Imagine a holiday that celebrates chosen family, delicious food, and the enduring power of friendship. That's Friendsgiving, a phenomenon that owes a surprising debt to a beloved sitcom and the creative mind behind it. But here's where it gets fascinating: Jeff Strauss, the writer who helped popularize Friendsgiving through a pivotal Friends episode, is now bringing the celebration to life at his own restaurant, OyBar in Studio City. This isn't just a meal; it's a cultural event steeped in nostalgia and culinary innovation.
Strauss, a veteran TV writer turned restaurateur, co-wrote the 1994 Friends episode that cemented Friendsgiving in the American consciousness. While the term itself wasn't coined in the show, the episode captured the essence of gathering with your chosen family during the holidays. Strauss draws inspiration from his own college experience at Tufts University in 1981, where he organized a Thanksgiving meal with fellow future TV writer Jeff Greenstein (later showrunner of Will & Grace). "Some people looked forward to going home for Thanksgiving," Strauss recalls, "while others dreaded it." This tension between tradition and the desire for something different became the heart of Friendsgiving.
And this is the part most people miss: Strauss infused the Friends episode with personal touches, like Monica's determination to host the perfect Thanksgiving and Chandler's backstory, inspired by Strauss's own experience of learning his parents' divorce during a holiday. These intimate details resonated with viewers, transforming Friendsgiving into more than just a TV plot point—it became a cultural touchstone.
After years in television, including a notable stint on Reba, Strauss shifted his creative energy to food, another lifelong passion. He first opened Jeff’s Table, a popular sandwich spot, before launching OyBar in 2022. Housed in the former Oyster House Saloon, OyBar is a dimly lit, nostalgic space that feels like a Paul Thomas Anderson film set in the San Fernando Valley. The menu is a love letter to eclectic flavors, featuring dishes like a Jewish-inspired poutine with crispy potatoes and wagyu brisket, and a Vietnamese-style burger topped with hoisin ketchup and cilantro. The restaurant has quickly become a destination for food enthusiasts in the know.
For his Friendsgiving feast (November 21-22, $115 per person), Strauss has crafted an eight-course, wine-paired menu brimming with nods to the first season of Friends. Expect tartlets, potatoes prepared in multiple ways, and a duck dish served with chestnuts, yams, and mushrooms. "If something makes it onto the menu," Strauss explains, "it’s because it’s personal and brings me joy—just like writing a script."
Here’s the controversial part: While Friendsgiving is now a widely celebrated tradition, some argue it dilutes the significance of Thanksgiving as a family-centric holiday. What do you think? Is Friendsgiving a heartwarming alternative or a distraction from the original spirit of Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
