There’s a free range fried chicken craze happening in LA right now, and it is all thanks to the Free Range LA Food Truck. We recently got a chance to sit down and speak with the chef/owner of the truck, Jesse Furman, as he shared his story.
As a native New Yorker, Jesse has years of food experience on the service and business management side of restaurants and specialty stores. In LA, he has worked with the likes of Jordan Kahn from Red Medicine and Natasha Case of Coolhaus in both business and flavor development, both of whom, he states, helped foster his young entrepreneurial spirit. Furman – without having any technical culinary training – sort of fell into his own by making great fried chicken and biscuit sandwiches.
Free Range LA got its start as a brunch pop-up market stand at various locations across West LA, and as its popularity increased catering gigs began rolling in. Furman then did a collaboration with Tyler King, of the Coffee Commissary in Burbank, who helped him to develop a menu for the shop. The sandwiches did so well that they partnered to create a truck! The oh-so-popular fried chicken sandwich truck now parks outside of various coffee shops including Blue Bottle Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Alfred Coffee and in the Arts District of DTLA.
With the Free Range Truck, Jesse strives to provide customers with dishes comprised of local and quality ingredients coupled with a speedy and convenient fast food experience. He plans to keep the signature fried chicken, nuggets, breakfast, biscuits, and eggs, while continuing to introduce seasonal elements and ingredients. Furman, when asked what his dream collaboration would be, stated that he would love to do something with Korea Fusion, as he believes that Korean fried chicken is even better than the American version.
After 2 years of the truck being opened, their hot honey fried chicken n’ biscuit sandwiches have still got the LA foodie scene going fried chicken crazy. Free Range LA is an absolute must visit anytime you’re in Los Angeles and in the words of chef owner, Jesse Furman, “Watch out LA!” as this chicken will definitely have you coming back for more.
