Photo credit: la.eater.com
Last week, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena created a devastating impact, prompting mass evacuations. In a mere 24-hour span on January 7, over 150,000 residents were forced to leave as winds reaching hurricane speeds intensified the flames. Hundreds of homes and businesses, including numerous restaurants, were reduced to ashes, causing significant distress in the community.
In the wake of this crisis, the local community responded with remarkable solidarity. Notably, the restaurant sector in Los Angeles rallied together, reaching out to support evacuees and first responders with meals. Street food vendors, many motivated by the desire to help, began seeking ways to join their efforts, even as they struggled to find the right channels for aid.
By January 9, while the Palisades and Eaton fires continued to burn, additional fires like the Sunset Fire erupted across the region. Theodoro “Teddy” Vásquez, owner of Teddy’s Red Tacos, was among those inspired to act. Like many of his peers, he was grappling with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising expenses, and now the added threat of a wildfire to his business. After seeing social media calls for help, he felt compelled to contribute.
“I started seeing all this stuff happening, people posting about donating food, water, and other things, so I thought, ‘Why not bring tacos?’” said Vásquez. This shift in focus from despair to hope led him to search for local drop-off points for donations. His food truck, stuffed with tacos, beverages, and a supportive team, took to the streets on January 11, driven by an earnest desire to uplift those facing hardships.
Despite facing obstacles such as road closures, Vásquez and his crew persevered, determined to provide meals. They managed to serve over 200 first responders and evacuees with plates of tacos de birria de res, consomé, and café de olla, which also included seating and shelter to ensure comfort for those they fed.
A fellow Teddy’s Red Taco partner named YL set up a truck to assist firefighters in the Pacific Palisades, also coordinating with World Central Kitchen to deliver meals to those in need.
José Morales from Tacos La Carreta joined the relief initiative as well, rallying his team to provide food amidst the chaos. Recognizing the situation through social media, he procured his cart and brought along staff to cook tacos, despite initial concerns about cooking during the fire. After connecting with a local organization, he set up to serve his Mazatlán-style tacos to evacuees and first responders, demonstrating the community’s resolve to unite in a time of urgent need.
Guadalupe Báez, a carnitas vendor, also sought guidance through Instagram and collaborated with local chefs to serve 100 burritos to first responders. Similarly, Victor Villa of Villa’s Tacos called for addresses to feed emergency crews and mobilized his team to provide meals at multiple sites affected by the fires.
Tacos Los Huicholes, teamed with influencer Juan Diaz, organized a pop-up to distribute 500 hot dogs at the Rose Bowl, later relocating to Santa Anita Park to meet increasing demand. This gathering turned into a significant support event, with resources pouring in to assist thousands of evacuees and responders, featuring pallets of supplies and even live entertainment.
The communal effort around Santa Anita Park highlighted the generosity of Angelenos who came together in times of crisis. Diaz, motivated by a personal connection to those in distress, took the lead in coordinating aid, reaffirming his purpose to uplift others during adversity.
In a city defined by its vibrant taco culture, the response to the fires illustrated how food can serve as a source of comfort and resilience. As the smoke clears and communities begin the long journey of recovery, the contributions from local food vendors and their commitment to caring for their neighbors remain a testament to the strength of community in Los Angeles.
Source
la.eater.com