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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 or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Battambong BBQ joins the food lineup at Coachella
Chef Chad Phuong, the Cambodian Cowboy behind the wildly and rightfully successful Battambong BBQ, has another recognition to add to his belt after garnering both regional and national recognition: Battambong will be joining an elite group of food vendors at the Coachella festival that includes L.A. staples like Fatty Mart, Pies and Lows, Chris N Eddy’s, and more.
“I feel extremely honored to get to show case Battambong BBQ on a different level,” Phuong said. “Coachella was seeking new food vendors to keep their festival vibrant with an array of options—I feel so amazing to be able to represent Cambodian Americans and most importantly representing Long Beach as a whole.
“I hope I can make everyone proud by bringing Battambong BBQ to one of the biggest festivals in the world. People are coming from so many different parts of the country and many parts of the world—I hope they can taste what The Cambodian Cowboy is bringing to the table!.”
I assure you, Long Beach is beyond proud and we have little concern how you’ll represent—now show them festival goers what Long Beach barbecue is all about.
Small Cafe in Naples permanently closes out of nowhere
The Small Cafe, Naples’s casual diner space that offered quality American grub, has permanently shuttered out of nowhere. After revamping in 2021, the tiny-but-mighty space had garnered a loyal following with its new owners and amped up kitchen. Speculation lays on the landlord, in which neighbors claim they have been pushing out existing tenants across the years since Rite Aid left in the hopes to attract larger, more affluent leases; these claims have not been verified.
UPDATE (Apr. 5): Supposedly new owners have decided to take over the space.
Beach Hut Deli’s first Long Beach location officially opens
Time to get your Dutch crunch on: Beach Hut Deli is officially open in Long Beach. Since opening near Folsom Lake in 1981, Beach Hut Deli has expanded to over 40 locations across California (and now Arizona and Nevada)—and, as it was announced in July of 2023, its first Long Beach location at the 180 E. Ocean building, currently home to Ruth’s Chris. Think higher-quality Jimmy John’s and Jersey Mike’s (both of which have existing locations in DTLB and definitive controversies) with beer.
Primal Alchemy
Catering maestros Chef Paul and Dana Buchanan of Primal Alchemy will be hosting a seven-course brunch by the marina at Alamitos Bay. For tickets, click here.
Chinese Combo, Subway abruptly close in Signal Hill to make way for Panda Express
Both Subway and Chinese Combo—staples for the Costco and Home Depot employees in the same property—abruptly closed with signs saying they were unable to negotiate with their landlord (a tale that is disturbingly more and more common). It raises eyebrows considering Panda Express is moving into the former Fish-O-Licious in the very same property.
Welp, more business for Chinese Gourmet across the way…
Mariscos joint Ruta 15 opens inside La Taqueria Brand
A new mariscos spot, which includes vegan options, will open inside La Taqueria Brand under the name of Ruta 15. It offers “a wide variety of ceviche dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds” that include “their signature ceviche dishes, such as the classic shrimp ceviche or the tangy octopus ceviche.”
ICYMI: Remix rebrands to Bar Becky—and the food is amazing
The idea was, initially, a test run: Chef Ross Pangilinan of Remix would relinquish the reins to his first restaurant outside of Orange County in order to let “Hell’s Kitchen” runner-up Chef Johnathan Benvenuti use the space as a popup under the brand Bar Becky—and should it prove fruitful, it would become a permanently rebranding of the space.
That permanent rebranding has officially happened, with Bar Becky having its first formal service this Friday, April 5—and should Benvenuti’s future menus be as thoroughly playful as his inaugural one, Bar Becky is sure to be a place that is not only needed in East Long Beach but beyond deserving of it.
ICYMI: ‘Cambodian Cowboy’ to lead Cambodian New Year in Long Beach across three days; ends with food festival
Speaking of the Cambodian Cowboy earlier, he’ll also be hosting his annual celebration of the Cambodian New Year in Long Beach: Across three days beginning on Friday, April 5 at Ten Mile Brewing, he will host a variety of events that culminate with a food festival at Trademark Brewing that will be hosting some of the city’s best representation of Cambodian and Cambodian-American entrepreneurs and food creators.C
