The Serving Spoon, a family-owned restaurant and beloved Inglewood staple for more than 40 years, has been recognized with the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award.
Founded in 1983 by Harold E. Sparks, Serving Spoon has long been known for its classic Southern breakfast dishes in a welcoming space that feels like home to Los Angeles' Black community.
Since 1998, the America's Classics honor has highlighted “independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal,” according to the James Beard Foundation.
The Serving Spoon was named after six other cultural and historical culinary mainstays across the country, including the first Chinese restaurant in Kingston, New York, and a more than 100-year-old Omaha steakhouse.
Previous California winners include San Francisco-based Burmese restaurant Mandalay in 2024 and Vietnamese noodle shop Pho 79 in Garden Grove in 2019. Notable Los Angeles honorees include Mexican-American stalwart Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks in 2022; Philippe the Original in 1999, known for the French Dip sandwich; the historic Langer's Deli in 2001; and the Mexican restaurant Yuca's in 2005.
The James Beard Foundation called Serving Spoon a “vital social and cultural anchor” and recognized the restaurant's warm hospitality and hearty portions of Southern food at an affordable price.
The Serving Spoon has remained in family ownership for three generations and is currently owned by siblings Justin Johnson and Jessica Bane, Sparks' grandchildren.
“Food is just one piece of the puzzle,” Johnson said in a previous interview with The Times, describing the family's approach to hospitality. “It's the atmosphere you create, the way the staff greets you, the way someone calls you by your name.”
The Serving Spoon is famous for its generous portions of seared catfish, salmon croquettes, and daily specials like oxtails on Wednesdays and shrimp and grits on the weekends.
“We would like to thank all the people who came before us and who paved the way to make this possible,” the restaurant said in an Instagram post. “This is for Inglewood! This is for our grandfather, our parents, our team and everyone who contributed to this special place called The Serving Spoon!”
The Serving Spoon will receive the America's Classics Medal at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 15. The full list of award winners can be found online.
