Thirsty Isle – Online Menu
4319 Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90808
(562) 421-3571 Closes at 2AM
If you ever find yourself around the intersection of Carson and Lakewood, you owe it to yourself to stop at the Thirsty Isle. This dive bar, though very unassuming on the outside, will greatly exceed your expectations. When you walk in the first thing that you will notice, after your eyes adjust to the complete absence of any natural light, is the long bar bathed instead with the red glow of the digital thermometer perched above, proudly displaying that the beer is pouring at a breathtaking 28°F. Step up to the bar and get yourself a beer and try not to stare too hard at the beautiful bartender.
As far as the beer goes, all the usual suspects are there, but they also have Blue Moon, Sierra Nevada Pale, New Castle, and PBR!!! Okay, so all the bars that I frequent serve PBR, and it is trashy beer, and so so Long Beach. On a side note, PBR has been disappearing from some of my favorite spots, such as Joe Jost’s, Quinn’s Pub, and a few others. Being the inquisitive people that we are, we found out that it was all because of a price dispute. Oh well, that’s just how it goes. Let’s get back to the Isle. The beers are served in a huge 34oz mug, and, oh man, the beer and glass are so cold that you get a beer slushy on top. So rad.
After you get your beer, find a place to sit at the picnic tables, set down your beer and start to study the menu on the wall. The food is out of this world. It is nothing fancy, healthy, or green but it is very, very good. The burgers come off this spectacularly aged griddle with tons of flavor and are complimented with fresh toppings. The bun is to die for and the grease drips from the paper. The last time that I was there I had a Bleu Cheese burger.  It had cheddar, bleu cheese, bacon, onions, and dressing all with a juicy, hot, delectable hamburger. Lord, you will just fall in love!  I have also plowed the pastrami and the grilled ham and cheese, and let’s not forget that you can also get fresh cut fries and onion rings. What more could you ask for from a local watering hole.
After you devour the burger, fries, and half of your buddy’s that he or she could not finish, get a few quarters and play some pool and hang out. The crowd of people is very friendly, and mostly regulars. You will have an adventure the first time you try to find the bathroom, and possibly the next time you make it to the bar. If you get a little tipsy just blow off whatever you were doing, get to the bar for another drink and call yourself a cab.
Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach
Cliv