The second stay at home order is looking a lot like the first. Two weeks of closures inching into months. Ordering take out is one of my favorite ways to support local businesses and also give myself a treat! Here are a few restaurants in the Downtown Long Beach area that make pick-up and delivery a breeze.
Thai District –
For years Thai District has been one of my go to haunts. It’s a crowd please for visiting family and the décor makes a table for two the perfect spot for a romantic night out. While you might think a restaurant so rich in ambience wouldn’t be a take-out favorite, I’m here to say I’ve never been surer about the quality of Thai District’s food. Every dish I’ve ordered has traveled well and generously portioned. You know a dish is a winner when it tastes just as satisfying on a Wednesday night at home as it did half a bottle of wine deep sitting on a dimly lit table across from someone you fancy. If you’re craving a staple, you can’t go wrong with the yellow curry, but if you feel like trying something new the Moo Larb on their special’s menu is an absolute ten with its herbaceous mix of mint and kuya-mee herbs sautéed with minced pork loin.
Sideburns –
This burger spot connected to Long Beach staple The Stache Bar, wasn’t open long before the pandemic decided to crash the party. I never got a chance to drunkenly chow down on one of their burgers after a few screw drivers at The Stache, but I have ordered from this newcomer and have not been disappointed. A burger and fries can be a risky takeout order but not from Sideburns. The online ordering is easy and they’re constantly ready exactly when they say they will be so the food is always fresh. You can grab a filling burger and fries for ten bucks and quickly ready for pick up quick when you’re hungry. The fries are fresh cut which means they hold their integrity, staying nice and crispy through transit. While their traditional Smash Stache Cheeseburger is a hard to beat classic, I absolutely love their Backyard BBQ Burger with its fried onion rings, BBQ sauce, bacon, and chipotle mayo. Don’t even get me started on their cheese curds and house-made ranch! Oh, and for our vegan foodies, Sideburns has a whole vegan menu including some incredible Vegan Portobello Mushroom “Fish” and Chips!
District Wine –
If you’re looking for the perfect treat District Wine has you covered. With curated, rotating specials ready to be paired with a nice bottle of your favorite wine or beer it’s hard to go wrong. Their food is anything but an afterthought. Personally, I can’t get enough of the Artichoke Flatbread with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes, but their new happy hour “bottle and appetizer” special is hard to pass up! The deal comes with your choice of a bottle of wine or a 32oz beer paired with one of their amazing apps for only $19 and if you feel like grading to a full cheese board or larger plate you easily can for just a few extra dollars! I go for the rare red blend bottle paired with their unbelievable pea tapenade. Before you say anything negative about pea tapenade or peas in general I beg you to try this dish. The sweetness of the pea’s blended with garlic, olive oil, and spice really is a unique flavor you can’t help but come back to time and time again. Easy to order for pick-up, including curbside, don’t forget District Wine when planning you’re at home happy hour.
Ammatoli –
If you need a whole rundown of the wonder that is Ammatoli, I wrote an entire article about them recently here, but they deserve mentioning again. Their food carries well, tastes delicious, and because Chef Dima is usually in the kitchen herself: it’s consistent. Not to mention the weekly specials that give diners a chance to try some authentic and unique Mediterranean cuisine. While their dinner entrees are incredible, I find myself stopping by Ammatoli on weekdays for lunch fairly often. From their classic shawarma wraps to the more unique Avocado Delight salad, there’s always something healthy and flavorful that I can pick up and feel good about eating. If you’re not feeling like making the drive, the restaurant also offers delivery on their website!
Hopefully this list can help you solve the ongoing debate of “what should we order?” No matter where you decide to order from, remember that buying local keeps money and jobs in Long Beach and whenever you can, try to order directly form the bar or restaurant for pick-up or delivery. Do you have a favorite spot to order from? Let us know on social media or in the comments below!
Yummy! Thanks for supporting the locals!!!