory to grace Los Angeles. Barra S...
How will the tariffs impact LA restaurants and diners? Plus, RIP middle class restaurants, wagyu beef heaven in Brentwood, and Glen Powell’s BLT boo-boo.
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. It’s the word on everybody’s lips this week and, as you’d expect, every food media outlet in the country published so...
The Curious Case of Eric Greenspan and Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner. Plus, 5 SoCal restaurants score James Beard noms, Taco Madness’ notable omission, and notes from the Pizza Expo field.
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Controversy in Hollywood as news breaks that Elon Musk - yes, THAT Elon Musk - has tapped beloved LA chef Eric Greenspan to helm his upcoming Tesla-th...
BONUS: Live from Family Meal – Restaurants in Times of Crisis with Lien Ta, Alycia Harshfield, Alexa Rousso, and Stephen Poux.
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I (Luca) moderated the latest Family Meal panel discussion on how restaurants rose to the challenge during the January wildfires. This is the recordin...
Inside the mind of a food critic, with The LO Times’ Ryan Sutton (formerly of Eater NY and Bloomberg News)
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Sutton is the chief critic and editor at The LO Times, one of the absolute best sources of food writing Substack has to offer. He previously serv...
Why are restaurants still facing a labor crisis? Plus, new Michelin Guide additions, LA’s street food supremacy, pizza-coded romantic drama, and a Chinese hot pot nightmare.
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been five years since the pandemic forced us to wipe down our groceries, binge Tiger King, and pick up hobbies like basket weaving or, in my ca...
Scouting report of the hottest culinary talent in America (A.K.A. The 2025 Fantasy Top Chef Draft). Plus, a one-man tasting menu in DTLA and the most controversial restaurant in the world.
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for the 2025 Top Chef Fantasy Draft!Season 22 of Top Chef kicked off this week in Canada. As we do every year, Father Sal and I hosted a d...
Hainan Chicken & Hard Lessons: Chef Johnny Lee’s journey to Rasarumah. Plus, LIVE from New York, it’s Taco Bell’s Live Mas LIVE.
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined today by Chef Johnny Lee, the mastermind behind Rasarumah, one of LA’s hottest new restaurants serving inventive Southeast Asian food...
Can anyone save The Original Pantry Cafe? Plus, drama at The Ruby Fruit and a round-up of recent eats feat. Stir Crazy, Calabama and Hiho Cheeseburger.
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is going on at The Original Pantry Cafe in downtown LA? Reports of a labor dispute threatening to close down the storied institution have been sw...
Why are LA pizzerias receiving cease and desists? Plus, OpenTable’s resurgence, reflections on dinner at Baroo, and Father Sal gives his mom a daughter-in-law (kind of).
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the deal with the cease and desist letters going to Los Angeles pizzerias? Is OpenTable’s comeback slowly killing Resy? And was our visit t...
Why restaurants are petitioning the city, with The LA Times’ Stephanie Breijo. Plus, Rashida Holmes on Bridgetown Roti’s journey from pop-up to permanent.
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re joined by LA Times food reporter Stephanie Breijo to discuss a brand new petition LA restaurateurs are bringing to city and state lawmak...
BONUS: Are nonalcoholic cocktails the real deal? With The Lonely Oyster's Philip Ross
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nonalcoholic cocktails. Are they something to endure during months like Dry January? Or are they legitimately impressive feats of mixology that deserv...
We can’t stop thinking about Vespertine. But did we like it?
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We finally made it to Jordan Kahn’s Vespertine in Culver City, which reopened after a hiatus in the Spring of 2024, and earned not one but two Miche...
Boulud & Waxman & Goin, oh my! Previewing the epic Chefs Love LA wildfire benefit dinner. Plus, why Ricardo Zarate’s The Hummingbird is way more than a comeback.
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined by Brad Metzger, President of hospitality recruitment firm Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, and Ryan O’Melveny WIlson, the CEO of l...
Another (frankly psychotic) analysis of the 2025 James Beard semifinalists. Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 3 with Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox.
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a dark start to the New Year, a little light at the end of the tunnel this week as 18 Los Angeles chefs, bars and restaurants were named James...
Restaurants rise to the wildfire challenge - but the job’s not finished. With Cafe De Leche’s Matthew Schodorf, Fiorelli Pizza’s Liz Gutierrez, and Inclusive Action for the City’s Rudy Espinoza.
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Palisades and Eaton fires have been raging for more than a week now. Restaurants and food vendors have played a huge role in the relief efforts, s...
3 ways to help LA restaurants during the wildfires
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No episode this week. Just three ways you can help restaurants as we navigate the devastating wildfires, and a bunch of helpful links. Side Pie fundra...
Announcing the 2025 Countdown. Plus, more doom and gloom in store for LA restaurants in 2025?
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does the year of our Lord 2025 have in store for LA restaurants? According to The LA Times, a whole lot more struggle. Father Sal is with us t...
The Best New Restaurants of 2024, with The Infatuation’s Brant Cox and Sylvio Martins. Plus, 2024 trends, 2025 predictions, and food-related New Year’s resolutions.
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us on the podcast are The Infatuation’s Brant Cox and Sylvio Martins. They’re going to walk us through their list of the Best New Restau...
The 2nd annual LA Food Pod Holiday Party. Plus, Christmas at Genghis Cohen with Marc Rose and Med Abrous.
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’d like to cordially welcome you to the second annual LA Food Pod Holiday Party! Father Sal and I are joined by our favorite New York-based podca...
What do the Eater layoffs mean for LA food media? Plus, Part 2 of Opening Cafe Esca with Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox.
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do the Eater layoffs mean for food media in Los Angeles? Did Bill Addison’s review of Vespertine get us more or less excited to visit the two M...
A (frankly psychotic) analysis of The LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, dear listener, and I’m talking of course about the advent of The LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list. B...
A very LA Food Pod gift guide. Plus, the case for gatekeeping restaurants per TASTE, in defense of LA dining's "ebb" year, and solving the future of food media in one conversation.
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Black Friday. Father Sal and I are coming through with a very LA Food Pod Gift Guide. But first, there’s a piec...
100th Episode Live Show with Mona Holmes and Jackson Kalb
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 100. We hosted a live show to celebrate at Little Joy Cocktails in Echo Park, and what you’re about to hear is the recording of s...
Brooke Williamson talks Top Chef, longevity in the LA restaurant scene, and her debut cookbook, Sun-Kissed Cooking.
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do the best competition cook of all time, an uber-accomplished LA restaurateur and the author of one of the year’s best cookbooks have in commo...
Langer’s future on the rocks, why Martha Stewart hates her doc, and Karen Palmer thrives in the Father Sal chair - hardly a shock. Plus, a chat with Richard Pink on the eve of Pink’s 85th Birthday.
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast… What game is Norm Langer playing by reposting Rick Caruso’s scathing video of Mayor Karen Bass’ efforts (or lack...
Opening Cafe Esca Part 1, with Reilly Cox and Luke Reyes. Plus, Jenn Harris puts the NY vs. (World Series Champ) LA food debate to rest, can food help Kamala win, and Father Sal is moving to LA.
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1 of our brand new series, Opening Cafe Esca. We’re joined by accomplished hospitality pros Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox, the dream team behind th...
The influencer debate heats up. Plus, political burritos, immortal mochi, and a cheesy conversation with The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills' Dominick DiBartolomeo.
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast presented by Rusty’s Chips… how are influencers transforming LA’s restaurant scene? What does a legendary San Berna...
Did Evan Funke’s Chef’s Table just give us the ick? Plus, food criticism chat, LA County does something good, El Moro displaces Patra, Erewhon kids’ meals, and more.
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast presented by Rusty’s Chips… Evan Funke’s episode of Chef’s Table is out on Netflix, Father Sal and I watched it s...
Is Eater's Essential 38 the GOAT or the most chaotic list of all time? Plus, Jaca's talent pipeline, Tom Colicchio's memoir, and an interview with The Lonely Oyster's Dominique Crisp.
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Eater’s new list of the Essential 38 Restaurants perfect, or is it the most chaotic list of all time? What do we find groundbreaking about Keith ...
An honest conversation with ex-Otium employees. Plus, reactions to L.A. Taco's Taco 69, Ina Garten's media tour, California's octopus ban, and Paul Hollywood's extracurriculars.
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What the hell is happening at Otium? Where the hell is Chef Tim Hollingsworth? And what are its former employees trying to do about it? We’re joined...
The future of Wolfgang Puck with Wolfgang Puck and Byron Lazaroff Puck. Plus, Azizam's hot streak, Owen Han's sandwich crown, and the most embarrassing Yelp review of all time.
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the LA Food Podcast, the most recognizable chef on the planet joins us for an interview - and I’m not talking about Chef Boyardee. Wolfgan...
Bon Appetit honors an LA hotspot, Josiah Citrin reflects on 25 years of Melisse, and Laurie Ochoa has had it with guest chef dinners. Plus, an olive oil masterclass with Corto's Lisa Pollack.
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the LA Food Podcast, which LA restaurant was named one of Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants of 2024? What’s the secret to Chef Josiah Ci...
High and lows as we bid Poltergeist farewell, but celebrate Holy Basil's big Food & Wine win. Plus, a sneak peek of two exciting concepts coming this Fall to Ojai and Montecito.
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do we make of Poltergeist and Button Mash closing? Was The LA Times out of line in writing about chef-driven optimism during the tough times rest...
Joe Sasto blesses the pod with pasta wisdom, Top Chef lore, and his glorious moustache. Plus, decoding LA burgers, Evan Funke gets the Chef's Table treatment, and fast food jobs soar.
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined on today’s pod by the icon known as Joe Sasto. Joe is a Michelin-pedigree chef whose exploits at San Francisco’s Quince and Lazy Be...
Is Langer's actually closing? Plus Father Sal unleashed at. Si! Mon, Cobi's, Horses, Petramale and more. And an interview with Avner Levi of Cento Pasta Bar.
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on The LA Food Podcast, is Langer’s closing for good? Is Chick-Fil-A going to save Hollywood? And does JD Vance even know what a donut is? ...
The best tacos in LA, work-life balance in fine dining, and postmodern beer with LAist's Gab Chabran. Plus, how Snibbs' Daniel Shemtob developed the perfect shoe for chefs.
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the LA Food Podcast, is work/life balance possible in fine dining? What the heck is postmodern craft beer? And why should Angelenos care abou...
Is Bill Esparza revolutionizing food criticism? Plus, a Bourdain biopic, the rise of restaurant robots, and a beefy interview with First Light Farms' Jason Ross.
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the LA Food Podcast, is Bill Esparza revolutionizing the restaurant review or is he merely feeding his ego? There’s an Anthony Bourdain bio...
LA earns 5 new Michelin stars. Plus, Tim Walz is a foodie, Pete Wells yells at clouds, and Part 2 of our interview with Botanica's Heather Sperling.
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michelin held its 2024 California Guide Ceremony earlier this week, and it’s fair to say that LA restaurants fared rather well. Jordan Kahn’s Vesp...
The gourmand's guide to visiting (or hosting visitors in) LA. Plus, Botanica's Heather Sperling on her unique journey and the state of food media.
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined on the pod today by none other than Father Sal. As you know, dear listener, Father Sal doesn’t actually live in Los Angeles, but when...
Hot girls eat pickles, with Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar of Good Girl Snacks. Plus, it's rainin' taco guides as we pick up the pieces of the Esparza-Villa's fallout.
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined today by Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar, the co-founders of Good Girl Snacks, a company you might be familiar with if you’ve come a...
Bill Esparza vs. Villa's Tacos. Plus, why New Zealand real fruit ice cream is the sweet treat of the summer. With Creamy Boys' Duncan Parsons and Joe Wedd.
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, legendary LA food writer Bill Esparza made waves when he dropped a scathing review of Villa’s Tacos on his Instagram stories. The review ...
Baroo is the LA Times' Restaurant of the Year. Plus, Eater's Mona Holmes on what makes LA food (and food media) great.
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Father Sal is with us today to talk about the LA Times’ 2024 Restaurant of the Year Baroo. We break down what the award means, why it’s significan...
The Bear Season 3 Recap - Part 2. Plus, service fees here to stay, street vendors win big, and Gorilla Pies needs our help.
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of our The Bear Season 3 recap. Father Sal is with us to break down episodes 6-10. If you listened to Part 1 on Monday, you'll know that we...
The Bear Season 3 Recap - Part 1: Does it still have the special sauce?
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Father Sal and I recap episodes 1-5 of The Bear Season 3, which is now streaming on Hulu. Helpful links: The Bear https://www.hulu.com/series/the-be...
Live from Holbox: Lunch with Santiago Lastra, chef of London's Michelin-starred KOL
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Santiago Lastra is the chef of Michelin-starred restaurant KOL in London. He visited in LA on the heels of the World’s 50 Best ceremony in Las Vegas...
Top Chef Season 21 Recap. Plus, service fees live to fight another day, reservation resale platforms get the axe, and Luca gives vegans free political advice.
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Top Chef Season 21 is in the books. A champion has been crowned, both for Top Chef and our LA Food Pod Fantasy Top Chef. Father Sal and I are joined b...
What the James Beard Awards and World's 50 Best tell us about dining in 2024. Plus, is Little Tokyo "endangered?" And what the heck is up with Joey Chestnut?
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kuya Lord’s Chef Lord Maynard Llera took home this James Beard Award this week for Best Chef California, and we’d like to extend him and his whole...
From Boulder to Bourdain, the many lives of Checker Hall's Gabe Kennedy. Plus, Infatuation pans Vespertine, the problem with "shoppy shops," and The Best Restaurant in Town.
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gabe Kennedy is the all-star chef behind Highland Park’s Checker Hall. He joins us today to tell us his high-octane journey, which includes winning ...
Lunch with the Infatuation's Brant Cox at Mae Malai (P.S. EEEEEATSCON is upon us). Plus, The Bear Season 3 trailer, mental health and burnout in the industry, and R.I.P. Always Pan.
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined on today’s episode by the Infatuation’s Brant Cox for the first-ever in person podcast in LA Food Pod history. Brant and I met up f...