By Cameron Davis:
My 2 Cents is a Black female-owned restaurant founded by Alisa Reynolds. Located on Pico Boulevard in the Mid-City neighborhood, My 2 Cents opened for business in 2013. Their menu combines soul food with American comfort food, consisting of fried chicken, pork chops, and various vegan options.
For the past 20 years, Reynolds has been a chef and has culinary experience in New York City. Before the opening of My 2 Cents, Reynolds had another restaurant in Silverlake; however, she thought it was best to have My 2 Cents in the Mid City region because of her childhood memories attached to the neighborhood.
Not only is Alisa Reynolds the owner, but she is the head chef of the restaurant. She is a Los Angeles native who grew up in Country Club Park and has Southern roots in her family. Some of her eccentric dishes are a twist on classic dishes inspired by the two parts of her identity, such as grits fries and quinoa mac and cheese. A simple dish like chicken and waffles at My 2 Cents would not be served in a regular manner. Here, the chicken would come infused inside the waffle.
While still creating delicious foods that imbued the flare of Los Angeles culture, Reynolds's goal was to create "conscious comfort food" that's healthy. She wants to break the common misconception believed by many that vegan food is "gross" and have her menu explore the appetizing flavors of vegan food.
Please visit their website and check out their menu: https://www.my2centsla.com