Chef Andrew Gruel is proving, once again, that there are still plenty of good people left in California—despite the best efforts of the state’s so-called “leaders” to make it feel like a dystopian movie set.
Known for his mouthwatering seafood and his ability to call out nonsense without a second thought, Gruel is not just a culinary force but also a straight-talking, action-taking patriot. And now, as wildfires rage across Los Angeles, he and his wife Lauren are stepping up in a way that makes the politicians look downright useless by comparison.
Let’s start with the obvious: Chef Gruel’s restaurants are top-notch. During the dark, oppressive days of COVID, when Los Angeles became Ground Zero for pandemic authoritarianism, many families made the pilgrimage to Orange County to eat at his restaurant. It was a tiny slice of sanity amid the madness. Fast forward to today, and his newest venture, Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, is already a hit. Not only is the food spectacular (think locally sourced seafood that practically melts in your mouth), but the Gruels have also managed to turn their restaurant into a wildfire relief hub—because when California burns, you can’t count on Governor Gavin Newsom to do much more than hop on TikTok or issue a performative press conference.
The Gruels didn’t just talk about helping—they acted. They put out a call on social media, letting people know they were collecting donations for families devastated by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires. And just like that, a tidal wave of community support rolled in. Volunteers flooded their restaurant, ready to load trucks, haul supplies, or drop off donations. Boxes of clothes, toiletries, food, diapers, and water quickly lined the perimeter of the restaurant, only to be whisked away by locals eager to lend a hand. As Lauren Gruel said, the outpouring of generosity has been overwhelming. And it wasn’t just Californians stepping up—people from across the country sent supplies via Amazon and Walmart, proving that America’s heart still beats strong, even when its political arteries are clogged with bureaucracy.
The dream center is running so efficiently. @MatthewBarnett is amazing. pic.twitter.com/dTK0OumuWp
— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) January 12, 2025
Meanwhile, the Gruels didn’t stop at collecting donations. They personally organized supply deliveries to key relief centers like the Dream Center in Central LA and the Pasadena Convention Center. Lauren described the long lines of fire victims waiting for basic necessities—people whose entire lives had been reduced to ash. It’s heartbreaking, yes, but it’s also a stark reminder of how out-of-touch California’s leadership is. Where’s the state government in all of this? Where’s Newsom? Oh, right—probably busy planning his next national PR stunt while regular folks like the Gruels are doing the actual heavy lifting.
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
And let’s be real: this incredible display of community spirit doesn’t fit the narrative that California is an irredeemable wasteland. Sure, the policies coming out of Sacramento are a disaster—between the crushing taxes, the runaway homelessness crisis, and the skyrocketing cost of living, it’s hard to believe anyone can still make it work here. But as the Gruels have shown, California is more than its leadership. It’s full of resilient, hard-working people who come together in times of crisis, even when their government won’t. These are the people who remind us why California could be great again—if only the politicians would get out of the way.
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
So, kudos to Andrew and Lauren Gruel. They didn’t just stand by and watch as the fires ravaged their neighbors. They stepped up, mobilized their community, and proved that real leadership doesn’t come from a press release or a fancy speech. It comes from action. If only more of California’s “leaders” could take notes. But in the meantime, the rest of us will just keep rooting for folks like the Gruels—and enjoying their incredible food, of course.