Despite Industry Struggles, Restaurants Serve Hope and Humanity During LA Wildfires
The wildfires of 2025 have ravaged Southern California, leaving Los Angeles County reeling from the destruction and feeling the weight of the loss. Yet, amid the chaos and uncertainty, a fierce, knee-jerk resilience has emerged from the very industry already teetering on the edge. With over 100 iconic eateries shuttering in 2024, according to the LA Times, the restaurant world has been battered by rising costs, strikes, and relentless weather. But local restaurateurs have chosen to rise above it all just to extend help to those in need. They’ve transformed their kitchens into sanctuaries—offering refuge through food when so much else feels fragile.
Food trucks are serving fire crews, pop-ups are distributing meals to displaced families, and everywhere you look, the heart of LA’s food scene pulses with something far more enduring than business as usual. It’s not just about survival—it’s about community, about holding each other up when everything else seems to have fallen apart. In an industry that’s so precarious, these restaurants remind us that the spirit of generosity and love is the one thing that can never burn out. For all the chefs that have taken action, their instinct to serve is as much muscle memory as their knife skills.
While its own survival hangs by a thread, the city’s dining landscape continues to give, embodying the unbreakable heart of LA’s food scene. Its generosity cuts through the smoky air like a lifeline, reminding us that even when the industry is shaken to the core, its soul remains untouchable. “At a time when our industry has faced immense challenges, it is truly inspiring to see so many come together to provide relief and support to those affected, as well as to the brave firefighters risking their lives to protect our community,” said Elizabeth An, CEO of House of An Restaurants. House of An, which owns the renowned Crustacean in Beverly Hills, has, like many of the city’s eateries, offered free meals to first responders and those affected by the wildfires.
Restaurants have always been more than places to eat; they are sanctuaries where people gather to celebrate, to heal, and to connect. And in this moment of crisis, these businesses have shown us how deeply embedded they are in the fabric of our communities. “We’re seeing so many restaurants stepping up to help in remarkable ways,” said An. “That has always been a hallmark of this industry, speaking volumes about how deeply we value our communities and city.”
“Despite the very difficult climate the industry is going through and bearing the cost of giving away free food just adds to this difficulty, it’s putting a lot of smiles on our faces seeing what little we offer go a long way,” shared AK Tachavatcharapa, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of HATCH, a Japanese tapas restaurant & bar in Downtown Los Angeles.
For many in the industry, giving back in these tough times means far more than just doing good—it’s personal. “As a restaurant, food & beverage is at our core and probably the best we can offer to support our community,” said Daniel Shemtob, co-owner of HATCH with Tachavatcharapa and The Lime Truck, who has personally felt the sting of loss, having lost his home to the fires in the Pacific Palisades. Despite the immense pressure on him to keep his businesses running, he continues to prioritize helping first responders, dispatching The Lime Truck to where it’s needed. “It’s the nature of hospitality, it’s so giving. You don’t really do it for the dollars, you do it for love, and that’s what the community is all about.”
Notable chef Andrew Gruel, owner of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, turned his restaurant into a vital relief hub for wildfire victims. He tweeted on X, “Anyone who has left LA and headed south. You are welcome at our restaurant, 16600 Pacific Coast Highway, 92649. We have a large parking lot, you can stay as long as you need and camp out. We will provide free meals for all of those affected. If anyone has any coordination in process for meals, supplies, etc for LA, reach out to me, we will provide as much food to deliver and arrange supplies as well.”
Yeastie Boys Bagels, a popular LA-area food truck, is among the many restaurants and trucks that collaborated with renowned chef José Andrés’ nonprofit World Central Kitchen to provide vital aid. Its fleet was been dispatched to safe zones and distribution points across LA, serving free meals to firefighters, first responders, and those in need.
Community initiatives have also been at the forefront of this wave of support. Jill Cook of Jill Cook PR + Marketing, alongside Niyaz Pirani of Knife & Spork Public Relations, and Jennifer Wales of Wales Communications, spearheaded the OC Restaurants Give initiative, which has raised over $200,000 to support wildfire victims. The movement, which includes more than 170 restaurants and businesses, has pledged 20% of their sales to the LA Food Bank. “Having something to eat is one of the most basic needs people have, so if we can help make sure that’s easy, it gives them the time and energy to focus on harder things,” Cook said. For her, the act of feeding people during such difficult times speaks to the heart of the industry. “Our instinct is to help feed people when things go wrong.”
Even when the industry itself is struggling to stay afloat, it’s proving that the ties of community, compassion, and resilience are stronger than any challenge. In a city scarred by wildfires and uncertainty, these restaurants are showing us what it means to hold the line, offering hope, humanity, and sustenance when we need it most.
