A pioneering Los Angeles Chef, Susan Feniger helped define modern Mexican and Latin flavored cuisine through bold flavors, collaboration, and television. She co founded Border Grill and built a career mixing restaurant innovation, cookbooks, and advocacy for sustainable food and inclusion.
| Born | Toledo, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Education | Pitzer College; Culinary Institute of America |
| Notable Restaurants | City Café / City Restaurant, Border Grill, Ciudad, Socalo, Alice B. |
| Roles | Chef; Restaurateur; Cookbook Author; Television Personality |
Susan's Formal Culinary Training
Susan Feniger studied at Pitzer College, graduating in 1976, then refined her craft at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Her formal training gave her classical technique and a foundation for exploring global flavors.
Early on she worked at Chicago’s Le Perroquet, one of the few women in a professional kitchen at the time. That experience shaped her approach to restaurant work and led to the partnership with Mary Sue Milliken that would define much of her career.
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Susan Feniger Restaurants & Businesses
Feniger built a string of influential Los Angeles restaurants that fused Mexican and Latin influences with international ideas and a lively, communal spirit.
- City Café / City Restaurant (1981) – The original neighborhood spot where Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken tested global, eclectic dishes and established their culinary voice.
- Border Grill (1985) – Launched as a modern Mexican concept, later moving to Santa Monica and expanding to Las Vegas, Border Grill became their most visible and enduring brand.
- Ciudad (1998) – A Latin flavored restaurant in Los Angeles that further showcased their take on contemporary Mexican and regional Latin cuisines.
- Street (2009) – Feniger’s first solo project in Hollywood celebrating global street food; it later transitioned into Mud Hen Tavern.
- Socálo (2019) – A California canteen and Mexican pub in Santa Monica that highlights seasonal ingredients and casual dining.
- Alice B. (2023) – A Palm Springs restaurant with seasonal, French and Mediterranean influences, reflecting Feniger’s continued evolution and collaboration with Milliken.
Over decades Feniger adapted to changing markets, opening and closing concepts while maintaining a reputation for thoughtful, ingredient driven food and vibrant dining rooms.
Susan Feniger's Other Ventures
Beyond restaurants, Feniger expanded into publishing, television, and advocacy.
- Cookbooks: Co author of multiple books including City Cuisine, Mesa Mexicana, Cantina, and Susan Feniger’s Street Food, which translates her restaurant ideas for home cooks.
- Media: Longtime television presence that helped bring her cuisine to national audiences and inspired home cooks and professional Chefs alike.
- Philanthropy: Active on the boards of the Scleroderma Research Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and a member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Blue Ribbon Task Force promoting sustainable seafood.
Susan Feniger Shows
Feniger became a familiar face on television in the 1990s and beyond, helping to popularize Mexican and Latin influenced cooking on national TV.
- Too Hot Tamales – A Food Network program that introduced Feniger and Milliken to a wide audience and emphasized approachable, flavorful recipes.
- Tamales World Tour – Continued the duo’s television work, showcasing regional specialties and entertaining demonstrations.
- Top Chef Masters (2010) – Competed on Bravo, raising money for the Scleroderma Research Foundation and reinforcing her status as a respected professional Chef.
Through television, Feniger combined teaching, storytelling, and a playful energy that translated well to both home cooks and food enthusiasts.
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Susan Feniger Awards and Accolades
Feniger’s contributions have been recognized by industry organizations and peers.
- James Beard Foundation – Inducted into the Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America (1985).
- California Restaurant Association – Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).
- Julia Child Award – Honored in 2018 for her influence on American food culture and culinary education.
Susan Feniger Personal Life
Susan Feniger grew up in Toledo, Ohio, in a Jewish household. Her parents, Ruth Alice and Yale Feniger, influenced her early life and appreciation for food and family.
Openly LGBTQ+, Feniger is married to filmmaker Liz Lachman. Lachman directed the documentary Susan Feniger. FORKED, which chronicles Feniger’s life, career, and values. Feniger is a visible advocate for inclusion in the culinary world.
Her personal commitments extend into philanthropy and activism, where she supports medical research, LGBTQ rights, and sustainable food systems.
Susan Feniger Family and Friends
Feniger’s longtime collaboration with Mary Sue Milliken is one of the defining professional partnerships in modern American restaurant history. Their friendship produced enduring restaurants, books, and television projects.
Her marriage to Liz Lachman and broad network of chefs, mentors, and community leaders has kept Feniger rooted in both creative and civic life.
Susan Feniger Chef Profile: Conclusion
Susan Feniger helped shape Los Angeles dining and the national conversation about modern Mexican and Latin influenced food. Through restaurants, television, books, and advocacy, she combined creativity with community minded leadership.
Her career is a model of collaboration, adaptability, and public engagement, leaving a lasting influence on how Americans cook, eat, and think about multicultural food traditions.
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