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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.
Robert Earl’s BBQ finds permanent home for food truck
After shuttering his long-loved brick-and-mortar on Artesia Boulevard, pitmaster Robert Earl and his wife, LaTonya Cox, have found a new home to permanently park their food truck. Located at 6050 Atlantic Ave.—just across the street from the CVS—Robert’s mobile operation will be opened daily along with dinner specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Zarape to open in Belmont Shore in September
The West Hollywood-based taqueria, Zarape, owned by Oneismo Mendez, will open in September. The space will be “high-end but casual, not cheap but not outrageously expensive.” Zarape Long Beach will be taking over the former Rubio’s space at 2nd Street and Roycroft Avenue. While the fast casual Baja-inspired chain had a presence in the Shore for nearly two decades and its lease was technically running through to December, new leasing signs appeared in May luring in new tenants.
New owners take over Phở Hông Phát
New owners have taken over the much-loved Cambodian pho space Phở Hông Phát in Zaferia. And the space already feels and tastes different. After a massive renovation in 2020—A/C! Credit card acceptance!—Phở Hông Phát continued to be what it always was. A distinctly Cambodian interpretation of pho that was largely regarded as one of the best in the city. Much like Tito’s, which has never been the same since it changed ownership, Phở Hông Phát looks to be walking down a similar path. Let us hope not…
Broken Spirits owner to take over former Toma space in DTLB
Following the wage theft allegations that dominated the internet, Toma—from the former owner of Padre/Mezcalero—has sat empty. In fact, it has not seen life since the pandemic, when it was briefly Chef Jason Witzl of Ellie’s mariscos concept, Lupe’s. That is about to change: Isaias Hernandez of Broken Spirits Barbecue & Distillery (just across the street), will be taking over the space as Buon Provecho. While details are limited, it will be a space that focuses on “the food I grew up eating as a multi-generational Mexican-American.”
Look for the full feature in the coming weeks.
Bar Becky and ISM Brewing partner for beer dinner
Chef Johnathan Benvenuti and brewmaster Ian McCall have partnered to celebrate the latter’s birthday via a seven-course beer pairing dinner that is $75 per person. Yes, seven courses, all paired with beer.
Chile Verde on 7th Street permanent shutters; cafe coming soon
Welp, that was also fast: After the short-lived NFT-meets-crypto-meets-smash-burgers-carbon-copied-from-Trill-Burger-in-Texas concept Bored & Hungry shuttered to make way for the chain that is Chile Verde, the latter has permanently closed to make way for Mustard’s Caffe. (It is unclear whether this is in any relation to the massive Chicago brand or the Newport Beach cafe of the same name.) The ten-location Chile Verde chain, established in 1999 by immigrant Jose Bahena in Torrance, opened a little over a year ago. The only thing that held the space for any lengthy period is Louisiana Fried Chicken, which I think we can collectively say, we miss.
Crumbl’s first Long Beach location to open Aug. 22
After announcing over a year ago that Crumbl would be opening its first Long Beach location at the Marketplace complex at the southeast corner of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street, they are ready to open their pink boxes and doors. The space will officially open Aug. 22 at 9AM, with its formal celebration going until 11AM.
ICYMI: OC-Based events company 24 Carrots to take over Long Beach’s famed Petroleum Club
Employee-owned events venue company 24 Carrots has officially taken over the lease at the historic Petroleum Club in Bixby Knolls. The Grand—which took over the lease mid-pandemic amid a rocky footing—will be vacating the space within the coming weeks.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Chez Bacchus’s tequila dinner is proof of Long Beach’s upped game in paired dinners
Chez Bacchus is such an underrated space—that goes without saying. But their latest tequila dinner showcased something broader within the city.
It was further proof that reps are treating Long Beach as a distinct sector of its own, worthy of hosting with food and libations. And that our culinary scene is worthy of dinners that step outside of regular menus. It was further proof that such experiences inspire chefs to challenge themselves. And that our culinary scene is worthy of being partnered with stellar brands.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe: 8 chefs to partake in bracket-style competition
After announcing the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe, Bracket One sold out in one day.
