Some of Los Angeles’s most exciting meals can be found on the back patio of a wine bar or under an EZ-up on a neighborhood corner. Pop-ups are ingrained in the dining culture of the Southland, whether they’re a preview of a more permanent space or just a one-off. This is a guide to new and ongoing pop-ups around town. Have a pop-up that should be on this list? Email us at [email protected].
Upcoming
Food festival season kicked off last weekend with the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, but this coming weekend follows up with one of the top events of the year, Family Style Festival, which takes place at LA Historic State Park nearby Chinatown on Saturday. Some of the more prominent names include Baroo, Katz’s Deli (NYC), Kuya Lord, Bacanora (Phoenix), and Two Hommés. In addition, RE:Her will be throwing a cooking competition with five female chefs vying for a $10,000 prize to kickstart their careers.
Restaurants will be paired with clothing/streetwear brands like Nike, Compton Cowboys, and Crenshaw Skate Club, which makes sense given the festival was founded by Ben Shenassafar and Bobby Kim of the Hundreds (as well as event producer Miles Canares). Buy tickets here for September 28, with the event beginning at 12 p.m. (Note: general admission tickets will allow entry, but attendees must pay extra for food and drinks; VIP ticket buyers get included food and drinks inside the VIP section.)
Barbecue pop-up El Guero y La Flaca is bringing its smoked meats to Benny Boy Brewing on September 29 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Correas Mariscos will also be onsite with tacos and mariscos from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. 1821 Daly Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031.
Steep After Dark is popping up at the West Hollywood Edition on September 30 to preview its new fell menu. Chris Amirault, Steep After Dark’s creative director and the former head mixologist of the Maybourne, will be on deck to shake up some tea cocktails. 9040 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Steve Sando, of cult-favorite bean company Rancho Gordo, is hosting a dinner at A.O.C. on October 1. The menu will feature bean-centric dishes like black garbanzo salad and alubia blanca beans with clam and chorizo. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
Cookbook author Kristina Cho will celebrate the release of her new cookbook, Chinese Enough, at Now Serving on October 2. On hand to help celebrate the launch will be Woon, which will serve noodles, along with other specials inspired by the book. 727 N. Broadway Unit 133, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Eataly is offering a hands-on pasta-making class on October 3 with a focus on pasta from southern Italy. The ticket includes the class and materials, plus a wine-paired menu and prosecco. 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Ongoing
Agnes is debuting a new weekly wine-tasting series starting September 18. For $20, guests can sample rotating flights of wine curated by beverage director Zaitouna Kusto (Esters, Hinoki & the Bird). An optional $15 cheese pairing is available to add on. 40 W. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91105.
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Head to Dulan’s on Crenshaw for Kim Prince’s Hotville Chicken pop-up any Wednesday or Thursday for Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, fiery wings, and classic soul food under the same roof. Head to the rear patio from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and if sitting in on a Wednesday evening, it’s spoken word and poetry night.
Walking Spanish, a modern Central American pop-up has begun a Sunday and Monday residency at Las Perlas in West Hollywood. The menu includes dishes like loaded yucca fries, a braised short rib with kimchi and cheese, and a fried chicken sandwich. 7511 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046.