If I ask you to spend even more time on Instagram, you know it must be important: Listen to JJ Johnson, the chef-owner of Fieldtrip in Harlem, who invites 100 SNAP recipients to dine for free at his little restaurant as long as their benefits are interrupted by the federal shutdown.

Or look to your own backyard, if you happen to live near Highland Park here in L.A., where restaurateur Jeff Strauss gives out grilled cheese sandwiches at Jeff’s Table to anyone who asks, no proof of strife required. He serves a free pasta at Oy Bar, his place in Studio City, same deal.

The list keeps growing: When I opened my laptop early Monday morning, I got an announcement about a free to-go meal at Donna’s in Echo Park .

It too often seems like restaurants can’t win for trying, as many of us vent

See Full Page