The aroma of braised beef and fresh ceviche filled the air at Onni East Village on Sept. 18, where over 10 restaurants gathered to share their food, culture and family tradition.
Organized by Affluent Hispanic Philanthropies, Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event in Downtown Long Beach celebrated its second annual initiative to highlight and support Latino-owned restaurants throughout the city.
After the heightened presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and the cancellation of Hispanic Heritage Month events, this year marks a bittersweet celebration.
“I think right now we have this feeling that we shouldn’t be celebrating Latino culture. But I think that it’s wrong. I think we have to celebrate Latino culture,” Irvine Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco said. “We need to be loud, as loud as we can, because this is our inheritance.”
At the event, several community members gathered to pay tribute to Long Beach’s Latino-owned businesses.
“It is such an honor to see so many people here celebrating our Latino business owners, especially at a time that we’re living today,” Long Beach First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas said in a speech.
Here are 16 Latino-owned restaurants offering special menus and discounts from Sept. 22 to 28 in honor of Latino Restaurant Week.
District 1 Councilwoman Mary Zendejas (left) watches community members speak at the Latino Restaurant Week kickoff event in Downtown Long Beach on Sept. 18, alongside other attendees. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
- La Chancla Mexican Grill
Founded by a Long Beach State alumnus, La Chancla offers vibrant, authentic Mexican flavor inspired by family tradition, including handmade tortillas made on a clay comal (griddle).
La Chancla offers 15 varieties of their specialty guisados (braised beef tacos), in addition to queso birria, vegan “soyrizo” tacos and other dishes including burritos, mole and enchiladas.“Latinos have a beautiful footprint here in Long Beach,” owner Ismael Miramontes said. “I think Long Beach is one of the most beautiful cities you can live in.”
Location/Hours: 990 Cherry Ave. Unit 102, Long Beach, CA 90813
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
2. Confidential Coffee
Denise Maldonado got her first coffee job at 17.
What started as a means for income transitioned into the birth of her entrepreneurial journey after her manager introduced her to specialty coffee.
After graduating from CSULB in 2016 and working as a counselor, Maldonado sought to do more with coffee and community.
“I wanted to create something where I could put both together. Not only show people and teach people about coffee but also bring communities together, teach people about my culture, where I come from and all that,” she said.
Located in Downtown Long Beach, Confidential Coffee offers Mexican-inspired drinks including cajeta, rompope, mazapán and horchata flavors.
Special menu for Sept. 22 to 28
- Pumpkin Spice Horchata Cold Brew
- Mexican Mocha
- Matcha Horchata
Location/Hours:
137 W. 6th St., Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
El Viejón, located in Downtown Long Beach, served shrimp ceviche at the Latino Restaurant Week kickoff event on Sept. 18. El Viejón offers a variety of seafood including shrimp and fish tacos, aguachiles and sushi rolls. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
3. El Viejón Mariscos & Sushi
With over 10 years in operation, El Viejón specializes in mariscos (seafood) from the coastal region of Nayarit, Mexico.
The family-owned business originated in Mexico and then moved to the U.S., opening locations in Bloomington, Santa Ana and, most recently, Downtown Long Beach.
El Viejón offers authentic Nayarit cuisine with fish tacos, ceviche, empanadas de camarón, grilled octopus, shrimp cocktails and Mexican-style sushi.
Location/Hours:
201 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rafael Larios, manager of Honduras’ Kitchen in Long Beach, offers bowls of soup to attendees at Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event on Sept. 18. Honduras’ Kitchen specializes in Honduran cuisine, including dishes such as sopa de mondongo (beef tripe soup).
4. Honduras’ Kitchen
Honduras’ Kitchen is one of the oldest Honduran restaurants in Southern California, operating in Long Beach for 20 years.
The restaurant serves everything Hondureño – not just typical cuisine, but also merchandise including T-shirts, hats and shoes, available on their website.
Menu highlights include sopa de caracol (conch soup), sopa de mondongo (beef tripe), mariscos and parrillada hondureña.
Special menu (Sept. 22-28):
Sopa de caracol ($27)
Chuleta con rice & beans ($19)
Pastelito hondureño ($18.50)
Honduran Michelada ($13)
Fresco Hondureño ($6)
Location/Hours:
1909 E 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
Carlos Canales, owner of Tarantella on 4th, dishes out bison ravioli at Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event on Sept. 18. Tarantella on 4th offers Italian cuisine with outdoor seating and live music. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
5. Tarantella on 4th
Voted Long Beach’s best Italian restaurant in the Long Beach 2025 People’s Choice Awards, Tarantella on 4th serves up a blend of Sicilian, Roman and Calabrian dishes.
Born in Mexico, owner Carlos Canales is well-versed in Mexican and Italian cuisine with over 30 years of restaurant experience.
For Latino Restaurant Week, Tarantella on 4th is serving up Italian dishes with a Mexican touch, including bison ravioli with ricotta cheese and a chile poblano lemon cream sauce.
“Our community in Long Beach, they need to support us,” Canales said. “Not only us…all the business [sic] because we really need your support for continuing to open.”
Special menu (Sept. 22-28):
Arancini (Italian arborio rice sauteed with broccoli, mozzarella cheese and basil pesto, breaded then deep fried and served on a pool of marinara sauce topped with fresh baby arugula)
Ravioli Di Bisonte (Homemade half-moon ravioli filled with bison, risotto and mascarpone cheese. Sauteed with a Poblano chili, epazote, light lemon cream sauce and topped with pancetta bits)
Location/Hours:
2120 E. 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90814
Mon-Wed: Closed
Thursday: 5 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday: noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.
Megan Canales, co-owner of Tarantella on 4th, serves arancini at Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event on Sept. 18. The restaurant will be offering a special menu the week of Sept. 22 to 28. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
6. Tony’s Kitchen
The idea for this multi-cuisine restaurant was sparked over a dilemma: the Gomez family couldn’t decide what to eat for dinner.
Leslie Gomez and her mom wanted enchiladas, rice and beans. Her dad and her brother wanted steak.
So, they decided to create a restaurant that serves it all: Mexican, Italian and American.
Tony’s Kitchen is true to its tagline, “a little bit of everything,” with a diverse menu ranging from chilaquiles and mole poblano to cajun shrimp pasta and fettuccine alfredo.
Located in Bixby Knolls, the restaurant offers a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
Special menu:
Chicken enchiladas with mole ($23)
Blackened salmon with mango sauce ($32)
Creamy chipotle shrimp pasta ($28)
Flan napolitano ($7)
Location/Hours:
4280 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tony’s Kitchen manager Leslie Gomez (left) serves bite-sized portions of the restaurant’s dishes to the community at Latino Restaurant Week’s kickoff event on Sept. 18. Tony’s Kitchen is known for their variety of Mexican, American and Italian dishes. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
7. Nova Bakery
The only Venezuelan restaurant in Long Beach, Nova Bakery offers a taste of home while serving up traditional bread, pastries, bites and drinks.
From pastelitos (puff pastries) and empanadas to cachapas (corn pancakes) and arepas, the bakery is committed to serving the community a slice of Venezuela.
“There’s few of us Venezuelans but each day we’re growing more,” owner Pierina Barboza said.
Special menu:
Empanada combo
3 empanadas + 1 canned drink: $13
Location/Hours:
865 E. Seventh St., Unit C Long Beach, CA 90813
Sunday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pierina Barboza (right), owner of Nova Bakery, serves attendees at the Latino Restaurant Week kickoff event on Sept. 18. The bakery offers a variety of Venezuelan bread, pastries, bites and drinks. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
8. Casa Chaskis
Casa Chaskis opened in Downtown Long Beach six years ago, becoming the first restaurant in Long Beach to have a garden on premise.
The restaurant grows its own vegetables and herbs to use for its recipes.
Casa Chaskis is known for its classic Peruvian dishes, vegan and vegetarian options and its famous maracuyá juice.
“Peruvian food is very eclectic, very unique,” owner Agustín Romo said. “Participating in events like this is really helpful for us because we get to come into the community versus waiting for the community to go to us.”
Special menu for Sept. 22 to 28:
Menu (available all day for lunch and dinner)
Dine in only
1 empanada
Choices: beef, chicken, vegan spinach
1 Saltado or Chaufa
De pollo or tofu
1 small maracuyá agua fresca
Price: $25 + tax
Original price: $35 + tax
Location/Hours:
2380 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach, California 90810
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.
Chef Agustin Romo, owner of Casa Chaskis, serves the community at the Latino Restaurant Week kickoff event on Sept. 18. Casa Chaskis offers a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes, including papa a la huancaína and lomo saltado. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
9. Aji Peruvian Cuisine
Located on Fourth Street, Aji Peruvian Cuisine offers traditional Peruvian dishes with a modern take.
Menu highlights include ceviche, causa limeña (layered potato casserole), shrimp chaufa (fried rice) and lomo saltado.
Special menu for Sept. 22 to 28:
$49 per person (dine-in only)
Prix Five menu (Select one from each category)
First course:
- Ceviche clásico
- Classic beet salad
- Duo de empanadas
- Anticucho de corazón
Second course:
- Ají de gallina
- Pollo saltado
- Arrocito norteño
Third course:
Location/Hours:
2308 E. 4th Street, Long Beach, CA 90814
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 to 3 p.m., 5 to 8:30 p.m.
10. Alli Kaphiy by Mikuna
Alli Kaphiy provides a culinary experience at any time of day – from specialty morning coffee and Peruvian-style sandwiches to traditional Peruvian dinners.
Menu highlights include frito chiclayano (braised pork with fried yucca, sweet potato and corn), ceviche mixto and lomo saltado.
Alli Kaphiy translates to “great coffee” in Quechua, an Indigenous Incan language.
Special for Sept. 22 to 28:
15% off the entire menu if you mention “Latino Restaurant Week LBC” at checkout.
Location/Hours:
3399 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
11. Desperado Cafe Mexican Food
Desperado Cafe serves all-day breakfast in addition to traditional Mexican meals, ranging from tacos and burritos to mulitas and tortas.
Menu highlights include molcajete mixto (a mixture of grilled meats and salsas served in a mortar and pestle), camarones a la diabla (a spicy shrimp plate) and carne asada fries.
Location/Hours:
2000 E. 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90804
Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
12. El Barrio Cantina
Located on East Fourth Street, El Barrio Cantina provides a modern take on Mexican food with dishes including Mexican fried chicken, cauliflower esquite and birria lasagna.
With a dining experience in a Tulum-inspired space, El Barrio Cantina also offers takeout/delivery services and venue rentals.
Location/Hours:
1731 E. 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday-Tuesday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday-Thursday: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: noon to midnight
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
13. Fuego at The Maya
With stunning ocean views and 13-foot retractable glass walls, Fuego at The Maya offers a fine-dining, culinary experience with brunch, all-day and dinner options.
Located in Hotel Maya in Downtown Long Beach, Fuego serves up Latino-inspired dishes including ropa vieja, ceviche, grilled fish tacos and more.
Special menu for Sept. 22 to 28
$35 per person
Not including tax or 20% automatic service charge
Lunch Prix Fix Menu
Available: Wed-Sun: 11am-4pm
All guests at the table must participate
Starters:
Choice of:
- Wild mushroom and queso tamale
- Seared ahi tuna tostadas
Entrees:
Choice of:
- Roasted achiote salmon sandwich
- Pork belly mulitas
- Endive salad
Dessert:
Choice of:
- Sweet potato tres leches cake
- Milhojas
Location/Hours:
700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
14. Lima Cebichería Peruana
A new installment in Bixby Knolls, Lima Cebichería Peruana centralizes on quality Peruvian cebiche (Peruvian spelling).
The restaurant is under Sushi Nikkei, a distinguished Peruvian sushi restaurant in Long Beach, featured on LA’s 2022 Michelin Guide.
Peruvian cebiche differs from Mexican style, marinated in lime juice only for a minute whereas Mexican ceviche marinates from 30 minutes to one hour.
In addition to a variety of cebiche flavors, the cebichería also offers seafood dishes including pulpo a la parilla (grilled octopus) and chaufa de mariscos (seafood fried rice).
Location/Hours:
3851 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: noon to 8:30 p.m.
15. Taco Shore
Jenny Cuevas joined Taco Surf as a hostess over 10 years ago.
When she found out the owner was selling the business in 2013, she decided to take a leap of faith and buy the restaurant.
Now, Taco Shore thrives in Belmont Shore, offering a wide range of tacos from al pastor and Ensenada-style to veggie and low-carb, as well as traditional Mexican dishes and drinks.
Location/Hours:
5316 1/2 E. 2nd St. Long Beach CA, 90803
Monday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Teleferic Barcelona chef Jesus de la Fuente prepares a dish of paella to serve at the Latino Restaurant Week kickoff event on Sept. 18. Teleferic is a Spanish restaurant originating in Barcelona, with over 10 locations in California. Charlotte LoCicero | Long Beach Current
16. Telefèric Barcelona
Located in 2nd & PCH, Telefèric serves authentic Spanish cuisine including paellas, tapas and other traditional dishes.
The Spanish restaurant started in Barcelona in 1992 and came to the U.S. in 2016, opening its first location in Northern California.
Location/Hours:
6420 Pacific Coast Hwy St. 160, Long Beach, CA 90803
Monday-Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Thursday-Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.