Nestled on La Brea in the heart of Inglewood, Two Hommès is more than just a restaurant—it’s the fruition of years of training, consistency, and dedication.
Co-founded by childhood friends and L.A. natives Yaw Marcus Yaw Johnson, better known as Chef Mando and Abdoulaye Balde or Chef AB, this Afro-centric eatery has made waves with its bold flavors and deep cultural roots.
Before setting up their brick-and-mortar location, the duo honed their craft through pop-ups across Los Angeles, bringing their signature jollof bowls and “Mando Sando” sandwiches to eager crowds.
“We started at the house, his spot, my spot, outgrew that, had to take it outside,” Chef AB recalled. Their street pop-ups in Leimert Park, particularly in front of Sika’s shop, along with catering and high-profile events like Juneteenth celebrations, built the foundation for their success.
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The transition to a permanent space in September 2022 came as no surprise to the duo.
“The plan was always the plan,” Mando said. “We were tired of pop-ups, because we’d always be cooking on weekends [while having weekday jobs] and [customers] would be like, ‘Well where y’all at during the week?’”
Chef AB added, “We were trying to scale up, do larger events. Plus, all our stuff had to be produced fresh on-site, prepared for each order. Nobody wants 8-hour-old food.” Financing the endeavor themselves with their two flat top cooking grills, they knew consistency was key.
The menu at Two Hommès reflects the personal histories and cultural influences of its founders. Mando, who has Ghanaian roots, and AB, whose family is Senegalese and Texan, infuse their dishes with flavors that span continents.
“It was a whole play on words,” Mando said. “Two Hommès means ‘two men’ in French. And we are also homies.”
Pronounced “home-ays,” the name is a twist on both hommès—a nod to AB’s Senegalese roots—and “homies.”
“Because ‘homies’ doesn’t sound good as a business name,” Mando added with a smile.
Balancing tradition with innovation is key to their approach.
“The menu needed to be balanced. We can’t have four pages and overwhelm people,” Mando noted.
“There should be no fillers, all hitters,” AB emphasized. From Passionfruit Crudo to Root Beer Braised Short Rib with Whipped Yams, every dish is carefully curated.
“Like an album,” Mando explained, “Everything’s a hit single.” The Jollof Plate remains their bestseller, a nod to their West African heritage and a staple that keeps customers coming back.
Their impact extends beyond the plate. Two Hommès has earned recognition from major publications like The Infatuation, EaterLA, KTLA, and Jonathan Gold’s esteemed Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants List. More importantly, they have built a loyal following in Inglewood and beyond.
“We want it to feel like you at home but also in Beverly Hills,” Mando said. “Now, Beverly Hills drives us.”
With a foundation rooted in culture, passion, and community, Two Hommès isn’t just serving food—they’re redefining what it means to bring Afro-centric cuisine to the forefront of LA’s dining scene.
Visit Two Hommès at 902 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
