
Featured articles
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Featured articles
Features
Everything SD
Everything SD
Featured articles
Everything SD
Things to Do
Everything SD
What's next
Featured articles
podcast-ep
podcast-ep
video
Featured articles
Features
Everything SD
Food & Drink
Featured articles
Food & Drink
Features
Everything SD
Ready to know more about San Diego?
SubscribeReady to know more about San Diego?
Follow these food and drink rules and you can remain in our family
1. Please refrain from making artisanal cranberry sauce. Your artisanry is not welcome in the cranberry department. Everyone except Aunt Jenny wants cranberry sauce that looks like blood JELLO in the shape of a can. And Aunt Jenny’s Pinterest addiction is well documented.
2. Pumpkin pie is perfect. Don’t mess with it. Adding smoked paprika or rosemary tells your family that your love for them is second behind your love of your own awful creativity.
3. Keep Thanksgiving conversation neutral and apolitical by starting your toast with “Thanksgiving is about family—Uncle Steve has never won a popular vote but we still feed him.”
4. Welcome to casserole day. Every other day is not casserole day. Please do not casserole on any other day.
5. At least one dish must be made using store-bought crackers as a topping. Ritz is preferred. Save your panko breadcrumbs for your Barefoot Contessa party.
6. Please include vegetarian options because your accidental child says it’s the only thing curing her from your lack of quality parenting.
7. The turkey is not dry. It’s turkey. That’s what turkey does. It dries out. No Thanksgiving turkey in the history of America has ever been juicy. Recipe sites have covered up this conspiracy for decades.
8. If you eat all the dark meat before the rest of the family gets an opportunity, you are subject to deportation to another, lesser family.
9. When making turkey, please plan to make enough for everyone at Thanksgiving. Then double that amount. Because much like Uncle Dan’s awesome third wife, leftovers often turn out to be the best.
10. If you’re thinking about putting stuffing inside the turkey, consider alternatives that are just as good. Like wet newspaper.
11. Yes, your uncle is drunk. That’s what uncles do on Thanksgiving. Do not question your drunk uncle. Asking him to sign a living will during his drunkenness is permissible if he is wealthy and it will benefit the entire family.
12. Boxed stuffing is the best stuffing. God makes it in his boxing place.
How to Win Thanksgiving
Turkeys, buffets, catering, and more
Marina Kitchen offers a modern twist on Thanksgiving classics and American comfort food with its favorites like roasted butternut squash soup and brioche stuffing.
1:30-7 p.m. $48 for adults and $12.99 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-699-8222.
Amaya La Jolla opens its doors to guests for its first winter holiday season with a choice of entrees that ranges from a traditional roasted turkey with dried cherry stuffing to Chilean sea bass. 12-8 p.m. $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. For reservations, call 858-750-3695.
The Grand Del Mar is home to two different fine dining experiences for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Amaya will feature a three-course tasting menu from 12:30-8 p.m. $78 for adults, $115 with wine pairings and $35 for children ages 6-12. Addison features a Thanksgiving-inspired seven-course menu from 3-8 p.m. $185 per person and $295 with wine pairings. For reservations to either restaurant, call 858-314-1996.
Pacifica Del Mar features eight different entrée selections for its three-course Thanksgiving meal, including grilled filet mignon and seared Atlantic sea scallops.
$39 for the traditional roasted turkey entrée, $49 for all other entrees, $16 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 858-792-0476.
The Shores seeks to provide an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving experience with its oceanfront dining and main courses such as toasted macadamia nut ricotta blintz and gremolata crusted butterfish.
10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. $46 for adults, $23 for children ages 6-12, $4/year for children under 5. For reservations, call 866-644-2630.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day buffet, featuring a chilled seafood bar and signature house drinks in addition to their famous Mary’s Organic Turkey.
2 p.m.- 8 p.m. $60 for adults, $30 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 858.964.6521.
The Hotel del Coronado will open up both its Crown Room and oceanfront Ballroom to host a luxurious Thanksgiving buffet, complete with live entertainment.
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. $98.50 for adults and $40 for children. For reservations, visit hoteldel.com.
La Costa Resort will transform its Poinsettia Ballroom into a lavish Thanksgiving dining experience, featuring a variety of smoked fish, gourmet salads, tapas, and chef specials.
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $68 for adults, $28 for children ages 6-16, children 5 and under free. For reservations, call 800-854-5000.
Mimi’s Cafe offers a classic Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted turkey and traditional sides. Guests can choose to dine in or take their orders to go.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $16.99 for adults, $8.99 for children ages 12 and under, $99.99 for a feast to-go; serves 6-8 people. To order online or find your local restaurant, visit mimiscafe.com.
Bertrand at Mr. A’s overlooks a spectacular view of the San Diego skyline from it’s outdoor, wrap around balcony. For the holiday meal they are offering a choice of five main entrees, including potato crusted sea bass, roasted dietsel turkey and oven roasted Maine lobster.
12 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. $59.50 per person. For reservations, visit bertrandatmras.com.
The Marine Room is offering five main courses for the Thanksgiving holiday, including options like braised port osso bucco, black angus filet mingon, and julian pear cider brined Sonoma turkey breast.
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Prices vary depending on dishes, main courses $36-$44. For reservations, call 866-644-2351.
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will be featuring a three-course tasting menu created by chef Todd Allison. The options for the main course include both Thanksgiving favorites like Diestel turkey and the Inn’s famous garden crusted tenderloin. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. $69.50 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. For reservations, call 858-381-8289 or reserve a table online.
Mille Fleurs Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle offers his guests a unique holiday experience with his farm-to-table Thanksgiving menu. Guests can choose between ordering items a la carte or the four-course prix fixe menu, which includes items such as Duck Pate, Roasted Fennel Soup, and Oven-Roasted Diestel Turkey. 1:30 -7 p.m. $65 per guest. Reservations can be made online at www.millefleurs.com or by calling 858-756-3085.
Bali Hai Restaurant is giving this Thanksgiving season a Polynesian twist. Featured entrée dishes include Kalua Braised Turkey Dark Meat, Salmon with a Soy Maple Glaze and Macadamia Nut stuffing with Chinese Sausage. 11:00 a.m. -7 p.m. $39 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 to12. For reservations, call 619-222-1181.
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse brings its fresh seafood to the Thanksgiving table with entrees including Maine lobster claws, Oysters on the Half Shell, and salmon covered in a herb and chipotle citrus glaze. 11:00a.m. -7 p.m. $42 for adults and $18 for children ages 6 to12. Children under 5 are free. For reservations, call 619-291-9110.
Kitchen 1540 at L’auberge Del Mar will feature its signature modern American style cooking with a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. Guests have the option to choose between four starters, which include beef tartare and squash gnocchi, as well as four entrée options, including duck breast and black cod. 12 -8 p.m. $70 for adults and $34 for children under 12. For reservations, call 858-793-6460.
Carlsbad Beach Bistro at the Hilton Garden Inn will be hosting a traditional three-course Thanksgiving menu with a starter of roasted butternut squash, entrée of roasted turkey with sourdough bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie for dessert. 12. -10 p.m. $26.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6 to12. Children under age 5 are free. For reservations, call 760-476-0800.
Chandler’s at Hilton Carlsbad offers both a classic roasted turkey and the more non-traditional selections of blue cheese-crusted beef tenderloin or crab-crusted sea bass For those who wish to enjoy a gourmet Thanksgiving at their own dining table, Chandler’s offers a to go package priced at $250 designed to serve 16 people.11a.m. -7:30 p.m. $52/$54 based on choice of entrée and $24 for children under age 10. Turkey-To-Go orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. To make reservations for either the restaurant or Turkey-To-Go, call 760-683-5500.
Paradise Point is transforming the Baleen dining room into a Thanksgiving haven, complete with a three-course menu and a gorgeous view overlooking Mission Bay. Menu options include brown sugar-brined turkey, lobster cannelloni, and honey mustard-glazed short rib.3 -7 p.m. $49 for adults and $20 for children. For reservations, visit www.paradisepoint.com
JRDN at Tower23 Hotel will be serving a four-course Thanksgiving meal with a California twist, courtesy of Executive Chef David Warner. Entrée options include roasted Mary’s Turkey, pan seared scallops, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tombo, and an autumn vegetable risotto. 3 -8 p.m. Prices vary per entrée. For reservations, call 858-270-5736.
Manchester Grand Hyatt is home to two different Thanksgiving feasts this holiday season. Lael’s will feature a buffet that includes seasonal options such as Jack Daniel’s pumpkin bisque, Alaskan king crabs, and cider brine roasted turkey. 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $64.95 for adults, $45 for seniors over 62, $25 for children ages 5 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For reservations, call 619-358-6735. Sally’s on the Water offers guests the choice between a three or four-course meal, priced at $42 per person and $20 for wine pairings. Dinner served from 5:30 – 9:30p.m. For reservations, call 619-358-6740.
Veladora at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is hosting an elaborate buffet that includes stations such as charcuterie and cheeses, carving, cold seafood, and desserts. Guests can enjoy life music as they try the truffle honey glazed Scottish trout or chorizo and herb stuffing. 1 -7 p.m. $89 for adults, $29 for children ages 11 and under, children under 3 are free. For reservations, call 858-759-6246.
THE US GRANT will be serving holiday favorites such as roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted acorn squash at their Thanksgiving buffet. To ease the stress of the holidays, guests can also enjoy complimentary valet service and live entertainment. Seatings for the buffet will be offered at 12:30p.m., 2p.m., 3:30p.m., 4:15p.m. $75 for adults,$65 for seniors, $29 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-744-2039.
BiCE Ristorante is giving Thanksgiving an Italian twist with its carefully crafted holiday menu. This three-course menu includes options such as lacinato kale and farro salad, chicken roulade, and soft polenta. 5p.m. -9:30 p.m. $42 for adults, $21 for children ages 10 and under. For reservations, call 619-239-2423.
Brockton Villa is hosting a special Thanksgiving brunch where Executive Chef Mareyja Sisbarro will be serving specials that include bourbon pumpkin pie panckaes and a Thanksgiving eggs benedict. Restaurant favorites such as healthy breakfast steamers and Coast Toast will also be available. 8a.m. -2p.m. Prices vary. For reservations, visit www.brocktonvilla.com online.
Katsuya San Diego offers a unique Thanksgiving experience for those looking to avoid a typical turkey and gravy dinner. Featuring its full Japanese-inspired menu, guests can choose between restaurant favorites such as miso-marinated black cod, crispy rice with spicy tuna, and Wagyu Tobanyaki. For reservations, call 619-814-2000.
KELVIN at W San Diego is transforming its signature restaurant Kelvin into an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, complete with sage honey glazed turkey, grilled country ham, and pumpkin mousse tart. 11:30a.m. – 10p.m. For reservations, call 619-398-3082.
Rancho Bernardo Inn is offering a variety of Thanksgiving Day options for where to eat this Thanksgiving holiday. Guests looking for a traditional, three-course menu of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes will find it at Verdana. 12-9p.m. $38 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-14.Those looking for one more course can head to Avant, which will feature a gourmet four-course menu complete with truffle rilletes and roasted pumkin panna cotta. 2p.m -7p.m. $70 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-14. Finally, the Aragon Ballroom will feature a five-station buffet where guests can indulge in Thanksgiving favorites. 11a.m.-3p.m. $60 for adults and $25 for children ages 4-14. For reservations at any of the restaurants, call 858.675.8550.
The French Gourmet has the perfect amount of food for families big and small. With turkeys as large as 28 lbs., even the biggest of families will finish their meals feeling as stuffed as the turkeys themselves. Customers can choose menu items at individual prices or complete turkey dinners where prices vary per number of people.
Hot food orders available for pick-up between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Order online at thefrenchgourmet.com.
Elijah’s offers four different fully prepared Thanksgiving packages: turkey, beef brisket, ham, and prime rib. Each dinner serves 10 people and includes a choice of two sides and a dessert.
To place an order, call 858-455-9529. Food available for pick up or deliver.
Marie Callender’s take-home feasts start at just $99.99 and include a choice of oven roasted turkey breast or ham as well as seven sides and a pie. With several locations throughout the greater San Diego area, you won’t have to travel far to bring home your Thanksgiving meal. Orders can be placed online and all meals require 3 hours reheating time.
YouBComplete Run for the Hungry is hosting both a 10K run and 5K run/walk this Thanksgiving day downtown. The race runs through the Gaslamp District and East Village. Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile. 10K starts at 7:10am and 5K starts at 8:15. Early registration is $35 for adults and $22 for youth.
Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K is a run through Balboa Park with 100% of proceeds benefitting the homeless members of the San Diego community. The race will begin in front of the San Diego Museum of Man. Race begins at 7:45am
Mama’s Kitchen Pie in the Sky Fundraiser happens every year at Thanksgiving. The pies are made by local San Diego chefs and bakers and the money goes toward providing more than 375,000 meals to people affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. (P.S. San Diego Magazine wants to help them reach their 5,000-pie goal. Buy a pie for $20 or $25. Order online at mamaspies.org and select San Diego Magazine as the seller.)
SD Thanksgiving Guide 2013
Turkeys, buffets, catering, and more
Marina Kitchen offers a modern twist on Thanksgiving classics and American comfort food with its favorites like roasted butternut squash soup and brioche stuffing.
1:30-7 p.m. $48 for adults and $12.99 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-699-8222.
Amaya La Jolla opens its doors to guests for its first winter holiday season with a choice of entrees that ranges from a traditional roasted turkey with dried cherry stuffing to Chilean sea bass. 12-8 p.m. $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. For reservations, call 858-750-3695.
The Grand Del Mar is home to two different fine dining experiences for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Amaya will feature a three-course tasting menu from 12:30-8 p.m. $78 for adults, $115 with wine pairings and $35 for children ages 6-12. Addison features a Thanksgiving-inspired seven-course menu from 3-8 p.m. $185 per person and $295 with wine pairings. For reservations to either restaurant, call 858-314-1996.
Pacifica Del Mar features eight different entrée selections for its three-course Thanksgiving meal, including grilled filet mignon and seared Atlantic sea scallops.
$39 for the traditional roasted turkey entrée, $49 for all other entrees, $16 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 858-792-0476.
The Shores seeks to provide an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving experience with its oceanfront dining and main courses such as toasted macadamia nut ricotta blintz and gremolata crusted butterfish.
10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. $46 for adults, $23 for children ages 6-12, $4/year for children under 5. For reservations, call 866-644-2630.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day buffet, featuring a chilled seafood bar and signature house drinks in addition to their famous Mary’s Organic Turkey.
2 p.m.- 8 p.m. $60 for adults, $30 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 858.964.6521.
The Hotel del Coronado will open up both its Crown Room and oceanfront Ballroom to host a luxurious Thanksgiving buffet, complete with live entertainment.
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. $98.50 for adults and $40 for children. For reservations, visit hoteldel.com.
La Costa Resort will transform its Poinsettia Ballroom into a lavish Thanksgiving dining experience, featuring a variety of smoked fish, gourmet salads, tapas, and chef specials.
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $68 for adults, $28 for children ages 6-16, children 5 and under free. For reservations, call 800-854-5000.
Mimi’s Cafe offers a classic Thanksgiving menu featuring roasted turkey and traditional sides. Guests can choose to dine in or take their orders to go.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $15.99 for adults, $7.99 for children ages 12 and under, $89.99 for a feast to-go; serves 6-8 people. To order online or find your local restaurant, visit mimiscafe.com.
Bertrand at Mr. A’s overlooks a spectacular view of the San Diego skyline from it’s outdoor, wrap around balcony. For the holiday meal they are offering a choice of five main entrees, including potato crusted sea bass, roasted dietsel turkey and oven roasted Maine lobster.
12 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. $59.50 per person. For reservations, visit bertrandatmras.com.
The Marine Room is offering five main courses for the Thanksgiving holiday, including options like braised port osso bucco, black angus filet mingon, and julian pear cider brined Sonoma turkey breast.
12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Prices vary depending on dishes, main courses $36-$44. For reservations, call 866-644-2351.
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will be featuring a three-course tasting menu created by chef Todd Allison. The options for the main course include both Thanksgiving favorites like Diestel turkey and the Inn’s famous garden crusted tenderloin. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. $69.50 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. For reservations, call 858-381-8289 or reserve a table online.
Mille Fleurs Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle offers his guests a unique holiday experience with his farm-to-table Thanksgiving menu. Guests can choose between ordering items a la carte or the four-course prix fixe menu, which includes items such as Duck Pate, Roasted Fennel Soup, and Oven-Roasted Diestel Turkey. 1:30 -7 p.m. $65 per guest. Reservations can be made online at www.millefleurs.com or by calling 858-756-3085.
Bali Hai Restaurant is giving this Thanksgiving season a Polynesian twist. Featured entrée dishes include Kalua Braised Turkey Dark Meat, Salmon with a Soy Maple Glaze and Macadamia Nut stuffing with Chinese Sausage. 11:00 a.m. -7 p.m. $39 for adults and $16 for children ages 6 to12. For reservations, call 619-222-1181.
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse brings its fresh seafood to the Thanksgiving table with entrees including Maine lobster claws, Oysters on the Half Shell, and salmon covered in a herb and chipotle citrus glaze. 11:00a.m. -7 p.m. $42 for adults and $86 for children ages 6 to12. Children under 5 are free. For reservations, call 619-291-9110.
Kitchen 1540 at L’auberge Del Mar will feature its signature modern American style cooking with a three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. Guests have the option to choose between four starters, which include beef tartare and squash gnocchi, as well as four entrée options, including duck breast and black cod. 12 -8 p.m. $70 for adults and $34 for children under 12. For reservations, call 858-793-6460.
Carlsbad Beach Bistro at the Hilton Garden Inn will be hosting a traditional three-course Thanksgiving menu with a starter of roasted butternut squash, entrée of roasted turkey with sourdough bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie for dessert. 12. -10 p.m. $26.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6 to12. Children under age 5 are free. For reservations, call 760-476-0800.
Chandler’s at Hilton Carlsbad offers both a classic roasted turkey and the more non-traditional selections of blue cheese-crusted beef tenderloin or crab-crusted sea bass For those who wish to enjoy a gourmet Thanksgiving at their own dining table, Chandler’s offers a to go package priced at $250 designed to serve 16 people.11a.m. -7:30 p.m. $52/$54 based on choice of entrée and $24 for children under age 10. Turkey-To-Go orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. To make reservations for either the restaurant or Turkey-To-Go, call 760-683-5500.
Paradise Point is transforming the Baleen dining room into a Thanksgiving haven, complete with a three-course menu and a gorgeous view overlooking Mission Bay. Menu options include brown sugar-brined turkey, lobster cannelloni, and honey mustard-glazed short rib.3 -7 p.m. $49 for adults and $20 for children. For reservations, visit www.paradisepoint.com
JRDN at Tower23 Hotel will be serving a four-course Thanksgiving meal with a California twist, courtesy of Executive Chef David Warner. Entrée options include roasted Mary’s Turkey, pan seared scallops, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tombo, and an autumn vegetable risotto. 3 -8 p.m. Prices vary per entrée. For reservations, call 858-270-5736.
Manchester Grand Hyatt is home to two different Thanksgiving feasts this holiday season. Lael’s will feature a buffet that includes seasonal options such as Jack Daniel’s pumpkin bisque, Alaskan king crabs, and cider brine roasted turkey. 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $64.95 for adults, $45 for seniors over 62, $25 for children ages 5 to 12, and children 5 and under are free. For reservations, call 619-358-6735. Sally’s on the Water offers guests the choice between a three or four-course meal, priced at $42 per person and $20 for wine pairings. Dinner served from 5:30 – 9:30p.m. For reservations, call 619-358-6740.
Veladora at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is hosting an elaborate buffet that includes stations such as charcuterie and cheeses, carving, cold seafood, and desserts. Guests can enjoy life music as they try the truffle honey glazed Scottish trout or chorizo and herb stuffing. 1 -7 p.m. $89 for adults, $29 for children ages 11 and under, children under 3 are free. For reservations, call 858-759-6246.
Grant Grill at the US GRANT Hotel will be serving holiday favorites such as roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted acorn squash at their Thanksgiving buffet. To ease the stress of the holidays, guests can also enjoy complimentary valet service and live entertainment. Seatings for the buffet will be offered at 12:30p.m., 2p.m., 3:30p.m., 4:15p.m. $75 for adults,$65 for seniors, $29 for children ages 12 and under. For reservations, call 619-744-2039.
BiCE Ristorante is giving Thanksgiving an Italian twist with its carefully crafted holiday menu. This three-course menu includes options such as lacinato kale and farro salad, chicken roulade, and soft polenta. 5p.m. -9:30 p.m. $42 for adults, $21 for children ages 10 and under. For reservations, call 619-239-2423.
Brockton Villa is hosting a special Thanksgiving brunch where Executive Chef Mareyja Sisbarro will be serving specials that include bourbon pumpkin pie panckaes and a Thanksgiving eggs benedict. Restaurant favorites such as healthy breakfast steamers and Coast Toast will also be available. 8a.m. -2p.m. Prices vary. For reservations, visit www.brocktonvilla.com online.
Katsuya San Diego offers a unique Thanksgiving experience for those looking to avoid a typical turkey and gravy dinner. Featuring its full Japanese-inspired menu, guests can choose between restaurant favorites such as miso-marinated black cod, crispy rice with spicy tuna, and Wagyu Tobanyaki. For reservations, call 619-814-2000.
W Hotel is transforming its signature restaurant Kelvin into an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, complete with sage honey glazed turkey, grilled country ham, and pumpkin mousse tart. 11:30a.m. – 10p.m. For reservations, call 619-814-2000.
Rancho Bernardo Inn is offering a variety of Thanksgiving Day options for where to eat this Thanksgiving holiday. Guests looking for a traditional, three-course menu of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes will find it at Verdana. 12-9p.m. $38 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-14.Those looking for one more course can head to Avant, which will feature a gourmet four-course menu complete with truffle rilletes and roasted pumkin panna cotta. 2p.m -7p.m. $70 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-14. Finally, the Aragon Ballroom will feature a five-station buffet where guests can indulge in Thanksgiving favorites. 11a.m.-3p.m. $60 for adults and $25 for children ages 4-14. For reservations at any of the restaurants, call 858.675.8550.
The French Gourmet has the perfect amount of food for families big and small. With turkeys as large as 28 lbs., even the biggest of families will finish their meals feeling as stuffed as the turkeys themselves. Customers can choose menu items at individual prices or complete turkey dinners where prices vary per number of people.
Hot food orders available for pick-up between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Order online at thefrenchgourmet.com.
Elijah’s offers four different fully prepared Thanksgiving packages: turkey, beef brisket, ham, and prime rib. Each dinner serves 10 people and includes a choice of two sides and a dessert.
To place an order, call 858-455-9529. Food available for pick up or deliver.
Marie Callender’s take-home feasts start at just $99.99 and include a choice of oven roasted turkey breast or ham as well as seven sides and a pie. With several locations throughout the greater San Diego area, you won’t have to travel far to bring home your Thanksgiving meal. Orders can be placed online and all meals require 3 hours reheating time.
YouBComplete Run for the Hungry is hosting both a 10K run and 5K run/walk this Thanksgiving day downtown. The race runs through the Gaslamp District and East Village. Proceeds benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile. 10K starts at 7:10am and 5K starts at 8:15. Early registration is $35 for adults and $22 for youth.
Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K is a run through Balboa Park with 100% of proceeds benefitting the homeless members of the San Diego community. The race will begin in front of the San Diego Museum of Man. Race begins at 7:45am
Mama’s Kitchen Pie in the Sky Fundraiser happens every year at Thanksgiving. The pies are made by local San Diego chefs and bakers and the money goes toward providing more than 375,000 meals to people affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. (P.S. San Diego Magazine wants to help them reach their 5,000-pie goal. Buy a pie for $20 or $25. Order online at mamaspies.org and select San Diego Magazine as the seller.)
SD Thanksgiving Guide 2012
The fast-growing taqueria will open its third restaurant on Newport Avenue after a viral social media moment fueled its rapid expansion
When Rigo Munoz opened a weekends-only taco stand on Market Street in 2018, at first, he was just hoping to sell his tacos to however many customers he could. That low-key, word of mouth approach worked well for a couple years. Very well.
“Then, the line started,” he laughs. He began to double his sales week after week, until an influencer from Tijuana paid them an undercover visit in 2024. Munoz was hanging out in his backyard the next Monday when his phone started pinging and ringing off the hook. “So I go onto my social media and there, lo and beyond, the video already had 10,000, 12,000 views in like, less than an hour,” he says. The next day, there was a line of customers waiting for him before he opened at 5 p.m. The Chula Tacos revolution sparked there.
Now, he’s ready to open his third location on August 1 at 4994 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach. It wasn’t an easy or straightforward path—the city shut down his original location citing too much noise and traffic. But Munoz was looking ahead, already in talks with a restaurateur to take over his space at 1719 Palm Avenue in the Nestor neighborhood of southeast San Diego. From the time he got shut down to getting the keys of his first brick-and-mortar was less than two days.
The second location in Chula Vista caught fire on Valentine’s Day and is slated to reopen later this fall (689 H Street). Munoz says he also plans to open a fourth location somewhere between the Ocean Beach and Morena Boulevard areas, but has aspirations for more.
“I’d like to become the In-N-Out of tacos,” he says. He’s actively looking for places that could support either a drive-thru or the typical fast-casual taqueria style, but no matter what, he’s going to keep his menu simple.
Each location has the same menu, except labio, which are ox lips, and beef intestines. They’re top-sellers at Palm Avenue, but might not translate as well to the OB crowd, he says. But guests can still get their fix of vampiro tacos, tacos de trompo, and from-scratch horchata and jamaica.
Chula Tacos is best known for its kekas (pronounced keh-kuhs), which are extra-large quesadillas stuffed with your choice of meat. “It’s a hefty thing,” Munoz promises. It’s such a trademark that he filed for a patent, which is still pending.
Building a taco empire has been a long time coming. Munoz first started making tacos at age 12, and has operated a number of cafes, delis, and other businesses on both sides of the border ever since. “We’re a family business,” he says. He’s been trying to hit that mother lode for years—and all it took was one video to light the fuse.
The newest location of Chula Tacos opens August 1 at 4994 Newport Avenue, Suite A in Ocean Beach. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to midnight daily. (Opening date subject to change.)

Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
NOW CFO provides scalable, on-demand accounting and finance support to companies ranging from pre-revenue startups to billion-dollar businesses
Entrepreneurs typically launch businesses because they’re passionate about a product or service, not because they want to manage its finances. While working to carve out a niche in their respective industries and drive their companies forward, many business owners find themselves bogged down by day-to-day accounting. Their existing accounting tools don’t provide the necessary visibility or insight, and they don’t have the time or resources to hire additional staff or a chief financial officer. That’s where NOW CFO comes in.
For more than 20 years, NOW CFO has been pairing businesses across the country with experienced accounting and finance professionals. Its outsourced model allows clients to customize solutions that match their individual needs, size, and financial challenges, whether that’s fractional or interim support, project-based services, or full-time placement.
NOW CFO’s clients range from startups preparing for rapid growth to established companies that need additional financial leadership without the commitment or expense of building an in-house team. However, many of these companies don’t fully understand their needs until they experience a “trigger” event: preparing for an acquisition or capital raise, navigating a first-time audit, or another period of transition. With a team of over 300 consultants nationwide, NOW CFO can start quickly and match the right expert to the right business.

“It’s important for companies to have financial visibility, and we can help them avoid a lot of the potholes that companies often run into,” says Mariah Block, a partner at NOW CFO’s San Diego branch. “Roughly half of our clients have an in-house finance person or department, and we’re resourced for more bandwidth when they need an extra set of hands at the staff or senior accountant level, or the controller or CFO level. Some clients use this a few hours a month and others use multiple people close to full-time. Our model is solution-based and customizable. We’re like a faucet you can turn on and off.”
With NOW CFO, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Solutions are based on the client’s individual goals, challenges, needs, and budget, meaning a client never pays for more than they need. Whether it’s a few hours of executive-level guidance or a full accounting team to support daily operations, NOW CFO meets businesses where they are and grows alongside them.
“We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the right resources at the right rate and being able to evolve as their needs evolve,” says Block.
And clients appreciate on-demand access to cost-effective support designed to improve performance and profitability.
Luxury car storage service Auto Concierge has partnered with NOW CFO to support growth over the past year. The arrangement began with a staff accountant who covered a leave of absence, but as the client’s needs changed, they also added a controller role. This allowed Auto Concierge to put effective processes in place and navigate operational challenges. Lori Church, Auto Concierge’s chief operating officer, says NOW CFO has been an “outstanding resource” and a “true strategic partner.”
“From the controller to the bookkeeper, every professional they’ve placed has brought a high level of expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism to our organization. Their team took the time to understand our business of high-profile clients and needs, adapted quickly to our fast-paced environment, and became a trusted extension of our team,” she says. “As Auto Concierge continues to grow, having a reliable financial partner like NOW CFO has allowed us to strengthen our financial and business operations while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
SDM's staff shouts out our favorite food finds this month including bites Stake Chophouse & Bar, Valentina, and Steady State
There’s a place in heaven for a steakhouse that remakes chicken nuggets but uses Jidori instead of whatever glum bird is proffered in the children’s section. And then they top it with caviar. That, plus an editor with an obsession-level ranking of chai in Carlsbad, and a whole fish from one of San Diego’s OG top chefs who has mercifully returned to the kitchen. These are the very best things we’ve found from another month of eating professionally in San Diego. Go get some.
One of my favorite experiences at Stake in Coronado is that—if the patio is chilly enough to warrant heaters—they’ll surround you with towers of flame. Paired with the retaining wall of heat against the glass railing overlooking Orange Avenue, there is so much surrounding fire that it feels like dining in a much nicer version of the Elmo meme, in which the nasally puppet’s whole world has amusingly arsoned.
Three things you have to get here: first, the Wagyu popcorn (kernels popped in melted Wagyu beef fat, salted with paprika); second, the Snake River Farms Wagyu skirt steak (its Gold grade means incredibly high marble), one of the best steaks in the city; third, the Jidori chicken nuggets with herbed crème fraîche, pickle, and a perm of caviar. A childhood food, deliciously adulted. —Troy Johnson

It’s been 15 years since married folk Aaron and Roddy Browning opened Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen in a hidden south Oceanside hovel—using vinyl records as placemats, the decor an assortment of welded metal weirdities. One thing has always remained: Pork is their native tongue.
This sandwich pries open long-dormant pleasure receptors in most alive human bodies. Brandt Beef tri-tip is rubbed with its “Pig Spice” (hint: good paprika and celery seed do wonders), sleeps for 24 hours, then is seared and rested for an hour—sliced and seared again, placed on a mini baguette wet with fresh chimichurri and smoked tomato aioli, then topped with melted aged provolone, grilled peppers, onions, and gremolata (parsley, garlic, lemon zest). Order two, or be prepared to fight. —Troy Johnson

Pintxos are Basque-country bar snacks, finger foods for Real Sociedad games. The appropriate utensils are a couple of fingers and a toothpick. But Valentina’s in Leucadia are done with just enough culinary school ambition (not too much, fuss has no place in pintxos) from exec chef Enrique Ñol, who worked at the estimable Wrench & Rodent.
Its tomaquet (tomato bread) could be underestimated as a stacked pile of quality ingredients, but it’s undeniably great—toasted pan de cristal (light, airy, Catalan “glass bread”) dressed with tomato, garlic, salt, EVOO, and a layer of one of the world’s greatest meats: Cinco Jotas Iberian jamón. Eat it with a minor winefall of porrón, and ask for Todd—a certified sommelier and one of the most knowledgeable food minds in the local scene. —Troy Johnson

Get the whole fish. Doesn’t matter the catch, just trust that chef Jason McLeod’s got you. When CH Projects opened Ironside in Little Italy in 2014, the restaurant group took over the old Farkas furniture store and turned it into a replica of an ocean liner, tapping McLeod (a chef who’d earned two Michelin stars in Chicago) to oversee its menus.
It quickly became a San Diego staple for seafood. After leaving for a few years to help concept and launch some big-name restaurants in Vegas, McLeod is back again getting his hands dirty in the kitchen. And his fish? They come in fresh from local fishermen who he’s established relationships with over the years. So yeah, get the whole damn thing. —Nicolle Monico

I have a running spreadsheet of chai rankings in Carlsbad. The chai that stays on the highest shelf? Steady State’s gingery, nutmeggy Indian Summer with an almond milk base and fresh nutmeg shavings on top. Juiced ginger gives the drink deeper, warmer notes, but not so much spice that your throat closes on the first sip.
Too often, coffee shops advertise authentic chai, then uncork that carton of sugar-bomb concentrate from an artisanal wholesaler called Costco. This is the real deal; it’s mildly sweet, a little more spicy, and in my opinion, best served hot. If I could order a keg of it, I would. (Can I?) —Emma Veidt
What's next for the 10-year-old award-winning destination? Owner Mike Tajran hopes to hand the reins to a local up-and-comer
After 10 years of rooftop dining and brewing award-winning beers, OB Brewery is for sale. A local fixture on Newport Avenue, OB Brewery owner Mike Tajran is ready to retire and hand over the reins. “It’s got so much potential,” he says, pointing to the accolades the brewpub has collected throughout the last decade (it’s more than a few).
At the 2017 Great American Beer Festival, OB’s Hidden Gem Dunkelweizen won silver in the German-Style Wheat Ale category, followed by a World Beer Cup silver medal as a South German-Style Dunkel Weizen in 2026. In 2018, GABF named OB Brewery Small Brewpub of the Year, brewer Jim Millea earned Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year, and the B. Right On pale ale nabbed a gold medal in the American-Style Pale Ale category. The Elevator Red IPA also took bronze that year at the San Diego International Beer Festival, and earlier this year, they won gold for Couple’s Therapy chili beer and silver for Rauch Me smoked beer at San Diego County Fair Craft Brew Competition.
It’s a solid foundation for the right buyer, he says—someone with brewing and business chops ready for a turnkey operation in a favorable location a block from the beach on Ocean Beach’s busiest street. (And while he’s letting go of the brewpub business, he’s also open to selling the building as part of the deal.)
Originally from Iraq, Tajran’s family ran restaurants in Baghdad, but “they were decimated by Saddam Hussein,” he explains. Once in the United States, he launched Giant New York Pizza at 5050 Newport Avenue in 1984, which eventually became Newport Pizza & Ale House. Newport Pizza felt long ahead of its time, proudly proclaiming they served “no crap on tap” years before the craft beer craze caught fire in San Diego.

When the building’s owners passed away and their son cut his lease short in 2020, Tajran says he was disappointed, but he had a nagging feeling that would happen eventually—which is why he already purchased 5041 Newport Avenue back in 2009 and opened Ocean Beach Brewery in 2016.
“For 42 years, I have been in this location in this area, the same block,” he says with pride. Ocean Beach has gone through some changes since 1984 (the OB farmers market launched in 1992, Starbucks came in 2001 and left in 2022, ADUs crept in, and the iconic OB Pier closed in 2023), but Tajran says the heart of the beachside town has remained the same.
So has most of his staff. Millea has been brewing since day one, and longtime manager Megan Schuster has worked for Tajran for 19 years, first at Newport, then at OB Brewery. Most of the employees are locals, and Tajran says he doesn’t plan on closing the business until he finds the right buyer to carry on the baton.
The property itself comes with some unique features for the area—three stories with a rooftop deck and ocean views from every level. And if you’re wondering if those uninterrupted views will remain that way, Tajran assures me they will. Part of his original building purchase included language that prohibits the three buildings between him and the ocean from building up. He also leases space next door, which would allow a new owner to expand brewing capacity with more tanks and fermenters.
“I just wanted to make sure this goes in good hands,” he says. He and his wife both hope to retire soon in order to spend time with their children. But he’ll make sure his other baby is taken care of first.
“I love Ocean Beach,” he says. “I can say nothing but thank you, OB.”
OB Brewery is still open at 5041 Newport Avenue. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Interested parties should contact Next Wave Commercial.
Listen Now: The Latest in San Diego’s Food and Drink Scene
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
It’s a Self-Care Summer. Because your best self is our favorite self.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.

Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.

There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.

West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.

We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.