EAST SIDE SINGLES!
Plus a reader needs a roommate, an opportunity to be a literary star, and dragon boat races at Echo Park Lake.
Happy hump day, everyone. The day is finally here — it’s time for the east side singles roundup. I got far more submissions than I can fit in one email, so we’ll be doing this again soon. If you submitted but don’t see yourself in today’s letter, don’t worry — your time is coming. If you’re new here and want to throw your hat in the ring for round two (or nominate a friend), email me or DM me on Instagram.
Here’s how this is going to work. I asked every submitter to answer the same five questions and send in their favorite photo of themselves. Their answers are below. Every person on this list lives on the east side, is single, and has been vetted by a trustworthy friend. If someone piques your interest, reach out to them directly via the Instagram linked in their name.
If you’re taken but think someone here would be perfect for one of your friends, send this around! Let’s get these east side singles east side settled down <3
^JAKE
I’m interested in dates with: women
My coffee shop of choice is: (pls don’t come for me) the starbies girls on york & eagle rock blvd hold it down.
My hottest take is: you are not a serious coffee shop if you open at/after 8am.
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the Eagle Rock Triangle (Walt’s, Capri Club, wherever I had to park to get to either one).
My hottest take is: we’ve all been duped by nicely branded CPG.
^KAM
I’m interested in dates with: women.
The most underrated place on the east side is: Delia’s Mexicatessen. Best sopes in the COUNTRY, chilaquiles unmatched, and the prices are unbeatable. Every day you go in, Delia is there and she’s happy to see you when you come back, she remembers people and their orders, it’s really sweet!
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: The Fable for Thursday night karaoke. There’s always familiar faces from the neighborhood coming to belt songs with their whole hearts. I love it, my little sister and I go all the time.
My hottest take is: Posting on IG that you’re subleasing your apartment for a week is clown behavior. Give your homies from out of town a place to land, give a friend with a difficult roommate a lil safe space for a week. You can’t be living and dying by whether or not someone pays to stay at your place for five days.
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The most underrated place on the east side is: Woon or A Good Used Book.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the Silver Lake Meadows (love a park hang), or Inverse Run Club.
^SAM
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: stereoscope in echo park because wood paneling + open late for the capricorn in me. also LAMILL and highly likely in HP.
The most underrated place on the east side is: everybody!! queer gym in cypress park with the best juju.
I’m interested in dates with: men (employed, good in the kitchen).
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: tartine.
My hottest take is: dogs in grocery stores are more hygienic than kids in grocery stores.
I’m interested in dates with: women.
My coffee shop of choice is: Loquat Coffee in Cypress Park. But I roast my own coffee at home so I prefer that!
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: Pharos Athletic Club (I swear I’m not a paid sponsor).
^KALI
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: barnsdall art park.
My hottest take is: matcha lowkey tastes like grass (unless it’s strawberry matcha).
^ANNA
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The most underrated place on the east side is: Lenita by Grita flower shop in Highland Park. Perfect curation.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: Hauser & Wirth when there’s a great launch party for a good show or the Griffith Park trails at sunrise. Need both!
I’m interested in dates with: women.
The most underrated place on the east side is: It was Button Mash…now I’d say Greekman’s. Great happy hour from 5-6 and they have jazz nights every Thursday.
My hottest take is: a Trader Joe’s is going into the new development at 2225 Sunset.*
*I haven’t been able to independently confirm this yet, but….wow.
^ALEX
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: Broome St. General Store in Silver Lake or Maru in Los Feliz. Their cream top really is that girl!
My hottest take is: country music is actually really good.
^JENI
I’m interested in dates with: anyone.
The most underrated place on the east side is: the liquor store next to cookbook in highland park — Ali the owner is one of the most special people.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: covell.
🍽️ And now for some table scraps…
Your favorite NYT writers are getting in front of the camera. As Puck, Semafor, and…Substack (among many others) have shown, making writers stars is what resonates with audiences these days. Two questions here: do people like Michael Barbaro and Wesley Morris get a wardrobe allowance and HMU budget? And also…what should the Rag’s visual component be?
If you’re a writer or aspiring writer, Glassellland Lit Mag is accepting submissions for its fall 2025 issue. The only requirement for consideration is that you’ve spent at least one minute in Glassell Park. The idea and the mockup are both cool, you should apply.
HBO Max is back starting today. I have nothing to add here, but…good for them.
From the tip line — a concert-sized stage is being set up at Echo Park Lake. I did some digging, and the Echo Park Lotus Festival is this weekend. The 44th annual event celebrates Korean culture and will feature music, dance and community performances, dragon boat races on the lake, and lots of food and drink.
Also in Echo Park, the Lonely Oyster is hosting its Party on the Patio this Friday, 7/11. There’ll be country music, Tito’s shooters, and cowboy hats aplenty.
Linda Yaccarino is out as CEO of X. The formerly respected NBC veteran will no longer puppet for Elon.
Bridget — an OG Rag reader and all around great person — is looking for a roommate in Silver Lake. Her place is beautiful, walkable to Sunset Junction, and has the one thing I’d pay any amount of money for (great light).
Here’s an extremely cute cottage for under $1m in Elysian Heights. It was wildly overpriced earlier this year, and now it’s back for less. It’s only one bedroom, which feels tough, but you would be able to say your house was featured in Dwell.
“You can’t be living and dying by whether or not someone pays to stay at your place for five days.” 🎯🎯🎯
Hard agree on Ali