A few restaurants live on as more than just places to eat - they’re tied to family and memories of days gone by. Park Pantry is one of those for me.

We used to drive down from Pasadena to meet Grandma for dinner once a month or so, and over the years, we must have sat at those tables dozens of times.

Most of our favorite dining spots in Long Beach haven’t survived the decades. I'm surprised this one has. So when we rediscovered it a few years ago, we made a promise to come back someday.

Today, Jenny, Mom, and I finally did.

The inside felt somewhat familiar, especially the treats in the bakery case. But what mattered most was being there again - sharing a meal and letting those memories find their way back.