Upward of 180,000 residents have fled their homes due to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires that have burned through the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Altadena and Sylmar areas. As of Friday, Jan. 10, the fires, which first ignited on Tuesday, have torched more than 35,000 acres, killed at least 10 and destroyed an estimated 10,000 structures.
In the wake of such ruin, which could amount to $57 billion, a handful of Orange County restaurants will donate 20% of all sales on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Money will go to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in support of their fire-relief efforts.
ALSO SEE: These Los Angeles restaurants offer food to fire evacuees and first responders
“We are in the business of feeding people, and now is the time for our businesses to feed those who need it most,” said Marco Criscuolo, owner and executive chef of Trattoria Trullo, in a written release. “These donations will enable the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to continue their support of 600 partner agencies and ensure that those most impacted by the fire have one less thing to worry about.”
The following eateries will take park in Tuesday’s dining effort:
- Bar Becky (Long Beach)
- Bosscat Kitchen (Irvine and Orange)
- Champagne’s Kitchen (Newport Beach)
- Craft House (Dana Point)
- Darkroom (Santa Ana)
- El Cholo (Corona del Mar)
- Glasspar (Dana Point)
- Lido Bottle Works (Newport Beach)
- Lola’s by MFK (Anaheim)
- Luciana’s Ristorante (Dana Point)
- Royal Hen (Newport Beach)
- Stadium Brew Co. (Anaheim)
- Ten Sushi (Irvine)
- Trattoria Trullo (Aliso Viejo)
- Trevor’s at the Tracks (San Juan Capistrano)
Diners can book a table on Tuesday where available; call in advance to see if walk-ins are possible. Restaurants interested in joining this campaign are urged to contact jill@trattoriatrullo.com for details.
In addition to the aforementioned fundraiser, other O.C. restaurants have pitched in since the fires ignited.
Chef Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach has offered free meals to those affected, as well as a temporary shelter. “We have a large parking lot, you can stay as long as you need and camp out,” he wrote on X. “We will provide free meals for all of those affected.” Gruel will also accept available volunteers, transportation of goods to L.A., and donations (pet food, feminine care items, camping gear, water, gift cards, phone chargers and more. Amazon delivery donation items can also be sent to his restaurant at at 16600 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.
And OC Baking Company in Orange will offer fresh breads for people planning on making food runs to L.A. Individuals interested in assisting can contact chef-owner Dean Kim via Facebook Messenger.
L.A.-based restaurants, ranging from Spago to Sizzler, are also providing free food and drink to firefighters, first responders and evacuees.
Many Los Angeles dining staples succumbed to the Eaton, Hurst and Pacific Palisades fires, including the Fox, Gladstone’s, Moonshadows and Reel Inn, Cafe Vida, Casa Nostra, Cholada Thai, Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, Café de Leche, Minik Market, Rancho Bar and Pizza of Venice, to name a few.