Mona Holmes is an editor at Eater Southern California/Southwest, a regular contributor at KCRW radio, and a 2022 James Beard Award nominee.
The team behind the estate of late Los Angeles rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle just completed its dining room revamp and will debut the new space on March 1. Though open since 2024, Marathon Burger’s team kept diners on the patio while operating during the remodel. The restaurant resides in the former Nomoo and Peach Pit pop-up restaurant on Melrose and Gardener, a half mile from the Marathon clothing store, with a smash burger and diner menu.
Hussle launched his Marathon brand in 2010 and was active in opening businesses in Los Angeles until he was murdered in 2019. He spoke frequently about building businesses centered around music, fashion, entertainment, and restaurants. Hussle’s team and brother, Sam “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, debuted Marathon Burger as a pop-up in October 2024, slinging wagyu smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, portobello mushroom burgers, wings, a tiger shrimp basket, and milkshakes. Los Angeles has a track record of hip hop artists opening restaurants, including Donald Glover’s (aka Childish Gambino) Jellyman in Silver Lake and Juicy Pizza by the daughters of the late Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay and Biggie Smalls…