One of Long Beach’s best, Bar Becky, to host last dinner service on July 25

For many, Bar Becky was simply one of Long Beach’s best restaurants. But for those who closely followed Chef Johnathan Benvenuti’s journey, it represented something much deeper: Proof that fiercely personal, chef-driven food can create community, connection, and culinary exploration.

That chapter will come to a close on July 25, when Bar Becky serves its final dinner service at Long Beach Exchange.

In a heartfelt statement, Chef Johnathan and his brother and general manager, Anthony, said the decision stemmed not from a lack of passion or community support. Rather, it was from ongoing struggles with their landlord and the realities of their lease agreement.

“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that Bar Becky will no longer be operating the Long Beach Exchange,” the brothers wrote. “We fought the good fight and unfortunately have come to some struggles with the landlords and the current rent agreement.”

For Long Beach, it is another sobering reminder of just how difficult it has become to operate an independent restaurant—even one regarded as among the city’s finest.

Bar Becky became one of Long Beach’s best—and most personal—restaurants

From the moment Bar Becky debuted, it stood apart because it was never simply about serving elevated Italian-American food. The restaurant was built as a tribute to the Benvenuti brothers’ mother, Becky, whose recipes, traditions, and lessons formed the backbone of Chef Johnathan’s culinary identity. Signature dishes—from the now-famous Mom’s Carrots to scratch-made focaccia, handmade pasta and constantly evolving seasonal plates—were less menu items than living family stories.

That emotional connection—his food has and continues to ooze nostalgia while remaining firmly contemporary—permeated every aspect of the restaurant.

“To our mother, we did it, Mom,” the brothers said. “Every single night, we cooked your food, and we told your story, and those carrots will live on forever. We were two little boys in the kitchen learning from you, and we turned that into something special. To continue your legacy and share it with this wonderful community is something we will cherish forever.”

The result was a restaurant that felt deeply human. Guests weren’t simply eating dinner—they were stepping into a family’s history.

The uphill battle of operating at Long Beach Exchange for Bar Becky

Ironically, Bar Becky appeared to be finding its strongest identity just months before announcing its closure.

After evolving from its original pop-up concept, Chef Johnathan had grown increasingly confident in cooking exactly the food he wanted, rather than compromising to satisfy the expectations of a shopping-center audience. He embraced more seasonal menus, expanded collaborations with fellow chefs and rising pop-up stars, introduced an acclaimed chef’s counter experience, and built a fiercely loyal following.

But that artistic confidence could not erase the business realities.

Chef Johnathan has spoken candidly over the past year about the challenges of operating within Long Beach Exchange. High occupancy costs. Inconsistent foot traffic. Landlord frustrations. And the constant pressure to make a chef-driven concept fit an environment where diners often sought something more casual or convenient.

Those pressures ultimately became insurmountable.

The Benvenutis’ statement also acknowledges a truth many independent restaurateurs have quietly endured in recent years.

“To the industry as a whole, we feel your pain,” they wrote. “We know what you’re going through and how some of you suffer in silence. We have been hit hard lately. But what we’ve shown—Long Beach in particular—is that we won’t give up. We ask that everyone go out and support their local eateries. Talk to the staff. Make a connection. And fuck those chain restaurants and corporate bullshit.”

It’s a sentiment that has become increasingly familiar across SoCal as rising rents, inflation, labor costs, and shifting consumer habits continue to squeeze independent operators, while national chains often weather those pressures more comfortably.

A restaurant that helped shape Long Beach’s contemporary food identity—and attitude

Bar Becky arrived during a pivotal moment for Long Beach’s culinary evolution.

The city has increasingly become known for chefs willing to collaborate rather than compete. And Chef Johnathan—much like Chef Carlos Jurado over at Selva—emerged as one of the movement’s strongest ambassadors. Whether mentoring younger cooks, inviting guest chefs into his kitchen, collaborating with pop-ups, or even recently helping revitalize The Breakfast Bar’s menu, he consistently viewed Long Beach’s success as a shared endeavor rather than an individual pursuit.

That philosophy elevated Bar Becky beyond being simply another restaurant.

It became a gathering place for cooks, hospitality workers, and diners who wanted to experience food that reflected genuine creativity rather than market trends. The restaurant proved that Long Beach could support ambitious tasting menus one night, nostalgic comfort food the next, and chef collaborations throughout the year—all while maintaining a deeply local identity.

This is not the end of Bar Becky in Long Beach.

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the Benvenutis’ announcement is that they refuse to treat this as a farewell.

“This is not the end for us—not even close,” they wrote. “We aren’t sure what the future holds, but we are sure we’re going to continue to push. We’re gonna push harder than ever and we’re gonna continue to chase our dreams.”

That determination may ultimately become Bar Becky’s greatest legacy. Restaurants close. Spaces disappear. But chefs who fundamentally reshape how a city thinks about food often find another kitchen. Another concept. And, most importantly, another opportunity.

Long Beach has invested in Chef Johnathan and the Bar Becky family just as much as he has invested right back. Judging by his words, that relationship is clearly far from over.

Until then, the Benvenutis have one final request: “Please continue to come out and show support because we’re not even close to done; just done at the Long Beach Exchange.”

For a restaurant that spent every service telling a family’s story, it seems only fitting that its final chapter should be written with a full dining room—filled, as the brothers hope, with laughter, great cocktails and one last opportunity to celebrate everything Bar Becky gave to Long Beach.

Bar Becky is located at 3860 Worsham Ave.