"Los Angeles's restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds, starting in 2020 with the onset of a global pandemic and exacerbating with the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023, which led to an industry-wide slowdown that's continued into 2026. From the lingering effects of the Hollywood strikes to rising costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many factors continue to strain restaurant owners operating on razor-thin margins."
"Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact of the 2025 fires, including slow business and devastating property loss, as well as the ongoing effects of ICE enforcement. Here are notable restaurant closures for the beginning of 2026."
"KnowRealityPie permanently closed in mid-February. Founded by Tracy Ann DeVore and Kelly Deco in 2014, the pie shop went on to win KCRW's Pie Contest 11 times, and gained a cult-following for flavors like banana rum dulce de leche and salted caramel mango guava rum."
Los Angeles's restaurant industry continues experiencing significant challenges stemming from multiple crises. The 2020 pandemic initiated widespread disruption, followed by the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes that created an industry-wide slowdown persisting through 2026. Restaurant owners operate under severe financial pressure from escalating costs including labor, rent, and ingredients. The 2025 fires caused additional devastation through property loss and reduced customer traffic. ICE enforcement activities compound these difficulties. These cumulative pressures have resulted in notable restaurant closures at the start of 2026, including Katsu Sando's San Gabriel location, KnowRealityPie in Eagle Rock, Rao's Hollywood outpost, and MidEast Tacos's Silver Lake and Glendale locations.
#restaurant-closures #los-angeles-food-industry #economic-hardship #pandemic-and-labor-strike-impact #2025-fires
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