The deadly Los Angeles fires that began Tuesday continue to burn across 28,000 acres in the region, as the flames have reduced thousands of structures to lots of rubble and mangled metal, prompting mass evacuations and leaving residents scrambling to access food and water.
People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot, Jan. 7, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Etienne Laurent/AP
Large nonprofit organizations and small business alike have already stepped up to serve the hard-hit LA community, as fire crews work tirelessly to fight the spread of the uncontrolled infernos.
The intrinsic hospitable nature of chefs and restaurant owners is already on full display amid the unprecedented tragedy, with the culinary community finding ways to help feed those in need, as well as provide water bottles and other highly requested needs.
See the full updated list below of restaurants serving meals to evacuation centers, taking orders and offering meals for free.
As of time of publication, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated as multiple wildfires burn across the Palisades, Pasadena, Altadena and Sylmar and 7,500 firefighters have been deployed to battle at least five sprawling wildfires and several smaller blazes around the Los Angeles area.
Megan Mantia, left, and her boyfriend Thomas, return to Mantia’s fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire swept through, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.
Ethan Swope/AP
The initial cause of the blazes that first exploded across Los Angeles on Tuesday, just days after the National Weather Service warned of extreme fire risk amid a “life-threatening and destructive” windstorm, remains “unknown” and is under investigation per Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
World Central Kitchen
Humanitarian chef José Andrés quickly deployed relief efforts in Southern California via his nonprofit World Central Kitchen, sharing realtime daily updates on X mobilizing their network of restaurant and food truck partners to serve nourishing meals to anyone affected.
On Friday, WCK announced via X that their “food truck partners are stationed across fire-affected communities — providing nourishing meals to evacuees and first responders.”
In his first video message on Thursday morning, Andrés said while setting up the WCK truck at the Glendale Fire Department that the organization would be helping heroes from all different towns and units. “These men and women, the firefighters, they are the best of the best. Every time you see a firefighter — clap at them, give them a hug,” he encouraged.
Los Angeles restaurants offering meals, food to fire evacuees, first responders
There is a growing list of eateries and chefs that have remained open to support residents and first responders impacted by the fires, as first reported by the LA Times, from food trucks to longtime local mainstays.
Here are places to get a meal if you’ve been directly impacted by the fires or to share with someone you may know who has been.
All Time: The Los Feliz restaurant will provide Free meals for anyone displaced by the fires.
The Abbey: Free meals are available at the West Hollywood eatery for first responders and anyone displaced by the fires.
Bacari Silver Lake: All four locations are offering 50% for first responders and the restaurant is donating 20,000 meals to the LA Food Bank for residents displaced by the fires.
Bakers Bench: The Chinatown pastry shop is offering a “pay as you like” model for self-serve pastries, and providing WiFi, bathrooms, water, indoor seating, plus activities for children.
Bé Ù is seen in Los Angeles.
Google Maps Street View
Bé Ù Kitchen: The Virgil Village Vietnamese street food spot announced via Instagram that its “program of free meals for fires evacuees and first responders is available” at chef Uyên Lê’s walk-up window, “until folks are out of imminent danger, and can access sustained support.”
Birrieria San Marcos: The Mexican food truck is taking orders via DM on Instagram to give free meals to anyone displaced from their Van Nuys and North Hills locations.
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery: The Westlake bagel shop will serve bagels and spreads for first responders and evacuees free of charge on Friday.
Chez Mia: While the West Hollywood restaurant is closed, they have launched a “you cook, we give, they eat” effort, announced on Instagram to help “connect the dots” and feed displaced families. As the restaurant collects donations online it will be monitoring its post’s comment section for families in need, people who nominate a family in need and people offering to act as a driver who “can pick up food from Olivetta or Chez Mia.”
Danny Boy’s Famous Original: In a message to Angelenos via Instagram, chef and owner Daniel Holzman encouraged anyone whose been displaced to “please come in for pizza on the house” at both Westwood and DTLA locations. “The same goes for the incredible firefighters and first responders out there putting their lives on the line to save our city — we are here to feed and support you.”
Edendale: The Silver Lake restaurant announced it will offer free potato tacos, tater tots and fries to first responders and anyone displaced by the evacuations.
Fat Sal’s Deli: The popular sandwich shop is giving first responders free meals “and a safe space to rest, charge phones, and have a meal” at its Westwood, Hollywood, Culver City, Encino, and Venice locations.
Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop: The Studio City restaurant is donating hot meals to fire stations and offering food, drinks to first responders and evacuees.
Horses: To thank first responders “for their tremendous work” the Hollywood restaurant announced on Instagram that it will be providing free meals on Friday from 5:30 – 10 pm, as well as for evacuees.
Heavy Handed: The burger spot with locations in Santa Monica and Studio City is serving first responders for free and said it will deliver orders to any person or organization in need be it to a shelter or an evacuation center. They’ve encouraged residents to reach out via Instagram to tell them where food drop offs are needed.
Kogi: Chef Roy Choi’s famed Korean BBQ food truck has deployed its efforts with the support of World Central Kitchen “all week to feed all responders and those displaced.”
The team that worked tirelessly to feed the community during the COVID-19 pandemic will also be reactivating its donation hub “beyond just this week, because from what I’ve seen both west and east, there’s still a long way to go,” Choi wrote in the post, adding that “every penny will go to feeding.”
Le Great Outdoor: The open-air Santa Monica eatery in the Bergamot Station complex is helping those affected by local fires with a 10% discount on lunch and dinner throughout the week.
Ospi: The Italian restaurant from chef and owner Jackson Kalb has encouraged “all first responders and anyone whose been displaced” to “please come by Brentwood or Venice [locations] for some pasta on us,” he wrote in an Instagram post. The restaurant is also offering water bottles, chargers and WiFi, for those who have lost power. The team said it also plans to deliver food to evacuation shelters around the city.
The Rooster LA: Rouha Sadighi, the Santa Monica born and raised owner, took to Instagram to offer 20% off to the community, calling the fires “horrific beyond compare” and wrote in the post, “Through food, I hope to rehabilitate the spirits of all who have been affected by the fires all over our great city.”
South LA Cafe: The coffee shop founded by Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace that provides fresh, affordable, and healthy food options confirmed to ABC News that it will be providing free groceries, water and masks to the community from 12 to 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Western Location, 1700 Browning Blvd, 90062.
The two other South LA Cafe locations are being used as safe places for the community to turn.
Uncle Paulie’s : The Italian-American sandwich shop has organized its W. 3rd location as a place for physical donation drops for residents looking to help the community. The owners are asking for bottled water as a priority to support the LAFD Foundation.
Yeastie Boy Bagels: The fleet of food trucks will be offering free bagels at evacuation centers.
This is a developing story please continue to check back for updates.
This story has been updated since it was originally published on Jan. 9, 2025.