12/09/2023
Ten years ago this morning I opened the doors for the first time at HS Hollywood. “What am I doing?!” was the phrase that kept crossing my mind as I hurriedly put the finishing touches in place.
I am not a chef or even a great home cook. Prior to HomeState, had never run a business. I had no savings, and saying I lived paycheck to paycheck was generous, considering my cc and school debt.
But I have a strong connection to home, my family and my Mexican American identity. I spent most of my life having dinner every night with my family of seven eating meals that my mom creatively and resourcefully put together. I spend weekends surrounded by cousins, eating my grandmothers food of stewed meats, beans and (always) flour tortillas.
Coming to LA in 2000 was incredibly intimidating, disorienting and lonely. Opening this restaurant became the solution. The five years of developing HS + the ten years of being open for business has grounded me, deeply connected me with my origins and provided me with a sense of purpose and roots to my Southern CA home of the last 23 years. HS has led me to an incredible community: our team, our guests, our vendors, our neighbors. It has allowed me to share the story of my family and Texas Mexican families; how we cook, eat, share, and enjoy life via food, music and friends.
Thank you to my family and friends for your love and support over all the years. Thank you to this entire community for your trust, support and friendship. Thank you to our incredible team, those who have made an impact along every step, to shape who we are today. Thank you to our earliest investors for taking a leap of faith on me and for our entire investor community for believing in this special place.
Thank you to my parents for showing me the importance of connection and love.
If you’re in the Hollywood neighborhood today, come by and say hi. We will have cake, bubbles, a Photo Booth and great music from 12-5.
Cheers to a decade! I hope we are all eating queso and fresh flour tortillas on a HS patio for many, many more years to come.
With overwhelming gratitude,
Briana
🔟🙏🏼🌮💛🎂