Best of Beach 2022: Dance Club, Restaurant Crew, Bagel Shop, Bakery bread, Bakery dessert
Dance Club
American Junkie
A “house party vibe” is how American Junkie manager Art Hernandez describes the Pier Avenue dance club, which features two DJ’s on the weekends. The east room has throwback, sing along, rock: the second dance floor, house music. The club also brings in some heavy hitters for live performances, like rappers Mike Jones, Too Short and Kid Ink. The venue, which will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary this summer, also has 30 TV screens, a ping pong table and a menu that includes their Junkie cup, a mix of vodka and Red Bull, and their massive hang-over burger. This is not your typical beachfront club. — — Elka Worner
68 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach
Runner-up
Lighthouse
30 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach
The Good Stuff crew is known for knowing their customers, and their customers known them. (Left to right) Marcel, Annie (a 20-year Good Stuff employee), Skylar, Tadeo (also 20 years), Viviana and Jairo (a 30-year Good Stuff employee). Photo courtesy of Good Stuff
Restaurant crew
Good Stuff
This category used to be divided into best waiter and best waitress, but there’s really no reason to do that, because the art and skill of good service has nothing to do with gender. We also recognize that teamwork is important at any restaurant, because the failure of any link in the chain dooms the effort. Good Stuff has been noteworthy for having a high percentage of employees who have been there for years, even decades, an achievement in an era of staff shortages and job hopping. These are people who love their jobs and support their fellow workers, and the group effort is visible at every location.
Good Stuff
1286 The Strand, Hermosa Beach. (310) 374-2334
1617 S. Pacific Coast Hwy #102, Redondo Beach. (310) 316-0262
550 Deep Valley Dr. #151, Rolling Hills. (310) 544-8000
Runner-up
Vida Modern Taqueria
1723 S Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach
Manhattan Bread and Bagel makes bagels in the traditional way, with an allowance for special holidays, such as St. Patrick’s Day. Easy Reader file photo
Bagel shop
Manhattan Bread & Bagel
Making a proper bagel is a specialized skill that includes boiling the dough before baking it so that it has just the right toothsome crust. The bakers at Manhattan Bread and Bagel have that technique down, so they can focus on working with different flour mixes and add-ins to provide the variety consumers enjoy. Whether you like them sweet or savory, whole wheat, egg, or plain, by itself or with their lox spread or other condiments, there’s something here that has the texture and flavor you enjoy.
Manhattan Bread & Bagel
1812 N Sepulveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
Runner-up:
Noah’s
330 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
Third generation baker Todd Becker is known for his creative cakes, cupcakes, and surfboard cookies, as well as his famous squaw bread.
Bakery bread
Beckers Bakery & Deli
Becker’s Bakery has a limited selection compared to some others, but that’s often the case with specialists. They’re famous for their squaw bread, a sweet wheat that goes great on sandwiches and is wonderful straight from the toaster with a little butter. Nobody seems to know whether this was offered when they opened in 1942 or was invented sometime later, but it has certainly been a favorite for generations of locals. The theory here seems to be that you shouldn’t mess with success, and since customers love the small selection done right, keep giving the people what they want.
Beckers Bakery & Deli
1025 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach
beckersbakeryanddeli@gmail.com
Runner-up:
Sweet Wheat Bakery
1430 S Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach
Bakery dessert
Torrance Bakery
With all of the bakeries in the beach cities, our readers’ favorite is in Torrance? Yes, it is, and they’re not alone, because there’s a line outside just about every day. Elegantly decorated multi-level wedding cakes are a specialty there, and they have a breathtaking gallery of photos, but you don’t need to wait for someone to get hitched to try one. Get one for a birthday, housewarming, or just because you want to invite some friends over and make the day special with a cake. They have 30 different fillings and all sorts of icings and cake flavors, so whatever you like, they’ll make it. Not in the mood for a gathering? They have napoleons, eclairs, and all the usual cupcakes and doughnuts, so you can simply celebrate being alive by getting some to follow an everyday meal.
Torrance Bakery
1341 El Prado Ave. Torrance
Runner-up:
Beckers Bakery & Deli
1025 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach
beckersbakeryanddeli@gmail.com