L.A. Try Guy, aka Alex Cottrell, is Giving Love To Los Angeles’ Local Food Spots

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As I delve into the captivating narrative of Cottrell, a man whose passion for food and Los Angeles shines brighter than the City of Angels itself, I can’t help but be in awe of his journey. Born and raised in the heart of Louisiana, he’s now found his second home in the vibrant cityscape of LA. His life story is a testament to the power of following one’s dreams and the magic that unfolds when you embrace your passion.

The diverse culinary scene of Los Angeles, a reflection of its multicultural community, has given Alex Cottrell the opportunity to establish a strong online presence as the LA Food Explorer, or colloquially, the L.A. Try Guy.

The LA Try Guy series, available on Instagram (@latryguy) and YouTube, chronicles Cottrell’s culinary adventures as he explores a variety of restaurants in South Los Angeles and neighboring areas.

“Growing up, I was accustomed to dining on traditional Southern cuisine, including soul food and deep-fried fish, as Cottrell, a native of Little Rock, recounts to The Hollywood Reporter.”

“Cottrell expresses his deep affection for Los Angeles, his new hometown, stating that the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2020, following the nationwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cottrell was forced to close down an ice cream shop he managed in Arkansas. Remarkably, he secured a job in sales that enabled him to relocate to the West Coast with his cousin. Upon being presented with a list of potential cities, Cottrell spotted Los Angeles and felt drawn to it due to his longstanding interest in entertainment.”

After reaching Los Angeles, Cottrell and his girlfriend at the time explored the vibrant local food culture, which ignited the thought to create a show centered around restaurant reviews in South Los Angeles and its outskirts. She suggested, “You should make videos similar to TikTokers since we’ve been to so many trendy spots… I spent about a month on TikTok. I ended up with 20,000 followers.”

His newfound popularity led Cottrell to creating more content under the handle of L.A. Try Guy, which gained him even more followers. However, his new taste for the city affected his waistline, which almost compelled him to abandon his efforts. He temporarily “stopped because I was getting fat,” he laughs. “And, you know, I started my Instagram account in February of last year. I started YouTube in April of last year, and it’s been up ever since.”

What caught him off-guard were certain remarks that portrayed an exaggerated image of South Los Angeles. “As I ventured to various cities below the 10 freeway, not being a local, I was unsure of my surroundings. So I began to read through the comments. Everyone seemed to say, ‘Dude, you’re playing with your life for some fried chicken.'”

Cottrell believes he can highlight eateries that often go unnoticed, stating, “Anyone can find decent meals here these days. It wasn’t always like this. Things were tougher back then, but now…” He continues, expressing his view that the stereotypes about South L.A. are outdated. “If you’re an average person looking for a good meal, you won’t face any problems.”

Using his substantial social media presence – boasting approximately 200,000 Instagram followers and 631,000 subscribers on YouTube – Cottrell interacts with his fanbase to decide where to dine next. He receives a vast number of messages (hundreds, even) suggesting places for him to visit. Occasionally, he scans through these messages. If something catches his eye, he’ll follow up on it.

“Everywhere I travel, I’m surrounded by love and joy as people greet me warmly. We’re just out enjoying ourselves, not causing any disrespect or foolishness for attention. It’s all about having a good time, eating delicious food, meeting wonderful individuals. And it’s evolved into something far greater than what I initially imagined. It’s been absolutely mind-blowing.”

The LA Try Guy has also resulted in partnerships with various companies like Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurant and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as shooting scenes with celebrities such as rapper Ty Dolla $ign, actor Robert Ri’chard from One on One, comedian Kel Mitchell known for Good Burger, and former Lakers player Matt Barnes. “Yesterday I filmed a video with Matt Barnes,” he mentioned casually. “We had a chat, you know. He owns a place [We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp] in Gardena.”

Moving forward, there are some dream celebrity guests I’m aiming for on my show. I really want Denzel Washington; just the thought of sitting down with him is exhilarating, as I believe I could learn a great deal from him. Plus, Cardi B and GloRilla also intrigue me – they both seem like interesting individuals. In fact, some guests have even reached out to me directly to appear on L.A.’s Try Guy! Just like with my collaborations, I’ve never had to chase anyone down; instead, they’ve all approached me, saying things like, “Hey, you should check this place out. Wanna go together?”

A popular fast-food joint that was previously endorsed by Cottrell, namely Tam’s Burgers, has garnered further recognition as it appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s music video for his popular track “Not Like Us”.

“Cottrell remarks that the Kendrick situation was fantastic, particularly when it comes to bringing the city together. Regardless of where you’re from, everyone united because of Kendrick at a legendary L.A. burger joint.” Cottrell also suggests two of his favorite L.A. spots: Hungry Joe’s Jamaican Restaurant in Inglewood, known for its oxtails, and Hawkins House of Burgers in Watts.

According to Cottrell, his showcase series has boosted business for the restaurants featured. For example, he visited StormBurger in Inglewood and noticed it was previously empty. However, after filming a video there, the restaurant saw an influx of customers with long lines. Despite this success, not everyone’s reactions to L.A. Try Guy have been positive. Some people have reported that they had a disappointing experience when visiting places he recommended, expressing their dissatisfaction on the streets.

Through Cottrell’s platform, he has started exploring cities like New Orleans and is working on a TV show idea that highlights lesser-known cooks across the United States. As he often encounters people sharing stories about their families’ exceptional culinary skills, he is eager to verify these claims by meeting the talented individuals behind them. In his words, “I want to find the best people, the best undiscovered cooks with extraordinary abilities. I mean, I want to feature regular folks who’ve never had a restaurant before.” Besides being an actor, Cottrell has also made appearances on shows such as 2016’s DJ Dog Style and 2020’s The Daily.

Regarding food bloggers and online critics like Keith Lee, who hails from Detroit but now resides in L.A., Cottrell not only encourages but also desires to work alongside him. In his own words, “I believe it would be cool to collaborate with Keith Lee at some point,” he states. “He’s relaxed and does his thing. My approach is more about entertainment. I feel like I have a lot of vitality. I have a lot of fun.”

Mainly, Cottrell is enjoying his Hollywood fantasies and sharing glimpses of the local community and city that feels like a second home to him. It’s exciting, he believes, having such a vibrant community around – people approach him often, expressing their feelings about the place: ‘I really enjoy this! I don’t like this part, but I love this aspect.’

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2024-08-17 00:55