Announcing the 2025 Countdown. Plus, more doom and gloom in store for LA restaurants in 2025?

What does the year of our Lord 2025 have in store for LA restaurants? According to The LA Times, a whole lot more struggle.  Father Sal is with us to break down a couple of fascinating pieces by Stephanie Breijo and Cindy Carcamo on the restaurants we lost in 2024, and what the landscape of challenges looks like for the year ahead. On a lighter note, we recap our holidays, including Father Sal’s first American Christmas and my continuing plight to force-feed my family the Feast of the Seven Fishes. And Sal also gives us a run-down of the must-visit spots from his most recent escapade to Mexico City.  In Part 2, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for - the 2025 Countdown reveal. In case you’re unfamiliar, every year I set out to eat 100 variations of a certain type of LA cuisine. In 2021 I ate 100 pizzas, in 2022 I visited 100 taquerias, 2023 brought me sandwiches and I just finished scouring the city for 100 epic noodle dishes. What will 2025 hold for yours truly and yours truly’s rapidly deteriorating gastrointestinal system? Stick around to find out.  Helpful Links: Stephanie Breijo on closures https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-12-31/how-many-la-restaurants-closed-in-2024 Cindy Carcamo on the 7 struggles ahead for LA restaurants https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-12-31/top-7-challenges-issues-facing-restaurants-in-2025 Father Sal’s top rec for Mexico City https://auna.com.mx/ -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods