PRESS RELEASE

Above: Photo of new Alamitos Beach Concession Stand, operated by concessionaire Gaucho Grill.

Long Beach, CA – On Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, City of Long Beach and community leaders will celebrate the grand opening of the Alamitos Beach Concession Stand, with concessionaire Gaucho Grill serving as the catering host for the event. The event will be held at 5 p.m. at 780 E. Shoreline Dr. with entertainment provided by Downtown Long Beach Alliance. Members of the public are invited to check out the new facility, join in the celebration, and receive a complimentary empanada for the first 300 people to enjoy.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Alamitos Beach Concession Stand and formally welcome Gaucho Grill to the City family,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This project shows our dedication to creating vibrant and inclusive spaces for all residents and visitors of our great city to enjoy. We invite everyone to join us for the grand opening and experience the fantastic offerings of Gaucho Grill."

The Alamitos Beach Concession Stand is one of five revitalized concession stands to activate the waterfront, increase recreational access to the beach, and create long-term partnerships with the City and special event organizers. Built as one of the City projects in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games, the new Alamitos Beach Concession Stand replaces the former one-story building and is now a 5,500-square-foot facility with a two-story café, outdoor and indoor seating, a rooftop deck, outdoor play area and games corner, new restrooms, and an upcoming sports rental/retail facility. The cost of the new facility totals $10.1 million, which was allocated from the City’s Tidelands Fund, which are funds restricted for improvements in the tidal areas.

“It is an honor to join in the official celebratory opening of the new and improved Alamitos Beach Concession Stand,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “I am delighted to add Gaucho Grill to our growing list of enjoyable new eateries and amenities along our Downtown shoreline.”

“The neighborhood is really excited about transforming our waterfront with additional dining, entertainment, and recreation options for both our residents and visitors,” said Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen. “This new facility will serve as a hub for beachgoers to enjoy a sit-down restaurant with cocktails. I love that the concession stand has something for everyone, even low-cost options like on-the-go snacks.”

The City's concessionaire, Gaucho Grill, operates from the Alamitos Beach Concession facility serving Argentian steaks, short ribs, signature empanadas, seafood, salads, and vegetarian options. Gaucho Café, part of Gaucho Grill, offers a variety of grab-and-go options including pastries, coffee, juices and smoothies.

The concessionaires were selected through a competitive Request for Proposal process led by the Economic Development, Special Events, Parks, Recreation, and Marine, and Public Works Departments. The City began conducting the planning and preliminary design process for the Beach Concession building improvements in 2016. The contract for Gaucho Grill and Monty’s Beach was approved by the City Council in summer 2021. With three now open and two underway, the new concession stands feature unique cuisine and serve as an amenity for residents and visitors to the Long Beach coastline:

• Junipero Beach Concession Stand (2630 E. Ocean Blvd.) – Saltwater Deck, a premier restaurant on the sand with breakfast, burgers, sandwich, wraps, and salad options.
• Mother’s Beach Concession Stand (5839 Appian Way) – Louisiana Charlie’s provides waterfront dining with southern home-style cuisine.
• Bayshore Concession Stand (coming soon) – Grill ‘Em All, an establishment geared towards specialty burgers.
• Granada Beach Concession Stand, (coming soon) – Monty’s, a food stand to offer Mediterranean style offerings, including dog-friendly food options.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Public Works is available at longbeach.gov/pw/. Follow on Facebook, X and Instagram.