Downtown LA just lost a legend. This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Cole’s French Dip owner Cedd Moses and Independent Hospitality Coalition’s Eddie Navarrete to unpack why this 117-year-old icon is closing—and what it reveals about the crisis facing LA restaurants. Eddie also shares what fixes at the city and state level could provide real relief, and how diners can help stop the bleeding.

Before that, Luca and Father Sal break down the top LA dining trends of 2025 so far—no year-end list required. There’s Bar Everything, supper clubs galore, collab overload, and much, much, more.

Then in Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss:

• A $1B hot chicken chain, per The LA Times’ Stephanie Breijo

• Tejal Rao reviews Mori Nozomi for The New York Times, introducing us to the concept of “bromakase”

• Punch awards a LA-based bartender for their tea-based cocktails

• Eater’s Bettina Makalintal covers the surprising rise of protein-packed Uncrustables, questioning whether MAHA has ruined everything

• New York Magazine’s Adam Platt confirms what we’ve all always known - restaurants use too much salt

The LA Food Podcast is powered by Acquired Taste Media. Don’t forget to check out our sister shows Taqueando with Bill Esparza and Let It Rip, and leave us a review wherever you pod.