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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.
El Barrio Cantina makes Top 10 in LA TACO’s list of Best Mexican Restaurants
El Barrio Cantina, the 4th Street space that is constantly pushing Long Beach’s interpreation of Mexican cuisine, made it into the Top 10 of LA TACO’s best 43 Mexican restaurants across the region.
“This ain’t a traditional Mexican restaurant—it’s part nightclub come weekends, part agave bar, and full cantina,” they wrote. “With chicharrón de salmon, the best tacos de papa in the universe, cauliflower esquite, and pretty much an entire menu dedicated to Mexican drinking snacks.”
Speaking of LA TACO…
ISM Brewing partners with LA TACO for West Coast pils
Master brewer and ISM Brewing owner Ian McCall has partnered with local publication LA TACO for a West Coast Pils dubbed “Deadliner.” (A nice little ode to journalist’s many deadlines, FYI.) The launch party takes place on Sept. 27 from 5 PM until close at ISM Brewing, located at 210 E. 3rd St. There will be a special menu collaboration with Sonoratown and original neo-cumbia music with El Keamo.
Los Trompos Taqueria moving into former Dickey’s BBQ space in DTLB.
Little is known about Los Trompos Taqueria, whose corporate headquarters head out of Downey after being created earlier this year. It will move into the former’s Dickie’s Barbecue Pit space after it was unable to be sold to a buyer back in 2024. The middling barbecue chain that franchises out its location opened its first Long Beach location in 2017 when the Gallery 421 residential complex began leasing its commercial spaces quickly, with Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, and eventually Panini Kabob Grill all moving into the space.
Speaking of tacos…
Taqueria el Chivito opens in DTLB.
El Chivito, a tiny taqueria off Long Beach Boulevard and 9th Street, has officially opened. Their focus? Dasayuno–from machaca to chilaquiles—and birria de chivo, or goat birria (which is the more traditional way of serving birria).
Aloha Stacks to open at Marina Market Place
Aloha Stacks, the family-owned brunch and Hawaiian-inspired eatery, is opening its first location at 6507 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. inside the Marina Market Place. And yes, it will be bringing their much-loved ube pancakes with them. It first opened its doors in Dana Point in 2010. Founded by Nixon and Ovita Tanuwidjaja, the restaurant reflects their love for Hawaiian food and culture, aiming to bring the “Aloha spirit”—warmth, care, and respect—into each guest’s experience. Since its founding, Aloha Stacks has expanded to a dozen locations, with formerly announced plans to grow outside Orange County now officially confirmed.
Fuego at Hotel Maya to host tequila party on the bay with Cristalino
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.
ICYMI: Buen Provecho, from the operators of Broken Spirits, to debut in Downtown Long Beach
I have your first at Buen Provecho, the space taking over the former Toma/Lupe’s space at 3rd Street and Promenade in Downtown Long Beach. And it is gearing up to open its doors for the first time. It’s a slight melding of Latino American cultures: Largely Mexican. A handful of Puerto Rican and other influences. Buen Provecho aims for one thing: To highlight the Latino influence on SoCal culture, life, and food.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Michael’s on Naples to close following sale to Bacari chain; last day of service this month
Massive bummer. Michael’s on Naples, the Italian restaurant that redefined Long Beach cuisine, will have its last day of service on Sept. 30. This follows its sale to Bacari, a growing chain based out of Los Angeles, and marks one of the biggest losses of a legacy restaurant in well over a decade.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Chef Maxwell Pfeiffer of Sky Room wins second round of Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe
Chef Maxwell Pfeiffer of Sky Room beat Chef Waldo Stout of Due Fiori in the second round of the first bracket of the Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe. With two utterly opposing menus, this was a first-class look into the culinary talent brewing here in Long Beach.
