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Revisiting Texas cuisine in Los AngelesRevisiting Texas cuisine in Los Angeles

HomeState brings Texas tacos and hospitality to the West Coast

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

September 21, 2022

 

When Texas native Briana Valdez moved to Los Angeles, she had a hard time finding restaurants that reminded her of home, with Tex-Mex-style tacos and Southern hospitality. So, after years of working with famed chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon, and having been mentored by P.F. Chang’s founder Paul Fleming, Valdez claimed that whitespace and opened the first location of HomeState. The concept is now known for its community vibes and Texan classics like breakfast tacos, Texas toast, and Frito pie, writes Joanna Fantozzi in her feature on HomeState for nrn.com.

That’s why we named HomeState one of our 2022 Hot Concepts, an award given out to companies that we think are set to take off. In years past, we’ve named concepts to this list including The Cheesecake Factory, Panda Express, Noodles & Company, Jamba Juice, True Food Kitchen, CAVA, and Bareburger over the 25-year span of the award and they’ve clearly risen to the occasion.

Here's Joanna Fantozzi with more on HomeState and what we can expect from this growing LA-based brand.

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About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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