I was walking on the strand when a handsome young gentleman asked me if I wanted a sample of food from the restaurant down the small street Wangs n Thangs, but he was out of samples in his tray. His name is Seven, and he said follow me and I will get you a sample. After a long wait, he handed me a piece of BBQ chicken and a breaded shrimp, that was just incredible. So, I told him that I am a food writer, and he immediately had me speak to his cousin Atrayu’s wife, Cynthia Moore. She offered me to come back the next day to do an official tasting for my website, I was very excited.
The thing about Wangs N Thangs is that it is a beach stall, with no real dining room. So, they got creative; they have some tables and chairs on the street, which is a walk-up street, and added a large flat-screen TV, and they play some great urban music, and videos. That really adds to the overall vibe. The other thing about Wangs N Thangs is that the food is their real star of their show. It really doesn’t matter if there’s no official indoor dining room, because by the time you get your food you’re just going to dig in no matter where or how you eat it; it’s just that good!
They opened in January of this year, their first time owning a restaurant. Before this, they dabbled in other businesses but never a restaurant. Atruya is from Mississippi, so it made perfect sense to bring his memories into his food here in Venice Beach. He started by watching his dad cook and then took his dad’s recipes and experimented on his own. You will see him in the kitchen and Cynthia taking the orders in the window. I asked her if there were plans to open another Wangs N Thangs, and she said they love the beach vibe and would like to open another one in Miami. She also said she would be so happy to open one that had a proper dining room. I see a lot of growth potential for them soon.
Drinks:
Homemade Lemonade, the perfect sweet pink lemonade, they really don’t limit the sweetness.
Food:
Onion Flower Thang, a big, huge yellow onion that gets opened and fried in their special batter. Forget Outback Steakhouse; this version is the bomb, served with Thousand Island sauce. I was just speechless!
Fried Shrimp, served with their honey garlic sauce, truly a real winner. The breading is crispy panko, and the shrimp is super fresh, it’s just the perfect fried shrimp ever.
Fried Oyster Mushrooms, they almost look like real oysters, but they are fragrant and succulent, delicious mushrooms.
6 Piece Wangs, they do a BBQ buffalo type sauce that is spicy and delicious, and the chicken is tender and so flavorful.
Fried Corn, well, I never!!! Yes, that’s right, breaded fried corn, so unique and wonderful.
Mushroom Thang Poor Boy. It’s got tomatoes, onion, lettuce, pickles, with a great Thousand Island type sauce, and the mushroom is pure heaven.
Shrimp Thang Poor Boy, they do the same fixings as they do the mushroom thang poor boy and the sauce, and it’s really good.
Crab Legs, super spicy and they serve a great sage butter sauce with it. I just fell in love with this dish before I even got approved for my tasting, I saw their photo of this menu item, and really wanted to try this; it did not disappoint.
Because they do not have a dining room, they make do, but in the rainy season this whole area rolls up and closes, depending on the amount of rain each day, so be warned. Cynthia says they make allowances financially for those days that they have to close. She has 2 kids and 1 on the way, so her business is very important, she’s got to keep her kids fed, and her husband happy.
It goes without saying that Venice Beach is a staple in the Los Angeles community. It has cultivated LA beach culture among surfers, skaters, entertainers, and workout enthusiasts, and is a prime destination for tourists and locals alike. That’s why Wangs N Thangs is honored to bring their cuisine to the oceanside. Famous for their chicken “wangs” and chicken sandwiches, and they have an array of other “thangs” to make your taste buds happy.
They are always busy, tourists, locals, and everyone in-between. Word has gotten out about Wangs N Thangs; it’s just the perfect Cajun, southern, type of beach cuisine in Venice Beach. It is remarkable, delicious, affordable food. Next time you’re at the beach, try Wangs n Thangs; you will be so happy you did!
Wangs N Thangs
1425 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291