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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.
Hartland’s scores beer and wine
The one-of-a-kind space inside 1900 Ocean will now make its oceanfront view even better somehow: You can now sip on beer and wine while mowing through one of their delectable sandwiches or burgers or salads or breakfast items for you early day drinkers.
Appu’s Cafe shutters original Woodruff location until Jan. 1
Appu’s Cafe—which opened its formal, stand-alone brick-and-mortar on Palo Verde in 2023—will shutter its Woodruff Avenue location (inside the medical complex on the first floor) for some repairs and maintenance, opening in January of next year.
Panda Garden to close this week
The day before Thanksgiving—Wednesday, Nov. 27—will serve as the last day of service at Panda Garden. A long-loved for the Bixby Knolls community for over two decades, the fast-casual Chinese-American space was a lunchtime staple and take-out haven for many.
Crab Shack to close Promenade location
The Crab Shack location on The Promenade shuttered quietly with a note on its door thanking customers. It also redirected them to its other location less than a mile away on Broadway—which probably explains the lack of interest in its Promenade location.
Former Padre/Mezcalero building prepped for demolition
The space that formerly hosted Padre and Mezcalero has now been entirely stripped of its greenery as crews make way for demolition. The space has long been entitled for a residential building that would require the entire removal of the Spanish revival building—though when that would exactly happen remained unclear until now.
R&B Tea permanently closes its Belmont Shore location
Opening in late 2021, R&B Tea has permanently shuttered its Belmont Shore location. It comes amid a boba boom across the city: Krak Soda opened earlier this month, followed previously by Gong Cha, Hechalou, Moge Tea, Hiccups, Meet Up Boba Teahouse and Café…
Geeko Kitchen expands menu
Geeko Chicken—often called Mr. G’s Korean fried chicken by regulars—opened inside Champ’s Deli in Signal Hill this past February, offering patrons the ability to score a hot pastrami sub alongside a side of fried wings. Good ol’ plain, buffalo, lemon pepper, Korean sweet’n’spicy, honey soy, BBQ, and citrus spice are the flavors being offered, along with kimbap and topokki. Now, they have expanded their menu with more Korean offerings, including kimchi fried rice, kimchi ramyun, japchae, and yuk gave jang.
ICYMI: Long Beach restaurants open on Thanksgiving for those that work, can’t make it happen in the kitchen, or just need a break
Last year, I created this list—and it was so useful to many that I updated and will do so each year. With so many weird lists out there that have outright wrong or awkward information, here is a list of Long Beach restaurants open for dine-in on Thanksgiving that’s actually useful. There are hours, costs, phone numbers, and links to menus and reservations. It’s simple and easy.
And yes, there is a Thanksgiving brunch and dinner on a boat cruise through the harbor.
This list is continually updated as restaurants inform me they are open.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Sky Room: The refined rebirth of a Long Beach culinary and cultural legend
Sky Room—one of two restaurants in the newly minted Fairmont Breakers hotel and spa in Downtown Long Beach—has returned to the eager palates of Long Beach residents and visitors of the past alike. And with it brings something genuinely special and not often seen: A refined rebirth of a space that, at one point, defined that exact refinement for Long Beach.
Exceptionally elegant as it is unquestionably unfussy. Astoundingly accessible for what it is and represents (despite obvious luxuries like the $270 Tsar Nikolai reserve caviar and a $165 California wagyu beef Wellington). Superb service with a staff clearly on its A game. Classily classic and old-school in all the right ways.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Caffeinated’n’sweet: These Long Beach coffee shops and bakeries are open on Thanksgiving
There is no question: Long Beach is home to one of the richest coffee scenes in the region and is amid an outright baking renaissance when it comes to breads, pastries, and pies. And while it would be ideal that every single person in the country either has this holiday off or can spend it with family, the blunt reality is that that isn’t true. Some are disconnected from family. Many are working, be it remotely or through the service industry. And even more are searching for places to get caffeinated or sweetened up before the holiday begins.
Here are the Long Beach coffee shops and bakeries open on Thanksgiving Day.
