Chef Andrew Gruel is not only a fantastic restaurateur, but he also isn’t afraid to speak his mind, has a big following on X, and regularly appears on Fox News and “Gutfeld!” I know for a fact that his food is awesome because, during the dark days of COVID, my family and I would escape Los Angeles to the slightly more sane Orange County to eat at his restaurant. It was a much-needed relief from the prison that was LA at that time.
More recently, my family and I went down to his new eatery in Huntington Beach, Calico Fish House, and I can report that the food was off the charts and Andrew and his wife Lauren are terrific people.
They’re proving that right now as they’re doing everything they can to help those in need as the Los Angeles-area wildfires continue to decimate the City of Angels.
Most of the seafood served up in their Huntington Beach restaurant Calico Fish House is sourced from fishers in the area.
This week, that local ethos has stretched a bit further. About an hour’s drive south of the Palisades and the Eaton Fires are raging in Los Angeles, the Gruels have set up their small business to double as a wildfire relief hub. From there, they’ve been coordinating efforts to get donated goods hauled to their neighbors up north
Here’s the chef with political commentator Mike Cernovich, who rather humorously describes himself on X as an “American imperialist, California maximalist”:
Amazing power of X. @Cernovich already raised well over 30k which is being immediately deployed for food, product and distribution of goods to The Dream Center in LA as well as providing meals. The speed with which good people can get things done is amazing. We have hundreds of… pic.twitter.com/EVcfGp9S5I
— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) January 10, 2025
We have hundreds of volunteers here helping and thousands of packages sent. Thank you ALL.
People evidently loved what the Gruels were doing because they started showing up in droves to help out.
Since the owners put the word out on social media that they would house donations for people affected by the fires, a seemingly endless stream of volunteers has shown up to the restaurant ready to help. Some come armed with supplies; others are stopping by with their trucks and trailers to transport the aid to LA.
Boxes and boxes — of clothing, toiletries, diapers, cat food, fresh fruit and cases of water — lined the perimeter of the restaurant on Thursday night, waiting to be hauled away. Almost as quickly as volunteers load up one truck, the piles of aid are replenished with more donations from the community.
God bless @ChefGruel and his wife @LaurenGruel as well as @Cernovich and all the other orgs and people who are pulling it together to help our neighbors in LA. Please follow them for info on how you can help their efforts. https://t.co/KRN4GEQLQa
— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) January 11, 2025
There actually are good people in California:
Hero Vet Has Genius Idea of How to Take Care of Pets Stranded by Devastating Palisades Fire
Feel-Good Friday: As Fires Rage in LA, Precious People Ensure the Animals Are Not Forgotten
Showing that there are people who care in this world even in bad times, Lauren lauded the many folks who stepped up to the plate:
“We’ve seen such an outpouring of support,” she said. “My husband and I put out a call to action on our social media, and it kind of just blew up in the best possible way. We’re so thankful and grateful that people have trusted us to bring the items that they donated to where they need to go.”
And it’s not just Californians who are pitching in—Americans from across the fruited plain want to help.
…people from all over the country, including Oregon, Tennessee and as far away as Florida and North Carolina, have chipped in, Lauren Gruel said. Many have been using Amazon and Wal-Mart to ship their donated purchases to the restaurant.
The Gruels have arranged to drop off the truckloads at a few community centers serving as donation hubs, including the Dream Center in Central LA and the Pasadena Convention Center.
“There’s a huge line there of people needing supplies, which obviously they would need because their entire worlds were shattered,” Lauren Gruel said.
Look at the incredible community spirit:
Proud of Huntington Beach! 🧡 Lauren & Andrew Gruel of Calico Fish House offered meals & hosted donations for Palisades fire victims. The response was incredible—supplies poured in, volunteers sorted, & trucks delivered aid. A true display of unity, kindness, & resilience. pic.twitter.com/uJE4Hd0qcg
— Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark (@Gracey4HB) January 10, 2025
Many people think California sucks, as I know full well from reading the comments on some of my stories. It does not suck, however, and there are legions of terrific people and wonderful communities throughout the vast state.
It’s our “leaders” who we could all do without.
Kudos to the Gruels—you are heroes.
The dream center is running so efficiently. @MatthewBarnett is amazing. pic.twitter.com/dTK0OumuWp
— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) January 12, 2025
This just in: The chef is also incredibly funny. Look at his response to this one:
keep those….
— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) January 11, 2025
This is one in an occasional series about everyday heroes that don’t necessarily make the front pages. It’s a chance to talk about something other than the political scandals of the day.
I’m inviting readers to send me stories of people they know or who they’ve read about who have done heroic acts—large or small, physical or otherwise—that have made someone’s life better or saved them from danger. Please email me with any tips at [email protected] or DM me on Twitter. Thanks!
More Heroes:
TikToker Raises Huge Sums for 90-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Just Trying to Help His Wife
Rescuer Helicopters in to Save Pups Stranded in Chaotic CA Wildfire Evacuation
