HiHo Cheeseburger Drops Wagyu Goodness and Waterside Views on Marina del Rey

HiHo Cheeseburger, the growing local wagyu burger chain, has opened its second location in Marina del Rey. The waterside outlet lands at Pier 44 at Boardwalk Marina del Rey with views of the water, lots of casual seating inside, and plenty of burgers and housemade pies, like key lime and banana cream — plus that famous fried chicken sandwich in collaboration with Willie Mae’s Scotch House out of New Orleans. Expect limited opening hours to start as the restaurant slowly ramps up, meaning weekday dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday hours from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In other news:

• Jewish-American media outlet the Forward has an update on the mid-May outdoor altercation at Fumi Sushi that resulted in two people from a pro-Palestinian group being arrested. While the two have not been formally charged with a hate crime, they have been pilloried online, says the Forward, though the Jewish lawyer for the pair tells the Forward that he does not believe the incident was specifically an attack on Jewish diners. Rather, he argues, it was an altercation that centers around the acts of the Israeli government only. Both cases are still pending.
• Locally born mega-chain Panda Express, still privately owned by a family in the San Gabriel Valley, is tinkering with a new version of its most sought-after item. The company has partnered with Beyond Meat to make a vegan orange chicken, available soon on a limited basis across Southern California. If all goes well, says VegOut, diners could expect to see the faux chicken nationwide.

• The New York Times has a big piece out on California’s historic and deeply rooted Sikh farmers, who grow crops across the Central Valley and beyond.
• A new NBC Sports-owned bar called the Grill & Brew is open at Universal Citywalk. Expect lots of craft beer, TVs, and the usual pub fare like burgers, nachos, salads, and steaks.
• Atlanta-based hangout Fin & Feathers is coming west, says What Now LA, opening a new location for casual American fare in the former Washington Ale House space at 13484 Washington Boulevard.
• Star sushi chef Yoya Takahashi is leaving Hamasaku, having run the Westside restaurant for years. He’ll be staying in Los Angeles for his next project, but hasn’t announced details just yet.