Deadly Los Angeles the fires which started on Tuesday has burned more than 28,000 hectares in the region, with flames reducing thousands of structures to rubble and mangled metal, prompting mass evacuations and leaving residents scrambling for food and water.
People flee the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, on January 7, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Etienne Laurent/AP
big non-profit organizations and small businesses have also stepped up to serve LA’s struggling communities as fire crews work tirelessly to combat the spreading inferno.
The inherent hospitality of chefs and restaurant owners is already on full display amid unprecedented tragedy, as the culinary community finds ways to help feed those in need, including bottled water and other much-needed supplies.
See below for a complete updated list of restaurants serving meals to evacuation centers, taking orders and offering free meals.
At press time, more than 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate due to multiple wildfires burning across the Palisades, Pasadena, Altadena, West Hills and Sylmar and 7,500 firefighters have been deployed To fight large fires and smaller fires in the Los Angeles area.
Megan Mantia, left, and her boyfriend Thomas return to Mantia’s fire-damaged home in the Eaton fire on Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, California.
Ethan Swope/AP
The initial cause of fires that broke out across Los Angeles on Tuesday, just days after the National Weather Service warned of a severe fire danger amid a “life-threatening and destructive” storm, remains “unknown” and is under investigation in Los Angeles County. Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Los Angeles restaurants serving meals, fire food for evacuees, and first responders
The list of restaurants and chefs that have stayed open to help residents and first responders affected by the fires is growing, it has been reported for the first time. LA Timesfrom food trucks to longtime local staples.
Here’s where to grab a meal or share it with someone you’ve met if we’ve been directly affected by the fires.
As this situation unfolds, information may change, so please check the restaurants’ social media pages directly for the most up-to-date information, hours, and offers. Some restaurants have even asked people to contact them via DM before going in person.
all the time: Los Feliz restaurant will offer free meals to those displaced by the fires.
the abbey: Free meals are available at the West Hollywood restaurant for first responders and anyone displaced by the fires.
Bacari Silver Lake: All four locations donate 50% to first responders and the restaurant donates 20,000 meals to the LA Food Bank for residents displaced by the fires.
Bakers Bank: The Chinatown patisserie offers a “pay-as-you-want” model for self-serve pastries, and offers WiFi, bathrooms, water, indoor seating, and children’s activities.
Bé Ù is seen in Los Angeles.
Google Maps Street View
Be the Kitchen: Vietnamese street food spot Virgil Village announced via Instagram that a “free meal program for fire evacuees and first responders” is available at chef Uyên Lê’s window until “people are out of immediate danger and can get permanent help. .”
Birrieria San Marcos: The Mexican food truck is taking orders via DM on Instagram to deliver free meals to anyone displaced from its Van Nuys and North Hills locations.
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery: Westlake Bagel Shop will serve bagels and spreads for first responders and evacuees on Friday.
at Mia’s house: While the West Hollywood restaurant is closed, they have launched a “you cook, we give, they eat” effort Instagram To help “connect the dots” and feed displaced families. As the restaurant collects donations online, it will monitor the comments section of its post for families in need, people who nominate a family in need and people who offer to act as drivers “who can pick up food at Olivetta or Chez Mia.”
Danny Boy’s famous original: To Angelenos via Instagram, in a message to the chef and owner Daniel Holzman He encouraged anyone who has been displaced to “please go home for pizza at the Westwood and DTLA locations.” “The same goes for the incredible firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line to save our city – we’re here to nurture and support you.”
He’s in trouble: The Silver Lake restaurant announced that it will offer free potato tacos, tater tots and fries to first responders and anyone displaced by evacuations.
Fat Sal’s Deli: The popular sandwich shop is giving first responders free meals “and a safe place to rest, charge their phones and have a meal” at their Westwood, Hollywood, Culver City, Encino and Venice locations.
Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop: The Studio City restaurant is serving hot meals for firefighters and providing food and drinks to first responders and evacuees.
the horses: To thank first responders “for the incredible work they’ve done,” the Hollywood restaurant announced on Instagram that it will offer free meals Friday from 5:30 to 10 p.m., including for evacuees.
Heavy hands: The burger joint, located in Santa Monica and Studio City, is offering free first responders and said it will direct any person or organization in need to a shelter or evacuation center. Residents have been encouraged to use Instagram to say where they need to drop off their food.
Mandi’s house: Free meals are being offered to anyone displaced by the wildfires at Yemen Restaurant in Westwood He announced on IG.
Kogi: Chef Roy Choi’s famous Korean BBQ food truck has done its best to “feed all responders and displaced people all week” with the help of World Central Kitchen.
The group, which worked tirelessly to feed the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, will also reactivate its donation center “beyond this week, from what I’ve seen in the west and east, because there’s still a long way to go,” Choi said. he wrote in the message, adding that “every penny will go to nutrition”.
LaSorted’s Pizza: The pizzeria is offering free pies to first responders and evacuees.
Lawry’s Prime Rib: In an Instagram post, the popular restaurant reached out to its Angeleno community, writing, “our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires” and said it will be “offering complimentary sandwiches to all first responders and evacuees who join us at Tam and Beverly Hills Bar.”
the cup: Fried chicken in East Hollywood is offering free food for first responders and others who need help with delivery and pickup.
“Firefighters please message us so we can deliver food or just come in and have a meal,” the eatery wrote in a post on IG. “Anyone else who needs help, please get in touch, we’re here and want to help you in any way we can.”
Le Great Outdoors: The open-air Santa Monica eatery in the Bergamot Station complex is helping local fire victims with 10% off lunch and dinner all week.
The Hour of Love: In addition to free meals for first responders and evacuees, the Koreatown restaurant announced water, canned goods, blankets, emergency supplies, hygiene products will be collected to be distributed this weekend.
the sea: Beverly Hills Italian restaurant confirmed to “GMA” that Marea will be offering free meals to first responders and those displaced by the fires starting Friday.
“This initiative is taking place at the new location in Beverly Hills, which will officially open to the public on January 16, 2025,” the restaurant said. “The Tide is honored to support the Los Angeles community, and is a small gesture of gratitude to those who work tirelessly during this difficult time.”
madre: The four locations will provide free meals to all those displaced by the fires until the end of January.
Milo & Olive: The restaurant encouraged first responders to grab free pizza and took to Instagram to offer additional resources to anyone displaced by food insecurity.
fameChef-owner Jackson Kalb’s Italian restaurant encouraged “all first responders and anyone displaced” to “please come to Brentwood or Venice (locations) for some pasta with us,” he wrote in an Instagram post. The restaurant also provides bottled water, chargers and WiFi for those who have lost power. The group said it plans to deliver food to evacuation shelters around the city.
The Rooster LA: Owner Rouha Sadighi, born and raised in Santa Monica, took to Instagram to offer a 20% discount to the community, calling the fires “horrendous,” writing in the post, “Through food, I hope to restore the spirits of everyone affected by the fires throughout our great city.” .
South LA Cafe: The cafe founded by Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace, which offers fresh, affordable and healthy food, confirmed to ABC News that it will provide free food, water and masks to the community on Thursday from 12pm to 4pm Western. Location, 1700 Browning Blvd, 90062.
The other two South LA Cafe locations are being used as a safe place for the community to come back.
Uncle Paulie’s : The Italian-American sandwich shop has hosted its W. 3rd location as a drop-off location for physical donations for residents who want to give back to the community. Owners request bottled water as a priority to support the LAFD Foundation.
Yeastie Boy Bagels: A fleet of food trucks will be offering free bagels at evacuation centers.
World Central Kitchen expands food trucks in Los Angeles amid wildfires
Humanitarian chef José Andrés quickly expanded relief efforts in Southern California through his nonprofit World Central Kitchen, sharing daily updates from X in real time to mobilize a network of restaurant and food truck partners to provide nutritious meals to anyone affected.
On Friday, WCK reported via X that “food truck partners are stationed in fire-affected communities – providing nutritious meals to evacuees and first responders.”
In his first video message Thursday morning, Andrés was setting up the Glendale Fire Department’s WCK truck, saying the organization would support heroes from different towns and units. “These men and women, the firefighters, are the best of the best. Every time you see a firefighter — give them a round of applause, a hug,” he encouraged.
This is a developing story, please stay tuned for updates.
This story has been updated since it was published on January 9, 2025.
