Chef Q&A: Greg Horos and Melissa Rosen of Locali Healthy Convenience
Horos and Rosen’s neighborhood deli makes healthy eating easy
Greg Horos and Melissa Rosen, co-owners of Locali Healthy Convenience, say, “If 7-Eleven and Whole Foods had a baby, Locali would be it!” They have created a neighborhood deli that features one of L.A.’s best breakfasts sandwiches (that’s completely vegan!) and a menu filled with tasty options that make healthy eating easy.
How do you describe Locali?
From the Italian word meaning “the place to be at,” Locali is a reimagined, sustainable convenience store and neighborhood deli that’s changing the way consumers view healthy eating. Our West Hollywood location offers nutritional deli offerings alongside a carefully curated selection of beverages, pantry staples, grab and go meals, health and beauty, and frozen treats. We also serve fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and snacks made with organic ingredients.
What is unique about the store and the dishes you serve?
Melissa Rosen: Locali’s menu is truly one-of-a-kind, with nothing else like it on the market. I’m a certified health counselor, and created most of the menu, which is very customizable and bridges dietary restrictions from vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free to paleo. Our deli features award-winning, soul-satisfying sandwiches, smoothies, etc. that use organic, non-GMO ingredients, when possible. Customer favorites include the vegan Reuben sandwich, which contains marinated vegan deli slices, vegan cheese, sauerkraut, and Locali-made vegan Russian dressing served on marble rye bread; the Brekkie Burrito with scrambled sprouted tofu, vegan cheese, black beans, bell pepper, and red onion stuffed inside a sprouted multigrain tortilla with a side of salsa and chipotle sauce; and the Kombucha Float, for those looking for a guilt-free treat, served with dairy free/soy free/gluten free/ coconut frozen yogurt.
What brought you to West Hollywood?
We had support from the beginning from many West Hollywood residents that would travel regularly to our other existing locations. The West Hollywood area was always a dream for us to serve because of the way the community supports small businesses. Our realtor, Greg Briest at JLL, brought us an ideal space on Santa Monica Boulevard and we jumped at the opportunity.
What’s your specialty dish?
Our specialty dish is the Baaadass Breakfast Sandwich, named by Thrillist as one of L.A.’s best breakfast sandwiches in the city. The warm sandwich is completely vegan and contains a vegan sausage patty, vegan cheddar cheese, homemade chipotle sauce, and a drizzle of maple syrup on a sprouted multigrain English muffin. It’s what we call a “last-meal worthy” breakfast item.
What’s your favorite dish at Locali?
Our vegan Georgia Blonde Sandwich (with vegan deli meat, vegan Swiss cheese, red cabbage slaw, vegan Russian dressing, creamy dill dressing & stone ground mustard on Sourdough bread) and our Dirty Shamrock smoothie (caco power, avocado, dates, peppermint, almond milk, banana and coconut yogurt)
What would you say is the importance of food in our culture?
As we are continually isolated due to our smart phone reliance, food is still a beautiful way for us to connect with others, be it with family over a special meal or strangers via a foodie post on Instagram. Food can bring us together in ways that most things no longer can in our increasingly divisive world.
How has being in California shaped your food sourcing practices?
California is the epicenter of healthy living and fresh ingredients. We are lucky to be able to source much of our ingredients locally as a result.
8730 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069
424-302-0464, LOCALIYOURS.COM