The Ongoing Shrinkage of Financial District Fast Food

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 01:29PM

Last summer a string of events led to Downtown’s Financial District feeling a little light on fast food options. First the Burger King at 7th/Flower closed in July, and then the McDonalds across the street followed not too much later. Even the Downtown News noticed and got into the discussion. More recently the Arby’s at 7+Fig was shuttered, leaving me a bit directionless on the curly-fry front.

While new eating options are opening, it does still feel like the Financial District’s quick lunch options are contracting. This chowhound thread looks at Downtown food court options, and features a discussion that’s been taking place for over a year now. There are several interesting suggestions that I haven’t checked out.

This weekend Kathy and I are headed to Atlanta, the birth-place of my all-time favorite fast food chain: Chick-fil-a. It’s one of my goals in life to bring a Chick-fil-a to Downtown, after which point all other fast food can feel free to close without causing me any harm.




Comments

1
Rick writes:

On a side note, is that a Sephora I see opening on the corner of 6th and Spring?

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 01:41 PM
2
u-no? writes:

why is it that the scary McDonald’s are still open?? 7th and Hill and Broadway and 3rd? I still Quero mi taco Bell, this “taco time” stuff just doesn’t cut it. All 2 taco Bells closed too, matter of fact.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 02:14 PM
3
Eric Richardson writes:

Rick: Welcome to the disappointments of confusing Hollywood set dressing with real life. I’m hoping to get a picture of that later this afternoon. Here’s the filming notice.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 02:18 PM
4
Rick writes:

Ha! And I was wondering about their (Sephora’s) location choice when I drove by yesterday.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 02:27 PM
5
Dr.Boris writes:

The McDonald’s at 7th/Hill is closing within the next 6 months, as per the manager. The food court at 7th/Broadway has KFC, Carl’s Jr. & Pizza, no changes planed there for the near future.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 02:43 PM
6
David Kennedy writes:

u-no, it is called supply and demand. You might have noticed there are thousands of people walking by those locations every day. (You do see them, don’t you?) They are hungry, in a hurry and don’t have a lot of money. McDonald’s fits the bill.

It would be fascinating if you’d enlighten us by telling us what is so scary. Alas, I suspect you won’t.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 02:46 PM
7
S writes:

Chick-Fil-A can stay in Georgia. Last thing downtown needs is another business that is closed on the weekends, especially if the reason has nothing to do with demand but because Jesus doesn’t want you to eat on Sundays.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 03:14 PM
8
Sodha writes:

Amen S. I hated Chick-fil-A for that.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 03:25 PM
9
U-no writes:

Any word on what’s going in at the 7th and hill Micky D’s? To see knife fights and several drug overdoses over the years while ordering weekend coffee at each of those locations to me at least is scary, I applaud you if your cool with that sort of thing.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 03:30 PM
10
David Kennedy writes:

No, I’m not cool with that. Now I understand where you’re coming from. Just checking. Thanks.

I’m sure the LAPD and the various ‘homeless’ service providers are taking the necessary corrective measures to prevent this criminal activity.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 03:39 PM
11
chip writes:

Chik-fil-lay sure is tasty. though I agree it is a pain in the ass that their beliefs have them closed on Sundays - oh well, I just figure god wants me to have fatburger on Sunday.

Chik-fil-lay is in so-cal though. You can get your fix at the south bay galleria in redondo, or head all the way out to cerritos (sp?)

Love them waffle fries.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 07:38 PM
12
Kevin writes:

I frankly don’t know why anyone even bothers eating anywhere but at Tierra Cafe at 818 Wilshire (not to be confused with the far inferior Tiarra Cafe on the other side of downtown). It’s right in the financial district and you can get an organic bean burrito with chips and salsa all for $4.27. Best lunch in all of downtown.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 09:21 AM
13
RLK writes:

All the chain fast foods can go way as far as I’m concerned. Several small independent lunch spots have better food and have really nice owners who actually smile, ask how your meal was and you don’t have to order with a number. ”I’ll have the number two with a diet coke.”

I grabbed a sandwich at Tierra to go once and the guy behind the counter gave me a candy bar with my order. I love the attitude and the food. Several other places like Panino on 7th and the food court on Wilshire and Fig off the alley have great deals and friendly service. Try the sandwich shop in there.

If you are looking for late night fast food, go to Tacos Mexico on Broadway and 9th. It’s open 24 hours and is your classic late night spot.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 09:58 AM
14
Scott Mercer writes:

There’s still another McDonald’s at City National Plaza (5th and Flower) though that closes early (6 pm). The mall there also has another Taco Time.

I hate eating in an underground bunker most of the time but some days you just need the air conditioning.

La Salsa should be coming back to the Roosevelt Building once that’s done building, and there’s PLENTY of Carl’s Jr. action all around downtown.

If you don’t like the chains, try Arda’s Cafe on Sixth at Olive.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 10:17 AM
15
Urban Bruin writes:

We need more budget eats! There is too much emphasis on the “Big” sit down chain restaurants in all of downtown. It may be great for tourism and for occasional special evenings out but for those who live and work in downtown 24/7 I hope more “dive” “cheap eats” spots open where working folks can get a good clean meal for a deal.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 03:28 PM
16
U-no writes:

that’s where Colori comes in, good quick cheap eats …although it is a sit down place it’s still CHEAP. Dinner friday and saturday nights BYOB fo Free.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 04:51 PM
17
Urban Bruin writes:

I could not agree more. Love Colori Kitchen. Too bad they are not open more nights but hopefully that will change as the business grows.

# on Jun.29.2007 AT 09:14 AM
18
Urban Bruin writes:

Guess downtown news finally got into the act with Colori Kitchen!

http://www.downtownnews.com/articles/2007/07/02/special/special01.txt

# on Jul.02.2007 AT 02:42 PM
19
Urban Bruin writes:

Just tried “French Garden” on 7th and Mateo. I believe they are only open for lunch but such a great place in the Arts Dist. of the city. Free parking in their lot. Great outdoor seating and atmosphere.

# on Aug.17.2007 AT 12:59 AM
20
Naturallawyer writes:

I don’t understand this phenomenon. Are Subway and Carl’s Jr. really so popular that they can seemingly own downtown’s chain fast-food market? I can’t imagine the ones at 7th and Fig or Macy’s Plaza do all that well financially because of location (underground=out-of-sight=out-of-mind), but there are a lot of great locations at street level with plenty of foot-traffic that call for fast-food places. Could it be that it’s too hard to get supplies (and frozen foods) delivered to these old buildings on a regular basis?

# on Sep.28.2007 AT 09:56 AM

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