By Not listed on sites like Google Maps, Bored & Hungry is the first NFT based restaurant located in Long Beach.
NFT stands for “non fungible token” which is a digital proof of property containing a link to a digital photograph, art or even Tweets on the blockchain. NFTs as well as cryptocurrencies are currently a controversial topic as some state that it’s a Ponzi scheme. Others argue about the carbon footprint that is left from the technology that houses NFTs and cryptocurrencies.
Andy Nguyen, owner of Bored and Hungry, purchased four unique tokens from the Bored Ape Yacht Club. The rights that the artist possessed when they created any ape character is all in the hands of Nguyen.
According to Bored Ape Yacht Club’s website, “BAYC is a collection of 10,000 Bored Ape NFTs.” If you purchase an ape, you become a member of the Yacht Club. “When you buy a Bored Ape, you’re not simply buying an avatar or a provably-rare piece of art.”
With an incredible in-store design of cardboard cut outs of partnered NFTs, Andy Nguyen and co-owners, Kevin Seo and Phillip Huynh, plan to expand in other countries by creating their own restaurant chain called the Food Fighters Universe.
In the fall of this year, another Bored & Hungry restaurant will open in Seoul, South Korea.
Food Fighters Universe is a collective of restaurants to bridge “the future of Web3 and the world of today,” according to their website. The team behind the universe beside Nguyen and So is Bernard Freeman, or Bun B.
Freeman is the owner of Trill Burgers, based in Houston. They sell their burgers through Bored & Hungry. The plant-based burger featured on the Mutant Feeding menu is from Beleaf Better Burgers.
On the corner of Junipero and Seventh St., pictured with low eyes and wearing a striped tee, is Henry the Hangry Ape, the main ape of the restaurant. Bored & Hungry is located about nine minutes away from Beachside College dorms and 10 minutes away from campus.
Inside, multicolored chairs and wooden tables are provided for customers. Plastered on the windows are more copies of NFTs and other seasonal partnered NFTs like Mindblowon.
Mindblowon is an NFT community that plans on expanding their brand in real life. Mindblowon NFT is a person in a red hoodie with a surprised expression on their face. This NFT will be featured on Bored & Hungry’s packaging until mid-September.
The art style of the restaurant and the packaging made the burger feel like it was customized specifically for NFT holders who understand the Food Fighters Universe.
After a full day of classes, my first bite immediately hit the spot.
The Bored OG Burger has sweet caramelized onions, pickles, two patties, cheese and B&H special sauce or thousand island sauce. The toasted bun tasted like it was coated with garlic butter. The oversized patties, and melted cheese can be attributed to the smash burger.
A smash burger is made when the burger patty is flattened on a griddle, bringing out different flavors from the meat.
It costs $13 for the Bored OG Burger alone, A combo comes with the burger, fries and a drink for $15. The restaurant also allows customers to purchase their meal with ApeCoin.
Bored & Hungry has two menus represented by two different NFTs and restaurants. Under the Boring Menu, you purchase the flavors of Trill Burgers. Under the Mutant Feeding menu, you can try Beleaf burgers. The Beleaf Mutant OG Burger combo is $15.25, with the same ingredients as the Bored OG Burger.
The mutant burger did not have the same sweet taste as the OG original burger. The onions are only slightly cooked with vegan cheese, pickles, and thousand island sauce. The fries were fries, lightly-salted and warm. But they don’t beat McDonald’s or the price.
I recommend the Bored OG Burger because of the Houston flavor. As for vegan NFT holders, the Mutant Feeding menu is for you.
Sadly, the restaurant has no restroom for customers, so be prepared before arriving.
If Long Beach residents present their IDs, they can receive a ten percent discount. So, if you’re interested in eating from the first NFT restaurant yourself, head to 2405 E Seventh St. Long Beach, CA 90804. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
