Welcome to Foodie Fridays, our report on the latest neighborhood nosh and local libation news in Long Beach. Every other week we feature what’s happening in the scene and the latest buzz in the blogosphere about the best places to eat, drink and be merry.
On Friday, a pair of three-day food festivals, the World Forum on Mexican Gastronomy at the Museum of Latin American Art and the Long Beach Barbecue Fest at Rainbow Lagoon Park will kick off in Downtown Long Beach. Check out our list of things to do this weekend for more information.
10 things to do in Long Beach starting Friday and this weekend
This Saturday head to coffee bar Kuarto for a pop-up by Gusto Bread for conchas and other staples from the Long Beach-based cottage bread maker. The pop-up runs from 10 a.m. to noon at 272 Redondo Ave. Learn more about Gusto Bread here and Kuarto here.
The words vegan and convenient are rarely associated with each other, but a vegan couple in Long Beach are attempting to change that by making eating vegan and vegetarian a streamlined practice with their new delivery service, InstaVegan. The service delivers food from local vegan restaurants straight to your door in less than an hour, according to the site. Learn more about the company here.
Table 301 in Downtown Long Beach sure looks pretty—but falls (very) short on a massive menu
The only festival in the city to feature Long Beach brewers and breweries, Craft Beer LB Fest organizers announced this week that the 2018 iteration will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rancho Los Cerritos. Several breweries will be returning from last year’s inaugural event, including Dutch’s Brewhouse, Long Beach Beer Lab and Timeless Pints, with newcomers Ambitious Ales, Trademark Brewing and Steady Beer Brew Co. set to attend. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the historic Rancho to continue preservation work. For tickets and more info, check out the website here.
The Harbor, Chris Krajacic’s (Pier 76) latest venture located at 130 Pine Ave., is officially open for business. Play skee-ball, shuffleboard and more while sipping on some of the best-tasting cocktails in the Downtown area and choose items from a menu featuring “a mix of contemporary grub with hints of comfort.”
Using recipes from his family’s hometown in Merida, Yucatan, Jorge Medina, or “Georgie Boy” as he’s known, has launched Beach Bum Tacos in Long Beach. For now it’s a cottage business, with Medina and his wife Sandy slinging out what they call “Yucatan Mayan Fusion” tacos from their home kitchen—supervised by Mother Terry, where the recipes originate. Medina says they’re planning on popping up at local farmer markets in the near future, but for now you can get tacos delivered through Maritime Bicycle Courier on weekends.
Ike’s takes the Long Beach sandwich scene to the heavyweights (including tons of vegan options)
On Thursday, Aug. 23, Lola’s Mexican Cuisine will host its monthly Agave Night featuring select tequila purveyor, Suerte. Guests can enjoy Tequila Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and light fare for $30 a person. You can find Lola’s Retro Row restaurant at 2030 E. Fourth St. And make sure to reserve your spot ahead of time by calling 562-343-5506. Learn more about Lola’s here.
Cuppa Cuppa, the coffee shop that opened in the historic Cooper Arms building on Ocean Boulevard almost two years ago, announced that it will soon be adding more than 20 breakfast and lunch items to their food menu, on top of their vegan and gluten-free offerings. On Saturday, Aug. 25, all are invited to sample the items for breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cuppa Cuppa is located at 455 E. Ocean Blvd.