Some of Long Beach’s best Latino-owned restaurants will be taking part in Latino Restaurant Week of Long Beach, which returns Oct. 5-11 with more than a dozen restaurants participating.
“We wanted to make sure we highlighted the contributions Latinos are doing here in Long Beach,” said Roberto Carlos Lemus, one of the organizers of the event.
Unlike events like the popular Dine LA Restaurant Week, restaurants in Long Beach will not be offering prix-fix menus but instead will create specific dishes for Latino Restaurant Week at various prices, usually involving money-saving specials. The celebration will feature chef demonstrations and cultural performances showcasing the Latino food community in Long Beach.
“People will have a chance to explore new restaurants and try specials at a lower price than they usually would,” Lemus said.
While the menus are still being developed, some of the well known spots that diners will not want to miss include Birriería Tepechi, a family-owned restaurant at 1440 Santa Fe Ave. that serves traditional, Jalisco-style goat birria using a family recipe passed down from four generations. Also worth a try is Fuego at 700 Queensway Drive at Hotel Maya. The beachside eatery serves modern Latin bites and high-end drinks. Another option for those who want to expand beyond Mexican food is Honduras Kitchen at 1909 E. Fourth St., which makes Central American dishes.
And exploring Latino-owned restaurants that don’t serve traditional Mexican or even Latin American food is one of the goals of Restaurant Week, Lemus said.
“We gave this a twist because Latinos, we’re in every kitchen and it doesn’t matter if it’s just Latino food,” Lemus said.
With that in mind, Restaurant Week includes places like El Viejon Mariscos & Sushi at 201 E. Broadway. This unique restaurant mixes traditional Mexican seafood like ceviches, shrimp and fish tacos and aguachiles, with creative sushi rolls .
For more information and updated menus go to latinorestaurantweeklbc.com