Press

It’s worth paying attention whenever a chef makes the successful leap from catering to brick-and-mortar restaurant—especially when, as is the case with Annie’s Soul Delicious, they do so at the insistent urging of a rapidly expanding customer base.

Part of what makes LA’s food scene stand out is a plethora of diverse cuisines at diners’ finger tips. And while Black-owned restaurants are often assumed to serve Southern or soul food, a deeper investigation into the cuisine will reveal that it’s just as wide-ranging as the people who belong to this global diaspora.

LA’s Cajun and Creole cuisines hardly need help in the popularity department. Whether a butter-filled gooey mac and cheese, flavorful steam from a seafood boil, or signature jambalayas, gumbos, fried chicken, and smothered meats stewed to deliciousness — these dishes aim to please any time of year.

For nearly 30 years now, the stretch of Fairfax Avenue between Olympic and Whitworth has been home to Little Ethiopia, the second-largest concentration of Ethiopian emigres in the United States after Washington, D.C. And though the neighborhood has gone through changes over the decades, it remains a vibrant cultural center with an annual street festival, a host of art galleries, antique shops, and a rich dining scene.

Hi Annalisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today? I started cooking professionally when I was 26 years old, but I always loved to cook. One year for Thanksgiving, I decided to cook for my friends and family and everyone was so amazed they all suggested this should be my future.

Annalisa Mastoianni-Johnson, Annie for short, owner of Annie’s Soul Delicious spends her days serving memorable dishes of fried catfish, red beans and rice, oxtails and banana pudding.

Los Angeles, CA–A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to try Annie’s Soul Delicious for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised at not only how good the food was but the atmosphere that Annie provided for her guests and staff.