Second Owl Verified listing

For Chef Regan Chantrirak—who, with his wife Pason, opened The Second Owl in Belmont Shore—the journey to what he feels is a “proper space to experience the food of our cultures” isn’t just a story of evolution. After all, he started at a cramped kitchen, slinging takeout at the height of the pandemic in Signal Hill when the pair opened Owl Owl. And now they have a full-service restaurant on 2nd Street.

If you look at Thai food in Long Beach, you will notice multiple phases. There was Panvimarn, Star of Siam (RIP), Bai’plu, Long Beach Thai, and—literally across the street from Second Owl—Phuket Thai (also RIP). These spaces held (and, with some, continue to have) up the first phase with classic, approachable (if not fairly Americanized) versions of the staples: pad thai. Pad see ew. Maybe some larb. Then there was the second phase, which their Owl Owl is a part of, as well as Chiang Rai and Manaow. This was an exploration of Thai cuisine beyond the dishes many Americans are familiar with. Beef cheeks in curry. Spicy pork sausage kao soi.

In a truly profound sense, Chef Regan’s belief that his food is not confined to imaginary boundaries reflects a larger sense of pride and ownership among Long Beach chefs. It reflects the quiet revolution in how more and more are not just evolving their craft but owning their taste. And when it comes to The Second Owl, it is taking Thai and Lao food into new realms.

Written and photos by Brian Addison.

For Brian Addison's full feature on Second Owl, click here.