Tracey's Belizean Restaurant

Belizean culture began making progress in the United States in the mid 1980’s. Many Belizean citizens immigrated to the United States seeking a better economic future and opportunities that weren't as readily available in their home country. Since then, Belizean citizens have been coming in in huge numbers. By 1995, 40,000 Belizeans, roughly 20% of the population of Belize, lived in Los Angeles.

“All the Belizeans have flocked to this general area.” said Floyd Tracey of Tracey’s Belizean Restaurant. Tracey was born in Belize and moved the United States with his family in 1983. Tracey has remained strong to his Belizean roots as he grew up in the Unites States. The amount of immigrants has gone up because of the strong connection to family. “It’s a community were we all feel comfortable and we know each other, we know our faces. What it [the restaurant] does is bring all the different cultures together in one building.”

“I came here with family.” said Tracey, “But, my family’s big. I came with nine brothers and sisters, plus I have aunties and uncles all around the block.” Tracey said with laughter. This sense of family is really shown in the community, as every costumer was greeted by name and those with unfamiliar faces were shown a warm smile and a handshake.

“There’s a lot of love in this community.” said Tracey. Tracey makes it clear that even though there is a very strong connection between those of Belizean heritage, the restaurant remains a center where those of all backgrounds gather in a social setting. “We offer something that is home grown. We do Belizean food. We’re original in how we make it and that’s why they love us.”

You must be from the East if you’ve never had this.” laughs Thomas Ervin, a regular costumer at Tracey’s. “This chicken and rice is to die for!”

“You must be from the East if you’ve never had this.” laughs Thomas Ervin, a regular costumer at Tracey’s. “This chicken and rice is to die for!”

One might think that the rise of other Belizean restaurants would worry Tracey, as more business would mean more competition. But, it’s had the opposite effect. Tracey is proud to see more and more Belizean places open up around him, adding to the growing culture. “They have certain items that they make that people enjoy, so it’s good that we have more than just us and we have a few in the general area.”

Keeping true to the family aspect of Belizean Culture, Tracey’s has been family operated since its establishment. Barbara Tracey opened the restaurant up, and as soon as her son was old enough, he started working alongside her. “My mother’s a bit shy, I don’t think she’ll want to be interviewed.” The restaurant is managed by Tracey’s cousin, Michael Earwood. Earwood was born in the United States but to recently immigrated Belizean parents.

Unlike his his cousin, Earwood did not hold strong ties to his heritage. It took until he was older for Earwood to start to connect with his Belizean culture. “I really tried to steer away from my culture and become Americanized.” said Earwood in a sad tone. “I regretted it, but as I got older I started gravitating closer to my culture and it has helped me a whole lot.”

Now, Earwood maintains most of his relationships within the Belizean community. “It’s easier for me, so I prefer to not even deal with the outside. I just prefer to hang with the Belizean folk.” Earwood’s brother host a barbecue every Sunday for Belizeans on the block, and Earwood has described it as what he looks most forward to every week.”

It’s clear the Belizeans tie a strong sense of culture and family into their food, and the combination makes for a warm and vibrant community. However that community is rapidly developing. “It’s changed a lot.” said Earwood. “This used to be a bad area. It’s gotten a lot better than it was over the years. We’ve seen the riots, but luckily we never got robbed.”

Earwood was thankful for new technologies like Yelp and Google that has helped Tracey’s see a rise in business. “I’m proud that the Belizean community is growing here.” But, Tracey is even prouder at how his community has grown on the national scale. “You should see New York, South Bay and Miami!”

The Belizean community has a strong impact on Leimert Park, and Tracey’s Belizean Restaurant will continue to be a landmark location for the culture.