A&J Seafood Shack

On the corner of Anaheim Street and Obispo Avenue, A&J Seafood Shack is a compact, 280-square-foot stall that operates entirely out of a service window. The whole setup is built for takeout, though a few high-top benches with umbrellas are set up for anyone who wants to eat right away. A small private lot provides some parking, but it fills up fast, and from the sidewalk, the air is thick with the smell of cooking – especially the heavy hit of garlic that defines the place. This is a Cambodian-owned spot in the heart of Long Beach's Cambodia Town, blending family recipes with Pan-Asian flavors. The whole idea was partly inspired by the garlic shrimp trucks on Oahu’s North Shore, which led the owner to create his own unique version that merges Hawaiian and Cambodian styles. That garlic shrimp, tossed in a signature Cambodian-style garlic butter and served with pineapple slices, is what most people are here for. The menu goes deeper into this fusion, with house specials like a wok-tossed lobster with aromatics and jalapeños, chopped for easy eating. You can also get a Cambodian take on a banh mi, made with lemongrass-marinated beef skewers and green papaya slaw, or the whole fried squid, which is always tender and well-breaded. Grilled oysters, crispy salmon with mango sauce, and braised pork plates round out the list of comfort food. Everything is cooked to order, so expect a bit of a wait after you place your order. Portions are famously generous, and a popular move is to grab a Thai Tea to drink while you stand by for your food.