Who couldn't use more health and wealth in 2013? These are the gifts that eating collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year's Day delivers, according to Southern tradition. But where in Los Angeles can you find such rare and exotic menu items?

Not many places, it turns out. Quite a few Southern staples in L.A. have closed over the past year (Larkin's in Eagle Rock being the most obvious). And of the few places that serve black-eyed peas and greens, some are closed New Year's Day. The Hart and the Hunter, for instance, which has both collard greens and black-eyed peas on its current menu, will be closed for the holiday. (I tried to explain to the woman on the phone that there was a dearth of these magic Southern dishes in L.A. for New Year's. “Yeah,” she replied with a shrug in her voice, “but we want the day off.”)

However, all is not lost. Tart, near the Grove, serves both black-eyed peas and collards, and is open on New Year's Day. The catch is that these items appear only on the dinner menu, so you'll have to wait until 4 p.m. to get 'em (at exactly the hour that the bottomless mimosas end — boo!).

You could drive to Bellflower to eat at Johnny Reb's Southern Roadhouse, which will be open and serving both dishes (there's also a location in Long Beach).

But probably your best bet is R&R Soul Food in Carson. The bare-bones, strip-mall, soul food joint will be open and serving collards and black-eyed peas. Get some smothered chicken while you're there and look forward to health, wealth and a side of deliciousness.

See also:

10 Great Places to Eat on New Year's Day

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