steamedroofsignbig Earlier this summer, Steamed moved into a house-turned-counter-style-storefront on a quiet stretch of 3rd Street—just west of Alamitos Avenue—and just as quietly became the newest vegetarian restaurant in Long Beach.

While the new business slowly settled in, the early clientele consisted mainly of curious passersby—and maybe a few former customers of the building’s previous tenant, a medical marijuana dispensary. But the fresh food, the simple and Mexican-inspired menu (burritos, quesadillas, salads) and the friendly staff quickly made Steamed a neighborhood gem.

Now, on Thursday—that’s tomorrow—night, Steamed will finally make its presence official with a grand opening party featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and—according to the evite–“super bomb food.”

The dishes at Steamed are about lots of fresh choices, minimal waste and the personal touch. Doing that means obtaining organic veggies from local farmers and buying in small amounts to prevent waste. It also means you’ve really got to try the homemade salsa and pesto sauce, which are what make Steamed’s dishes unique.

Customers order their meals from wide variety of options laid out in a deli case. From there, it’s pick your salsa (mild, medium or hot), pick your rice (brown or white jasmine), pick your beans (black or pinto) and then step back and watch the servers pile on fresh veggies, guacamole and (don’t forget) the homemade pesto sauce.

Something to wash it down? Buy a can of organic soda or some coconut water or grab a glass off the bookshelf and help yourself to one of their daily-infused waters, which is always some enticing flavor like basil-orange and cantaloupe cucumber.

The patio is small and cozy with a leafy tree and umbrellas for shade—the perfect summertime eating spot. The interior feels as if you are walking into a friend’s home, with tables that do not match and water glasses of all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Steamed’s friendly layout is personified by its employees, who seem to have been well chosen for their passion for people and food. Owner Stephanie Carlough and her staff have impressive memories for names and faces, and the personalized greetings they give to return customers adds another aspect of community to the place.

Long Beach has been slow to grow a category of meatless restaurants, but this heartwarming place with its coffee-shop vibe is an encouraging step forward—one which provides a complement, not competion, for the nearby and long-established vegetarian restaurant, Zephyr.  [This story included reporting and editing by Sarah Bennett.]

STEAMED VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT • 801 E. THIRD ST. • LONG BEACH • 90802 • 562.437.1122 • MON-THU, 11:30AM-8:30PM; FRI-SAT, 11:30AM-9:30PM; SUN, 12-5 • CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED • FREE WI-FI