It’s been about a week since Roy Choi’s new spot, LocoL, has been open but there are already daily lines out the door. Yes, it comes as no surprise, since most of Choi’s quick service spots tend to draw attention (Kogi, Chego), but what makes LocoL unique is its location. Unlike his other centrally placed restaurants, LocoL is in Watts.
Choi is trying to bring better food to “food deserts,” or underserved communities that lack access to good food. It’s an idea that started back in 2013 at the MAD symposium in Denmark. LocoL in Watts is only the beginning, as the plan is to bring these types of eateries to food deserts all across America. Other targets are set for Oakland and the Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco. The project is a culinary collaboration with Daniel Patterson of SF Bay restaurant fame. Other culinary minds, like Tonx coffee founder Tony Konecny, and Chad Robertson of Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, also contributed their skills. Konecny helped with the superb coffee beans served exclusively at LocoL, while Robertson is behind the bread buns holding Locol’s burgers together.
Unless you live close to Watts, going to Locol will be a field trip. About 30 minutes south of Central LA, it’s safe to say that LocoL really is meant for the locals. As of right now, however, the interest in the restaurant and food has attracted non-locals and the media to the spot. It’ll be exciting to see the idea flourish once it becomes a true neighborhood joint.
