Travel east on 18th Street to Fairfax: Turn left (north) on Fairfax.
Stop #2: Little Ethiopia and South Fairfax (1040 S. Fairfax, just before Olympic):
This strip marks the southern extension of one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in L.A. South Fairfax evolved again when many of those who fled Ethiopia’s military junta in the 1970s and came to L.A. eventually settled in this neighborhood. That makes this one of L.A.’s many neighborhoods that were first settled by refugees fleeing persecution, violence, and chaos resulting from years of political and economic turmoil. Chain migrations took over from there. Concentrating south of Olympic, it was eventually designated Little Ethiopia, the first official little African town in the state. We stop here to sample some traditional Ethiopian food and to celebrate the culture that gave us coffee. The co-owners at Massob always welcomed us.
There is more here than several Ethiopian restaurants and shops competing for attention. You will find organizations, events, and activities celebrating Ethiopian cultures and their community. You will also find one of the oldest and most famous boutique bakeries in California: Hansen’s owner, Patrick Hansen, is a 7th generation baker. His ancestors brought their recipes, when emigrating from Denmark, which have been a part of L.A. cuisine and culture since the 1920s. They often advertise as the bakery serving L.A. celebrities and you can see why when you examine the photos posted on their wall at the shop. And yes, the family even did a stint in California’s famous Danish town of Solvang, but returned to their home in L.A.’s bigger market. We even toured their bakery in the back where masterpiece cakes are made for birthdays, weddings, and other events.
This rich mixture of Jewish, Ethiopian, and Danish histories and cultures is just a teaser compared to the diversity we will experience as we continue our tour.
