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Long Beach Food Scene Intel is a series from Brian Addison that will recap food news throughout the city. This is news that needs just a quick mention, is developing, or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Toma Tequila to take over former Ambrosia/Beach Garden space
Fuego, the waterfront Latin American–inspired restaurant inside Hotel Maya, is marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a one-night-only party that leans into both flavor and celebration. On Thursday, October 2, from 8PM to 11PM, Hotel Maya will have a “tequila, tacos, and beats on the bay” party with El Cristiano tequila.
Guests are invited to enjoy Fuego’s waterfront patio for a late-night setting of live music, dancing, and specialty cocktails, all set against the backdrop of the harbor. For tickets, click here.
Despite rumors, Whole Foods is not moving into former Rite Aid space
While rumors have been flying around about what will eventually take over the former Rite Aid space at the southwest corner of Cherry Avenue and Broadway, there is one thing for certain. And that is that, despite some speculations, it will not become a Whole Foods. Carrie Rodgers Hunte, a corporate communications representative for Whole Foods, said she “spoke with our real estate team and, no, this is not going to be a Whole Foods Market.”
Starbucks shutters two locations
Starbucks has permanently shuttered two Long Beach locations. One at Marina Pacifica, next to the soon-to-reopen remodeled Barnes & Noble. The other? At Palos Verde Avenue and Stearns Street.
Liv’s on 2nd temporarily renews lease while searching for new space
While concerns were high that Liv’s on 2nd might have to shutter Oct. 1—it already forced Our Spot, which had a residency at Liv’s, to find a new location at Wine Beach—after its lease ended, owner and chef Rob White has confirmed the space has gone to a month-to-month lease as it searches for a more viable space to operate.
Mitsuwa market opening in Cypress
Mitsuwa Marketplace, the beloved Japanese supermarket chain renowned for its curated selection of groceries, specialty imports, and in-store food court dining, is expanding further into SoCal with a new location in Cypress. The site is planned for 4955 Katella Ave.—the closest yet to Long Beach—and the chain has confirmed a Fall 2025 opening, with hiring already underway.
Now, the real question: Can Long Beach just get a Ranch 99 or H Mart now?
Buen Provecho officially opens in DTLB
Buen Provecho, the space taking over the former Toma/Lupe’s space at 3rd Street and Promenade in Downtown Long Beach, has officially opened. The menu is wildly expansive: tomahawk steaks, huaraches, flautas, yellowfin tostadas, aguachiles, tempura fish tacos, smoked beef cheek burritos, hot honey wings, branzino zarandeado, rack of lamb birria…
Black-owned Fishbone opens in DTLB location
Fishbone has officially opened its Downtown Long Beach location. Black-owned and -operated, the store is part of the fast-casual franchise built around Southern-style seafood. It specializes in both fried and grilled fish, shrimp, oysters, and other coastal offerings infused with the tradition of the Friday fish fry. With over 40 years of combined experience behind its founding team, Fishbone positions itself as an accessible and scalable concept, offering franchisees turnkey opportunities—including brick-and-mortar outlets, ghost kitchens, and food trucks.
PlanTita’s Kitchen in West Long Beach named one of the country’s best taquerias by Yelp
PlanTita’s Kitchen—the family-owned vegan Mexican joint at 1950 W Willow St. on the Westside—has been named one of the best taquerias in the country by Yelp! patrons. Serving plant-based versions of traditional Mexican staples like tacos, burritos, flautas, and enmoladas. Under owner Aileen Castañeda, recipes passed down from her mother and grandmother are reimagined using ingredients like jackfruit, hearts of palm, and house-made sauces, so diners experience familiar textures and flavors without animal products.
Now, this isn’t throw shade at the Yelp! or PlanTita’s but the list is just outright awkward. No Sonoratown or Tacos la Carreta or Tacos Lionydas or Ruta 15 in sight for Long Beach. No Villa’s or Frontera or Evil Cooks for L.A. So, if you want me to be honest, just check out LA TACO’s list for the best tacos.
ICYMI: One of Long Beach’s best bakeries, Foodologie, just introduced a drink line
From iced matcha topped with ube foam clouds to deeply earthy, roasted Japanese green tea that is hōjicha to cold brew to wonderfully refreshing coconut water with pandan, Foodologie’s new drink menu is the perfect pairing to Maria’s already stellar baked goods.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Lima Cebichería—one of the best Peruvian spaces in the region—opens for lunch in Long Beach (beef heart included)
Anticuchos de corazón—tender, incredibly savory slices of beef heart paired with an array of fried potato chunks and choclo dipped in chimichurri. Tallarines verdes con lomo saltado—silky smooth and deep spinach green, this basil-tinged sauce coats linguine before being topped with chunks of steak and onion.
Lima—one of the region’s best Peruvian spaces—is officially open for lunch in Bixby Knolls.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Chef Luis Navarro proceeds to the final round of the Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe
The OG defies the odds, Long Beach: Chef Luis Navarro of Lola’s defeated Chef Jason Witzl of Ellie’s, making him the first chef to move onto the finale in the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe at Partake Collective. This veteran and his wife, Brenda, have been serving our community for nearly two decades—and the win represents much more than, well, just a win.
