I grew up with a Catholic father who never went to church and a born-again Christian mom who would rarely miss a sermon. So Easter was always a medium-sized deal in my house. It was big enough that I knew Lent or La Cuaresma, as we called it, is supposed to symbolize the 40 days Jesus spent wandering the desert without food.
Jesus fasted, so we also fasted — on Fridays. In fact, there is a Friday night saying that still echoes in my brain from the Cuaresma’s of my childhood: “hoy no se come carne” or today we don’t eat meat.
As I got older, I would typically not eat red meat for the entirety of Lent.
To celebrate the end of Lent — the Thursday before Easter as is customary in most Christian practices — I loved nothing more than a visit to one of LA’s finest steakhouses.
For my family that meant Sizzler, which to be honest is still worth every penny. When I got older, that celebration was usually held at Dal Rae Restaurant.
Tucked among an array of fast food joints and strip mall diners along Washington Boulevard in Pico Rivera, Dal Rae is the kind of place you go to commemorate anniversaries, cheer on a big promotion, impress a date or just eat a killer steak.
According to renowned food writer and author Patick Kuh, the first iteration of Dal Rae sat between 105th Street and Western Avenue in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of South LA during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was founded by Ed Dalton and Rae Harris, which is where the name comes from — Dal for Dalton and Rae for Harris.
Around 1958, the restaurant was sold to the Smith brothers Ben and Bill, who moved it to the Southeast LA suburbs to capitalize on a massive Ford manufacturing plant that was a few blocks away.
The Ford plant has since been replaced by a number of other businesses that have come and gone over the years. But “The Dal Rae,” as Kuh wrote, has endured because it “actively counters any number of trends with a revanchist’s glee.” Though I don’t think of Dal Rae as a vengeful lord, I get the sentiment on which Kuh was remarking — the restaurant seems to never change and dare you to never want it to.
I still like to think of myself as culturally Catholic — even though I’m officially a member of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a lay Buddhist organization — which means I still celebrate the end of Lent with a medium-rare pepper steak.
Flown in from Chicago, “Dal Rae’s Famous Pepper Steak” is a baseball-shaped hunk of filet mignon topped with bacon, peppercorns and green onions. I always order it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.
Dal Rae also serves a wonderful prime rib if that’s your preference for decadent cuts of red meat.
But there are many ways to celebrate. Here are 21 ways to break your Lenten fast, celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus or just live your best life this Easter weekend.
Famous Pepper Steak at Dal Rae
Southeast LA
9023 Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera
Date: Good Friday, April 3 (or any night of the weekend)
Time: Dinner nightly
More info here.
Named for its founders Ed Dalton and Rae Harris, Dal Rae has been a Southeast LA institution since the late 1940s. The current location off Washington Boulevard opened around 1958 to serve workers at a nearby Ford plant — the plant is long gone, but Dal Rae endures. Order the pepper steak, medium-rare. If this is how you’re breaking your Lenten fast, you’re doing it right.
All the events at the LA Cathedral
Downtown
555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles
Date: Friday through Thursday, April 2
Time: Times vary
More info here.
The Easter Triduum begins here. Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which includes the traditional washing of the feet, at the Cathedral that serves LA’s more than five million Catholics. A solemn and moving way to kick off Holy Week. The Cathedral will also host the Passion Play, Easter services and more all weekend.
First Fridays at Natural History Museum
Exposition Park
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
Date: Friday, April 3
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
More info here.
The 20th season of the museum’s after-hours series lands on Good Friday this year. Wander the diorama halls with a cocktail in hand, catch a live set from singer-songwriter Arima Ederra, dance to DJ sets from MIDI Riperton and GRACE KTOWN, and catch a science talk on what it means to be human. A genuinely perfect way to spend a Friday night amid dinosaurs.
Good Friday at Plaza Mexico in Lynwood
Southeast LA
100 E Imperial Highway, Lynwood
Date: Good Friday, April 3
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
More info here.
This interactive version of the Passion Play celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Attendees are encouraged to play the role of a boisterous crowd.
Spring Fling at the LA County Arboretum
Arcadia
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Date: Good Friday, April 3
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
More info here.
The Arboretum hosts Spring Fling with continuous egg hunts every 15 minutes, live music, seasonal crafts and special guests including Bunny World Foundation, an animal welfare organization focused on rabbit care.
Easter Train Ride at Griffith Park
Griffith Park
4400 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles
Date: Friday, April 3, to Sunday, April 5
Time: Varies
More info here.
Join the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad for special Easter-themed train rides.
LatiFAM Film Festival
University Park
551 Trousdale Pkwy., Los Angeles
Date: Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4
Time: April 3, 4 to 9 p.m.; April 4, 1 to 7 p.m.
More info here.
Catch two days of panels, screenings, special guests and announcements celebrating Latino storytellers in film. Free and open to the public, no RSVP required. Seats are first-come, first-served.
Spring Festival at Vermont Square Library
South LA
1201 W. 48th St., Los Angeles
Date: Friday, April 3
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
More info here.
The library hosts its annual Spring Festival with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, games and giveaways. Free and open to the community.
Mariachi at Eastside Luv
Boyle Heights
1835 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 8 p.m. to close
More info here.
Sing your heart out with Mariachi Los Toros or hit the dance floor with tunes by DJ Eddy Gordo. Free entry from 8 to 9 p.m. during happy hour; $15 after 9 p.m.
Chicha San Chen Grand Opening
Koreatown
625 S. Ardmore Ave., Los Angeles
Date: Friday, April 3
Time: 12 to 9 p.m.
More info here.
Taiwanese boba chain Chicha San Chen opens its new Koreatown location with a special celebration planned.
Grocery Distribution at Slauson Super Mall
South LA
1600 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles
Date: Every Friday, including Good Friday on April 3
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
More info here.
We Grow LA hosts a free weekly grocery distribution every Friday at Slauson Super Mall. With the cost of living going up seemingly every day, this could be a good way to get your Easter dinner staples for the family.
Blessing of the Animals at Olvera Street
Downtown
845 N Alameda St, Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
More info here.
Watch the blessing of the animals, with entertainment running throughout the afternoon. All pets and animals are welcome, and participation is open to all — no religious affiliation required. One of the most distinctly LA experiences you can have on Easter weekend.
The Crenshaw Mile
South LA
3419 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 7 a.m.
More info here.
After weekly track nights every Monday throughout March, it all leads to this. Lace up early — the race starts at 7 a.m.
Egg Bowl at the Rose Bowl
San Gabriel Valley
1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More infohere.
The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium present the annual Egg Bowl, a free community event featuring egg hunts for children up to 12 years old. Additionally, you can buy tickets to the Bunny Brunch, where guests can enjoy breakfast, photos with the bunny, and an exclusive VIP egg hunt on the stadium field.
Spring Fest at the Obama Sports Complex
South LA
5001 Obama Blvd., Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More info here.
South LA’s fourth annual Spring Fest comes to the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex with two egg hunts, football combine training and a spades tournament. A full afternoon for the whole family.
“Brown Sugar” at The Miracle Theater
Inglewood
226 S. Market St., Inglewood
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: Doors 5 p.m., show 6 p.m.
More info here.
Cult Classics Cinema brings back the 2002 rom-com starring Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan for a one-night throwback screening.
Sunday Surf ‘n’ Turf at Taylor’s Steakhouse
Koreatown
3361 W. 8th St., Los Angeles
Date: Easter Sunday, April 5
Time: 4 to 10 p.m.
More info here.
Open since 1953, Taylor’s hasn’t changed much. The big leather booths, dark wood walls and white tablecloths have outlasted every trend in the neighborhood around them. Their Sunday special is the “Surf ‘n’ Turf.” We’re talking American wagyu sirloin paired with Cajun broiled prawns, served with a baked potato.
Easter Eggstravaganza at New Life Church
San Fernando Valley
6115 Fallbrook Ave, Woodland Hills
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 3 p.m.
More info here.
Egg dyeing, pottery coloring, cross bead making, a bookstore, petting zoo, roasted corn, drink station, Easter stories — all free for all. A full afternoon of activities with an open-door spirit.
Easter Brunch at Redbird
Downtown
114 E 2nd St., Los Angeles
Date: Easter Sunday, April 5
Time: Hours vary
More info here.
Chef Neal Fraser and his team present a special prix fixe menu for Easter Day brunch with a classic Redbird brunch. It’s all set inside a stunning former cathedral in DTLA. Kids 5 and under eat free.
Easter Brunch at Cavatina
West Hollywood
1200 Alta Loma Rd., West Hollywood
Date: Easter Sunday, April 5
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More info here.
If you want to get fancy, check out this brunch at Sunset Marquis’ in-house restaurant Cavatina, with garden views, raw bar oysters and live omelet and pancake stations. In the spirit of the holiday, turn your cash into bottomless bubbles for a proper post-Lent splurge.
Easter Brunch at Terranea Resort
Rancho Palos Verdes
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Date: Easter Sunday, April 5
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More info here.
For a fancy family outing, try Terranea Resort’s annual Easter Brunch in Palos Verdes, featuring an expansive buffet with snow crab, live oyster shucking, leg of lamb carving and a dessert table designed around a giant Easter egg filled with chocolates — all overlooking the Pacific. Adults $205, kids $87.
