Photo of Long Beach Creamery’s Mermaid Ice Cream.
Welcome to Foodie Friday, our biweekly report on the latest neighborhood nosh and local libation news in Long Beach, where every other week we’ll feature what’s happening in the scene and the latest buzz in the blogosphere about the best places to eat, drink and be merry.
First Summer Saturdays Comes Out of the Gate Strong With Long Beach Beer Trolley and More
The first Summer Saturdays event in Bixby Knolls will kick off this Saturday from 3:00PM to 6:00PM with a joyously overwhelming amount of businesses participating, some even outside the usual First Fridays Atlantic Avenue stroll. “Mermaids & Sea Dragons” themed, attendees can ride The Beer Trolley with a Sweet Tooth and get picked up from a number of locations including SteelCraft, Liberation Brewing Co., The Merchant and more. There’s also a beer-making class at Dutch’s Brewhouse you can RSVP for in advance, Mermaid-themed ice cream from Long Beach Creamery, multiple pop-ups, a Blues Brunch and so much more. Check out the Facebook event page here for all the details.
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There’s still a couple days left of Negroni Week, launched in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine as a celebration of the campari, gin, vermouth cocktail and a way to raise money for charities worldwide. You’ll probably want to make a stop at Beer Belly, or any local bar for that matter, before the celebration ends on June 10, because their Smokey Rosebud Negroni looks like a craft cocktail masterpiece.
Sponsored by Casa Noble Tequila and featuring some of the finest tequilas and mezcals, on Sunday from noon to 6:00PM the 3rd Annual Long Beach Cumbia y Tequila Fest at Roxanne’s Cocktail Lounge & Latin Grill will have vendors selling custom, specialty products and artwork, delicious food, live bands, dance instruction, a Micho & Mary Michelada station, Agave Spirits and more. For tickets and more information, check out the Facebook event page here.
Turkish, Vietnamese, Mexican and Canadian Cuisine to Land at LBX Development this Year
Long Beach Exchange just announced today a slew of new eateries on their way to opening at The Hanger, the 16,800-square-foot enclosed section of the development paying homage to the site’s aviation history. Vietnamese food courtesy of Bite Mi, artfully fresh-brewed coffee from Portola Coffee Roasters, Turkish cuisine from DonerG’s, customizable gelato on a stick from Popbar and more will be arriving on a rolling basis come summer and early fall.
The 41-year-old Los Angeles Chinatown staple Yang Chow is headed to East Long Beach and should be open by the fall, according to Eater LA. Their 2932 Clark Avenue location of Yang Chow 2.0 is next to the new Steady Brew Beer Co. taproom at 2938 Clark Avenue, so expect to see buzzed guests meandering over for the slippery shrimp, Yang Chow’s sticky, sweet and crunchy menu item that has drawn guests to the restaurant for years.
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With a minor rebranding and the addition of a soft-serve ice cream menu, Do Good Donuts is now Do Good Donuts & Treats. The mini donutery now offers rotating ice cream flavors, one dairy option and one vegan option, paired with a selection of both vegan and regular toppings. In an effort to bring all her favorite “retro treats to Retro Row,” owner Tyler Lee also mentioned that guests can expect chocolate-dipped cones, and just in time for summer.
Long Beach Creamery will celebrate the grand opening of its downtown location on Tuesday, June 19 from 7:00PM to 10:00PM at 222 East Broadway. Little information has been released about what to expect from the actual celebration, however guests can always expect an edible surprise or two from always-creative owner Dina Amadril. For more info, check out the Facebook event page here.
Vegan fast food is on its way to Long Beach via Plant Power Fast Food, which opened its main location in San Diego two years ago, according to LongBeachize. Expect classic California fast food items, including milkshakes, chili cheese fries, hamburgers, buffalo chicken, sans animal products. The drive thru’s mission is to get more people enjoying vegan options, since it’s “obviously the wave of the future,” Vice President Zach Vouga told the local blog.
Businesses Replacing Spires Restaurant in East Long Beach Get Permits Approved for Drive Thru Lanes
A project to potentially add Starbucks and Jack In The Box drive thrus to the aging corner where Spires restaurant sits in East Long Beach, moved a step forward when the Long Beach planning commission voted 4-0 to approve conditional use permits to allow the installation of drive-through lanes at the location, Jason Ruiz reported.