Legendary Hof's Hut to Become Lucille's Smokehouse

While the legacy of Long Beach's 50 plus year old Hof's Hut at 2nd and Pacific Coast Highway seemed sealed after it was closed four months ago, the tides are shifting. Back in March, Hof's Hut was forced to call it quits, along with a neighboring supermarket, to make way for a shiny new Gelson's, CVS, and possibly other dining and shopping options. But, last week came news from the ownership group led by Craig Hofman (whose family opened the original Marina Gateway Hof's Hut in 1961), announcing the family will not be leaving the locale after all.

With a rent increase, the end of a 50 year lease, and the success of Hofman's Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que concept gaining momentum, the parent company behind both restaurants has decided to keep the location in the family and replace Hof's Hut with another branch of their casual barbecue concept, to open before the end of this year. This shift from Hof's to Lucille's is the second time the Hofman Hospitality Group has taken action along 2nd Street in Long Beach following the lead of the Belmont Shore diner. [EaterWire]
— Matthew Bragman