Spare Tire Pushes Tartines, Whiskey, and Wood-Fired Pizza Into Mid-Wilshire Friday

Just in time for everyone to break their New Years resolutions: it’s Spare Tire, a new gastropub opening up in Mid-Wilshire in the former El Toro space below Busby’s East. The venture comes by way of Gavin Mills, who was previously consulting with Boar Dough in Agoura Hills.

Eagle-eyed readers have already begun spotting the swapped signage along this stretch of the Miracle Mile, complete with splashy lettering and a rimless tire bouncing around (plus, for some reason, the (Kitchen & Tavern) part is (all) (in) (parentheses)). Regardless, the space looks to be a charming upgrade for the area, offering the usual small plates menu items like tartines, sandwiches and pizzas.

Forget the kitschy Mexican motif, too — Spare Tire seems to carry, at least partially, a vague jungle aesthetic, complete with hanging fake alligator and bushy green plants. Toss in a hanging chandelier, some scuffed up Doric columns and a lot of communal seating and you’ve got, well, a lot to feast your eyes on.

On the menu side, it looks like the full liquor license has been moved into the new venture, meaning a sizable collection of whiskey is available from the bar, as well as wine and 20 taps for craft beer. A reduced lunch menu moves between charcuterie plates to steamed mussels to chicken & waffles.

Now soft-open, Spare Tire looks to peel rubber with a grand opening party on Friday, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern
5364 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA