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LOCAL WISDOM: RAY POK, CHIEF OF STAFF, COUNCILWOMAN TONIA REYES URANGA
ILLUSTRATION by JOE MCGARRY
Ray Pok hasn’t always been a Long Beach resident. He came from Cambodia when he was six years old and lived in South Central LA, Newhall, Bellflower—and even France—before finally owning a home here. Pok knows and loves Long Beach and, today, is chief of staff for Long Beach City Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga.
What do you love most about Long Beach? It has a little bit of everything and a lot that’s undiscovered. You can discover your favorite Long Beach spot by accident. It just reminds me of walking through Paris or something and saying, ‘Wow, I never knew this was here!’ There’s just a range of lifestyle from area to area, and for me, this is incredible.
What’s your favorite Long Beach spot? Rainbow Harbor; it’s just a nice, quiet space.
Where’s the best place to meet with friends in Long Beach? Shore House Café (5271 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.2266; shorehousecafe.net) is open 24 hours—always ready to respond to a friend.
Where’s the best place to eat? The Phnom Penh Noodle Restaurant (1644 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill 90813)—or to the natives, Mr. Geri’s. It’s where the country folk go. It’s a total hole-in-the-wall—good Cambodian comfort food. I order the fish porridge with fried noodles on the side . . . extreme carb-loading!
Best drink in Long Beach? A Bloody Mary at Schooner or Later (241 N. Marina Drive, Long Beach 90803. 562.430.3495; schoonerorlater.com).
What’s your favorite way to pass time in the city? At all our parks—we have great parks. We have a lot of recreational things to do. It’s the space. I really appreciate that. I love being able to walk my daughter to a pool on the beach. If it weren’t for the fact that these areas are protected park space, opportunities like this would be gone. To not have to take an entire half day to get to a recreational opportunity, I like that.
Tags: phnom penh noodle house, ray pok, Schooner Or Later, shore house, Tonia Reyes Uranga
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Thursday, January 8
- Karaoke w/ Tim @ The Liquid Lounge
- Dreamgirls @ Ripples
- Salsa @ Sevilla
- Flyer @ Buster's Beach House
- Karaoke @ J. King Neptune's
- Karaoke @ Paradise Piano Bar
- The Boxty Brothers @ Auld Dubliner
- Latin Night @ Executive Suite
- DJ Marlon @ The Gaslamp
- The Dirges @ Clancy's
- B. Grit and Scott St. Louis @ The Pike Bar
- The Clouds @ Viento y Agua
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