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Los Feliz Rallies Last-Ditch Effort to Save Good Luck Bar Before it Closes on Saturday

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Plus, Chez Jay, and food trucks at the Obama Boulevard naming ceremony

Good Luck Bar
Good Luck Bar
Farley Elliott
Mona Holmes is a reporter for Eater Los Angeles and a regular contributor to KCRW radio. She has covered restaurants, dining, and food culture since 2016. In 2022, the James Beard Foundation nominated her for a Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award.

A Good Effort to Save Good Luck Bar

As locals lament Good Luck Bar’s closure on May 4, a group of activists appeared before the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council on Tuesday in an attempt to preserve what’s left of the neighborhood. This group of Los Feliz residents started a Change.org petition that’s gathered nearly 3,500 signatures to save the beloved 25-year-old dive bar. The efforts weren’t without results, as the council passed a unanimous resolution supporting Good Luck Bar, while condemning Conroy Commercial Real Estate. The development company plans to replace the building with a 17-room boutique hotel. While the resolution is largely symbolic, it might be too late to keep the doors open, but locals hope the bar can be part of the new project. According to activist EV Boyle, this was the first time Good Luck management and Conroy communicated directly since 2017.

Chez Jay’s Changing of the Guard

As the well-known Santa Monica restaurant and bar approaches its sixtieth anniversary this July, the Santa Monica Daily Press profiled the symbolic passing of the baton to owner Chris Anderson, and its ability to stick around while new establishments around the area come and go. Chez Jay’s ownership changed hands only once since opening in 1959. Mike Anderson — Chris Anderson’s father — oversaw that transition in 2000 when founder Jay Fionella retired.

Outside Chez Jay, Santa Monica.
Outside Chez Jay, Santa Monica.
Photo: denisetaylor?

Obama Boulevard Naming Ceremony With A Truly LA Send Off: Food Trucks

City Councilman Herb Wesson first suggested changing Baldwin Hills’ Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard in 2017, and the change becomes official on May 4. There’s also a naming festival from noon until 6 p.m. this Sunday, where officials close the 3.5-mile stretch of road to host musical guests and some of South LA’s favorite restaurants and food trucks, including All Flavor No Grease, Harold & Belle’s, Comfort L.A., Bleu Kitchen, and Jackfruit Cafe.

Pop-Up Soul Food And Abstract Art

In a charming story from the Los Angeles Times, Angelenos learn about the interesting path of Ray Anthony Barrett. He’s a visual artist with an MFA, and created an African/soul food project called Cinqué. Barrett takes his food seriously by making hoppin’ John from Rancho Gordo heirloom beans, and cures his own bacon from local pig farmer Peads & Barnetts.

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All-Vegan Ice Cream And Soft-Serve in Echo Park

For those avoiding animal products or reducing their dairy intake, is a new Echo Park spot called Yoga-urt. While most shops stick with the dairy-filled variety and only offer a few soy-based vegan options, Yoga-urt uses cashew and almond for its 25 flavors and three soft serve machines, which is a pretty significant shift from the the frequently-used soy. Founder Melissa Schulman is still waiting on final inspection for its spot on the north side of Sunset, and one block west of Alvarado.

Yoga-urt
Yoga-urt
Courtesy of Yoga-urt