We had the good fortune of connecting with Austyn Jeffs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austyn, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?

The farther I can get out of my own element, the happier I am. Personal experiences beyond my culture and upbringing, for me that’s what makes me feel really in the moment. And is there any better city than Los Angeles for that?

And that passion, I feel comes out in our historical Youtube series in Heart of the City. I wanted to give exposure to these special offbeat places and uncommon corners of Los Angeles that I’ve collected over the years. I wanted an awe of “Where the hell is that?” or “That’s in LA?”.

Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world. We have remarkable and unique communities, architecture, and geography. Like you could like be living in like Barstow right now. If you live in Los Angeles you have such a special opportunity to go out experience a variety that’s unachievable in most cities in this world. It’s also so much fun.

Like last weekend I just randomly had Uyghur cuisine. Did I plan on or know what Uyghur cuisine was? No idea. Was it really good? Yes. You should go and get Uyghur cuisine.

Also double checked so I like don’t get yelled at. Can confirm Barstow does not have any Uyghur restaurants. Barstow has three Del Tacos.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Watching Heart of the City you will see places and learn things about LA that long-time Angelinos don’t even know.

Heart of the City is a Youtube series of thirty short documentaries chronicling LA before people then going all the way to today. Each video can about two things: Movements that started in LA and speared world wide, or occurrences that only happen in Los Angeles.

And the variety of subjects goes from profound to bizarre.

Like did you know the Big Bang was discovered in Los Angeles? Or what we know as Tiki Culture started at a Hollywood restaurant? Or the 110 is awful because it was the first freeway in the United States? Or the world’s previous largest painting is hidden in a Glendale cemetery? Or we invented drive-thrus/fast food/strip malls? Or rain in SoCal can be deadlier than earthquakes? Or the cheeseburger was invented in Pasadena?

By the way the hamburger had been around for like 100 years… Just no one had like put cheese on it… And people lost their f*cking minds. If you ever feel unaccomplished in life… You could just be one piece of cheese away from reinventing the entire culinary world.

And I feel like the big difference is how Heart of the City is presented. The way most history is currently presented is usually pretty uh… Boring. It’s usually super fact heavy and doesn’t explain to that viewer living in this present time how these events actually affect them. Also my background is Comedy Central and FunnyOrDie so I wanted to bring a pop sensibility that most these things lack. It’s all very accessible and easy to understand. Also I’m vain so I made it pretty to look at.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man. This is like my bread and butter. If you have a friend visiting and want to take them on a super-eclectic-deep-cut tour of LA, this is my list. Go before TikTok devours this shit.

*BTW these places are definitely not for everybody. But you’re like cooler if they are:

FOOD:

— Yama Seafood – San Gabriel

All time hidden gem. Sushi to go, cut in front of you. Cheap, fresh, and better than anything you’ll get in a restaurant.

— El Atacor #1 – Cypress Park

Every Angelino needs a good go-to Mexican place. This is my good go-to Mexican place. It can be your good go-to Mexican place.

— Clearman’s North Woods Inn – San Gabriel

You don’t go to Clearman’s for the food… You go to Clearman’s for the vibe. The food hasn’t changed in 60 years and it’s mediocre, but the decor hasn’t changed in 60 years and it’s fantastic.

— Angel’s Tiajuana Tacos – Echo Park

This taco cart has only grown with popularity and it’s nothing but deserved. There’s nothing bad you can order here.

ATTRACTIONS:

— The Crucifixion – Glendale

Hollywood Forever is LA’s known tourist graveyard. Forest Lawn in Glendale is more impressive and cooler one in every way. On top of the hill hidden in the back of that cathedral is the world’s previous largest painting. Mind blowing and one of the most undiscovered places in LA.

— Mount Wilson – San Gabriel Mountains

Only 14 miles from downtown in the San Gabriel Mountains the Big Bang was discovered, Dark Matter was discovered, and it was discovered that the universe was expanding. You can visit these turn of the century telescopes for free. Also easily the best views of Southern California.

— Palos Verdes Peninsula

The coastal drive around this hilly peninsula is such a beautiful and accessible drive from LA… And no one really knows about it. Stop at the Wayfarers chapel. Stop at the Korean Friendship Bell.

— Intercontinental Lobby

This is the most basic place on this list that has somehow not turned into a super basic place? That tallest building downtown? That’s the hotel Intercontinental and its lobby is on 70th floor. You can go up for free. Hands down the best views of LA.

— Nu-Botanics Candle Corp
For those unfamiliar, a botánica is a religious goods store found in many parts of South America. These small shops are also littered throughout Southern California, but this is like the Costco version of one.

— The American At Brand

An amazing luxury shopping experience! There’s a trolly and… Ok please don’t actually spend your precious vacation time here. I literally just threw this in to see if you’re paying attention.

BARS:

Old Tonys – Redondo Beach

A bar on the Redondo Beach pier that has 360 degree views of the entire Santa Monica bay. The decor has not changed since it was built in the 1960s.

The New Jalisco – Downtown

LatinX LGBTQI bar. This place is always a blast on a weekend with shows.

The Biltmore – Downtown

I’m going to declare that this is the most filmed hotel in the world. I see it pop-up in like three movies a year. But besides it’s beautiful interior, it’s rumored to be the last place the Black Dahlia drank before her demise.

La Cita – Downtown

My go-to summertime afternoon dive bar. Great back porch with views of the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner on Heart of the City is my producer Russell Ford. Crafting the story of Los Angeles has been a wonderful collaboration. He was the person when I just had the inkling of the idea said “That can be a thing”. And I’m sure many creatives can relate to this, having someone instantaneously see the project’s vision at onset can make you feel less insane about doing something bold.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heart_of_the_city

Image Credits
Profile Image By: Dimitri Tzoytzoyrakos All Other Images Courtesy of Heart of the City

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.