
Thai District, a modern Thai kitchen, is located in downtown Long Beach. Photo: Q Voice News.
LONG BEACH — The restaurant industry has been decimated by COVID-19.
In an effort to help slow the spread of the virus, sitdown dining has been temporarily banned. The only operating options for these businesses are takeout, pickup, or deliveries.
When visiting a business to purchase food, customers must maintain physical distancing and wear a facial covering. Employees also are required to wear face masks.
Here are other COVID-19 safety tips from Long Beach drag queen Jewels.

Kat McIver, left, and Angie Evans proudly proclaim they have “The Queerest Coffee in Town.” The Long Beach lesbian couple co-own Wide Eyes Open Palms, a comfy coffee shop and cafe on Cherry Avenue just around the corner from Fourth Street’s Retro Row. Photo: Karen Robes-Meeks for Q Voice News.
If you want to help LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly restaurants, here are eight Long Beach businesses you can support with takeout or delivery orders.
- Breakfast Bar: This downtown location is all about breakfast, and some lunch. Breakfast orders can be submitted online starting at 6:15 a.m.
- George’s Greek Cafe: It’s all Greek at this restaurant, which started in downtown and has expanded to locations in Belmont Shore and Lakewood.
- Hamburger Mary’s: The Sunday drag brunch has pivoted to Jewels’ Backyard Brunch, but food can be ordered for takeout.
- Hot Java: The gay-borhood coffee ship is open everyday from 6 a.m. To 6 p.m. for grab and go orders of coffee, pastries, and paninis.
- Portuguese Bend: Long Beach’s first distillery offers a full menu, booze, and homemade hand sanitizer to go. They are open limited hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thai District: This modern Thai kitchen offers a variety of authentic dishes for every taste palette. Yummy vegetarian and vegan options also are on the menu.
- Thai Silk: This Broadway-based, Thai food staple has been open in the gay-borhood since 2001.
- Wide Eyes Open Palms: Wide Eyes Open Palms serves coffee and goodies as takeout for feminists and the queer community Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their handmade pastries and entree items sellout fast. Check out their menu early.