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Students reveal
Long Beach haunts
By Candice Blackmon
Special to the On-line Forty-Niner
Jack Timar, 25,
has lived and worked in and around Long Beach for 10 years.
Many newcomers to Long Beach are faced with the dilemma of
where to eat, drink, be merry and shop. A few favorite
hot spots are recommended.
Timar, a former
Cal State Long Beach student, said he frequents Legends, 5236
East Second Street, and Shannon's, 5335 East Second Street,
regularly. He is attracted to the bars for their good atmospheres,
decent pricing, and tasty food, Timar said. Proximity and
the fact that he recognizes faces their are also key factors,
he said.
"It is always
good to go someplace where you know someone," Timar said.
Timar is not the
only one who appreciates the allure of Second Street. Aaron
Fry, 28, and Abby Rowland, 22, also listed Second Street as
a favorite destination. Fry, a former CSULB student,
said he prefers Panama Joe's, 5100 East Second Street, for
the live music entertainment.
"The best
times at Panama Joe's are Friday and Saturday nights since
there is no cover charge," Fry said.
Open Sesame, 5215
East Second Street, is a common place to eat for Rowland,
a student at CSULB. She said she enjoys the healthy food and
affordable pricing. The Banana Republic, 5019 East Second
Street, is her favorite place to shop for clothes.
"I would describe
my taste in clothing as affordable yuppie," Rowland said.
Jennifer Saheed,
29, a CSULB student, said she enjoys the French café,
Babette's Feast, 4621 East Second Street, for a quiet meal
with her husband.
If Second Street
is too busy, consider dining at Christy's Restaurant, 3937
East Broadway Avenue. Christy's is slightly pricey but an
intimate experience, Rowland said. The food is excellent as
well as the wine list, Fry added.
Another restaurant
to try for an expensive but excellent dinner is Nico's, 5760
East Second Street, Fry said. Rowland agreed.
For an economical
but good Chinese meal, Ocean Pearl Seafood Chinese Restaurant,
6252 East Pacific Coast Highway, is the place to eat, Timar
said. It offers both delivery and sit-down.
The No. 1 destination
for shopping is Target, Timar said.
"I go to pick
up a trash can and I end up spending $300 on useless stuff
I need around the house," Timar said. "I can always
find something to buy."
If stores and crowds
are not desirable, the beach is a nice getaway, Rowland said.
The driving range and parks are a nice escape as well, Fry
said.
Atmosphere and
price were the main factors when determining where to go,
off-campus as well as on. A reasonably healthy and affordable
lunch is provided at Subway in the Union Student Union, Rowland
said.
Timar also said
she appreciates a nutritious meal on campus.
"When I played
Rugby at Cal State, I needed a filling lunch without any grease.
Subway was my choice," Timar said.
In the morning,
the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf downstairs in the USU provided
croissants and bagels, Timar said. The atmosphere was relaxing
and comfortable.
"A good place
to study and have a cappuccino," Timar said.
Until Timar returns
to campus, Second Street will suffice. Overall, Second Street
accommodates all kinds of moods and tastes, Timar said. A
place with crowds but not the nightclub scene.
"I'm a simple
guy; I like a place where you can sit at the bar and have
a few drinks," Timar said.
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