Comfort LA: Maintaining A Sense Of Soul
Let’s face it, we could all use a little extra comfort right now. As we experience a global pandemic and a national revolution simultaneously, the social tide seems to be changing drastically and unexpectedly from day to day. The last month in particular thrust a necessary spotlight on racial injustice as protests raged around the country, and rightfully so. With that being said, we’re taking an aim at highlighting Black-owned businesses and giving them the attention they deserve. as we all weather this storm together as one.
For Comfort LA, there was hardly a lapse in service once stay-at-home orders came in so hot that it made most restaurant owner’s heads spin. Even for an eatery that relied so greatly on human interaction to drive their own personal brand of community and their family-like atmosphere, a large portion of Comfort LA’s business pre-Covid was takeout, therefore calling for a smoother transition. However, it doesn’t mean that they’ve gone without a challenge in losing their dine-in business. Considering the fact that three shifts have turned into one shift and hours have changed drastically since March, it’s been extremely important to owners, Mark Walker and Jeremy McBryde, that they accommodate accordingly to make sure that their loyal staff doesn’t suffer a financial loss or are put out of the job completely.
“If you think of the concept of adjusting, it’s like, 'Oh, we play basketball, but now we have to change into football players.’ It’s not as simple as you think.” Says co-owner Mark Walker. “We did what was best to try to give everybody something, anything, until things go back to normal.”
Mark and Jeremy met years ago and it was practically kismet. The pair got along as if they’d known each other their whole lives, and where Mark was more privy into the business side of things, Jeremy’s passion for food by influence of his family’s home cooking brought the idea for Comfort LA to life. After a trial run as a pop up in the heart of Downtown just blocks from Skid Row, the two realized very quickly that what they were creating was something special. With much more demand for their decadent eats than they ever could have hoped for, they soon took the next step with a more permanent residence—their brick and mortar off of Seventh and Kohler.
With organic meats and dishes blasting with flavor and love, inspired by family tradition, entree options including variations as their crispy fried chicken, and side options such as Cousin Kina’s Mac & Cheese and Maw Maw’s Candied Yams have had patrons lining up to get their hand on some authentic soul food since day one. A selection of signature sauces, beverages, and desserts build the perfect structure for a meal you would swear came straight from your own Maw Maw’s kitchen. With now several years of success earning them quite the loyal following, just last year the team was able to open their second location in Inglewood. But what has changed since in the era of Covid?
“You think about a hot kitchen and masks, that’s probably one of the biggest things in the kitchen at least that took some adjusting to,” mentions Mark “You’re standing over a fire, and on top of that you now have to wear a mask that you’re not really accustomed to wearing. We always wore gloves, I mean that’s a normal part of being in the restaurant space. The first couple of days were rough, but I think now everyone fully understands.
Going the extra mile with their already ultra-hygienic routine, the team makes a daily effort to ensure that their customers are comfortable ordering their tasty fare, even if it is just a curbside experience. “Everyone’s used to coming in and hugging, you know. Now you have to give everyone the elbow.” Mark jokes. Comfort LA’s belief that everyone deserves a chance rings true even throughout the pandemic, whereas people that normally wouldn't be given the same chance such as the formerly incarcerated are not only given a job, but are given the chance to better their lives beyond the kitchen through mentorship to better understand what it takes to build their finances, and hopefully one day, their own businesses.
Although dine-in won’t be an option until restrictions are lifted more fully for the sake of their employee’s and patron’s health, take-out is going strong. Order now by calling in or through Grubhub, Postmates, Ubereats and let every luscious bite bring you back to normalcy—if only for a few minutes.
eatcomfortla.com | 1110 E. 7th St
Written by Dakota Nate | Photography courtesy of Comfort LA
