A new all-day restaurant, Zero Fox, has opened its doors on York Boulevard, situated on the border of Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Housed in what was once an auto shop, the family-owned eatery began with limited hours in mid-September before hosting its grand opening on September 26, offering daily brunch, burgers, and a full bar with multiple screens for watching games.
The restaurant is run by siblings Robby Herrera Jr., Ingrid Herrera, and Cindy Lemuz, who grew up just three blocks from the location. Robby Herrera Jr. shared that their father, Robby Herrera Sr., purchased the space in 2017 with the intention of opening a restaurant with his family. Herrera Sr. had worked at a family restaurant in Mexico before immigrating to the United States and operating a Northeast Los Angeles plumbing business for 25 years. "My parents are the main ones with the idea and funding," Herrera Jr. explained, adding that he and his sisters are now in charge as their parents are getting older.
Zero Fox serves a wide-ranging menu, starting with breakfast at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends. The daytime offerings include breakfast burritos, smoked salmon toast, huevos rancheros, omelets, hot honey chicken and waffles, and berry French toast. These dishes, along with classic breakfasts and chilaquiles, are crafted by chefs Chalo Martinez, who has worked at Whittier’s Uptown Azabu and Downey’s Lock & Key Social Drinkery, and Oaxacan-born David Paulino. Daytime menu items are priced between $13 and $24.
As the day transitions to evening, the menu shifts to dinner, with no item exceeding $20. Guests can choose from four types of burgers, including a traditional cheeseburger, along with sandwiches like a crispy chicken sandwich on a brioche bun. Tacos and wings are also available, as are fried options crowned with carne asada or chicken. Roasted Brussels sprouts and deep-fried calamari round out the dinner selections.
The beverage program was developed by Cesar Flores, founder of Elite Bartenders and a former bartender at Border Grill. The bar serves bright cocktails, including the tequila-forward Te Quiero Mucho, made with espresso, Kahlua, cinnamon syrup, vanilla cream, and Mexican chocolate. Nine rotating beers are available on tap, alongside mimosas. For those seeking non-alcoholic options, coffee drinks and aguas frescas are offered all day. Cocktails are priced under $15.
Eagle Rock and Highland Park have seen significant changes over the past decade, with rising real estate prices and costs of living. Robby Herrera Jr. noted the increase in out-of-state investors taking over commercial properties in the area. For the Herrera family, Zero Fox represents an opportunity to contribute to the Highland Park community with reasonable prices and a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant features a dining room that seats 78 and a 20-seat rear patio, which the family hopes will be a popular spot for locals. "This is a place for the neighborhood to come in and enjoy a casual time, some good food, and watch games," Herrera Jr. said. "I’m really proud that we’re from the neighborhood and have our own little neighborhood spot."
Zero Fox is located at 4607 York Boulevard, Eagle Rock, CA, 90041. It operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and opens at 7 a.m. on weekends.
