MANAOW THAI - LONG BEACH

I know. And I even said it before myself, not that it's THAT important but not all of Long Beach's Thai restaurants are run by Cambodians.

When I order Huevos Rancheros, I don't want John Parker cooking it. You dig? So the first thing I asked them at Manaow was if they're Thai themselves. Yes - Thai owned and run. Both cooks are also Thai. Now I can move on.

Right on 3618 E. Broadway Long Beach, California 90803, Manaow is THE BEST THAI RESTAURANT IN LONG BEACH. Yes, that's right. I said it. It is. Trust me.




Nestled right next to a laundry mat and a dive bar, parking might be a little stiff but it's worth it.

Pictured here is the Pad Thai and Stuffed Chicken Wings. Pretty standard. But the outstanding items are their curries.

Southern Curried Noodles up front and Panang Curry w/Beef was all business out back.

We could not get enough of the curries. Not pictured is the additional Sticky Rice and Garlic Beef we also devoured.

You should know by now, when I say EAT HERE I mean it. EAT HERE! Another gem in Long Beach!

www.manaowthai.com

I LOVE THIS TOWN

NEW SPOT IN LB

Tried Kenneth's Soul Food on MLK and PCH today, same spot where Sistah's Soul Food used to be. 

The plates are huge, so Rod and I split an Oxtail Dinner. No pics to share unfortunately because we were deep in conversation in bettering our ways in the use of The Force (and mopped up too quickly). Go check this place out:

• 1782 Martin Luther King Ave
• Long Beach CA 90813
• Phone number(562) 599-7685

MY FAVORITE PIZZA IN LONG BEACH

Click the photo below for full article:

*personally, I like to crisp the bottom of their pizza myself but try asking them to make the crusty extra crispy...

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN & YELP

First of all, I love using Yelp. 

There are some flaws, sure, but every other data base of reviews pales in comparison. Yelp's a good site and app to use if you know how to use it. You can NOT rely on it completely for two main things though, across the board: 

• Reviews
• Search Results

The first being, when it comes to food, most people don't have a good palette for it. For example, I'm not going to listen to someone who tells me where their "most faaaaavorite" taco stand is while they are also doing reviews of McDonalds. In fact, if you regularly eat at McDonalds its very unlikely that I'm going to take your culinary advice. 

So read between the lines. Lotsa complainers on there too, who are just always having a bad day and want to voice their opinion because they probably never got past getting their shit printed in the high school newspaper. 

Secondly, search results. If you put "Chinese food" in the search bar, you'll never find this $7 gem of CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN. So really localize your searches or really be thorough here. Can't let those hole in the walls be a secret forever. 

Near the corner of Atlantic and Anaheim is where New Panda Chinese Fast Food sits, in a run down old strip mall. You'd think (so would I) that its just another cafeteria style point-and-choose Chinese food spot. Well, it kinda is but the difference is that they have a freshly cooked menu as well. 

On this menu is the above delight, Crispy Fried Chicken. In about 15 minutes, you get this amazing fried chicken over rice. It's got a hint of charsiu flavor of course and for $7.15, it's kaboooom.

Not sure what else is good there but if you dare to venture, don't come back to me saying you tried blah blah blah but it wasn't that good. Just go there and order the Crispy Fried Chicken and thank me.

New Panda Chinese Fast Food

• 711 E Anaheim St
  Long Beach, CA 90813
  562.218.1830
• 
  
• 
  

TERRI'S KITCHEN - LONG BEACH

ATTENTION FXR GURU TIM WALLINGFORD!

I found another place that serves Phnom Penh Noodle in Long Beach. Terri's Kitchen!

I actually didn't get to try their Phnom Penh Noodle yet, I'm still investigating.

I needed something quick to go at the time, so I tried out their Khmer Style "Student Noodle". I don't know enough about Cambodian cuisine to drop any science but I can tell you that if you haven't tried it, you're missing out. This dish is a lot like Pad Thai with slight differences.

 

Terri's also has a "Chinese Take Out" style point-and-choose selection as well, so if you're not quite as adventurous worry not - they got your Orange Chicken covered too! By the way, I also need to try their pho... and the ladies there were telling me that the owner of Phnom Penh Noodles actually comes by to eat lunch there fairly regularly.

2015 E Anaheim St 
Long Beach, CA 90804

(562) 343-5243

BBQ ON ANAHEIM, LONG BEACH

Scooter, posted this clip for you... took that photo I posted earlier at the same time.

BABE'S KITCHEN - LONG BEACH

If you're looking for a breakfast spot in Long Beach, like old school, independently operated (I despise chains, I'm sure you know!), EAT HERE. Located in the California Heights neighborhood, this place is a gem.

It's one of those places you'll drive by and never see.

Counter or table service. The waitress is 92 years old and she's still a firecracker. Sitting in this place, I could've been Anywhere, USA. And all the employees are very friendly. Even a trouble maker old guy that was cracking wise when asking what we'd like to drink was pretty entertaining.

Breakfast and lunch. I should've taken a better picture of the menu, but you get the gist of it. This past Sunday, they were opened from 7am to 2pm.

I got the Corned Beef Hash with Extra EXTRA crispy Hash Browns. And that they were. So fucking good. I love cripsy hash browns!

Mrs. Hater posted a photo on her instagram while she was in Georgia, some sort of hash brown house. The hash browns looked so amazing there, it kept popping in my little head for weeks.

I actually wanted Corned Beef Hash from a can. The kind my mom and dad used to make me in Hawaii. I don't want someone attempt at making their own homemade version, with bits of sliced corned beef and chunky potatoes. NO. I want the shit out of a can style and that is what I got! AND they were crispy patties! KETCHUP PLEASE!

Oh, and this place is known for their HOME MADE JAMS and JELLIES. You get to choose them yourself for your Texas sized toast. 

EAT HERE BEFORE THIS PLACE IS GONE OR SOLD OR SOMETHING!


1106 E Wardlow Rd
Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 427-4897

CALLALOO CARIBBEAN KITCHEN - LONG BEACH

Eat here. 
You have to. 
EAT HERE NOW!

I found out about this new restaurant through instagram out of all things. Someone posted a photo of their Roti, a huge Caribbean burrito, which got my attention right away. Caribbean? In Long Beach?

My brother from yet another mother, Stevie, who eats all things MEAT, was an excellent co-investigator to Callaloo. We checked the menu for brief moment and ordered without question. Check Stevie's eyeballs when his Curried Goat showed up.

Had to get a taste of it myself and it was really well flavored. Quite possibly some of the best I've had, outside of Little India. Included sides were white rice and some curried veggies, potatoes and chickpeas (which were in the Roti below).

Does it come to much surprise that I got the Stewed Oxtail? It was equally as good and I probably would've ordered it again if I went the next day. The oxtail dish included steamed veggies and dirty rice w/black beans. Portions were pretty large all around. With my love for oxtail, I could've ate a whole other serving... heh.

And then I got a Roti w/goat to go for Sasha. This bad boy was huge, the size of two burritos. Super tasty. Some may even consider overly tasty, but not me. I liked everything about it. Including the huge chunks of potatoes.

Here's a bad photo of the Roti cut in half. HUGE.

  So once more, in case you didn't catch me the first time, check this place out!

 

4137 E Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90804

(562) 230-7530

MILANA'S PIZZERIA - LONG BEACH

My new favorite pizza in Long Beach.

Yup, you read it right. My new favorite... but it takes some effort, read on: 

Came across this place on yelp.com while looking for a quick bite while CantStayJose and I were watching the fights at my pad. 

Even though this place is on 4th street and I'm on 21st, it's only a mile-and-a-half away so they delivered without a problem. Usual wait is 45min but worth it.

After I talked CantStayJose into calling them, we agreed to get half pepperoni and half "Hawaiian". I can't believe I ordered a Hawaiian pizza, I used to always make fun of it. But my 2 year old, Nalu, appreciates it. Gotta get him some sweet slices for his young palette. Pepperoni is still kinda strong for da little Bu.

The pizza itself, in its shape, is New York Style. And yes, I've had pizza in New York. In fact, I've eaten at 4 different pizzerias on my first night in NY, which you can read about here. The pizza itself from Milana's was decent, ingredients weren't much different from other spots. A very good change from the usual pies we have around these parts - Santa Fe Importers has decent pizza, but they close early. Buono's service is fucked (2 hours for a pizza?). I'm definitely not eating pizza from a chain store. And Big E's can be good, but it's juuuust too far away from the west side..

This is the part where you need to put in a little effort to make Milana's into a GREAT pizza. First thing I noticed was the crust. Pizza in NYC paid attention to their crust. I'm not talking about the crust on the outer edge, I'm talking about what's under the pie. Milana's was doughy, too soft. It needed crispness; first thing I said after I took my first bite. So what I did the next the day with a couple of cold slices was heat up a pan at medium-high heat. Spray or pour in a little butter or cooking oil. Soon as the pan is ready, put your slice in. Right when you see the top of the slice starting to "sweat", you're ready to eat (photo is of a cold slice). I SWEAR THE PIZZA WAS SO MUCH BETTER AFTER THAT. Maybe not as good as Bleeker Street Pizza in Manhattan, but pretty fucking good for Long Beach!

My mom used to do the same type of thing for take-out food when I was a kid. When I'd tell her "I put the left over chow fun in the microwave and it doesn't taste that good". She'd put it in a pan, add a little bit of something-something, then it'd be fucking great.

EAT HERE!

250 E 4th St Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 901-1111
http://www.milanasnewyorkpizzeria.com

SIEM REAP - LONG BEACH

So many signs for tacos, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, pho, Thai food, all over Long Beach. But nothing stops me in my tracks like a sign that says OXTAIL.

Just driving along Anaheim St. in the LB, I spotted Siem Reap and their signage for Oxtail Noodle Soup. CantStayJose and I had to investigate. I might've put a flat spot on my tires from braking so hard after seeing oxtail. 

I like Oxtail. I like Noodle. I like Soup. Check. I get weird when it comes to oxtail. I really, really have a problem with it. I fucking love it.

Inside was decent. They even had a little stage. I know Cambodians like to get down with the karaoke. It was hard to tell, but basically Siem Reap is a Cambodian restaurant that offers several Vietnamese items, including Thai and of course Chinese. I'm sure there are many neat stuff to try, I just couldn't figure it all out... yet. Oh, looks a little empty but this place was CRAZY busy with phone orders.

Jose and I started with the Fried Quail. We had one each. Perfect appetizer.

Jose had the Thai Beef Boat Noodle Soup. The broth was on the spicy side, definitely will put at least little sweat over your brow even on the coldest night.

I, naturally, had the Oxtail Pho. It was good. Really good, just because it had mother fucking oxtails in it. I can't wait to go back. I'm planning on asking the nice lady to put extra oxtails in it. Included 3 but I could do 6.

Would I give this place a EAT HERE? Yes, EAT HERE! Just on the strength of their Oxtail Pho, I would recommend trying this place.

1810 E Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90813
(562) 591-7414

SiemReapKhmerCuisine.com

WITH SO MUCH DRAMA IN THE LBC

Went for a bicycle ride with CantStayJose and Ana the other day, just along the L.A River. Came across this under a bridge. Had to take photo for you guys.

I BELIEVE HE CAN FLY

So I woke up sick this morning and had to stay home from work today. Went over to the drug store and on the way back to my truck, across the parking lot, I heard somebody singing at the top of their lungs.

I had just seen a karaoke CD behind the counter and thought maybe someone bought it and started playing it right away in their car. Being sick and kinda loopy (more than usual!), I kept trying to see who was doing all this singing. It was coming from the bus stop.

The man had a battery powered singing machine in his cart, waiting for the bus. Singing for all of Long Beach.
Check it out:
The young lady next to him had some head phones on, minding her own business.

RED LEPRECHAUN - LONG BEACH

On the corner of Anaheim and Termino, there's a new spot in town to get a beer and some very decent grub. Friend of ours, Tracy Ames, opened this place on Monday and business has been pretty amazing for her. Enough that some of her menu items keep getting sold out!

We were there earlier enough (and lucky enough) to have gotten a few dishes to try out though. Fish & Chips were on the high-side of better than usual, batter wasn't heavy at all and the fish itself was good. I'm picky about fish & chips and this one didn't let me down. 

 Next up is the crab cakes, which was done far better than your average pub crab cakes that you're used to. The sauce, the crab, all that - delicious. I could eat 2 or 3 of those bad boys no problem as a pre-pre-pre-meal appetizer. 

Sheppard's Pie! I was kinda stoked on the veggies, you can tell someone in the kitchen actually cut them and did NOT just pour it out frozen from a bag. Slightly on the greasy side, but its what would expect from a Sheppard's mother fucking Pie because Sheppard's be working hard and shit and they need calories. 

We were still curious about the menu so we ordered the Lamb Sliders. Two of these hot, juicy nuggets showed up on a plate with some greenery on the side. Not sure if they had the whole lamb burger instead of just the sliders, because I'd probably get that next time.  

Hit this place up, can't go wrong. Not just saying this just because I know the lady or whatever!

4000 East Anaheim Street 
Long Beach CA 90804 
(562) 310-1038

FAT PHILLY'S CHEESE STEAK - LONG BEACH

If you've driven down Anaheim St. lately, you must've seen this newly purpled building.

I certainly have and had to give it a shot. I knew it was going to ruin me later, but I'm always putting my neck (or, uh, belly) out for you guys.

I asked them, what's the best things you guys have? They answered, "the Philly Fries and of course the Cheese Steak sandwiches". So thats what I got. Check out the cheese wiz and beef all over the fries. Oh, and onions too, dog! I'm not much of a french fries guy but it was good... but probably wouldn't order that again.

The sammy? Man, it was pretty good. I mean, I've never been to Philly for a real deal cheese steak but this one was decent. I did have a cheese steak sandwich once that was just HOURS old off a plane ride from Philly, and it tasted about the same (some neighbors flew in the meat and rolls, separately, and re-grilled them at home in LB).

Oh yeah, they got my order wrong and put American White Cheese in mine instead of wiz. I wanted WIZ!

Check this place out if you're in the mood for grease bombs!

3201 Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90804
(no phone orders!)

DAVE'S BURGERS - LONG BEACH

I dig this place. When Makonabe and Motoyan were here the last time, I brought them to Dave's Burgers since they're constantly on a American Cheeseburger Rampage when visiting.

Makonabe actually swore that this was the best burger he so far in CA. I think he had a double cheese burger.

I had a grilled chicken sandwich, I didn't want to be farty-pants later that night. Check this place out, you won't regret it. If you've been around Long Beach, I'm sure you've seen the sign on Atlantic in Bixby Knolls.

3396 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 424-3340

I WENT TO FERRIS BUELLER'S HOUSE

I had heard or read some years ago that the front of the house in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was in Long Beach. So the other day, when we were near 4160 Country Club Drive I decided to hop out and have a picture taken of me in the "running scene".

I had English Beat's "Rotating Heads" going through my brain while I jogged by in my slippahs.

You can see the house 2:48 into the above clip. Soon as I saw the house on Country Club Drive, I knew it was Ferris'.

PLAYAS EL SALVADOR RESTAURANT - LONG BEACH

EAT HERE.
Without a doubt, this is one of those local spots in Long Beach you need to eat at. We never got around to eating at this El Salvadoran place before; it's on a pretty rough corner and there's very little info about it... which is usually among reasons that we find many excellent spots. Another little gem, found.  

We walked in and the place was really sparse, it was kinda hard to tell if they were open for business or not. After a moment though we were seated and we quickly got comfortable it.

I've had El Salvadoran food before. Their use of plantains and pineapples gives me a little "tropical" feel, reminds me of home a little bit. This drink above is called Ensalada. It's a chopped up fruits in pineapple juice. Really, really sweet but good if you're into pineapples. I always get it... but need water as a chaser, it's pretty sweet dude.

We started with what I think is a typical breakfast dish in El Salvador. Fried plantains, cream and beans. "Plantanos Fritors com crema y frijoles". I thought his trio made a good combo for any time of the day.

Then the slightly mysterious cabbage salad, like a slaw, I believe is called Curtido. Every time I've had pupusas, it's come with it. Slightly tangy vinegar action with some jalapenos in there too...

...which is eaten with this Pupusa. I had a pork, bean and cheese pupusa. Made from a corn tortilla dough, the woman there was real nice and very proud of her cooking. She welcomed us to watch her cook and the big window to the kitchen shows they got nothing to hide.

Sasha and I actually got to watch her make our dinner, nearly from scratch. She grabbed a bit of tortilla dough and started to go to work on it for each pupusa. This one above is squash and cheese. They're only $2.00 each, so get crazy!

Next, this different type of cabbage salad came out... similar in taste but this one had a little kick more to it, which was brought out to be eaten with the following: 

We finished off our dinner with "Yuca Frita con Chicharron 'o' Fritada", which is fried yuca/cassava and fried pork rinds. This really capped things off well... chicharron here wasn't just fried skin or just fried fat. It was real chunks of fried pork MEAT. The fried yuca was like huge starchy french fries, but 10 times better. The dumb American in me felt compelled to want to put a sauce on yuca but I stopped myself and scooped up the cabbage salad instead.

I don't easily tell you pakajunkies that I highly recommend a spot, wouldn't want you guys to eat anything that sucks and be all like "Nelly don't know what he's talking about"! So I say this with confidence, EAT HERE!

1640 Orange Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813

(562) 283-3024

*PS - they barely speak any English here but the service is really, really excellent... they went out of their way make sure we got some good grindz!don't worry, the menu is in English too.