Days after releasing his viral “Not Like Us” music video on July 4, 2024, rapper Kendrick Lamar greatly impacted a local Los Angeles restaurant’s sales. The video follows sites and crowds throughout Compton, including longtime neighborhood favorite Tam’s Burgers No. 21 on the corner of Rosecrans and Central Avenues.
According to TMZ, Tam’s manager Lauro Hernandez says the restaurant experienced a 30-40 percent boost in business following the video, which showed Lamar and music producer Mustard entering Tam’s while showcasing dancer Storm DeBarge in the dining room. Hernandez says diners are ordering Lamar’s favorite, a bacon cheeseburger. The video is currently at 41.5 million views. Tam’s No. 21 is a staple in South LA and even appeared in Dr. Dre’s now iconic 2022 Super Bowl halftime performance at SoFi Stadium with songs by Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Lamar. The Tam’s appearance is at 2:03.
Luke’s Lobster heads to Santa Monica
What Now Los Angeles was snooping on the City of Santa Monica’s blog and noticed the Maine-based restaurant Luke’s Lobster is listed as “coming soon.” City officials have embarked on a $1 billion investment in Downtown Santa Monica, which includes new hotels, restaurants, and 1,300 new apartments to help bolster the new and existing businesses.
The Los Angeles Times’s Restaurant of the Year
Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Bill Addison chose Baroo as Restaurant of the Year for 2024. The modern Korean restaurant reopened in mid-2023 in the Arts District. Food editor Laurie Ochoa named Mariscos Jalisco the 2024 recipient of the Gold Award.
A Redbird dinner with Sad Papi
Downtown’s Redbird will host the first mentor-mentee guest chef dinner on July 18 with Brandon Skier, who goes by the name Sad Papi on social media. The Redbird alum just released his first cookbook, Make It Fancy. He’ll prepare a three-course family-style menu for $250 per person, which includes drinks. Find the full menu and reservations here.
Mod Pizza chain in financial trouble
Mod Pizza, the fast-casual restaurant chain with over 40 locations in California, may soon file for bankruptcy, reports Bloomberg. The company could seek bankruptcy court protection this month.
A festival of Carne Asada
Northgate Gonzalez Market is hosting an Asada Fest in Downtown LA on Saturday, July 13. It’ll take place at Rolling Greens Arts District with chefs Javier Plascencia of Animalón, Roberto Morales of RobeGrill, Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbecue, and Netflix’s Taco Chronicles Nereida Vejar, who specializes in cow butchery. Organizers also invited a slew of taqueros, including Tacos La Carreta and Tacos La Rueda, plus a whole day of activities dedicated to carne asada. Advanced entry with tastings will run $100 for VIPs, with food and beverages included for the $75 general admission price. Secure a ticket here.
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