July 11, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Sawtelle Filipino Restaurant Fights to Stay Open, Owners Ask for Community Support

A Dream on the Line: Sawtelle Filipino Eatery Must Reopen Former Location

The fantastic Filipino restaurant Spoon and Pork in Sawtelle has reopened the doors of its original Silver Lake location after an unexpected lease complication, with its owners making a heartfelt plea for community support as they struggle to keep their business afloat.

The restaurant, originally slated to close at the end of February, had announced its departure after its landlord secured a new tenant to take over the lease. However, that deal unexpectedly fell through at the last minute, leaving owners Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas with a difficult decision. Ray and Jay opened a Sawtelle takeout restaurant at 2121 Sawtelle Boulevard to continue pursuing their dream, but now they are expected to honor the Silver Lake lease, too. 

“If we keep the location closed, we’ll lose our deposit, and right now, we simply can’t afford that,” they said in a social media statement. “So, we have no choice but to reopen and keep running the location.”

Ray and Jay launched their restaurant as a labor of love, starting as a food truck in 2017 before opening a brick-and-mortar location in Silver Lake in 2019. Like many small businesses, they faced significant setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered their growth and expansion.

“When we opened Sawtelle, we were hopeful that the economy would rebound,” they explained. “But just as things began to open up, the strikes happened, followed by economic uncertainty, and then the fires. It’s been one challenge after another.”

Despite these hurdles, they remained committed to their mission of bringing Filipino cuisine to a wider audience. However, they now find themselves at what they describe as a “breaking point.”

“We’re so close to losing both restaurants,” they said. “We don’t normally ask for help, but we desperately need it.” The emotional and financial toll, they admitted, has been overwhelming.

“We’re fighting to survive, and we’re so grateful to have you by our side.”

The owners are now asking the community to rally behind them by dining at their restaurant, spreading the word, and continuing to support their journey. “Every visit, every share, and every bit of encouragement truly makes a difference,” they emphasized.

While the future of their restaurant remains uncertain, Ray and Jay remain determined to keep their dream alive. They encourage customers to stop by, enjoy a meal, and help sustain a space that has become an important part of the local culinary scene.

“This all started as a dream for the both of us to open a space where we could share our Filipino culture through food,” they said. “We’re committed to serving you and our community, but we also need your support now more than ever.”

Related Posts

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...

Westwood Village Cooking Class to Showcase Spanish Paella

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The class will guide participants through crafting both seafood and vegetarian versions of the iconic Spanish dish Food enthusiasts will...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Lost Bunny on the Beat: Beverly Hills Police Seek Owner of Wayward Rabbit

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Fluffy Wanderer Found Near City Hall, BHPD Caring for Missing Pet The Beverly Hills police are caring for a domestic...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...