Whale's Tale Abruptly Closes After Nearly 20 Years

On Friday, The Whale's Tale restaurant — a long-time Long Beach staple — suddenly announced that it was closing, surprising many of its patrons.

In a post on Facebook on Aug. 9, the restaurant announced that the day was its last of operating.

"After much deliberation and many sleepless nights, we've determined that the best course of action, moving forward, is to hand the keys over to the next guy in line, who's been so understanding throughout this whole transition...and who is eagerly excited to bring to you a whole new West End atmosphere, while holding close the traditions that have kept our place the 'seafood connection' everyone knows and loves," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "And we wish them all the very best of luck!"

Whale's Tale has been part of Long Beach for nearly 20 years, serving seafood and burgers to hungry customers. Many people loved the restaurant's fish and chips, and its wings.

A new restaurant will be taking the place of Whale's Tale at 916 West Beech St.

"We'd be lying if we said we weren't sad to go," the restaurant wrote. "But sometimes, you just gotta let the sails take you wherever the wind blows."