Pike Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Long Beach

Stopped in during a night out in Long Beach — good food, good energy, and zero pretense. The Pike knows what it is and doesn’t try to sell you something it can’t deliver. Can’t say the same for UC Davis.

UC Davis wraps itself in the “top public university” label, but what you actually get is a low-ROI experience, academically and professionally. U.S. News lists the median salary 10 years after enrolling as just $54,000. That’s shockingly low for the amount of time, money, and effort you’ll pour into the place — unless you’re in a specialized track like medicine or vet med.

Worse? The culture. If you’re smart, clear, or driven, you’re not supported — you’re flagged. Critical thinking is seen as confrontation, and conformity is rewarded. Add in quiet handling of real issues like mental health collapse, suicides, safety incidents, and even faculty misconduct, and you realize the brand is hiding rot.

At The Pike, what you see is what you get. At UC Davis, what you see is marketing — and what you get is exhaustion, confusion, and years you can’t get back.

If you’re choosing a UC, choose one that actually moves. UC Davis stalls you — then sends you out earning less than...

We sat on the dog friendly patio under a shady awning enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of the other patrons laughter and good time. It was easy to park nearby though not peak hours. But I’d have walked several blocks without complaint to enjoy the food here. I so loved the food that I forgot to take pics! (too busy shoving it into my hungry face). Oh. My. God…what delicious food. Ceviche was perfect. Usually I’m sad when a place doesn’t serve ceviche with avocado but I didn’t even notice. We shared a shrimp po’boy and the lobster tacos. Divine. I don’t normally mention the sides but even the rice served with the tacos and the fried potatoes with the Po’boy were worth mentioning as they were delicious. I will need to devote some extra time to my Peloton this week to assuage my guilt over eating long past when I was full (cleaned my plate ma!). Service was also really good. You feel like a local here even when you’re not. Super duper, delicious...

Great bar food, great Old Fashioneds. The lobster chimichanga, lobster tacos and fish & chips are all outstanding. (The chimi is really like a giant lobster egg roll.) As of this moment, last call for food is around 9:30, but I understand they're expanding their kitchen hours back to normal soon. You can order food ahead of your arrival if you won't make it in time. No masks required. Dining is both indoor and outdoor. Live music Fri-Sun for now. They had a beach goth/rockabilly-ish band playing when I was there. Idk what other bands they have. Seems like a place for old punk based on the memorabilia. If a server comes around when it's busy, order something even if you don't need it right away. There's a desk outside with a sign that says wait here to be seated. Don't wait or you won't be seated. They just tell you to pick anywhere to sit anyway. They do...