My 2 Cents LA
Permanently Closed
Southern classics with a twist, gluten-free options, soulful vibe
Southern classics with a twist, gluten-free options, soulful vibe
"Los Angeles soul food staple is closing on July 31; founded in 2013 by Alisa Reynolds and her pastry chef sister, Theresa Fountain, the restaurant built a following for gluten-free barbecue fried chicken, catfish, brown sugar caramel cake, and more, and after the closure it will transition to catering and sell merchandise." - Rebecca Roland
"My Two Cents is a fantastic Southern cafe with a casual sidewalk patio in Mid-City and an all-day menu filled with everything from a turkey meatloaf sandwich to black-eyed pea hummus to our favorite shrimp and grits in town. Their version comes with buttery shrimp sitting in a bath of Creole beurre monté, all over creamy corn parmesan grits. Wash it down with some of their iced tea, and top the meal off with whichever of their baked goods has just come out of the oven. Many items on their menu are also gluten-free, including the shrimp and grits." - brant cox, kat hong, arden shore
"Founded in 2013 by Alisa Reynolds and her pastry-chef sister, Theresa Fountain, this Los Angeles soul-food staple announced it will end dine-in service on July 31 and transition into a catering operation while producing a line of products and merchandise. Reynolds, who hosted Searching for Soul Food on Hulu and was nominated for a Best Chef: California James Beard Award in 2024, announced the closure in an Instagram post and told the Los Angeles Times that the shift is something she’s been considering for years and that she looks forward to feeding people in their homes and doing pop-ups. The closure is cited alongside a broader wave of restaurant shutdowns in Los Angeles driven by lingering pandemic effects, the 2023 industry strikes, recent wildfire impacts on dining, immigration enforcement-related workforce fears, and rising costs." - Mona Holmes
"Find Southern classics in Mid-City at My Two Cents, where chef Alisa Reynolds slings dishes like a gluten-free macaroni and cheese with brown rice penne and a blistered Parmesan crust; if that’s not enough, the juicy gluten-free fried chicken will also do nicely. Other gluten-free-friendly menu staples include the shrimp and sweet corn grits, fried green tomatoes, and oxtail tacos. Eat it all in the small, warmly lit dining room, or call in an order to take home." - Nicole Adlman
"A notable gluten-free rendition: brown rice penne or rigatoni baked with six cheeses including a nutty Gouda and topped with a crackly Parmesan gratin. Each bite highlights al dente brown rice pasta and a molten cheese sauce that clings almost lovingly to the pasta's ridges, while the gratinée-style Parmesan topping encases the dish in a blistered veil. The crunch of the topping complements a velvety interior, making it substantial enough to eat as a main plate—especially paired with the restaurant's barbecue fried chicken or whichever pan-fried fish is on offer that day. — Nicole Adlman, cities manager" - Mona Holmes
