A beloved Los Angeles restaurant known for its unique blend of soul food and Mexican flavors is preparing to close after serving customers for more than three decades.
Sky’s Gourmet Tacos announced that it will permanently close its full-service Mid-City restaurant on August 15, ending a 34-year run on West Pico Boulevard. While the brick-and-mortar location is shutting its doors, owner Barbara “Sky” Burrell said the business will continue through catering and a new ghost kitchen, allowing customers to keep ordering many of its signature dishes.
A neighborhood favorite for more than three decades
Founded in 1992, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos became a fixture in Los Angeles by combining Mexican cuisine with soul food influences, creating what it described as “Mexican With a Splash of Soul.” The restaurant built a loyal following with menu favorites including lobster tacos, crawfish burritos, breakfast tacos and wraps. Earlier this year, the restaurant celebrated its 34th anniversary.
Over the years, Burrell expanded the brand with additional locations in Marina del Rey and Westchester, but those restaurants eventually closed as operating conditions became more difficult.
Owner points to growing operational pressures
Burrell told Eater that a combination of changing regulations and rising operational challenges ultimately led to the decision to close the longtime restaurant.
“Times have changed,” she said, explaining that evolving city policies and business requirements have made it increasingly difficult for independent restaurants to operate. She added that each new regulation can significantly affect how a small business functions.
The closure comes amid a difficult year for Los Angeles restaurants, with several longtime establishments announcing permanent closures as owners grapple with higher costs and other economic pressures. Hospitality advocates have also argued that increasing regulatory requirements have added to the burden facing independent operators.
Although customers will soon say goodbye to the Mid-City dining room, Burrell said Sky’s Gourmet Tacos is not disappearing. The business plans to continue serving its signature recipes through catering and a new ghost kitchen, preserving a restaurant that has been part of Los Angeles’ culinary landscape for more than three decades.
Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same
Leave a Comment