What we love about HBO’s Insecure is the fact that it celebrates Black love, Black culture, Black history, normalizes Black mental health wellness – it’s just an overall celebration of Blackness.
It also appears to be a love letter to LA, particularly Black-owned restaurants. While we hate to see it go (creator Issa Rae announced season 5 would be the final season), Insecure has shown us how to celebrate the Black restaurants in a city that’s changing rapidly to gentrification.
Here are a few restaurants the show has reminded us to support:
Stuff I Eat is a vegan Tex-Mex restaurant where you can find vegan tacos, burritos, and a soul-food platter.
You may have seen Stuff I Eat’s owner and head chef Babette on a few episodes in season one’s “Real As F***” episode and during season three’s “Ghost-Like.”
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During season three’s “Fresh-Like,” Issa met Nathan in a Lyft. Remember this was the episode that probably had you wondering, “now, why can’t I just accidentally meet an amazing person to go on an all-day date with?”
During this episode, Issa insisted that Nathan try Worldwide Tacos. Lucky for some of us, you don’t need a date to enjoy this walk-up taco-spot.
Who needs a date when there are more than 200 different tacos and burrito options to choose from?
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Los Angeles natives Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan originally launched Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen in the View-Park neighborhood and since, has expanded to two more locations, including Inglewood and Glassell Park, even adding Issa Rae as a partner and co-owner.
The shop was built with the purpose of providing a place that promotes creativity and allows people to connect with one another.
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RELATED: Issa Rae’s New Inglewood Coffee Shop And Kitchen Is Officially Open For Business
You can catch Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant & Market in a few seasons, and most recently, in season four. It’s the place where we realize it might be over for Molly and Issa’s friendship. Whew, chile … the suspense!
But until then, here is where you can enjoy some of the best Authentic Ethiopian cuisine.
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Brolly Hut in Inglewood has been in the neighborhood since 1970. You won’t miss it as it’s recognized for its circular dome-like structure.
Remember Daniel? It was here on season three episode “Familiar-Like,” where Daniel and Issa share some of the city’s best chili fries after a night out.
Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles is legendary. It was introduced to Hollywood in the 1970s and is a favorite among celebrities, and a frequent set choice for movie and television shoots, including Insecure.
There are several locations across LA but the location on Pico near La Brea is where Insecure decided to shoot. In season one’s “Shady as F**k,” Lawrence met with his friend for fried chicken and waffles.
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In probably one of the best episodes of the entire series, Alta Adams is where Issa and Lawrence reunited for drinks. (Remember Issa fell when she walked in?)
Alta is known for its mac-and-cheese, and shrimp n grits. Just don’t leave before trying this amazing food like Issa and Lawrence.
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