Matthew Kang is the Lead Editor of the Southern California/Southwest region, and has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. He hosted a YouTube show called K-Town, covering Korean food in America and has been featured on Netflix’s Street Food.
Last week, Ribtown BBQ owner Lonnie Edwards announced on Instagram that he would be shutting down his longtime South LA barbecue trailer on Saturday, March 22. Edwards had been making barbecue at home for decades but opened Ribtown in mid-2020 along Jefferson Boulevard to great acclaim. On Instagram, the pitmaster wrote, “[The] body is breaking down, it’s hard to get help…costs. But I don’t blame no one. It’s been hard, it’s been rough, but we gotta move on.” He asked regulars to come by to say hi and concluded the statement with, “I’ve been blessed, truly blessed.”
Edwards was part of South LA historic Black-owned barbecue scene, which includes the legacies of Woody’s, JR’s, and Phillips, in addition to newcomers like Wood Urban BBQ and Barbara Jean’s (which is located just north of the 10 freeway in Arlington Heights). Ribtown’s incredible pork ribs, beef ribs, and rib tips slathered in sweet barbecue sauce will be missed.
More Villa’s in Highland Park
Victor Villa of Villa’s Tacos opened his newest taqueria on March 23 in the former La Estrella building in Highland Park with an emphasis on fish and shrimp tacos. He’ll be using wild-caught Mexican shrimp, mahi-mahi, octopus, and even A5 Japanese wagyu in his tacos and mulitas.
Chili John’s might be gone
Burbank restaurant Chili John’s, which has been open in Burbank since 1946, is as risk of closing, reports the Los Angeles Times. Owner Steve Hager said business has been down to about 20 percent of pre-pandemic sales. The chili is based on founder John Isaac’s 130-year-old recipe, originally from his Green Bay, Wisconsin restaurant.
Rory’s Place in LA
Ojai restaurant Rory’s Place, run by sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe, is coming to Holy Basil in Atwater Village on March 31 as part of Regarding Her’s Women’s History Month Festival. Tickets are currently sold out but might pop up again on Resy. Rory’s Place is also doing a collaboration dinner at Lulu in Westwood on April 3 that will highlight farmers that they work with, like Cole Bush or Shepherdess Land and Livestock and Abudu Asaase of Mama Tree Farm. Get tickets to the Lulu dinner here.
Cinque Terre West relocates to Venice
Former Pacific Palisades restaurant Cinque Terre West has resurfaced in Venice as of March 19 at the Colony, which is a combination cloud kitchen and food hall. The takeout and delivery menu includes its beloved pastas, plates like chicken with lemon and garlic confit or grilled branzino, and focaccia sandwiches (gluten-free options abound, including, notably, for the sandwiches). Chef-owner Gianba Vinzoni was displaced by the 2025 Palisades Fire earlier this year and is now staying locally in Venice with his family.
Amboy’s first-ever expansion
Chinatown burger specialist Amboy from chef Alvin Cailan has very quietly opened at Haven City Market in Rancho Cucamonga:…