East LA’s Got a Prime New Fried Chicken Restaurant, and More A.M. Intel

Phat Birds come to roost

Don’t look now, but there’s some seriously hip fried chicken hitting East LA these days. Appropriately dubbed Phat Birds, the hip hop-inspired chicken shop is doing limited lunch hours so far from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (weekdays only), but seems to be finding its groove already.

Phat Birds lands along E. 3rd St., just below the 710/60 interchange. The team actually hosted a slew of pop-ups around town before the opening, and has continued to play in the increasingly popular hot fried chicken space (though not exclusively). With the addition of places like Dave’s Hot Chicken in East Hollywood it’s getting to be a crowded market for the genre, but by playing to East LA crowds hopefully the Phat Birds crew earns some fans of their own.

Free Fred 62

It’s a party in Los Feliz this weekend, as Fred 62 celebrates twenty years in the hip diner business. To keep the flame going, ownership is lighting up the place with free mini passed versions of some of their most iconic dishes. All anyone has to do is show up.

Bootlegger parties in Palm Springs

Bootlegger Tiki is all the rage out in Palm Springs these days. The place stays busy on most weekend nights, but now is looking to grab even more attention by bringing in chef Christian John Sia (Moto in Chicago) for pop-up bites and cocktails. The party runs the last Wednesday of every month, with a four-course option landing at $75 a head.

Bar pies for the masses

There’s a bar pie pop-up happening at Prime Pizza tonight and tomorrow, running from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Food comes courtesy of Anthony Falco, formerly of NYC’s Roberta’s, and House Beer is giving away a drink with every pie purchase.

Burgerim to Glendale

Mini-burger franchise Burgerim is expanding into Glendale tomorrow, bringing even more fast casual food to the area. To celebrate there’s going to be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free food for folks who happen to stop in, starting at 5 p.m.

And even more Boiling Crab

Another Boiling Crab is opening soon as well, this time in Burbank. The popular seafood boil spot is landing at 140 E. Palm Avenue with a grand reveal slated for Monday, June 26 that includes free swag for those in line.

Lao Tao’s brunch plans

Far East Plaza player Lao Tao is launching brunch this coming Saturday. The second-floor Taiwanese option is already a great lunch move, but is now jumping into brunch with plans for milk and Chinese doughnuts, egg dishes, and loads more.

The poster reveal

Arroyo Seco Weekend is almost here, bringing with it some of the best local food talent. That should come as no surprise, given this is the same team responsible for collecting names and dishes for Coachella and the more upscale Desert Trip (RIP). Now the full food reveal is here in predictable poster form, so expectant revelers to prep themselves accordingly for all the food and drink.