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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, is developing, or repeated news where you might have missed the full features.
Eat Fantastic construction finally sees a move forward
After it was announced in April of 2024 that Eat Fantastic would be taking over the diner at 4th Street and Junipero Avenue, and then formally shuttering the Golden Burger space in July of 2024, construction and activity have finally been seen after the place had been boarded up for months following its rebranding. The mini chain currently has seven locations across Arcadia, El Segundo, Lomita, Tustin, North Torrance, Norco, and yes, Long Beach already—making this its second one locally.
Ruta 15 now offers tacos de canasta
Courtesy of business.
The wonderful world of tacos de canasta, or “basket tacos.” While called tacos de canasta in Mexico City, other regions refer to them as tacos sudados—an unappealing translation of “sweated tacos”—tacos al vapor, or tacos mineros, referring to the miners who often brought the food for their lunch. These soft, moist tacos come with fillings you barely have to chew—and up to this point, the always-consistent Los Reyes del Tacos Sabroso was the only place one could get them.
Now, Ruta 15—the stellar mariscos space on 7th Street next to Taqueria Brand—offers them in a personal basket and all.
Knead scores permitting for Signal Hill location; moves forward on construction
After an announcement all the way back in July of 2024, Knead is quickly moving forward with construction at their soon-to-open Signal Hill location following permitting passage. Since opening in 2017, Knead Donut owners and father-and-daughter team Huey and Amy Behuynh have introduced Long Beach to not only its best donuts but the way in which the Cambodian community has influenced donut making region wide—and now, they are expanding their donut-shaped footprint by opening a fourth location in Signal Hill, following one in Cerritos and another near Pacific Coast Highway location at Clark.
The new location–taking over the former Chinese Combo space at 2160 E. Willow St.—is something the Behuyns couldn’t pass up.
The Ordinarie introduces $16 ‘quick lunch;’ executive chef quietly exits
The now former executive chef of The Ordinarie, Chef Nick DiEugenio, has quietly exited the space, leaving behind chef-driven menus that will now be a thing of the past as owner Christy Caldwell focuses on “healthier, pub-friendly fare.” To help drive more of this pub comfort, the restaurant has $16 quick lunch deals: a sandwich, a salad, and a soft drink. Options? Egg salad; tuna salad; ham and brie; B.L.A.T.; smash burger; chicken club wrap. Had the tuna salad and it wasn’t sweet and was nicely hearty—a definitive shift away from fries drenched in cheese and short rib (though you can very much still order those).
Al Hanoun Syrian Food opens in Southeast Wrigley
Al Hanoun Syrian Food—which has ‘Mediterranean food’ advertised on its menu to appeal to American audiences—has opened in Southeast Wrigley on Long Beach Boulevard at 25th Street. A fast-casual spot to score shawarma, kafta, and falafel, the far more interesting thing is that they sell everything from shish barek to kibbeh frozen so you can eat it at home. Many of my food group members say it is solid… Can’t wait to try it.
John’s diner on on Spring now open on Tuesdays
The much-loved, old-school diner that is John’s—which has multiple locations across SoCal; I grew up on the one in Palm Desert when my grandparents lived there—is now officially opoen seven days a week, opening on Tuesdays from 7AM to 3PM.
ICYMI: Long Beach bar O’Connell’s has been serving 4th Street for over 90 years
I had actually intended to write this last year but time and space put things on hold—but always for a reason: As thousands continue to deal with the devastation of the fires, this type of piece allows us to focus on the blessing it is to be where we are.
We aren’t having to heavily focus on losing our spatial history in this moment—which makes upholding and uplifting some of our oldest spaces all the more important. And in Long Beach, O’Connell’s was the first space to ever score a full and proper liquor license. Since, they’ve been heavily pouring for 4th Street for over 90 years.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: The Attic’s fully revamped menu proves the restaurant—once again—wants to shift the Long Beach food scene
Venison carpaccio. Duck pâté. Grilled sardines. Fried quail. Contemporary takes on classics like almondine.
For the first time in three years, The Attic on Broadway has revamped its entire menu head-to-toe. And with that, it brings some of Long Beach’s most exciting food in a world where comfort-seeking and familiarity rule the day. This is definitely Chef Cameron Slaugh flexing his ability to bounce between styles cohesively and challenge what our food scene could be on the regular.
For the full feature, click here.
ICYMI: With newly minted liquor license, Long Beach’s Chez Bacchus is complete
Chez Bacchus has long been an underrated gem in terms of food and wine. John Hansen, co-owner/sommelier and excellent human being, and Executive Chef Danny Kay essentially lead the restaurant.
But the one thing that has long been missing to allow more freedom with John’s love of hospitality? A proper bar serving proper cocktails. With a newly minted liquor license, that’s all about to change. And it happily, if not outright proudly, brings Chez Bacchus to a full-circle moment.
Click here to read the full article.
