Open Sesame
5215 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803
“The restaurant had garlic bread that was really delicious.” – Mia Grayson, Junior
Of the many delicious restaurants on Second Street, Open Sesame is easily a contender for one of the best. The restaurant even had to open another location on Second Street to deal with the popular demand for their authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. The eclectic style of the restaurant and the large portions of lamb and pita they give you makes it feel like you are eating an amazing home-cooked meal. So, the next time you take a leisurely stroll down Second Street and cannot decide on what to eat, remember that Open Sesame never fails to satisfy your appetite.
Number Nine
2118 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA, 90814
“It had a fun environment and good food. I really liked its hollow halls.” – Theo Lee, Freshman
If you want to eat great Vietnamese soup in a hip area, check out Number Nine. Located on Fourth Street, the restaurant is a haven for hipsters who are scouting out for another Instagram opportunity. Do not be worried, though; their food lives up to the hype. The most popular dish is their pho, served in a variety of ways. The meat comes to your table raw, and you watch it cook right before your eyes. They are also known for their tofu vermicelli and shrimp spring rolls. After you watch the latest indie at the Art Theatre, walk down the street to taste what Number Nine has to offer.
Portfolio Coffeehouse
2300 East Fourth Street Long Beach, CA 90814
“The atmosphere there is really nice and light-hearted; it’s a casual area where workers are very welcoming.” – Lauren Temple, Senior
If you are looking for another productive place to study for that final, look no further than Portfolio Coffeehouse located on Fourth Street. Though there are appetizing menu options offered daily, the place specializes in coffee provided by Illy, a premier Italian coffee roasting company. If you are feeling decadent, try getting a nice pastry or a scoop of ice cream to go along with your cappuccino. For Poly students, Portfolio is an area of comfort, where students can have a snack and chat with friends, or study in a spacious place.
Viento y Agua
4007 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
“The place is really big. Overall, I think it has a cool atmosphere and nice feel to it.”- Kelsey Sry
Abstract art, open mic nights, and chunky monkeys. What wouldn’t you love about this coffeehouse? Not only does Viento y Agua serve some of the best coffee, smoothies, and sandwiches in Long Beach, but it features work by up-and-coming local artists. If you’re lucky, you can also catch an open-mic night, where talented musicians gather together to share their music and inspire those present. If you are in the mood to have a non-Starbucks frappucino, Viento y Agua is the spot for you.
Berlin Bistro
420 E. 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
“It was a cute and modern restaurant; how could anyone not love it?” – Fiona O’Leary
As a neighboring eatery to Fingerprints, the local music mecca of Long Beach, Berlin Coffeehouse offers Fourth Street wanderers a quaint place to sit and sip after a long search for the perfect vinyl album. Berlin serves a variety of coffees and teas, but it is most reputable for its food options. Snack on their sweet potato fries, or if you are willing to splurge, try ordering their Ahi Tuna Burger. It is a perfect place to hang out with friends; get a bite to eat, and then stop by next door to listen to Fingerprints’s in-store concerts. Music lovers still have to eat, don’t they?
Lola’s Mexican Cuisine
2030 E. 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
“The food was delicious; I tried the steak burrito there, and it was really good.” – Sam Hale, Junior
With its blue neon sign and complementary orange exterior, Lola’s Mexican Cuisine puts a unique twist on a traditional Mexican meal. One of Fourth Street’s most popular restaurants, it’s almost impossible to order something that won’t please your palette. Whether it’s their perfectly proportioned street tacos, or the signature creamy green avocado dip and chips, Lola’s lives up to their slogan: “Full belly, happy heart.”
The Veggie Grill
6451 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90803
“It was a nice alternative, being able to have vegetarian food with full meals.” – Madi Alexander, Sophomore
Vegetarian or not, You will surely enjoy the vegetarian food offered at Veggie Grill, even if you are the most carnivorous person on the planet. The all-time favorite is “All Hail Kale,” which mixes together marinated kale, quinoa, red cabbage slaw, corn salsa, roasted walnuts, and ginger papaya vinaigrette into a delicious salad. Another noteworthy dish is the Bombay Bowl (herb-roasted vegetables, steamed kale, cannelloni beans, green curry, and a variety of freshly cut vegetables), served with sweet potato fries. Doesn’t this make your mouth water? Come visit the Veggie Grill and try the delicious food; it’s tasty and good for you!
At Last Cafe
204 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90812
If you are looking an amazing place to eat this weekend, check out At Last Cafe. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, At Last Cafe has a wide variety of American comfort food on top of daily specials and delicious desserts. The restaurant is most famous for their brick chicken, which is essentially chicken cooked under a brick and served with smashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. If you are looking for something more saucy, consider getting the creamy three-cheese macaroni topped with seasoned bread crumbs. Is your mouth already salivating? If so, then visit At Last Cafe soon.
Babette’s Bakery
1404 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
When you walk through Poly, it is hard to find someone who hasn’t visited Babette’s Bakery. Offering many choices of desserts and breakfast items, a Babette’s signature “sunrise croissant” or chocolate chip muffin is the perfect item to eat on your way to school. If you are one of the select few who still have not visited this local institution, be prepared to leave with more than just one sweet treat.
Taqueria Mexicana
Various locations around Long Beach
Hungry for tasty tacos and mouthwatering burritos? Make your way down to Taqueria Mexicana for authentic Mexican cuisine. The most popular option is the carne asada burrito served with rice, beans, cilantro, onion and salsa. Tacos are filled with varieties of meat to pick along with beans and rice at a very good price. In addition, the Taqueria serves California specialties, like the legendary “Cali Burrito,” a concussion filled with carne asada, cheese, sour cream and golden-brown fries. Get your burritos today! You won’t regret it.