A massive fire broke out in the West L.A. strip mall that houses Yekta early this morning, completely destroying the Middle Eastern restaurant and spreading damage to next-door El Super Taco. Monte Alban, the highly prized Oaxacan restaurant that shares the space, took noticeably less damage than the others, but still enough that they “will be closed for months,” according to one employee. The L.A. Fire Department’s website claims the blaze started on the second floor and was extinguished within 53 minutes. Firefighters, owners, and employees encircled the parking lot this morning to assess the damage and their livelihoods. We will keep you updated as to news of re-openings while we shed tears for Alban’s picadillo chile relleno and wish support to the owners of these eateries.
