A CUP ABOVE THE REST: A Look at Royal Cup Cafe

      In terms of ambiance, royal cup cafe has a very casual set up... the walls are filled with paintings and drawings from local artists that are up for sale. the chairs and tables aren't exactly organized in any fashion that makes sense but it kind of adds a homey feel to the room, a couple of couches with coffee tables and also some dining room tables adds a real urban vibe.

      Service is friendly and dressed casual. The young lady that served me was showing off her tattoos and wearing jean shorts and a plain black top. Her name was Sammy and she was very friendly and again casual in her service. The mug they served my chai latte in was just like one you would find in someones home warn and used and comfortable. i also got a water which was served in a small mason jar with a mint sprig in it.



Italian Classic Panini and picture from table of the interior, Photo: Josh Bentrem

       I happened to catch a small piece of conversation between Sammy and a gentleman trying to order food to go for a young lady who was across the street at the dentist office. She was very helpful even though the guy was an odd character. When the guy left, I mentioned to her that he seemed like a weirdo and she simply responded with, "I work on 10th and redondo, I've seen weirder."

The menu I really like because they have a mix of hot and cold drinks that range from esspresso style drinks to French and Italian sodas. As for food in the menu, they have mainly breakfast items, salads and gourmet panini sandwhiches. They also have a soup of the day menu and an interesting menu of desserts. Food itmes range from $3.25 for a simple bagel with crema cheese to $9.00 which is the average price for paninis on the menu.

     
      Seeing as I grew up wih a strongly Italian upbringing I love sandwhiches (especially Italian style)  I ordered the Italian classic which has Coto, Genoa and hard salamis, black forrest ham, fire-roasted sweet peppers, tomato, onion, provolone, and mayo, modestly priced at $7.25. the sandwhich also come with a small side of potato chips.

This is a great placefor a quick lunch with a friend or a pleasent lunch alone while you do homework.

hours:

mon-sat 7am-10pm sunday 7am- 9pm

 

Locations:

994 redondo ave. Long Beach, CA 90804 (the one i went to)
 

194 marina dr. #101 Long Beach, CA 90803

Websites:

royalcupcafe.com

YELP 

 

Big E's Pizza: Not for a Mediocre Pizza Lover

         One day I was chatting with some students and the Topic of pizza came into the conversation. One student was mentioning Little Caesars Pizza and the other was saying That Domino's was better. "They're Both Crap" I yelled with a Passionate outburst. Now, these fellow students were both fairly younger than me (one was 21, the other was 20), both full time students, with no solid cash flow except for monthly checks from their parents. One of the guys said, "Little Caesar's only charges five dollars." The other Proclaimed, "Yeah, and Domino's is delicious and only charges about seven dollars a pizza." I knew i had to take these kinds under my wing. 

 

       





 I invited the guys to my house and ordered my personal favorite (Pepperoni and Jalapeno) for delivery, the wait time is always an agonizing 30-45 minutes, but well worth the wait. 

One of the guys, Justin Wilson said, "Best pizza I've ever had!"

Pepperoni Jalapeno pizza: By Josh Bentrem

The ingredients are always fresh and the pizza is always hot even though the wait time is a little long. They have a great menu aside from pizza as well including delicious wings (my personal favorite are the BBQ wings) and you can also order beer and wine to go, so you don't even have to leave the house.

 

 

 

 

 Big E's Pizza is located at: 

3225 E Pacific Coast Hwy

Signal Hill, CA 90755

They also have a sister company called BIG NICK'S in San Pedro which is located at:

 

1110 N Gaffey St
Ste G

San Pedro, CA 90731

websites: 

Big E's Pizza

YELP!

Video



Most Valuable Burgers: MVPs the Long Beach Gem

Front of original MVPs location on 4th St.

iPhone picture: Josh bentrem

      If you were to ask any Californian where to get the best burger in town, most would respond resoundingly, "In n Out!" But, for most Long Beach natives that might not be as resounding of an answer... MVPs Grill and Patio in Long Beach is an obscure, yet delicious, change for any burger lover. MVPs has 2 locations, both located in Long Beach. The thing that makes MVPs different is their varying styles of sandwiches and burgers that are named after famous athletes of the Past and the present. They have a sandwiches and burgers that range in names the Michael Jordan to 5 named after George Foreman. On my visit with my roommates, I had the Myke Tyson which comes with Pastrami, grilled onions, avocado, double burger patties, jalapenos swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and their special cajunasie dressing. My roommate Andrew, who originally introduced me to MVPS, compares every other burger to the burger that MVPs prepares. "It's not just a burger, eating a burger from MVPs, is an event." Andrew said. Andrew ordered the Christiano Ronaldo, which is a sandwich with chicken breast, pastrami, avocado, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella cheese and their signature cajunaise dressing. and it comes on Squa bread.unfortunately you cant just make any burger or sandwich a combo, but you can add a side of cajun fries. the cajun fries are to die for.




Top Left: "Shaq" Top Right: Cajun Fries

Bottom Left: "Myke Tyson"

Bottom Right: "Christiano Ronaldo"

iPhone Picture: Josh Bentrem

The original MVPs is located at 3701 E 4th St. Long Beach, CA 90803 and the second one is at 5484 E Stearns St, Long Beach, CA 90815. Unfortunately for people who don't carry cash, both locations are cash only, but have an ATM machine on site. also keep in mind that you're walking up to a window to order and its an outside patio style seating so if you go during a hot day wear sunscreen and if youre going on a cold night wear a coat.



Websites:

YELP!