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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.
Owner of popular Anaheim sports bar to take over former JP23 space
AJ Parmar, the owner of Anaheim’s popular sports bar Lopez & Lefty’s, has partnered with new investors to take over the massive second-story space at 110 E. Broadway in Downtown Long Beach. As of now, details are slim and it is not certain if Long Beach will be getting its own Lopez & Lefty’s. (Idyllic Bars Inc. owns Lopez & Lefty’s while the applicant on the JP23 space is Elevate Hospitality Group, LLC.)
JP23 was a bar and club that was blocked from operating in 2022 after officials said it repeatedly violated city rules by hosting parties and opening without required permits. Their attempt to reaffirm their business license was blocked in 2023, permanently barring the business from returning.
Madres Brunch patio takes shape as it moves into former LB Taco Co. space
The Long Beach Taco Company has been formally taken over by Madres Brunch, an Insta-centric breakfast and brunch destination with five locations across SoCal. The patio has been repainted to reflect the brand’s signature black and magenta color scheme while the inside continues to be gutted and shifted into the new space.
BMore Protein Pub permanently closes
BMore Protein Pub, the tiny-but-mighty space at the bottom of The Current residential tower in DTLB at the northwest corner of Ocean Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue, has permanently shuttered. However, owner Rodrigo Ignacio—the affable, always-good-vibes owner who manages to remember nearly every customer’s name and previous orders—had his business named one of the best in the nation by Yelp! last year.
Kamal Palace closed for renovation
Longtime Indian staple Kamal Palace has closed temporarily to make way for renovations. The spruce-up of the space is likely much needed since the space opened up over 30 years ago. Let’s just say we can’t wait to see the update.
Alli Kaphiy opens in former Cal Heights space
Alli Kaphiy, the Peruvian cuisine-meets-sandwich shop announced in August, has officialy opened under the tutelage of Chef Karla Flores. The name of the space means “great coffee” in Quechua, an Incan language indigenous to Peru. According to Jacob Sisneros, the place serves coffee, as well as a “range of Peruvian food including ceviche, burgers and four different sandwiches. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, including the bread for the sandwiches and ají.”
ICYMI: The $100 bagel and $85 calzone: Redefining (and questioning) luxury food in Long Beach
Yes, in Long Beach in 2024, there exists a $100 bagel and a calzone costing you $85. Each have riled up folks for different reasons.
Each item shares some sticker shock value for many. However, the push behind them comes from different perspectives, purposes, and philosophies. Ultimately, it forces a more extensive discussion about the evolution of Long Beach’s food scene, its influx of new patronage with much more coin, and the fact that plenty of people are willing to spend hefty amounts of money on things as earthly as food.
Click here to read Brian Addison’s full feature.
ICYMI: SnoCorner Halloween beignets: The cutest spooky eats in Long Beach
Three words: SnoCorner Halloween beignets.
Oh yes, Cronies, SnoCorner owner Ashley Monconduit—our finest purveyor of New Orleans sweets—has taken her locally famous beignets to the dark depths of utterly horrifying… Cuteness.
Click here to read Brian Addison’s full feature.
ICYMI: ISM Brewing and the return of pub food: Scotch, pickled, and deviled egg offerings rock
I cannot tell you how obsessed I am with ISM Brewing’s egg offerings. Pickled eggs that definitively rival the best. Deviled eggs that definitively rival the best. Scotch eggs that definitively rival the best. And a _deviled_ Scotch egg that is the best new shareable in the city.
With a beer? Absolute salt’n’hops bliss.
For Brian Addison’s full feature, click here.
Editor’s note: Yes, indeed, this piece called Kamal Palace, well, “Kamala” Palace. That is clearly wrong. But can we agree she deserves this little slice of Indian awesomeness? I would say so.
