Comfort Food Staple Auntie Em’s to Close Sunday in Eagle Rock

Brace yourself, because another long-running Los Angeles restaurant is closing. This time it’s Auntie Em’s Kitchen, the comfort food favorite out of Eagle Rock with 15 years under its belt.

Owner Terri Wahl says that after 15 years and one short-lived expansion into Downtown, she’ll be closing Auntie Em’s Kitchen this coming Sunday. The place was long a favorite for sit-down casual fare, including popular weekend brunch items and pastries. She passes along the following note:

To all my fantastic customers and friends!

It is bitter sweet, but I am closing the brick and mortar arm of Auntie Em's Kitchen. I am concentrating on my catering business, Thanksgiving and Christmas Pick up meals and baking. The new catering company will be call The Spotted Hen Catering.

I opened Auntie Em's Kitchen 15 years ago. It was a ghost town back then. We were pioneers in the area. Not too much around for miles. You have all been the most wonderful and loyal customer base, and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. I have seen you get married, your children grow up over the years, your kids go off to college, your dogs grow up and your careers take off.

I'm going to be busy catering and teaching cooking classes at Urban Kitchen in South Pasadena. But one of the main reasons that I am closing is I really need more time at home with my husband, my dogs and my chickens. I thank each and everyone of you for your support and love over the last 15 years. My heart swoons.

The loss puts Eagle Rock down one restaurant, and a fantastic one at that. Similarly, Atwater Village’s Canelé, another neighborhood favorite, is set to close in early spring after a years-long run, while over on Beverly Boulevard, today is the last day ever for brunchtime mainstay BLD.

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