The Taste of Soul

Taste of Soul Is LA’s Biggest Street Food Festival, and It’s This Weekend | Eater LA

"In its 13th year, I find the Taste of Soul food and entertainment festival returns to South LA as a massive block party that completely envelops Crenshaw Boulevard, with organizers claiming annual attendance of over 350,000 people. Attendance is free and the full street fair runs this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. down Crenshaw between Stocker and Rodeo, with vendors charging for bites served from tents and food separated into categories like African, American, BBQ & Soul, and Creole & Jamaican — including known names such as Hotville Chicken and Bludso’s. There’s a Budweiser-sponsored beer garden and entertainment stages for live music, comedy, and gospel singers. Despite its scale, I note the event has been largely uncovered by larger food and print outlets (with the LA Sentinel as both an exception and an annual sponsor). The festival also raises money for South LA-focused charities Mothers in Action and Brotherhood Crusade and hosts a day-of on-site job fair from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. aimed at under-employed South LA residents." - Farley Elliott