[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]acos, ramen, dumplings, fried chicken? Burgers, burritos, bao, carnitas, steaks? Cocktails? Cobbler? When it comes to ways of eating, contemporary Los Angeles offers a true kaleidoscope of cuisines that may be unmatched in the cultural history of this coast. It is truly a privilege to be an eater here, and we owe our luck for it to the vision and talents of the people who create and cook our food.
Today L.A. Taco is thrilled to publish Edition No. 2 of the Rogue 99, your alternative and independent restaurant guide to eating through greater Los Angeles right now. It's an honor to have returning editors Tien Nguyen and Katherine Spiers produce and edit the Rogue again. Nearly a year after the death of food critic Jonathan Gold, it is becoming clearer and clearer that L.A. eaters and restauranteurs need and deserve an up-to-date editorial list to this city's greatest eateries, one that they can trust and respect.
Well here you go.
Yes, the trope of "99" places to eat in Los Angeles is an homage to the list J. Gold developed originally at the LA Weekly, back in its heyday. I think it's safe to say at this point — given what the Weekly has devolved into in the past year — that this town can no longer rely on it for quality food coverage. Tien and Katherine (a former LA Weekly food editor, per reminder) have stepped up to the plate and delivered. As they explain, the Rogue 99 has a sound ethical foundation that is responsive to our times. "We only considered places that — to the best of our knowledge — do not tolerate hostile working environments and do not have records of pervasive labor violations," Nguyen and Spiers note in their intro.
It's all good stuff and we look forward to hearing what you think. Congrats to them.