Longbeachize

01/07/2026

It mirrors the beginning of what many expect will be a very dark 2026. And it is a sad reflection of Black-owned restaurant spaces dwindling even further into the shadows.

Sally Bevans, the owner of the beloved Sal’s Gumbo Shack, has decided to close her Bixby Knolls location. Her flagship North Long Beach shop, however, will remain open.

Sally Bevans, the owner of the beloved Sal's Gumbo Shack in Long Beach, has decided to close her Bixby Knolls location.

01/07/2026

There are some brutal quotes in here—but we certainly hope you take the time to read it, Long Beach.

2026 is going to be a very rough year for our casual restaurants, both affordable and mid-range. Expect more closures. Expect more cuts—in hours, in staff, on menus.

And it reflects a very fascinating trend: People have become so distrustful with what they spend their money on, they would rather get fast food or throw an entire paycheck toward a very, very expensive meal. And for mid-range restaurants, that means mediocrity is not an option and they must connect with patrons to garner their trust with their dollar.

Casual Long Beach restaurants are, well, going through it. And 2026 is going to be the most challenging year yet.

01/06/2026

It is now called Portico—formerly dubbed the Jefferson—in Downtown Long Beach. And, following the securing of a $150M loan in November of last year, Dallas- and SoCal-based JPI said it will break ground on its project this month.

It is now called Portico in DTLB—and thanks to the securing of a $150M loan, JPI said it will break ground this month.

01/06/2026

It is now called Portico—formerly dubbed the Jefferson—in Downtown Long Beach. And, following the securing of a $150M loan in November of last year, Dallas- and SoCal-based JPI said it will break ground on its project this month.

The project consists of 272 units of Class A for-rent apartments, including 16 affordable units, and 19,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space.

Wanna know more? Link in bio.

Renderings: JPI
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01/06/2026

As with each year, we have a list of restaurants and eateries that are expected to open, updating it across the year.

2025 was one of the roughest years for Long Beach restaurants, but it was also a genuinely good year for new spaces opening. Nearly 40 new food spaces opened across 2025.

This year, we are starting off with many already-knowns and some definite holdovers from previous years that are hoping to open.

Here are the Long Beach restaurants that are (hopefully) set to open in 2026, should the permitting and funding gods approve.

01/05/2026

The Long Beach Amphitheater will need $7.3M more to move forward—but it’s not all for bells and whistles but substantial needs like equipment and fixtures to make the venue competitive.

Add onto this projected earnings—especially during season two of the venue, which will be its first full calendar year of continuous operation—and private sponsorships, and the ROI is there.

The Long Beach Amphitheater is inching closer to reality—and, like most large civic projects, it’s bringing a bigger price tag along with it.

01/05/2026

The will need $7.3M more to move forward—but it’s not all for bells and whistles but substantial needs like equipment and fixtures to make the venue competitive.

Add onto this projected earnings—especially during season two of the venue, which will be its first full calendar year of continuous operation—and private sponsorships, and the ROI is there.

Wanna know more? Link in bio.

Renderings:
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01/01/2026

Ellie’s is extending their NYE dinner into 2026. And that is its (rather valuable) $55 four-course dinner (with a $30 wine pairing) available throughout the weekend.

Chef Jason Witzl and general manager Molly Sirody are inviting the community to celebrate the New Year, well, beyond the New Year.

01/01/2026

What an incredibly wild year—and across the 400-plus articles published in 2025, here were the most-read of the year.

From community members being returned home after being kidnapped from ICE to Joe Jost’s handing off the reins to a new owner, these are the stories that accumulated, well, a ton of views.

When it comes to cultural and urban happenings in the city, 2025 was a banner year—hence these incredible Long Beach stories.

12/31/2025

Going out for drinks? Or want a special drink that is non-alcoholic? Check out these spaces that made some of the best libations across Long Beach in 2025. (And yes, many will not be available because menus and seasons alter—but each establishment is worth visiting in their own right.)

2025 was an exception year for drinks—here are some of Long Beach's best, from cocktails and coffee to tea and sodas.

12/31/2025

The Long Beach food scene is continually worthy of uplift—and these incredible dishes from 2025 exemplified just that.

2025 could largely be considered a banner year for the Long Beach food scene. Here are the dishes that best exemplified that.

12/30/2025

Pretty big news, Long Beach: Longtime and much-loved Joe Jost’s owner Ken Buck—whose grandfather opened the 100-year-old beer bar back in 1924—is handing the reins to Long Beach native and former employee Jon Sweeney.

For the first time in its history, Joe Jost's founding family is parting ways to let Jon Sweeney take over as owner.