It’s a tough time for restaurants, with many in L.A. closing, especially much-loved places like Cole’s and Papa Cristo’s . So, for $50,000 to pretty much land out of the sky is an event to celebrate.

This week, two long-running restaurants each received awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with American Express: El Paseo Inn on Olvera Street and Qusqo Bistro and Gallery in West Los Angeles.

A total of 50 historically significant restaurants are chosen annually from across the country to receive the money as part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program , which has been running for five years. The money is for renovation and growth, as well as helping to keep the doors open and preserving their respective legacies.

El Paseo

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