{"id":460099,"date":"2026-09-11T03:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T03:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460099\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T03:30:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T03:30:13","slug":"restaurant-owners-fed-first-responders-as-waves-swamped-the-peninsula-eat-see-do-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/460099\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant owners fed first responders as waves swamped the Peninsula \u2022 Eat. See. Do."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Nancy and Jorge Andrade stand in front of their restaurant on the peninsula, Andrade\u2019s Cafe in Long Beach, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/p>\n

When Nancy and Jorge Andrade heard about the waves that threatened to destroy parts of the Peninsula<\/a> earlier this week, they immediately wanted to help.<\/p>\n

As the owners of Andrade\u2019s Cafe by the Bay, a Mexican-American spot serving classics like chilaquiles, enchiladas and chile relleno burgers, the couple naturally set out to feed first responders in the Peninsula area. Their restaurant, which has been open for about a year, is just a block from where waves damaged the Peninsula boardwalk and forced evacuations. Between Sunday and Monday night, the Andrades made about 20 pizzas for the firefighters who were filling sandbags and reinforcing a protective sand berm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing I can do is just to help a little bit,\u201d Jorge said. \u201cI think pizza is the best way right now to help.\u201d The couple said that the crews were very grateful.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t the first time the Andrades have used their food to give back to their community.<\/p>\n

Last month, they catered for an event at the Coast Guard Los Angeles\/Long Beach base on Terminal Island, providing food for 200 soldiers. Being able to \u201cserve those who served us\u201d meant a lot to them, Nancy said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all about the community here,\u201d Nancy said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach firefighters survey the damage along the boardwalk after strong waves pounded the Peninsula on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/p>\n

For the past year, the Andrades have loved connecting with neighbors in the Peninsula and helping out wherever they can.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI love what I do,\u201d Jorge said. \u201cI feel like this [restaurant] is home, and I try to make people feel the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple makes a point to remember regulars\u2019 names and orders. A couple of their regulars, Lou and Henry, always like to sit at the same corner table, so Jorge and Nancy put up a sign denoting the spot as \u201cLou and Henry\u2019s corner.\u201d The former mayor of Downey, Rick Rodriguez, also has his own special corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have met a lot of people, really nice people. That\u2019s what I love,\u201d Jorge said.<\/p>\n

Andrade\u2019s Cafe by the Bay<\/a>, at 76 \u00bd 62nd Place, is open every day except Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

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