Block by Block: Volume 9
Explore Belmont Shore with Heather Kern & Lisa Ramelow, block by block. In this Volume they visit the block of Covina to La Verne (South) which includes El Pollo Loco, Rance’s Chicago Pizza, Sushi AI, Natraj Cuisine of India & Nepal, Republic of Pie, and Cafe Gazelle.
've come up with a plan, to visit every business in the shore and share my experiences. To put my plan in action I needed company and a writer, so I called my good friend Lisa Ramelow and said ... Let's Meet on 2nd Street!! Join Lisa and I as we explore Belmont Shore Block by Block!
- Heather Kern, Executive Director BSBA
Block By Block: Volume 9 - Covina to La Verne (south). – Written by Lisa Ramelow & Heather Kern
A Pizza Party, Sushi Crawl, Parade Recap, and Influencer Appreciation dinner and more! Block 9 has SIX restaurants, we knew we had to change things up to complete this block.
This particular block, “south side,” between Covina and LaVerne, is near and dear to my heart. I lived right down the street on the corner of Covina and Division St. and moved in when I was 11-years-old, in 1969.
This block held so many good food places, especially for a hungry teenager coming home from Rogers Junior High School every day. Winchell’s Donuts was on the LaVerne corner, somewhere in between was a Baskin-Robbins, then there was Lynn Perry’s Pizza, followed by the ever-present Jack-in-the-Box.
A typical teenagers paradise – donuts, ice cream, pizza, and French fries!
But now things have evolved, and yet it has still remained a collection of food gems.
Rance’s Chicago Pizza
Rance’s Chicago pizza opened in 2017 by owners Aaron Tofani and Rance Ruiz. They are long-time friends who met in the 3rd grade, and they fell in love with Long Beach with it’s quintessential big-city, little-town feel. And they were excited to open in a spot that had deep “pizza history and vibes” – after Lynn Perry’s, BJ’s Pizza had been in this spot for years
Heather had the brilliant idea of holding a community pizza party one afternoon, and Aaron was on hand to welcome us and serve up his favorite pizzas and salads. So many nice neighbors came out to say hello and to socialize – there were some families, some groups of friends, and even some others who bravely came on their own to support our Block by Block series, and be a part of the event. I met a wonderful lady named Carol, who told me how excited she was to live in the Shore – she and her family had moved down from Pasadena in 2020, and they had finally finished some remodeling on their home; she was so happy to be part of the Belmont Shore community.
Also, local realtor, Loree Scarborough, stopped by to say hello to everyone. It was a fun, and delicious, afternoon!
Cafe Gazelle - by Heather Kern
Tucked away on the south side of La Verne for over 35 years, Café Gazelle is a tiny, 18-seat Italian restaurant that’s easy to overlook—until 5pm, when every table is full.
They don’t take reservations. They don’t have a flashy website. And they definitely aren’t chasing extra marketing. Why? Because they don’t need to. Their reputation has been earned one meal, one regular, one warm loaf of bread at a time.
I treated a group of local influencers to dinner there, and to secure a table for eight, I arrived at 4pm (and brought reinforcements). It was worth every minute of the wait. What better place to take a group of influencers - a place they can put their phones and cameras away and just enjoy gathering together.
Café Gazelle is a place where time slows down. Meals begin with a simple, delicious salad and warm bread brought to the table—a tradition from the past that still feels right. The menu is large, the flavors are comforting, and the atmosphere is wonderfully unpretentious.
The room is modest, the staff has been there for decades, and the experience is nothing short of special. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a meaningful conversation over pasta and wine.
In a world of trendy dining and Instagrammable décor, Café Gazelle is a reminder that great food, good company, and genuine hospitality never go out of style.
Republic of Pie - by Lisa Ramelow
Heather asked all of us who had been involved in the Christmas parade production, to meet at “Republic of Pie,” so we could discuss the parade that had been held this past December. We always like to do a “debrief” where we talk about what had worked, and what we could improve on in the next year.
It was a cold and rainy day, but none of us cared – perfect to go to a pie place!
Our wonderful parade hosts, Bob and Marianne, were there – they did such a great job announcing all the entrants in the parade. They were so enthusiastic, and I had really enjoyed hosting the event with the two of them.
They are both professionals in the entertainment industry, and I loved hearing about their experiences. They each do all kinds of “gigs.” Bob explained how he goes overseas for months at a time, to host remote game show events – he loves it. And Marianne showed me how she does a perfect Martha Stewart impersonation, for the “Cameo” app – she is a hoot!
These two are just super nice people, who are “Long Beach, through and through!”
Also attending our lunch meeting, were our “parade engineers,” Sam and Grant. These two young men are stellar in their work; they set up all the sound equipment for the parade, and handle all of the logistics needed to live-stream the parade on YouTube. I’m always inspired by both of them; they work so hard, and always want to make the parade the best ever for our community.
We had a nice lunch, and then it was time for THE PIE! There were SO many choices!
Classic Apple, Marionberry, Espresso Almond Chocolate, and of course, Pecan pie for me - it will always be my favorite! We passed them around and devoured every last crumb. It was a great place to hold a meeting – good ideas, fabulous company, and delicious pies!
Sushi AI - by Heather Kern
The Shore Sushi Challenge: 6 Stops, 3 Hours, and One Unforgettable Night - Our visit to Sushi AI
It started with a wild idea—James from @LBfoodcoma and I asked ourselves: What if we hit every sushi spot in the Shore... in one night? So, we grabbed a crew of sushi-loving friends, mapped our plan, and set out on a full-blown Belmont Shore sushi crawl.
Over the course of three hours, we visited every sushi restaurant on 2nd Street, sampling two best-selling rolls (or chef-recommended bites) at each stop. Every spot brought something great to the table—from fresh cuts to creative rolls to cozy atmospheres—but one stood out to all of us: Sushi AI.
Tucked into a small, unassuming strip on the north side of 2nd, Sushi AI is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall gem. Inside, the room is warm and intimate. We sat at the counter and struck up conversation with the chefs, who immediately pointed us to their fatty tuna. It ended up being the hands-down favorite of the entire night.
Whether you’re a seasoned sushi lover or just want a low-key, high-quality dinner, Sushi AI should be on your radar. And if you’re curious about the rest of our whirlwind sushi tour, keep an eye out—we’ll be sharing the full scoop in an upcoming newsletter.
Stay hungry. Stay curious. And definitely… stay tuned.
El Pollo Loco
Quick, Fresh, and Right in the Heart of the Shore: El Pollo Loco
When I’m craving fast food that doesn’t feel like fast food, El Pollo Loco is my go-to. I’ve been a fan for decades—because it’s fresh, affordable, and packed with flavor. The double chicken avocado salad (so good!) and the tacos el carbon—just chicken, onions, and cilantro—it’s a comfort meal I can always count on. Pro tip: pour on your tacos or dip them into the creamy cilantro dressing. Game changer.
If you live or work in Belmont Shore, once you park your car, you don't want to leave and the shore is one o the most walkable districts in Long Beach. We may be home to over 50 amazing places to eat, but let’s be real, sometimes you just want something quick, healthy, and delicious that doesn’t break the bank. El Pollo Loco is centrally located on 2nd Street and always ready when you need a fast lunch that still feels like a real meal.
Even better? This location is family owned, and the staff couldn’t be nicer. They show up for the community too—always participating in Stroll & Savor and the Christmas Parade.
We’re so glad they’re part of the Belmont Shore family. Next time you’re thinking lunch, think loco. You won’t regret it.
Natraj Cuisine of India & Nepal - by Heather Kern
Natraj Cuisine of India & Nepal – A Shore Staple with Big Flavor
If there’s one thing we’ve come to expect from a great Indian restaurant—it’s a full lunch buffet. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at Natraj, right here in Belmont Shore.
They’ve been open since 1991!!!, and while it’s changed hands over the years, the good food and welcoming energy have stayed the same. The current owners are genuinely excited to share their food and meet everyone who walks through the door.
They’re open on holidays, always set up their buffet for Stroll & Savor, and consistently end up as one of our top ticket collectors. And honestly—what’s not to love about an Indian buffet? Fresh naan, rich curries, bold spices... it’s comfort food at its finest.
If you haven’t been in a while, go say hi and fill your plate. It’s still one of the best-kept lunch secrets in the Shore.
Block by Block Volume 9 Covina to La Verne (South)
West to East:
El Pollo Loco: 5252 E. 2nd Street
Rance’s Chicago Pizza: 5258 E. 2nd Street
Sushi AI: 5260 E. 2nd Street
Natraj Cuisine of India & Nepal: 5262 E. 2nd Street
Republic of Pie: 5272 E. 2nd Street
Cafe Gazelle: 191 La Verne Ave.