Longbeachize

Tomas De Los Reyes, a bar industry vet with a hand in everything from cocktail competitions to bartenders’ guilds to the local party scene, has taken over the former Roundin’ 3rd space in Zaferia. And for him and his crew, it is still very much a place to watch a game. That matters to Tomas. For 13 years, the neighborhood supported a bar and kitchen built around sports, and he has no interest in asking its regulars to leave that history at the door.

Long before A&J Seafood Shack… Long before Frank’n’Fries… The little shack at the northeast corner of Obispo and Anaheim was Sliced & Diced. It was a beloved torta and sandwich shop that captured the hearts of many during its two-year tenure. For years, owners and spouses Amy Erikson and Griselda Suárez have heard the same question from people who remember their little purple sandwich shop: When can we eat your sandwiches again? On Tuesday, Sept.

After a tournament that began with eight of Long Beach’s strongest culinary talents, Chef Danny Le of Chez Bacchus has emerged as the winner of the second annual Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe. Chef Danny defeated Chef Jordan Domingo of the Slao steakhouse pop-up in the final round at Partake Collective in DTLB, earning the highest diner score and closing out a competition that spanned multiple weeks of head-to-head dinners.

Sake Day 2026 is upon us, Long Beach. Returning this Saturday, Oct. 17, to the grounds of the historic Rancho Los Cerritos, this adults-only, sake-centric festival is Long Beach’s most underrated. Homing in on the wonder that is sake—and no, it is not just the bitter, overheated sake you receive at AYCE joints. It brings one of the region’s defining experts, Greg Beck of Sake Secret. It also lets us connect with the deep ties he’s built on the island of the Rising Sun.

Olive & Rose earned the judges’ top prize while defending champion Lemongrass Khmer Grill remained the crowd favorite, taking home the people’s choice award at the second annual Burger Bash in Long Beach. Chef Johnathan Benvenuti of Bar Becky brought out the family for Burger Bash 2026. Photo by Brian Addison. Chef Johnathan Benvenuti of Bar Becky came in second in both the judges’ and people’s eyes.

My ongoing series, Long Beach Lost, examines buildings, spaces, and cultural happenings that have largely been erased, including the forgotten stories attached to existing places and things. This is not a preservationist series, but a historical one that will help preserve a record of our architectural, cultural, and spatial history. Editor’s note: This series first appeared on Longbeachize in 2017 and 2018; some articles have been syndicated, republished, updated, and/or altered.

Eight chefs became four. And now, after two evenings built around sustainability, the second annual Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe has its finalists. Chef Jordan Domingo of Slao defeated Chef César Sánchez of Ruta 15 on Monday, Sept. 7. The following evening, Chef Danny Le of Chez Bacchus narrowly defeated Chef Jessie Franco of Zuzu’s Petals in what was the tightest battle yet of the competition on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The semifinal field for the second annual Long Beach Grand Prix Fixe is officially set. Chef Jordan Domingo of Slao defeated Chef Yoya Takahashi of Homareya on Monday, Aug. 31. The following evening, Chef Jessie Franco of Zuzu’s Petals emerged victorious over Chef Erwin Angeles of Kihon. Their victories complete the opening bracket of this year’s competition, joining Chef César Sánchez of Ruta 15 and Chef Danny Le of Chez Bacchus in the semifinals on Monday, Sept. 7, and Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Chef Waldo Stout has officially moved Waldo’s Pizza beyond the pop-up world and into a permanent kitchen in Downtown Long Beach. Taking over Unit N inside the ghost-kitchen complex at 222 E. 10th St., Chef Waldo plans to soft open the new home of Waldo’s Pizza on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 4PM. It marks the first time his celebrated pizzeria has had a dedicated, full-time space—and another meaningful step toward the traditional neighborhood pizza shop he has long dreamed of opening.

Long Beach Greek Week will lead into the Long Beach Greek Festival 2026, as is Labor Day weekend tradition for over 75 years. The week—running from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4—will feature a slew of Greek- or Greek-American-owned restaurants with specials before leading up to the festival tradition. And the fest, you ask? You’ll smell it and hear it before you see it. Charcoal smoke curls into the sky. Music playing loudly. Lamb sizzling over open flames. People happily yelling over one another.