CULT-FAVORITE FRIED CHICKEN CHAIN BOJANGLES IS COMING TO LOS ANGELES
Fried chicken and biscuit purveyor, Bojangles, which currently has strongholds in the South with restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, announced that it will expand to the West Coast for the first time next year. Working with franchise owners Lorenzo Boucetta and Boulet Brothers, LLC, Bojangles plans to open upwards of 30 units of the cult-favorite fried chicken fast-food restaurant in Southern California, with the first one slated for Los Angeles County by early 2025.
Bojangles sells bone-in fried chicken, scratch-made savory and sweet biscuits, fried chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken tenders. “Fixins,” or sides, include mac and cheese, Cajun pinto beans, french fries, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, cole slaw, and even a tub of pimento cheese. Originally co-founded by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas in Charlotte, North Carolina, the chain currently has over 800 restaurants. The company announced last year that it planned to open 20 more stores in the Las Vegas area.
Boa’s new veteran chef
Boa, with outlets in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach, has hired veteran chef Brendan Collins to lead the kitchen at all of its steakhouses. Collins previously worked at Fia and Fia Steak in Santa Monica, Waterloo & City in Culver City, and Birch in Hollywood.
The British chef recently introduced a few new dishes to the vibey restaurant, like smoked steak tartare, king crab ceviche, lobster Bolognese (which Collins likely picked up from his stint at Mélisse), dry-aged branzino, and grilled lamb lollipops. Vegetarians can get excited about Collins’s new mushroom Wellington with spinach and beurre rouge; and fresh-cut mafaldine pasta with wild mushrooms and arugula pesto. Boa Steakhouse has a new location slated to open in Austin, Texas, this spring.
Reservations at Quarter Sheets
Getting a seat at Quarter Sheets in Echo Park will get a bit easier for those who plan ahead. The pizza-and-cake restaurant will offer reservations on Resy beginning May 1, with books opening on April 29. Reservations should reduce long lines and streamline takeout orders; the restaurant will hold space for walk-ins.
The return of Cobras and Matadors
The former Spartina space on Melrose Avenue has turned into the latest rebirth of Cobras and Matadors, which operated briefly on Beverly Boulevard before closing in February 2023. Last year, the restaurant blamed police on social media for “busting” the restaurant for operating without a valid alcohol license and pointed the finger at law enforcement for not addressing “encampments, illegal head shops, whatever else feels like going down.” The Steven Arroyo-owned restaurant has opened and closed at least four times since initially debuting in 2001. Infatuation added the Spartina-to-Cobras switcheroo to its new restaurant listings.
May the 4th be with you
Disneyland Resort is selling Star Wars-themed dishes from now until June 2 in celebration of May 4, the movie series’ unofficial holiday. Along with special events held at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the restaurant Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo will serve Shaaken beef with Tatooine bounty, a dish with peppers, onions, and crispy kale. Kat Saka’s Kettle will offer Kinyenian Topato pie, a samosa with curry-spiced potatoes and mint chutney.