Born in a city where great food and art is abundant, James McClue took a different route.
The New Orleans native decided that he wanted to move to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. McClue is an artist and co-owner of NOLABred, a restaurant he started after noticing the lack of quality, late-night food selections in South L.A.
“We wanted to provide a healthier option to fast food burgers and an alternative to traditional Mexican food,” McClue said. Available on Uber Eats, NOLABred is open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. and serves dishes such as Cajun fried cauliflower, shrimp po’ boys and vegan options.
McClue journeyed to L.A. because he longed for the diverse art scene, which differs from his hometown. With bold colors, shapes and themes, his work pushes the envelope.
“Being an artist in New Orleans, people expect your work to be related to the culture of the city. I didn’t want to be not validated because my art wasn’t about Mardi Gras or soul food,” he said.
Owning his own business came natural to McClue. He knew that he would end up doing his own thing.
“I just can’t see myself working for someone else, so entrepreneurship is everything to me. Being in a society where Black men are at the bottom of the totem pole, being able to provide for myself is almost the only thing the keeps me from complete insanity.”
Learn more about McClue or purchase his artwork by visiting cluediniart.com. Follow NOLABred on Instagram (@NOLABred_) to support the eatery.]]>