New Year, New Laws for California Restaurants. Plus, RIP Horses, Welcome Back Bäco, and Sorry Bill Simmons.

Welcome back to The LA Food Podcast! In our second episode of 2026, Father Sal and Luca kick things off with Recent Eats, covering Hermon’s, Superba, Connie & Ted’s, and Etra. Then we dive into the new California food laws taking effect in 2026 — including updates to minimum wage, plastic bag rules, delivery app regulations, tortilla fortification, allergen menu labeling, retirement plan requirements, outdoor dining extensions, and more.

Using reporting from Eater LA’s Mona Holmes, we break down how these policy changes affect restaurants, diners, delivery drivers, street vendors, and the broader hospitality industry. Are these laws a win for consumers? Added pressure for already-strained restaurants? Or a mixed bag lawmakers will need to refine?

Plus, in Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we hit:• Horses shuttering amid “catgate” fallout and tax liens• The closure of LA County’s oldest restaurant• A surprise Downtown comeback from a beloved chef• Pete Wells’ health-focused reset after stepping away from criticism• Blackbird’s 56 wild restaurant ideas for 2026

If you care about LA dining culture, food policy, restaurant trends, and what's ahead for hospitality in 2026, this episode is a must-listen.

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