Local Kitchens Expands Lafayette Dining Area

LAFAYETTE, CA— Two tech entrepreneurs who met in 2013 while working on the founding team of DoorDash came back together in 2020 and created their own company. Local Kitchens now has more than a dozen locations across the San Franciso Bay Area and recently celebrated the expansion of the brand's first store in Lafayette.

The company was founded as a ghost kitchen during the pandemic when the demand for food delivery skyrocketed. As the pandemic forced restaurants to close, homebound people tired of rustling up their meals drove the popularity of meal delivery services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash.

"When we came back together during the pandemic, we were motivated to help residents adapt to our digital world," said Jon Goldsmith, CEO and co-founder of Local Kitchens. "We are a multi-brand restaurant that collaborates to bring a variety of chefs and restaurants together under one roof. Our main store is in Lafayette, where over time, many folks have asked us to provide seating for dining in."

The Local Kitchens at 3455 Mount Diablo Blvd. was briefly closed for an expansion project in August. The recent change transformed the Lafayette location from a kiosk offering virtual brands to the company's first-ever dine-in location.

"We created a dining room from scratch. On the outside, we paved and created a nice patio for people to enjoy," Goldsmith told Patch. "The last thing was to upgrade the kitchen to get the food out faster... We have loved being a part of the Lafayette community and look forward to serving the community for years to come."

The Food

With 13 locations in the Bay Area-Sacramento region, Local Kitchens aims to bring new culinary experiences to every neighborhood.

Local Kitchens currently offer cuisines from seven brands:

Yalla Falafel

NYC restaurateur and James Beard Awards semifinalist Chef Einat Admonyis celebrated for her authentic use of spices, sauces and cooking methods from various Mediterranean cultures. These elements create surprising flavor combinations that you can’t find anywhere else in California.

Nopalito Taqueria

A fast-casual take on distinctive flavors, combining from-scratch Mexican cooking with vibrant, California-local ingredients. Chef Gonzalo Guzman opened Nopalito in San Francisco in 2009.

Sushirrito

Creator of the world's first sushi burrito, Sushirrito is a true culinary innovation. These made-to-order, hand-held sushi burritos are a delicious combination of Japanese and Latin flavor, blending premium sushi flavors with the form factor and convenience of burritos.

Proposition Chicken

Founded in San Francisco in 2013 by local chef Ari Feingold, Proposition Chicken is now served "On the Fly," with new flavors like candied jalapeños and a custom spice blend — bringing the spirit of Proposition Chicken into a takeout-friendly style.

Flavor Trippin’

Created by Chef Mason Hereford, owner of the renowned Turkey and the Wolf (Bon Appetit's Best Restaurant in 2017), this menu offers a unique spin on classic sandwiches and salads. Indulge in classic Southern flavors with a Northern California twist.

Square Pie Guys

Founded as a pop-up in 2018, Square Pie Guys serves Detroit-style square pizza baked in a pan with a delicious cheese crust. They’re all about utilizing locally inspired ingredients for their chef-driven pizzas, wings, and sauces — making this the perfect partnership.

Sweet Onion Burger

From the creator of Eggslut and LA’s Amboy Quality Meats, burger legend Chef Alvin Cailan brings you this unapologetically simple, undeniably delicious menu — inspired by a regional classic —the Oklahoma Onion Burger. Only at Local Kitchens.

One Spot, Every Flavor

Local Kitchens has locations in Campbell, Cupertino, Davis, Lafayette, Los Gatos, Mill Valley, Mountain View, Natomas, Novato, Palo Alto, Redwood Shores, Roseville and San Bruno.

Visit Localkitchens.com.