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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.
Republic of Pie shutters in Belmont Shore
Less than a year after opening in Belmont Shore last summer, Republic of Pie will close its doors. Owner Marisa Cho is facing personal health issues and will have to gear her focus solely on her famed North Hollywood location. Word on the street? Thai food is moving into the space.
Poke chain Sweetfin closes its first Belmont Shore location
Speaking of closures in the Shore, Sweetfin—the poke chain that marked 20 locations when its opened its Long Beach store in 2023—is permanently shuttered. Serving out of the Daisy ghost kitchen for two years before getting a brick-and-mortar, the poke space joined a full array of other poke places across Long Beach. Literally down the street was Poke Pola and then, throughout Long Beach, Poke Pub, Poke Bar, Ahipoki Bowl, Poke Company, Poke and More…
Nonna Mercato installs patio coverage; prepares for summer dinner nights
Nonna Mercato has installed a new patio cover that will offer heaters on cold days and nights, creating a slicker, more modern look to their outdoor dining space. Even better? Chef Cameron Slaugh’s “Summer Nights” dinners begin on June 20 and run though September 20, every Friday and Saturday. Summer nights is their $55 four-course prix fixe menu dinner—and if last year’s stellar offerings were any indication, this will definitely will be one of the most sought after summer affairs.
Raising Cane’s to potentially take over former El Torito space in Cal Heights
Prepare for the war of the chicken chains: Raising Cane’s is set to potentially open another Long Beach location in the former El Torito space at 3301 Atlantic Ave. The space has sat empty since March of last year—and with Raising Cane’s incoming, will provide some pollo-centric humor given Chik-Fil-A is literally across the street.
Mink Quan Thai permanently shutters on Anaheim
After decades of serving the Long Beach community, Mink Quan Thai has permanently closed.
In a post on the Long Beach Food Scene, longtime patron Danny Zurita wrote, “I remember the golden age of dining inside, golden chandelier lights, and a long line waiting for an open table. This place was my mom’s go-to spot for craving food while she was pregnant with my brother, so, of course, we went there often enough that the staff recognized my family. Now he’s 14 and would devour an entire beef salad by himself. We would regularly order take-out before the closing. So many memories and amazing food.”
California Turkish Festival returns to DTLB
Prepare for Turkish food, vibrant music, and cultural performances as the California Turkish Festival invades Shoreline Aquatic Park on Sunday, June 1 from 11AM to 5PM. Per the organizer, “Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Turkiye right here in Long Beach. Taste traditional dishes like kebabs and baklava, shop for unique crafts at the bazaar, and enjoy live music and dance performances throughout the day. Whether you’re a fan of Turkish culture or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this exciting event celebrating the best of Turkiye.”
The event is free but RSVP is required; click here to reserve your spot.
Tokyo Noir to collaborate with Wolf & Crane
Suntory Global Spirits continues its “east meets west” approach: After opening its U.K. arm earlier this year, the conglomerate is homing in on various ways to introduce its portfolio to audiences in hyper-intimate settings—including bar takeovers. Little Tokyo’s much-loved Wolf & Crane will bring Marie, one of their most well-known bartenders, into Long Beach’s Tokyo Noir.
After closing earlier this year, Chinito’s Tacos to return for residency
After a rightfully saddening closure earlier this year, Chef Beeline Krouch is returning for a special residency inside their former space starting today at 4PM.
ICYMI: CoffeeDrunk—Long Beach’s continually expanding shop—offers a lesson in ambition, community centeredness
An ube coffee collab between CoffeeDrunk and Gemmae? Yes and yes, Long Beach. And it is but one small example in how CoffeeDrunk and owners Matthew and Breezy church have used collaboration, connection, and community to expand. Proud of Long Beach’s rich culture, they’ll be opening up their first out-of-LB shop in Phoenix, where Arizonans will see that we are our own city beyond the shadow of L.A.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: Our Spot continues to offer Long Beach’s most imaginative coffee with Liv’s residency
I am, admittedly, completley obsessed.
The upcoming “Retro Romp” in Bixby Knolls on Sunday, June 1, from noon to 4PM is many things. Fundraiser. Bar crawl. Celebration of restaurants. Celebration of the beauty (and humor) of aging. But most of all, at its root, it’s the absurdity of putting on a costume, giddily grandma-ing it out. Think Mrs. Roper. Think of the old man yelling at the clouds.
In other words: Go all in on the Grandmacore.
ICYMI: Favorite things I’m eating right now in Long Beach: May 2025
From steak tartare sandwiches and ube coffee drinks to a damn near perfect sausage’n’mushroom pizza and one of my favorite Cambodian appetizers, here are my favorite things I ate and drank across Long Beach.
