Nipsey Hussle’s Popular Marathon Burger Is Expanding to Venice Beach | Eater LA
"Set to debut on Saturday, May 31, 2025 on the Venice Beach Boardwalk next to the pickup basketball courts and Muscle Beach, this new outpost follows a warm reception for its Melrose shop after launching as a fall 2024 pop-up in Fairfax’s former Johnny Rockets space while interior construction was underway and opening for full service in March. Fans queue regularly to order wagyu smashburgers, chicken wings, and fries, with a steady stream of notable music- and sports-industry visitors including Young Thug, Boosie, and retired NFL player Marshawn Lynch. Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom (brother of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle) and his team moved quickly to transform the red-and-yellow exterior into the brand’s signature white with red and black accents for the weekend opening; Asghedom says, “When opportunities present themselves, you gotta kind of jump on it.” The Venice location will serve a pared-down menu of smash burgers, hot wings, and a vegan patty, and will debut a new double cheeseburger with grilled onions, lettuce, Fresno peppers, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and a proprietary sauce. Breakfast will run from 7 a.m. until noon and include French toast waffles, a breakfast sandwich, orange juice, and coffee; ice cream will be served daily. To help eliminate long wait times, this outpost omits the salads, mushroom burger, and milkshakes available at the Melrose shop; outdoor seating is available. Operating hours will be 7 a.m.–10 p.m., with late-night delivery from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. The space—once occupied by the Window and later by a cluster of Boardwalk restaurants after Mr. Charlie’s split—puts the restaurant at one of Southern California’s most famous tourist draws, increasing its chances of being embraced by locals and travelers during the high-volume, fast-paced summer season. Hussle launched the Marathon brand in 2010 and was active in opening businesses in Los Angeles until he was murdered in 2019; fans have long appreciated Hussle’s focus on economic independence for Black entrepreneurs — the Marathon brand is music, fashion, entertainment, and restaurants. Asghedom adds, “We have a location we’re eyeing, but I don’t know if it will be location four or five. We’re trying to figure out the best strategic location.”" - Mona Holmes
