I used to work on Wilshire Blvd. near MacArthur Park from about 1967 to 1980. There was a steak house, Edwards, on Alvarado Blvd. near the park and we used to walk over to eat at lunch. At first most people that lived in the area were elderly and it was safe. But later the area started to turn Hispanic and it became unsafe to walk around the area even in broad day light. Eventually Edwards had to close because the area turned so bad no body would go there at night. Obviously the area has gone further down hill.
Edward’s Steak House was the first “real” restaurant I ever remember going to. They had sawdust on the floor and a delicious menu. Eventually, because of the neighborhood deterioration -— as you say -— they moved to another location and only a few weeks ago, closed for good.