Marathon Burger to open first Long Beach location on March 1

And things come full circle. Marathon Burger—birthed out of slain rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle’s estate—will be opening up its first Long Beach location on March 1. Where? Inside the former Johnny Rockets space in DTLB that closed back in July. And why is this a full circle moment? In fall 2024, Marathon Burger started as a pop-up in—you guessed it—Fairfax’s former Johnny Rockets space while they were building out their inaugural brick-and-mortar on Melrose.

Marathon Burger extends Nipsey’s entrepreneurial legacy through “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, Hussle’s brother, who appeared alongside Snoop Dogg’s son, Cordell Broadus, at this week’s State of the City to announce the opening date. Blacc leads the venture with their family and business partners, advancing what they describe as Hussle’s vision for The Marathon brand.

“Long Beach has been the easiest city to work with when it comes to opening one of our restaurants,” Blacc Sam said at the State of the City event. “I have to thank the Broadus family, who invested with us in this specific location. We are appreciative and honored to be opening March 1.”

What to expect food-wise from the first Long Beach location of Marathon Burger

At its core, Marathon Burger presents itself as comfort food elevated by quality ingredients. (A trend in the L.A. burger world with other brands that have moved into Long Beach: think The Win~Dow and StormBurger.) The signature “Marathon Burger” is a double Wagyu smash with grilled onions, house-made pickles, American cheese, Fresno peppers, and a tangy “secret sauce,” all served on toasted brioche. The menu also includes supporting offerings like organic hot wings, fried tail-on shrimp, salads with grilled vegetables…

If you’re not in a beef mood, Marathon also offers vegan options (made in-house) using ingredients like wild rice and potatoes as well as portabella burgers. And the fries get doused with solid seasoning—perfect for dipping to their milkshakes made with Thrifty ice cream, a nostalgic touch if their ever was one.

Beyond the food, Marathon Burger is as much about community and legacy as it is about burgers. The dining room features a striking portrait of Nipsey Hussle, transforming the space into a place of homage and gathering. With its opening, the brand takes a tangible step into hospitality. All the while they continue to honor Hussle’s ethos of ownership, uplift, and rootedness in the city he loved.

Marathon Burger’s first Long Beach location will be located at 245 Pine Ave.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Sept. 30, 2025; it has since been updated with more relevant information.