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A bagel topped with cream cheese, tomatoes, pistachio chimichurri, cucumber, red onion, and dill from Bagel and Slice.
A bagel with all the fixings at Bagel+Slice in Highland Park.
Wonho Frank Lee

13 LA Restaurants Making a Difference Through Food

These socially-minded businesses are striving to make an impact, one bite at a time

by Cathy Chaplin Updated
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A bagel with all the fixings at Bagel+Slice in Highland Park.
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Cathy Chaplin Updated

For those looking to eat well and to do good in their communities, take note of these Los Angeles businesses using food as a platform for activism and a catalyst for systemic change. From an Inglewood fish fry that provides on-the-job training to formerly incarcerated community members to a South Bay ice cream shop that dedicates a percentage of sales to charitable organizations, here are 13 Los Angeles food businesses working to create a more equitable and ethical hospitality industry.

Added: Home Girl Cafe, Kansha Creamery, La La Land Kind Cafe, Proof Bakery, 2nd Chance Fish Fry, Yang’s Kitchen, Bagel + Slice

Removed: Phoenix Bakery, Inc., Pearl River Deli, Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood Restaurant, Endorffeine, My Dung Sandwich Shop, Macheen, Goat Mafia, Harun Coffee, Voodoo Vegan

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Bagel + Slice

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Well-sourced ingredients and above-market wages are just the beginning at Bagel+Slice. Chef Bradford Kent is also committed to social, environmental, and financial sustainability — an ambitious triple-bottom-line approach. To further decrease Bagel+Slice’s environmental footprint, Kent invested in an on-site ozone system to disinfect and sanitize the restaurant, thus eliminating the use of harsh chemicals and plastic gloves.

4751 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 739-9600
(323) 739-9600
Pepperoni pizza slice from Bagel+Slice.
Pepperoni pizza slice from Bagel+Slice.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Proof Bakery

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It’s been more than a year since Proof Bakery transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative. The conversion means a more equitable model of ownership, where workers determine how the business is run and can vote to approve larger financial or situational decisions. This band of empowered workers bakes some of the best croissants in town.

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-8633
(323) 664-8633

Also featured in:

Yang's Kitchen

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Yang’s Kitchen strives to source local, sustainable, and organic ingredients, and pays its employees living wages. Tips are shared with all employees, including kitchen staff. And in an effort to restore the planet and combat climate change, a 1 percent fee is added to every check.

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 281-1035
(626) 281-1035

Also featured in:

Bé Ù

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From superb Vietnamese cooking to progressive ideals, it’s hard to go wrong at Bé Ù. The menu, which includes popcorn chicken with a garlicky aioli and caramelized pork and eggs, is affordably priced for neighborhood locals. Additionally, owner and chef Uyên Lê is committed to paying her workers above market wages, prioritizing their health and safety, and fostering a respectful and equitable culture.

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 928-2135
(323) 928-2135
Popcorn chicken with fried curry leaves and a wedge of lemon. A dish of garlic aioli is served on the side.
Popcorn chicken with fried curry leaves at Bé Ù in Silver Lake.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Homegirl Café

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Homegirl Café provides on-the-job training for individuals who have experienced a number of challenges, including domestic violence, single parenthood, gang involvement, and incarceration. On the daytime menu are salads, tacos, sandwiches, and “Homegirl classics” like chilaquiles and machaca. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

130 Bruno St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-0380
(213) 617-0380

Also featured in:

Sara’s Market

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Handed down for three generations, Sara’s Market sells locally-made staples including wine, coffee, and tortillas. Additionally, the corner market is a haven for burgeoning restaurant entrepreneurs, with food trucks and food vendors selling in front of the store regularly.

3455 City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 268-6809
(323) 268-6809

Shiku

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Come to this Korean food stall located in Grand Central Market for a soulful, holistic, and homey experience. Owned and operated by husband and wife Kwang Uh and Mina Park, Shiku is dedicated to sharing and preserving Korean vegetables lost to industrialized farming. The vegetables served at Shiku are derived from seeds provided by farmer Kristyn Leach of Second Generation Seeds.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 265-7211
(213) 265-7211
LA galbi from Shiku in Downtown Los Angeles.
LA galbi from Shiku in Downtown Los Angeles.
Cathy Chaplin

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Milpa Grille Boyle Heights

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Named after the Mesoamerican milpa system of cultivation, Milpa Grille was opened by Deysi Serrano in 2018. In addition to serving a menu chock-full of corn, beans, and squash — the trifecta of the milpa system — the restaurant welcomes up-and-comers, including Macheen and Cafe Cafe, to operate under its roof.

2633 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 269-2995
(323) 269-2995

Also featured in:

La La Land Kind Cafe

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With its airy ambiance and well-appointed decor, La La Land Kind Cafe blends in with its surroundings. But scratch beneath the surface to find that this coffee shop is on a mission to normalize kindness and to provide foster youth with career opportunities. The store runs an eight-week program that gives on-the-job training, life skills, mentorship, and customer service training to those leaving foster care.

1426 Montana Ave #1, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-2656
(310) 393-2656

Also featured in:

Simply Wholesome

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Owned and operated by the Keeling family since 1984, Simply Wholesome is an all-in-one health food store and vegan restaurant. Come in for spinach patties and vegetarian tacos, and leave with locally made products that line the store’s shelves.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144
Simply Wholesome
Island Delight with chicken, macaroni pie, plantains, potato salad, peas, and rice from Simply Wholesome.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry

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This fast-casual restaurant brings together a traditional fish fry menu (fish, oysters, and shrimp) with scratch-made soul food sides (greens, mac and cheese, cornbread) and a do-good ethos.

The restaurant was founded by three native Angelenos — Ray Ford, Johnny Smith, and Dion Corsey — who are dedicated to assisting formerly incarcerated individuals transition successfully back into society.

1300 Centinela Ave STE 102, Inglewood, CA 90302
(424) 312-1095
(424) 312-1095
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry brings together a traditional fish fry menu with scratch-made soul food sides and a do-good ethos.
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry.
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry

Nature’s Thirst Trap

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Founded by Imani Jackson in 2017, this smoothie and juice bar is committed to “refreshing urban communities with raw juices and love.” Nature’s Thirst Trap’s refreshing wares are available at the Voodoo Vegan food truck and for local delivery, shipping, and pick-up.

Compton, CA

Kansha Creamery

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Eat ice cream and do good at this Torrance-based ice cream shop that dedicates a percentage of every sale toward a charitable organization. The beneficiary changes periodically and has included the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and MPAK (Mission to Promote Adoption of Kids) in the past.

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 953-7110
(310) 953-7110

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Bagel + Slice

4751 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Well-sourced ingredients and above-market wages are just the beginning at Bagel+Slice. Chef Bradford Kent is also committed to social, environmental, and financial sustainability — an ambitious triple-bottom-line approach. To further decrease Bagel+Slice’s environmental footprint, Kent invested in an on-site ozone system to disinfect and sanitize the restaurant, thus eliminating the use of harsh chemicals and plastic gloves.

4751 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 739-9600
(323) 739-9600
Pepperoni pizza slice from Bagel+Slice.
Pepperoni pizza slice from Bagel+Slice.
Wonho Frank Lee

Proof Bakery

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

It’s been more than a year since Proof Bakery transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative. The conversion means a more equitable model of ownership, where workers determine how the business is run and can vote to approve larger financial or situational decisions. This band of empowered workers bakes some of the best croissants in town.

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-8633
(323) 664-8633

Yang's Kitchen

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Yang’s Kitchen strives to source local, sustainable, and organic ingredients, and pays its employees living wages. Tips are shared with all employees, including kitchen staff. And in an effort to restore the planet and combat climate change, a 1 percent fee is added to every check.

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 281-1035
(626) 281-1035

Bé Ù

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004

From superb Vietnamese cooking to progressive ideals, it’s hard to go wrong at Bé Ù. The menu, which includes popcorn chicken with a garlicky aioli and caramelized pork and eggs, is affordably priced for neighborhood locals. Additionally, owner and chef Uyên Lê is committed to paying her workers above market wages, prioritizing their health and safety, and fostering a respectful and equitable culture.

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 928-2135
(323) 928-2135
Popcorn chicken with fried curry leaves and a wedge of lemon. A dish of garlic aioli is served on the side.
Popcorn chicken with fried curry leaves at Bé Ù in Silver Lake.
Wonho Frank Lee

Homegirl Café

130 Bruno St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Homegirl Café provides on-the-job training for individuals who have experienced a number of challenges, including domestic violence, single parenthood, gang involvement, and incarceration. On the daytime menu are salads, tacos, sandwiches, and “Homegirl classics” like chilaquiles and machaca. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

130 Bruno St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-0380
(213) 617-0380

Sara’s Market

3455 City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Handed down for three generations, Sara’s Market sells locally-made staples including wine, coffee, and tortillas. Additionally, the corner market is a haven for burgeoning restaurant entrepreneurs, with food trucks and food vendors selling in front of the store regularly.

3455 City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 268-6809
(323) 268-6809

Shiku

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Come to this Korean food stall located in Grand Central Market for a soulful, holistic, and homey experience. Owned and operated by husband and wife Kwang Uh and Mina Park, Shiku is dedicated to sharing and preserving Korean vegetables lost to industrialized farming. The vegetables served at Shiku are derived from seeds provided by farmer Kristyn Leach of Second Generation Seeds.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 265-7211
(213) 265-7211
LA galbi from Shiku in Downtown Los Angeles.
LA galbi from Shiku in Downtown Los Angeles.
Cathy Chaplin

Milpa Grille Boyle Heights

2633 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Named after the Mesoamerican milpa system of cultivation, Milpa Grille was opened by Deysi Serrano in 2018. In addition to serving a menu chock-full of corn, beans, and squash — the trifecta of the milpa system — the restaurant welcomes up-and-comers, including Macheen and Cafe Cafe, to operate under its roof.

2633 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 269-2995
(323) 269-2995

La La Land Kind Cafe

1426 Montana Ave #1, Santa Monica, CA 90403

With its airy ambiance and well-appointed decor, La La Land Kind Cafe blends in with its surroundings. But scratch beneath the surface to find that this coffee shop is on a mission to normalize kindness and to provide foster youth with career opportunities. The store runs an eight-week program that gives on-the-job training, life skills, mentorship, and customer service training to those leaving foster care.

1426 Montana Ave #1, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-2656
(310) 393-2656

Simply Wholesome

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043

Owned and operated by the Keeling family since 1984, Simply Wholesome is an all-in-one health food store and vegan restaurant. Come in for spinach patties and vegetarian tacos, and leave with locally made products that line the store’s shelves.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144
Simply Wholesome
Island Delight with chicken, macaroni pie, plantains, potato salad, peas, and rice from Simply Wholesome.
Wonho Frank Lee

2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry

1300 Centinela Ave STE 102, Inglewood, CA 90302

This fast-casual restaurant brings together a traditional fish fry menu (fish, oysters, and shrimp) with scratch-made soul food sides (greens, mac and cheese, cornbread) and a do-good ethos.

The restaurant was founded by three native Angelenos — Ray Ford, Johnny Smith, and Dion Corsey — who are dedicated to assisting formerly incarcerated individuals transition successfully back into society.

1300 Centinela Ave STE 102, Inglewood, CA 90302
(424) 312-1095
(424) 312-1095
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry brings together a traditional fish fry menu with scratch-made soul food sides and a do-good ethos.
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry.
2nd Chance Soul Food Fish Fry

Nature’s Thirst Trap

Compton, CA

Founded by Imani Jackson in 2017, this smoothie and juice bar is committed to “refreshing urban communities with raw juices and love.” Nature’s Thirst Trap’s refreshing wares are available at the Voodoo Vegan food truck and for local delivery, shipping, and pick-up.

Compton, CA

Kansha Creamery

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248

Eat ice cream and do good at this Torrance-based ice cream shop that dedicates a percentage of every sale toward a charitable organization. The beneficiary changes periodically and has included the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and MPAK (Mission to Promote Adoption of Kids) in the past.

18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 953-7110
(310) 953-7110

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