Simmzy's Takes Over Long Beach

Simmzy's had just opened in Long Beach and it was already as popular as their first location in Manhattan Beach. We came on a Saturday and their open dining room was packed, with a waiting list for tables.

Lucky for us, we were being hosted by the restaurant, so we didn't have to wait for a table.

The place is also already popular enough for them to put up this sign!

At Simmzy's, you gotta order from their 31 rotating beers on tap (they also have 10 wines on tap). We had a beer flight with Allagash Victoria, Lost Abbey's Lost and Found, Monkish Anomaly, Hangar 24 Essence

This was the first time I tried a beer from Monkish, a new brewery down in Torrance, and it was pretty good. The Essence is a double IPA and too hoppy for me (I'm not big on hoppy beers), so I stuck with Lost Abbey, possibly my favorite Southern California brewery. We also tried Karl's Flan-diddly-anders, a Flanders red from Karl Strauss Brewing, which was lightly sour. 

The kitchen sent out a sampler of their appetizers:
Ahi tartar with spicy soy, avocado, scallions, fried wonton. Seared tuna, jalapeño, and shrimp in spicy sauce

I quite liked the seared tuna, topped with a slice of jalapeno. I didn't see this on the regular menu, but the treat shows what the kitchen can do.

The appetizers at Simmzy's are big and meant to be shared. If you've never been to a Simmzy's before, this one is a must order:
Blue Cheese Haystack ($6) - shoestring fries tossed with homemade blue cheese dressing, garlic, and a touch of spicy sauce

The crispy fries were the perfect vehicle for that blue cheese+spicy sauce mixture. A dangerous snack to have on the table.
Other appetizers included spinach dip and 15-minute Wings ($10.50) doused in the same "spicy sauce" as the one on top of the haystack. If you don't eat spicy, don't worry, it wasn't that spicy. 

The entrees range from burgers, sandwiches, salads to wood fired pizza. We also tried the Grilled Fish Tacos ($10.50) - wild-caught Oregon rock cod, corn tortillas, avocado, grilled tomato salsa, lime, pickled radish, fried fresno chili rings

Along with the regular entrees, Simmzy's also has a weekly special. Saturday's is the Short Rib and Chocolate Porter Chili ($14.75), served with a bag of fritos

Not the standard ground meat and beans chili, this big bowl was more like a thick stew. Come hungry. That porter broth with the crunchy fritos were rather addicting, I had a hard time stopping even though I was so full.

There are only two desserts on the menu, and it's a tough choice between the Chocolate S'mores Pudding and the Apple Filled Donut ($7.50)

Yes, I said it. Apple filled. The inside of the glazed donut is filled with cinnamon apples, and the dish is topped with salted caramel, vanilla ice cream, pistachios, and more glaze.

 

Being a chocolate lover, I think I may prefer the Chocolate S'mores Pudding but the apple filled donut is certainly exciting to try!

Both Simmzy's locations are the perfect hangout for these beach cities. It's casual enough to stroll in with your beach gear on. The open dining area allows you to enjoy the nice breeze. The great beer program has something for everyone, and they keep it fun with the food.

Simmzy's (Long Beach) 
5271 E 2nd Street
 Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 439-5590
simmzys.com