The Prospector Family Restaurant and Bar
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 438-3839
Originally Published 5-18-2010 | The Prospector, located at the corner of 7th and Junipero, is one of my absolute favorite places in Long Beach. I have been a frequent patron of this establishment since 2002, when they used to run a coupon for two full four-course meals for $10.99. Man, those were the days. We would roll in there with 15 people, drink a carafe of their finest house red, plow a hardy meal, and then wipe our feet on the way out. Things have changed a bit since then, with a remodeled interior that abolished the funky dropped ceiling in the bar and cleaned up the dining room. But enough reminiscing; let’s get to the meat of the article.
The Prospector has been a mainstay in the LBC since 1965. To go along with its name, it sports a gold rush theme that has recently been updated and refreshed. The bar is one of the best in the city, serving beer, cocktails, and wine. While beer and wine are poured into the glass as is, with little variation from place to place, cocktails are a different story entirely. The Prospector does one of the best jobs of any bar I’ve frequented in this department. The bartenders are trained to pour a real drink where you can taste the booze and not just the mixer. I am a Jack and Coke or 7 and Seven drinker in most situations, and sometimes it takes the first sip to remember which one I ordered because they tend to be about the same color at the Prospector. Their liberally poured libations come in handy on Wednesday and Friday nights, when karaoke takes over the lounge area and liquid courage rules the room.
The restaurant is just as good as the bar and is always inviting with open tables and a waitress ready to serve you. The food is good old home cookin’ just like your grandmother used to make. If you roll in there for lunch you can sit in the bar or the restaurant and eat many of the lunchy things on the menu. There are the excellent bar burgers and a slew of sandwiches, but my favorite is the Prospector Sandwich. It consists of thin cut prime rib that just melts in your mouth, Swiss cheese and great big piece of Ortega Chili. This comes with a side of fries and your choice of salad or soup. I like to get the salad because I love Blue Cheese dressing and theirs is fantastic.
Dinner at the Prospector is not only delicious and filling but it is also a great deal. All of the dinners come with a relish tray to start and this is not some subpar plate of veggies. You get celery, carrots, green onions, pickles, radishes, pepperoncinis, and tomato peppers. All of the veggies are fresh and give you something to munch on as you go through the menu. If you don’t know where to start, I would direct you towards the daily specials, which are tasty and well proportioned, not to mention well priced. Some of my favorites are the Roast Pork and Dressing, the Top Sirloin steak, and the Yankee Pot Roast. The pork is very tender and juicy and the dressing is heavenly homemade stuffing that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The Thursday night Top Sirloin is an amazing deal; the steak is cooked to perfection and whichever potato side you choose is sure to please. Also, don’t forget that whichever dinner special you choose comes with soup and salad, a piece of Prospector Toast, and a pudding cup to finish it all off. For $10-$15 there is really no better deal in the city.
Next time you are looking for somewhere to have lunch or dinner, or just a cool bar to hang out with great people, check out the Prospector on 7th and Junipero. Come on in, let your eyes adjust to the dim light and either belly up to the bar or take a seat in the restaurant. I promise you that you will enjoy a tasty meal, remarkable drinks and a reasonable check. If you get a chance, say hello to the owner Louie and tell him that his good friends at LB Food Review sent you.
Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach,
Cliv