{"id":492271,"date":"2026-01-04T17:56:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T17:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/492271\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T17:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T17:56:40","slug":"several-favorite-l-a-restaurants-bid-farewell-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/492271\/","title":{"rendered":"Several favorite L.A. restaurants bid farewell in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In late 2018, I met up with two of my closest but estranged friends in L.A.\u2019s Art District. We hadn\u2019t seen each other in five years;, a dumb and meaningless argument had caused the breakdown between college buddies.<\/p>\n

But a common bond brought us together for our armistice: great tacos.<\/p>\n

Each of us had read about or knew someone who raved about Guerrilla Tacos<\/a>, chef Wes Avila\u2019s famed taco truck turned brick-and-mortar locale.<\/p>\n

Hurt feelings pushed aside, we hashed out our issues over plates of carnitas and swordfish tacos.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll always be thankful for the reconciliation \u2014 I attended one of my friend\u2019s weddings this July \u2014 initiated, in part, by Guerilla Tacos.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I was saddened to see it among the more<\/a> than 100 restaurants that closed in Los Angeles in 2025.<\/p>\n

The restaurant industry has struggled since COVID-19, documented by my colleague Stephanie Breijo<\/a>. Each restaurant closure marked the end not only for owners and employees, but for grateful patrons who shared memorable meals like mine.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s jump into Breijo\u2019s reporting and highlight a few of these magical places<\/a> that closed their doors.<\/p>\n

Reasons for the closures<\/p>\n

It started with the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, which destroyed thousands of Southern California homes, restaurants, bars and other businesses. Tariffs caused the price of some ingredients to soar, while rent and labor costs continued to increase.<\/p>\n

Immigration raids<\/a> and lower tourism exacerbated diminished sales and prompted closures. One food business, Sprinkles Cupcakes, announced it was shuttering on the last day of the year.<\/p>\n

Akasha (Culver City)<\/p>\n

A Culver City stalwart of nearly two decades closed in October.<\/p>\n

The Indian-influenced restaurant \u201chelped kick off the culinary revival in Culver City\u201d<\/a> and ran for 18 years there. Owners Akasha Richmond and Alan Schulman cited a range of considerations in their decision, including entertainment industry strikes, the pandemic and rising labor and food costs. \u201cThe challenges of recent years,\u201d they wrote on Instagram, \u201chave become too great to overcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boo\u2019s Philly Cheesesteaks (East Hollywood)<\/p>\n

The family-run local chain known for its Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks oozing with Cheez Whiz shuttered its original location, but Boo\u2019s lives on. <\/p>\n

The Ahn family launched their cheesesteak operation from a small A-frame at the edge of Silver Lake and East Hollywood 14 years ago. In October, they posted, \u201cWhat an amazing journey!! But some journeys ultimately have to come an end in order to move forward.\u201d Their locations in Echo Park and Koreatown remain open.<\/p>\n

Chin Chin (West Hollywood)<\/p>\n

The Sunset Strip restaurant that popularized Chinese chicken salad closed this summer<\/a> after more than 40 years in operation.<\/p>\n

Chin Chin became a local chain, but it all began in West Hollywood. This location, with its proximity to the Hollywood Hills, was a frequent spot for celebrity sightings \u2014 especially in the \u201880s and \u201890s. Unable to renew the lease, the restaurant\u2019s owners vacated Sunset Plaza. Neighboring French restaurant Le Petit Four also closed this year. Chin Chin is still open in Studio City, Brentwood and Las Vegas. <\/p>\n

El Mar Azul (Highland Park)<\/p>\n

This white \u2014 and in later years, bright blue \u2014 food truck parked in Highland Park for 41 years, its painted octopus hinting at the fresh-seafood tostadas, tacos and cocktails.<\/p>\n

In February, El Mar Azul announced its closure via Facebook, saying, \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to our loyal customers who chose us for family gatherings, lunches, dinners and birthdays. To those who braved long lines and rain for our famous tostadas and cocktails, thank you.\u201d But the legacy won\u2019t stop there. Members of the founding family are launching a new business: Rosie\u2019s Canteen, built out of a refurbished Airstream trailer. Follow along on Instagram<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n

For the entire list of restaurant closures, check out the full article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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