Why is Bridgetown Roti’s First LA Restaurant a Must-Visit?

The culinary landscape of Los Angeles is about to be enriched with the opening of Bridgetown Roti’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant. This significant milestone for Chef Rashida Holmes and her team is set to take place on Saturday, July 20, at 858 North Vermont Avenue in East Hollywood. The journey from a pop-up to a permanent location has been marked by resilience, innovation, and a deep connection to Caribbean culinary traditions.

The Genesis of Bridgetown Roti

In 2019, Chef Rashida Holmes found herself at a crossroads in her cooking career. With decades of experience in various kitchens across the United States, including Los Angeles, she decided to jot down everything she loved to eat and cook in a notebook. This introspection led her to realize that the one thing she couldn’t find in LA was rotis and patties. This personal revelation sparked the creation of Bridgetown Roti.

Holmes’s journey from ideation to execution was straightforward, but the timing of Bridgetown Roti’s rise was intertwined with pandemic complications. The pop-up gained traction until COVID-19 hit in March 2020, shutting down restaurant dining rooms and shifting diners’ habits. This shift allowed Bridgetown Roti to thrive as an Instagram cottage business, slinging Caribbean patties that quickly caught fire.

The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the subsequent support for Black-owned businesses catapulted Bridgetown Roti into the spotlight. Holmes recalls, “George Floyd changed the perspective of the industry to lift businesses of color up and give people a leg up.” This newfound attention led to write-ups in local and national publications, prestigious awards, and financial and business support from local nonprofits, industry groups, and national brands.

The Team Behind Bridgetown Roti

With the growing attention on Bridgetown Roti, Holmes recruited her retired mother, Joy Clarke-Holmes, to spearhead business strategy, manage finances, and offer moral support. Malique Smith, formerly of Big Mozz, was brought on to lead marketing operations. This trio acquired a Downtown commercial kitchen space in August 2020, where they expanded the menu to include family recipes like Holmes’s mother’s chicken curry and her aunt’s cod cakes.

The team put their heads together at monthly, quarterly, and annual business meetings to plot Bridgetown Roti’s future, including the goal to grow the brand and expand to a proper brick-and-mortar restaurant. “The pop-up was a means to an end, never the end-game,” Holmes explains. “It was about brand building and brand awareness.”

The New Restaurant Space

Bridgetown Roti’s new location, a 1,280-square-foot space across from Los Angeles City College, is designed by architect Nicole Cannon of NCA Studio. The space features Caribbean colors, iconography, textures, and artwork from BLK MKT Vintage in Brooklyn. Holmes wants people to feel like they are walking into a roti shack in Barbados, with good music and good vibes curated by her wife, Shanika Honeycutt.

The menu at Bridgetown Roti is a distinctly American, biographical take on Caribbean fare. Central to the menu are paratha-style rotis made with a blend of all-purpose and locally milled Grist & Toll flours, laminated with vegan butter. These boldly flavored parcels are packed with crispy potatoes, turmeric-spiced cabbage slaw, and a choice of fillings, including Mom’s chicken curry and green curry shrimp.

The restaurant also offers patties inspired by Holmes’s visits to family in Flatbush, Brooklyn, including a signature oxtail patty and two vegan options: roasted garlic eggplant with scallions and curried mango with sweet potato. Side dishes include mac and cheese pie, Aunt Vie’s codfish cakes, sweet-spiced plantains, pigeon peas and rice, jerk cucumber salad, and callaloo.

Commitment to Employee Equity

Bridgetown Roti’s commitment to employee equity is informed by Holmes’s decades of experience working as a Black woman in white male-dominated kitchens. The counter service model allows for equity of tip share, with staffers starting at the same hourly wage and receiving pooled tips. Employees are trained to perform every job in an “all-for-one” atmosphere, with paid time off available after a year of employment and raises based on longevity and performance.

Traditional health benefits are unaffordable for the restaurant, but Holmes and Smith will cover self-care expenses, such as gym memberships. Looking to the future, Holmes and Smith are optimistic about the possibility of expanding Bridgetown Roti to more locations, including airports, stadiums, and carts. However, their current focus is on making the first restaurant a success.

Our Advice on the City

Los Angeles has provided a sense of home for Holmes, who has moved around a lot. She is now trying to bring more of what home means to her to the place that has become her home. Bridgetown Roti is located at 858 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029, and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.

For occasional travelers visiting Los Angeles, we recommend stopping by Bridgetown Roti to experience the unique blend of Caribbean and American flavors. The restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere and delicious food offer a taste of the Caribbean right in the heart of East Hollywood.

For expert travelers, consider exploring the diverse culinary scene of Los Angeles, which offers a rich tapestry of flavors from around the world. From food trucks to high-end dining, the city is a haven for food enthusiasts looking to expand their palate and discover new culinary delights.

In conclusion, Bridgetown Roti’s journey from a pop-up to a permanent restaurant is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community support. Chef Rashida Holmes and her team have created a space that not only celebrates Caribbean cuisine but also fosters a sense of belonging and equity for their employees. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Bridgetown Roti is a must-visit destination in Los Angeles.