This Long Beach Seafood Shack Makes a Beef Sandwich Worth Going Out of Your Way For

Featured Business of the Week | Selling South LA

Sometimes the best thing on a seafood restaurant's menu has absolutely nothing to do with seafood.

Tucked along Anaheim Street, where Long Beach's Zaferia and Eastside neighborhoods meet, A&J Seafood Shack is serving up one of the city's most crave-worthy sandwiches. And while its seafood dishes have earned plenty of attention, the real surprise is a smoky, lemongrass-marinated beef sandwich that deserves a spot on every Long Beach food lover's must-try list.

Meet the Beef Stick Sandwich: a Cambodian-inspired creation that brings together chargrilled beef, crunchy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and spicy mayo inside a toasted French roll.

It's bold, messy in the best possible way, and packed with flavor.

The $13 Sandwich That Steals the Spotlight

At first glance, the Beef Stick Sandwich might remind you of a Vietnamese bánh mì. But this Cambodian-style sandwich, known as num pang, has its own distinctive personality.

The star is the beef, marinated in fragrant lemongrass and grilled until smoky and caramelized. It's tucked into a toasted roll with crisp cucumber, pickled green papaya, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and a generous spread of spicy sriracha mayo.

Every ingredient has a purpose.

The beef brings richness and char. The pickled vegetables cut through with acidity and crunch. Fresh herbs brighten each bite, while the creamy sauce delivers just enough heat to keep things interesting.

The result is the kind of sandwich that makes you wonder why you haven't ordered it sooner.

Price: $13 on the restaurant's online ordering menu; delivery-platform pricing may vary.

A Little Cambodian Heritage, a Lot of Long Beach Flavor

There's more to A&J Seafood Shack than its compact storefront.

Husband-and-wife team Vannak Tan and Manika opened the restaurant in 2020, building on a family history deeply connected to Long Beach's Cambodian food scene.

After helping establish family restaurant favorites Phnom Penh Noodle Shack and RiceString Noodle Shack, Vannak set out to create something different.

The result was A&J Seafood Shack, named after the couple's children, Anissa and Jetra.

Drawing inspiration from Cambodian family recipes, Phnom Penh street food, and the seafood traditions of Hawaii's North Shore, the restaurant brings together flavors that reflect the diverse culinary influences of Southern California.

And that's part of what makes Long Beach's food scene so exciting.

In a city home to one of the country's most significant Cambodian communities, neighborhood restaurants like A&J Seafood Shack offer a delicious connection between cultural heritage, family traditions, and modern LA dining.

Don't Let the Name Fool You: The Seafood Is Worth Exploring, Too

While the Beef Stick Sandwich is the reason we're stopping by this week, the rest of the menu makes a compelling case for a return visit.

A few dishes worth considering:

• Garlic Shrimp: Juicy shrimp coated in rich garlic butter, served with steamed rice and pineapple.

• Salt & Pepper Shrimp: Crispy shrimp tossed with jalapeños, shallots, and a savory blend of seasonings.

• Grilled Beef Sticks: Lemongrass-marinated beef grilled with garlic, turmeric, and spices.

• Stir-Fried Noodles: Flat rice noodles tossed with chicken, shrimp, Chinese sausage, eggs, and Chinese broccoli.

• Khmer Sausage: A Cambodian-style sausage seasoned with garlic, galangal, and other aromatic ingredients.

For first-timers, start with the Beef Stick Sandwich. If you're bringing someone along, add an order of garlic shrimp or salt-and-pepper shrimp to share.

Why A&J Seafood Shack Belongs on Your Long Beach Food List

Part of the appeal is how unpretentious the experience feels.

A&J Seafood Shack isn't trying to be a trendy dining destination with elaborate interiors or an oversized menu. It's a small, takeout-focused neighborhood spot built around family recipes and food prepared to order.

Located near the edge of Long Beach's Cambodia Town, it's the kind of place that rewards anyone willing to explore beyond the city's more familiar waterfront restaurants.

And while the Beef Stick Sandwich has received recognition from local food publications, including Eater LA and LAist, the experience remains refreshingly straightforward: order at the window, pick up something delicious, and enjoy one of Long Beach's standout local bites.

Sometimes the best food discoveries come from the smallest kitchens.

Planning Your Visit to A&J Seafood Shack

Restaurant: A&J Seafood Shack

Address: 3201 E Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804

Neighborhood: Zaferia / Eastside Long Beach, near Cambodia Town

Hours: Daily, 11 AM–8 PM, according to the restaurant's website. Confirm before visiting.

Phone: (562) 386-2000

Must-Try Dish: Beef Stick Sandwich — $13 on the direct online menu

Dining Style: Casual, takeout-focused

Website: www.ajseafoodshack.com

Order Online: A&J Seafood Shack Online Ordering

Get Directions: A&J Seafood Shack on Google Maps

More Than a Sandwich: Discovering the Neighborhoods That Make Long Beach Special

One of the things I love about exploring South LA County is discovering the small businesses that give each neighborhood its own personality.

Long Beach is especially rich in these experiences. Beyond the beaches, historic architecture, and waterfront attractions, there's an incredible collection of independent restaurants reflecting the city's cultural diversity.

Places like A&J Seafood Shack remind us that getting to know a neighborhood often starts with something as simple as finding a great place to eat.

Whether you've lived in Long Beach for years or you're just beginning to explore the area, there's always another local favorite waiting to be discovered.

And this week, it just might be a $13 beef sandwich.

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