Two of America’s most celebrated chefs separately identified a problem. Daniel Patterson – the Michelin two-star chef of San Francisco restaurant Coi – and Roy Choi – street food king and founder of Kogi – both recognized that there are many ‘food deserts’ in the United States: parts of the country with little of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas and largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.

A chance meeting in Copenhagen resulted in LocoL: a fast food restaurant (and roaming food truck) that provides tasty, nutritious and affordable food to communities that have limited healthy choices.  Rather than try to go outside of the fast food culture, the chefs embraced the tried-and-true concept but focused on offering healthier food options while retaining the low price point.

The result: a restaurant that serves the community nutritious meals, while providing jobs that can build skills in an underemployed workforce.  LocoL’s founders also aim to drive more kindness, compassion and positivity into the communities in which they are located.

Come learn more about what inspired the chefs in an interview that Compass conducted with Patterson, and how they continue to evolve the menu and their long-term goals and vision for LocoL.  You’ll also find there a link to a video that takes a close-up look inside the Watts location, allowing you to virtually experience the food and atmosphere.