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Long Beach Food Scene Intel is a series from Brian Addison that will recap food news throughout the city, both news that needs just a quick mention, is developing, or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Babette Bakery closing after 30-plus years of serving; last day of service is Nov. 3
After more than 30 years of serving the community—having opened in 1992—Babette Bakery on Altantic Avenue will be permanently closing its doors. Its last day of service will be on Nov. 3—and marks a sad day. Recognized by Long Beach Heritage as a “legacy business,” here is how the nonprofit describes this amazing bakery:
“Babette Bakery has been serving its neighborhood and the Long Beach community as a classic mom-and-pop store selling its bakery goods and gourmet pastries to local restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops. The bakery quickly became a local favorite through word-of-mouth. Located in the eclectic Cambodia Town neighborhood, Babette’s Bakery has embraced all the cultural diversity that is Long Beach. Not only offering an extensive line of bread, breakfast pastries, desserts, cakes, and tarts, but Babette also has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. The menu includes homemade soups, a wide variety of quiches, made-to-order sandwiches, plenty of meal options from lemon/pepper chicken with grown-up mac & cheese, to fish and chips, spaghetti with meat sauce, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, chicken burgers, chipotle pesto pasta, and so much more. Customers can eat in or take home. Babette’s customers come from all walks of life, all races, religions, and ethnic groups. Breaking bread is a universal ritual that brings people together and bread is what Babette Bakery is known for.”
Wrigley Farmers Market is moving
After just having its debut earlier this year in April, the Wrigley Farmers Market is moving from the southeast corner of Willow Street and Pacific Avenue to the lot behind Long Beach Beer Lab on Daisy Avenue.
The market continues to operate in an area desperate in need of such activation: While more affluent, grocer-rich neighborhoods like Alamitos Bay, Alamitos Heights, and Downtown have long had weekly farmers markets, Wrigley—despite an uptick in great businesses like the Long Beach Beer Lab, with its amazing activation events, and The Wicked Wolf—and its adjacent Westside need far more lifting up when it comes to things like this. Which means they are very, very warmly welcomes. The fact that that it moves to directly neighbor such an event-heavy business as the Beer Lab makes awesome, total sense.
The market now serves every Saturday from 2PM to 6PM.
Everywhere taproom on 4th installs walk-in
Everywhere—after announcing earlier that they are inching toward opening—is actually inching toward opening: They have installed their walk0in, which non-industry folks should know is a nice milestone. Cheers, everyone!
Owner Daniel Munoz had originally wanted his beloved Orange-based brewery in Long Beach (given he is from here) but didn’t have the chance. With this new taproom space, that potential has opened up—though it has taken nearly a year to get the process toward a place where it can move forward.
Mil Hojas Bakery opens on Orange Avenue
Praise the Dulce Gods: Mil Hojas Bakery, the Mexican pasteleria at 718 Orange Ave., has officially opened its doors. It offers an array of cakes, cookies, pan dulce, and more. While I have not had the chance to personally stop by, let’s support this madre’y’padre shop as they contribute to a neighborhood that could use some more food-centric businesses within safe walking distance.
Fish Bone to open in former Fresh Kabobs space in DTLB
Fish Bone—the mini-chain which already has a location on Willow Street—will be opening a Downtown location inside the former Fresh Kabobs space. It is a welcomed addition considering the loss of Fresh Kabobs basically annihilated Indian food presence in DTLB (which makes the hopeful arrival of Royal Indian Curry House all the more special). It will be offering its array of seafood-centric Soul Food, from fried catfish and po’boys to collard greens and hush puppies.
Desperado takes over Cantarito space
Cantarito Mexican Grill—the tiny taqueria at the southeast corner of 7th Street and Cherry Avenue—has now been rebranded as Desperado under its new owner, Chef Jorge Navarro. Here’s how they describe it: “With a lifetime of culinary experience, Chef Jorge has crafted a cozy and welcoming space where authentic Mexican flavors shine. Known for its commitment to quality, Desperado’s menu highlights the richness of Mexican cuisine, all while embracing the vibrant Long Beach culture. It’s the perfect spot for locals to gather, enjoy delicious dishes, and feel right at home.”
ICYMI: Altar Society breakfast: Brewery blends bubbles, Bloody Marys, and breakfast burritos
An Altar Society breakfast, you say? Yessiree: The much-loved Downtown Long Beach brewery is now prepared to offer breakfast sandwiches, breakfast pizzas, breakfast burritos, and plenty of bubbles, beers, and Bloody Marys to wrap a nice liquid blanket around those ubiquitous Long Beach day drinkers.
Click here to read Brian Addison’s full feature.
ICYMI: Madres Brunch Long Beach officially opens in the East Village
Madres Brunch Long Beach—the first local location of the Insta-centric breakfast and brunch destination with five locations across SoCal—has officially opened. It has taken over the former LB Taco Co. space in the East Village, which closed earlier this year.
And it brings with it its array of artificial color bombs, mimosa flights, pistachio and hazel waffles, pancake tacos, and everything you either love or hate about Instagrammable food into the tangible.
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