Insecure Season 4: LA Food Guide
Issa Rae’s HBO show Insecure in many ways feels like a love letter to Los Angeles. The show films on location throughout town, and highlights many of the city’s small businesses and restaurants, especially those in the neighborhood where she grew up.
Most importantly, the show sheds light on the unfortunate ongoing gentrification of many LA neighborhoods, and makes a conscious effort to feature businesses that have been around since before things started to change. With this food guide, I hope you reminisce on some of the season’s most memorable moments while noting the importance of supporting local small businesses in Los Angeles, especially those that reflect the communities they serve.
*SPOILER ALERT: This food guide references episodes and scenes from the show*
If you don’t see a business listed that was featured on the show, please message us to update.
Episode 1: Lowkey Feelin’ Myself
Gracias Madre – West Hollywood
This popular vegan Mexican restaurant was featured in the show when Issa and her new friend Condola met for lunch. This was the first time we heard Condola talk about her new love interest. *Sigh*
The restaurant is known for their one-of-a-kind cocktails including the Oaxacan Old Fashioned and Spritz made with tamarind.
@graciasmadresocal | Visit Website
The Spare Room – Hollywood
This season we saw things heat up between Molly and Andrew, and their bowling date was no exception. Located in the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Spare Room is a cocktail lounge complete with a hidden photo booth, finger foods, board games, and two vintage bowling lanes. If you plan on bowling, be sure to reserve lanes ahead of time as they fill up quickly.
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Episode 2: Lowkey Distant
Commerson – Mid-City
Lawrence and Condola met at Commerson for dinner, where Condola mentioned a conversation Issa and her had about him. To say things got awkward after that is an understatement.
Although popular for their bottomless mimosa brunch, the restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner with menu items that include pan seared branzino and braised short ribs.
Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen – Inglewood
In this episode, Issa and Molly had plans to meet at Hilltop, where Issa also met with Condola prior for a meeting. Their girls night plans changed when Issa invited Condola to stick around and join them.
This coffee shop is actually co-owned by Issa Rae in partnership with co-creators Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos. Hilltop’s mission is to provide a space that promotes creativity and allows people to connect with one another in the community that Rae, Relan and Hagos grew up in. There is also a location in View Park.
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Episode 3: Lowkey Thankful
Highly Likely – West Adams
Who can forget Issa’s awkward run-in with Lawrence and Condola at Highly Likely Cafe? Her face as she walked away and saw them hugging one another said it all.
The restaurant has a full coffee menu, lunch items, and also serves beer and wine
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Margarita’s Mexican Cafe – Crenshaw
This episode was a turning point in the season as Issa and Molly’s friendship continued to go downhill. Although Issa was originally expected to swing by Molly’s parent’s house, she and her brother Ahmal spent Thanksgiving dinner eating Mexican food, listening to mariachi music, and (of course) drinking margaritas at Margarita’s restaurant.
Margarita’s has been serving traditional Mexican dishes including tacos, enchiladas, and albondigas soup since 1964.
5026 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles | (323) 294-8970
Episode 4: Lowkey Losin’ It
Charcoal – Venice
Andrew and Molly had another date night at Charcoal in Venice. The menu features family-style barbeque dishes and comfort food, most of which are cooked over fire.
@charcoalvenice | Visit Website
All Flavor No Grease Truck
Issa picked up food from this popular food truck when she called Molly asking for a favor from Andrew. The same favor that sparked an intense argument between the two friends at the block party.
All Flavor No Grease has become a staple food truck in LA over the years. Owner Keith Garrett is a self-taught chef that originally sold his mouth-watering quesadillas and burritos from his driveway. AFNG became a hit on social media, turning it into the popular truck it is today.
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Porto’s Bakery
After a heated argument, Molly took a box of Porto’s to Andrew’s house as a peace offering. You may have also recognized the famous box from episode 2 in the scene where Issa found out that *spoiler alert* Condola’s boyfriend was actually her ex Lawrence. Sigh.
The popular family-owned Cuban bakery is known for their potato balls, guava cheese pastries and tres leches cake. Their pastries are also available online to bake at home.
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Episode 5: Lowkey Movin’ On
Issa’s block party featured many local LA vendors and businesses. Check out this video where Issa gives a behind-the-scenes tour of the block party.
Randy’s Donuts – Inglewood
Known around the world for their iconic large rooftop donut, Randy’s serves classic donuts along with unique flavors like fruity pebbles and apple crepe
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Southern Girl Desserts - Crenshaw
Started by friends Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison, this bakery offers classic desserts with a southern twist. Cupcake flavors include sweet potato pie and pecan pie.
@southerngirldesserts | Visit Website
Stuff I Eat - Inglewood
Stuff I Eat aims to provide healthy food options for the people in its community. The restaurant is located on Market Street, which is also where the block party took place.
@stuffieat_inglewood | Visit Website
Simply Wholesome - Baldwin Hills
Simply Wholesome Restaurant & Store offers healthy menu options including a variety of juices and vegan dishes. The restaurant has been also been featured on the show a few times on previous season and on the season 4 finale.
@simplywholesome | Visit Website
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Taco Mell - Crenshaw
Owner Jermelle Henderson’s Mexican-inspired restaurant is known for their classic tacos and burritos. They also have a second location in Lakewood.
@tacomellcatering | Visit Website
Episode 6: Lowkey Done
Inko Nito – Downtown
In this episode we saw Issa get befriended by a group of a ladies on a bachelorette trip. Just when it seemed like Issa was having a great time, the girls ditched her and left her with the dinner tab at Inko Nito as part of the bachelorette scavenger hunt game.
Located in the Arts District, this unconventional Japanese restaurant specializes in robatayaki, a method of cooking similar to barbeque.
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Episode 7: Lowkey Trippin’
Grand Velas Nayarit - Puerto Vallarta - Bonus Location
If you remember, the majority of this episode took place in Puerto Vallarta during Molly and Andrew’s vacation with his family. The picturesque shots were filmed at Grand Velas Nayarit.
@grandvelasnay | Visit Website
Episode 8: Lowkey Happy
Alta – West Adams
Ah, one of the most memorable scenes of the entire season! Issa and Lawrence reunited for drinks at Alta. Remember, when Issa fell as soon as she walked in?
This soul food restaurant has a fascinating story. Alta believes in second chances and makes an effort to offer employment opportunities to people who were previously incarcerated. They also have a coffee shop next door called Adams Coffee Shop.
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DAMA – Downtown
After grabbing a drink at Alta, Issa and Lawrence headed over to DAMA for dinner. This is where they were when Lawrence told Issa he had planned on proposing to her in the past. Sigh, again.
DAMA is located in City Market South in the fashion district. The Latin-inspired menu is from executive chef Antonia Lofaso, famously known for her appearance on popular cooking shows like Top Chef and Iron Chef America.
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Art Walk – Downtown
Although not a restaurant, we couldn’t leave out the location where Issa and Lawrence wandered through the streets of downtown talking and reminiscing about the past. LA’s Art Walk is a 12-block stretch of galleries and exhibits featuring the work some of the city’s most talented artists.
Episode 9: Lowkey Trying
Pann’s - Inglewood
This iconic diner is where Issa and Molly reunited to talk. Well, kind of.
Pann’s has been an LA classic since 1958. You may also recognize its neon lights from other shows and films.
@pannsrestaurant | Visit Website
Episode 10: Lowkey Lost
Issa and Lawrence met at a local farmer’s market, where we saw many small businesses including Cobblermania, Antojitos Martin, and Pucker Up Lemonade.
Cobblermania
This bakery specializes in vegan cobblers with flavors that include apple, berry, and sweet potato.
Antojitos Martin
This shop sells classic Mexican treats including aguas frescas, elotes, and raspados.
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Pucker Up Lemonade Company – Compton
Pucker Up is the ultimate lemonade stand with flavors that include prickly pair, kiwi and mango. The company also has a catering service for all your special events needs.
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Three Weavers - Inglewood
Although they didn’t visit this brewery on the show, Molly’s co-woker mentioned that a group of them were going to swing by after their work event. Three Weavers is the first craft brewery in Inglewood.
Guisados – Downtown
When Tiffany went missing in the season’s final episode, her friends found her on security footage at one of their favorite taco shops. Guisados has multiple locations around town and are known for their handmade tortillas. Their bistek tacos and shrimp tacos are out of this world.
Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant & Mrkt – Fairfax
Last but certainly not least is Merkato. In the final scene of the season, Issa and Molly reunite again for dinner, giving us hope that the two will be able to repair their close friendship. It’s also the same restaurant where they almost bumped into each other in Episode 6. Merkato seems to be a go-to for Issa and Molly as it was also featured in the show’s pilot episode.
The popular hot spot is located in the heart of Fairfax and considered one of LA’s best Ethiopan restaurants. Authentic dishes include sambusa, tibbs, and fried fish.
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