I hired L.A. Catering because they were one of my venue's preferred caterers. I was nervous doing so because they didn't have very many reviews on any of the wedding websites, but the google reviews looked good and I liked the fact that they w...ere affordable and part of my city's Meals on Wheels program. I did a tasting back in February (it was fine but not amazing) and picked out some menu items for my reception. In May I invited my parents and my husband's parents to a Taste of LA event and my parents were horrified by how bad the food was. My husband and I went back later in the summer for a second tasting with a new chef, which was much much better, but I was still nervous. It didn't help that L.A. Catering has been seriously understaffed this year and getting a response back from them often took several days or a follow up email from myself or another vendor. Up until the day of my wedding I was stressed out that I had chosen the wrong caterer.
Then the day of the wedding arrived. All the tables and chairs were set up exactly as they needed to be. The bartender they brought in was amazingly friendly and kind (when I tried to help clean up towards the end of the night, the bartender literally handed me a drink and told me to go enjoy myself). The staff was courteous and helpful. And everyone raved about the food, including my parents who actually said it was some of the best wedding food they had ever had.
So here is my advice: 2021 is a crazy busy time to plan a wedding and I have heard that 2022 is going to be even more insane. Everyone is understaffed but I believe that they are all trying their best. Have patience and show some grace. It may be a rocky road, but sometimes a caterer can still hit it out of the ballpark when the moment comes. And that is exactly what L.A. Catering did. They were amazing. So, yes, I would recommend them but definitely have your colorist on speed dial because the planning process will give you gray hair.