The thrum of skateboards on concrete mingles with the sizzle of wagyu beef hitting hot griddles. Marathon Burger’s second location opened May 31 on Venice Beach Boardwalk, where street murals and ocean spray create the perfect backdrop for a culinary tribute to hip-hop entrepreneurship.
Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom crafted this venture as more than business expansion. The restaurant serves as a monument to his brother Nipsey Hussle’s vision of community investment, where every burger sold supports local employment and neighborhood pride. The original Marathon brand began in 2010, but the restaurant concept emerged this year after Asghedom’s nationwide tour studying smashburger techniques.
Where Premium Meets People
The Venice menu streamlines offerings for beachside efficiency. Signature items include the Marathon Burger Combo—two wagyu patties crowned with grilled onions, Fresno peppers, and house-made secret sauce for $26. The kitchen also crafts vegan patties from wild rice and potato, acknowledging Venice’s health-conscious crowd. The vegan options cater to Venice’s diverse demographics, from health-conscious seniors seeking nutrient-dense meals to young surfers grabbing quick fuel between sessions.
Morning joggers grab French toast waffles starting at 7 a.m. The Blue Lemonade provides cooling relief between the Pacific breeze and California sun, while organic wing baskets offer sauces ranging from atomic hot to lemon pepper. The outdoor setting offers diners a taste of California’s natural beauty, from ocean views to mountain-backed horizons that rival the state’s most stunning waterfall.
“When opportunities arise, you have to seize them,” Asghedom explained during the grand opening celebration attended by Lauren London, Mayor Karen Bass, and hundreds of community members who witnessed hip-hop history taking edible form.
Building Community, One Order at a Time
The restaurant operates until 10 p.m. for dine-in service, with delivery extending until 3 a.m. for late-night beach revelers. Local media praised the venture as “the best since In-N-Out”.
The outdoor seating arrangement transforms dining into performance art, where tourists photograph their meals against Venice’s iconic backdrop of muscle-bound bodybuilders and freestyle rappers. Each table serves as a front-row seat to the boardwalk’s daily theater.
This location represents community alchemy—transforming artistic vision into tangible neighborhood benefit. The Marathon legacy continues through every locally-sourced job created and every conversation sparked over shared plates, proving that the most powerful revolutions often start with simple acts of gathering and nourishment.
