Local Favorite Pop’s Bagels Adds Two New LA Locations This Year, With Plans for More

Los Angeles bagel star Pop’s Bagels has big local expansion plans. The company already ships nationally via Goldbelly, but now owner Zach Liporace tells Eater that there are two new storefronts coming soon as well. Right now Pop’s pushes bagels from a pop-up space at the Platform in Culver City, but Liporace has signed on to a new address nearby at the recently-completed Culver Steps development right in the thick of downtown Culver. The jump to the Steps means more space, an expanded menu (including other baked goods and pastries), outdoor seating, and later hours.

Pop’s has also secured a lease in Brentwood in the former Alfred Tea Room space on San Vicente, with plans to open there in as soon as a month or so. What’s more, Liporace says he’s teamed up with Carolwood Equities (the group from Croft Alley) to potentially expand past these two locations, adding outlets across greater Los Angeles and beyond. For now, expect the Brentwood location by spring, and the Culver City location by late 2021.

In other news:

• Burbank city officials are hoping to secure a judge’s approval to padlock the doors and turn off the electricity at Tinhorn Flats, the longtime cowboy bar that has been openly flouting county and state public health orders. The restaurant has already had its operating permits pulled and racked up loads of fines, and is now asking its supports for money via GoFundMe.
• A new marketplace and deli called Uptown Provisions is coming to Whittier soon, from longtime bartender Aaron Melendrez and partner Sarah Melendrez. The space will be a market, takeaway shop, and deli.
• The folks from the Shade Room have a new spinoff series called the Shady Brunch, pitting chefs against each other in a culinary throwdown shown on Instagram and Facebook Watch. First up is Kevin Burton of Trap Kitchen.

• Downtown Santa Monica is adding more outdoor dining areas to the Third Street Promenade, allowing restaurants to hopefully grow their takeout business with local customers and anyone who happens to pass by.
• Want to work for an LA restaurant legend? Philippe’s in Chinatown is hiring bussers right now, per their Twitter page.
• With on-site events still cancelled for now, the Taqueando Fest from food writer and Eater LA contributor Bill Esparza has turned into an ongoing series of pop-ups held out of the Church & State space in the Arts District. Next up is chefs Norberto Piattoni and Leo Lanussol from Argentina, doing on-site patio dining and takeout from March 4 through March 6, for dinner only. On March 10, chef Priscilla Curiel of San Diego-area Tuétano Taquería takes over for a four-week residency that will also include Ricky Piña of Ricky’s Fish Tacos.
• Westside Italian staple Piccolo Ristorante has taken over the former Yours Truly space, which closed on Abbot Kinney late last year.
• Jon & Vinny’s Brentwood reopens for service via a brand new outdoor patio today. Check out the bright green, spaced-out setup below.

Jon & Vinny’s