By: Jon Stojan
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Craig and Kristen Walker had lines of people at their back door waiting for fried chicken. Originally from Louisiana, Craig always had a passion for Southern cuisine and credits food for bringing his family together. At a time when everyone was craving human connection, the Walkers gave their neighbors a renewed sense of community.
Today, the couple is continuing to do so at their restaurant, Le Coupè. The friendly Melrose Hill joint is part of a renaissance for the neighborhood. Nestled between East Hollywood and Koreatown, the often-overlooked area has recently become home to several acclaimed restaurants and art galleries. Aside from Le Coupè, on the corner of Western and Melrose, New Jersey-style deli Ggiata, Filipino restaurant Kuya Lord, Italian spot Etra, and coffee shop Cafe Telegrama are just a few of the neighborhood’s newest residents.
As expected, business is booming in the up-and-coming neighborhood. Le Coupè sells over 200 of their elevated fried chicken sandwiches a day. The menu at Le Coupè takes inspiration from traditional Louisiana cooking but adds a unique spin on each item. The fried chicken is coated in chili honey, the cornbread comes with a side of duck fat brown butter, and the corn is served as “tossed ribs.” For Chef Craig, Le Coupè is the culmination of his fine dining experience and his family dinners growing up in Southern Louisiana. “I’m from the other LA, so it’s like this bridge between Los Angeles and Louisiana. It’s bringing it from the south coast to the west coast,” he said.
Chef Craig is a Cordon-Bleu-trained chef with experience at fine dining restaurants nationwide. Le Coupè may have started in the Walkers’ home kitchen, but the restaurant is hardly a hole in the wall. The concept comes from the Cajun-French saying, “lagniappe,” which means “a little extra.” Le Coupè takes inspiration from the camaraderie of a neighborhood and family kitchen but adds a little extra. “We put a lot of effort into giving our guests the full experience—customer service, hospitality, good food,” said Kristen.
The restaurant sits directly in between casual and fine dining, with elevated food and a familiar setting. Customers order at the bar and are encouraged to converse with staff but get to eat high-brow food with plenty of soul. The Walkers’ mission is to evoke a strong sense of community while offering innovative, delicious dishes. “That’s my way to bring people together, to share my experiences and put it on a plate — you can taste the journey,” said Chef Craig.
Customers from across the city have been excited to taste Chef Craig’s food, putting Le Coupè on the map as a destination for fried chicken in Los Angeles. The spot has been featured by LA Eater, The Infatuation, and KTLA, inviting more and more patrons to check out the storefront in Melrose Hill. The restaurant has also attracted a host of influencers, including Jack’s Dining Room. Le Coupè also routinely participates in neighborhood and citywide community events like the Heinz Tender Fest, the Food Bowl, and the Melrose Hill Backyard Barbecue.
For the Walkers, success means nothing without seeing the joy of their neighbors enjoying some great food. Follow them on Instagram, and visit Le Coupè Wednesday-Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at 709 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Published by: Martin De Juan
