Come late summer, aspiring romantics with gluttony on the mind can get their fix at the Crack Shack’s fifth location coming to Mission Boulevard, the former home of Ramiro’s Mexican Food and Surfside Sushi. 

“Being that close to the beach, being outside, having bocce, and having everything else there, I think it’s a perfect fit,” says Dan Pena, Crack Shack’s director of operations. Having a parking lot in such a saturated stretch is key for the popular chain. Being able to take over two different buildings and build the signature outdoor-centric dining area made it a no-brainer as well when looking for their next spot. 

The Pacific Beach location will share the same aesthetic design as the other locations, including a large-format video wall, communal bocce, a turf area for families, plenty of picnic tables, and a dedicated pick up area for to-go orders. Pena says the menu will also feature culinary director Jon Sloan’s signature favorites like the spicy Firebird sandwich, half and whole bird fried chicken, bowls, fries, and seasonal shakes. Plus, he says each location always has a special dish created specifically for each individual location for opening. 

Pena says they plan to continue expansion plans across Southern California, but strategically. “Our brand isn’t like a Starbucks. You can’t just put it on each corner and it’s going to do well,” he explains. “We just have to make sure that we have the right fit in order for us to be successful.” 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Oddish Wine at The Gärten Turns One 

It’s a weird wine party! The best kind of party, if you ask me. On Saturday, May 11, celebrate the wacky, esoteric, is-this-really-wine quirkiness at Oddish Wine to mark one year in the outdoor haven shared with Deft Brewing, Pizza Cassette, and Lost Cause Meadery. They’ll be debuting new wines, cocktails, and two new ciders made with local apples and native yeast. Expect a whole bunch of other strange and salivatory surprises and tunes provided by Winyl Club. No tickets or RSVPs necessary, and well-behaved dogs children are welcome in the outside space.  

Beer and Wine Meet For Dinner

On Wednesday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., wine will invade a temple of beer for one-night only. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido is hosting Mia Marie Vineyards for a four-course wine pairing dinner in honor of Wine Week. Tickets to the 21+ event are $125, but if you can’t make it to the dinner, Stone will have Mia Marie wines available all week (from Monday, May 13 through Sunday, May 19).

Beth’s Bites

• I don’t know why Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center declared May to be Space Odyssey month, but I’m here for all astronomy-centric experiences (especially ones with food). From May 1 through May 31, all 11 of the Sky Deck businesses will offer space-themed food and drink specials, like Glass Box’s Milky Way Martini, Boochcraft’s Galactic Flight, and Urbana’s Martian Margarita.
• Looks like a new Korean fried chicken spot called Season Ave is coming to Clairemont Mesa. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again—there’s no such thing as too much Korean fried chicken.
• More Peruvian food is coming to San Diego! Pepino by chef Sebastian Becerra (Eleven Madison Park, Herb & Wood) will start hosting pop-ups later this summer to tease his forthcoming brick & mortar coming to 7556 Fay Avenue in La Jolla next year.

The post Crack Shack Opening in Pacific Beach appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Whisknladle Hospitality knew this when the group designed and opened Gravity Heights’ 12,000-square-foot brewpub in Sorrento Valley five years ago. Investing in the beer from day one, Whisknladle managing partner Arturo Kassel partnered with brewmaster Skip Virgilio of AleSmith fame to develop a world-class beer program.

Kassel also built an elevated food program with culinary director and business partner Ryan Johnson, crafting a menu that far outshines the bowls of dry pretzels and microwaved hot dogs ubiquitous with the bars of yesteryears. Gravity Heights has pops of color and natural light. It has sleek wood and iron patio furniture. There are ferns in macrame hangers and quippy sayings spelled in neon lights. It has kale on the menu, for Pete’s sake. It’s nice. 

That investment is paying dividends. On Wednesday, April 17, Gravity Heights will open its second location at in Mission Valley. Kassel says the expansion has always been the goal, despite the three years it took to find the right next space. Opening three, four, or five locations may one day be in the cards. “No question, we have long-term aspirations of filling that void of the small, independent, Southern California brewpub,” he adds.

Gravity Heights Mission Valley sprawls over 9,000 square feet with seating for 260 guests. Half of the space is the outside patio—an intentional choice. “That’s where the magic happens,” Kassel says. Unlike in Sorrento Valley, there’s no brewhouse at the new location. However, Whisknladle worked with architecture firm PGAL for the seventh time to create a space from the ground up and hone in on every detail. “Wherever you are, the energy will be great. It’s just really well-laid-out,” he promises.

The menu is largely the same at both locations, but executive chef Jordan Beall (Whiskladle, PrepKitchen) heads up the kitchen in Mission Valley. Kassel says they plan to tweak the offerings over time as they get a feel for what the neighborhood wants. One big difference, he notes, is the move from a wood-fired pizza oven in Sorrento Valley to a gas-powered one in Mission Valley.

“That’s kind of forced us to change the style of pizza, so we’re doing more of a New Haven–style, and we’re really happy with the results,” he explains. Expect the same craft beers, too, especially the Hazy IPA June Gloom, which Kassel says is a best-seller. “At this point, Gravity Heights is synonymous with June Gloom,” he laughs. “It’s definitely a standout.” 

He hopes the new location provides an oasis in a sea of primarily corporate chain restaurants. “We’re just happy to add to the conversation regarding independent restaurant hospitality groups in the area,” he says. Reservations are not required, but they are now available for both locations. 

Gravity Heights Mission Valley opens Wednesday, April 17, at 525 Camino de la Reina, Suite 101.

The post First Look: Gravity Heights’ Newest Location Opens appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Lee Doxtader and Scott Stamp revived the defunct brand in 1993, back when we could count the number of local breweries (or, in the parlance of the times, microbreweries) on one hand, and over the next 30 years, they watched the Chargers leave, housing prices rise, and the number of breweries increase. 

But SDBC remained. And remained. And remained. I remember the last time I visited SDBC before this week. It was probably 10 years ago, if not more, and there wasn’t much to say about it other than giving kudos for their SEO-savvy company name. Still, I’m a sucker for nostalgia and a good story, and finally, SDBC has something fresh to talk about. 

On November 1, 2023, Doxtader and Stamp handed the keys to the four new owners: Tyson and Kristina Blake and Bob and Lisa Townsend. Do their names sound familiar? They should. The Blakes have a hand in other beer-centric destinations around town, including O’Brien’s Pub, The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, and West Coast Smoke & Tap House. The Townsends took over another San Diego institution in 2016: North Park’s San Diego Chicken Pie Shop. 

If there was ever a team to breathe new life into a beloved icon, it’s this quartet. But they assure me their intention is to protect the legacy while also building a new, fresh future. 

“It’s all about improving what already exists,” Lisa says. They’ve already started working on some changes, getting rid of a (very-dated) wooden bar and replacing it with quartz and adding a sleek patio rail, fresh subway tile, plenty of new TVs, and a new stainless steel tap system with 50 taps.

The small brewhouse remains, but Tyson says they are running it more efficiently. Plus, he adds, guests can expect new recipes that modernize some of SDBC’s old favorites, like a “Pale Ale 2.0,” as well as collaborations like the Pink Boots Society double dry-hopped double IPA that comes out this week. Classic menu items like pizza, wings, and burgers will remain, but Kristina says they plan to improve their wine, cocktail, and beer menus so that there’s something for everyone. 

They also plan to roll out a refreshed brand in the next month and hope to mesh beer history with the new look by adding a San Diego Beer History wall with help from Judith Downie, San Diego beer historian and archivist at California State University, San Marcos. 

Revamping a beloved, if not somewhat antiquated, brand always risks alienating longtime customers. But Tyson says they’ve had many longtime regulars come in, see the changes, and get excited. 

“There are people that came here 10, 15, 20-plus years ago that have revisited and been like, ‘Oh my God, this place is great again!’” he says. “Now we get to be a part of the new stories.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Boogie Your Butt Off at This Silent Disco

Starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 5, The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach will host a silent disco party with four DJs; drink specials from Harland Brewing, Mate Maker Hard Kombucha, and Roku Gin; and plenty of Instagram fodder. Tickets are $5 and include a half-hour headphone rental. 

Matsu Hosts Benefit Dinner For Local Chef Aarti Sanghavi

On Tuesday, April 16, chefs William Eick (Matsu), Davin Waite (Wrench & Rodent, The Plot), and Keith Lord (Strateje Fourteen, The Shed) will come together at Matsu for a six-course Baja-Indian dinner to raise money for local chef Aarti Sanghavi (Urban Kitchen Group), who is currently in recovery for breast cancer. Tickets are $225 and available here. 

Beth’s Bites

After devastating bread lovers all over the city by closing last year, Izola Bakery is reopening at 1429 Island Avenue in East Village in mid-May. Formerly occupied by Amplified Ale Works and ModBom, the space overlooks Fault Line Park, which boasts a dog park and playground. Dogs and croissants? Hell yeah.

Look out, An’s Dry Cleaning—there’s a new laundry-themed eatery in town. The Laundry Pub is now open inside the Hotel Del’s restored laundry building, with an 1880s-era bar and pub fare like a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, gochujang glazed pork nuggets, and chicken and waffles. 

The Convoy District suffered a massive blow when dim sum icon China Max was completely destroyed in a fire in 2020. But word on the street is a new iteration is coming this year, as well as another concept called Midnight Skewers at the same address. 

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].

The post San Diego Brewing Company Gets New Owners & a Refresh appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Most recently, Orange County-based brewery Green Cheek Beer Co. acquired Bagby Beer’s former location in Oceanside, Ventura County-based Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. just opened in Draft Republic in San Marcos, and by the middle of March, Los Angeles-based Brewjeria Company will take over El Cruce at 241 Third Avenue in Chula Vista.

El Cruce opened in October 2020 with hopes of bringing Baja beer, wine, and food to the heart of Chula Vista. But when Collin Corrigan, one of the partners and founder of Ensenada brewery Cervecería Transpeninsular, parted ways with the restaurant last year, his other partner Galen Rogers decided to list the restaurant for sale. It proved to be perfect timing for the Brewjeria team, who had been looking for a second location for the better part of 2023—specifically, a spot with lots of taps and a kitchen. 

Brewjeria co-founder and president Agustin Ruelas says their initial search focused on downtown Los Angeles, around 12 miles west of their Pico Rivera facility. “But El Cruce—it really just came out of nowhere,” says Ruelas, who was born in San Diego and says he still has lots of family in the area.

When he saw the location with a kitchen, near breweries like Thr3e Punk Ales and Chula Vista Brewing, he says it was exactly what they were looking for. Plus, he adds, as a Latino-owned brewery, he saw an opportunity to cater to a segment of underrepresented beer fans, especially to Chula Vista’s majority Hispanic and Latino demographic. 

Brewjeria Company will take over the space by mid-March and will keep the El Cruce name until Brewjeria’s ABC license comes through, which Ruelas hopes will happen in April or May. Then, the space will become Brewjeria Taproom and Kitchen, with the same chef and many of the same menu items as before—specifically, El Cruce’s tacos and shareable plates—as well as wine, guest beer taps, and Brewjeria beers from their production facility in Pico Rivera. (The Chula Vista location will not have a brewhouse element.)

Ruelas says despite coming from Los Angeles, he plans to plant roots with the local community through nonprofit partnerships and local events. Brewjeria will be at Chula Vista’s annual Taste of Third Avenue on March 21 and have a few partnerships already in the works. “It’s super exciting,” he says. “We’re gonna do everything in our power to become part of the community, just like we’ve done here.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Rouleur Brewing Company Celebrates 7 Years

On Friday, March 22, Rouleur Brewing Company will mark seven years in business by hosting a beer dinner at their Carlsbad taproom at 5840 El Camino Real, Suite 101. Tickets get you a five-course meal paired with Rouleur beers, a four-pack of their anniversary beer, a commemorative glass, and open bar with snacks for an hour before the meal begins. The brewery will also host an open party the next day with live music and beer specials from noon to 5 pm. 

Although Rouleur’s North Park taproom closed in 2023, owner Rawley Macias recently launched a new concept inside the Carlsbad tasting room—Onward & Upward Deli & Drinks, which serves sandwiches like a BLT, Italian, French dip, and more. The tasting room and kitchen are closed Mondays, but open at 11 am Tuesday through Sunday.

Beth’s Bites

Hayes Burger is now open at 3460 Adams Avenue! And there was much rejoicing. 

Starting March 26, The Plot is bringing back Plantscape, their six-course, plant-based tasting menu dinner series showcasing regeneratively grown local ingredients paired with natural wines and signature house cocktails. (Will they be playing Plantasia in the background? I can only hope.)

Chef Tatsuro Tsuchiya (Sushi Tadokoro, Yakitori Yakyudori, Yakitori Hiro) is opening Yakitori Tsuta at 3860 Convoy Street this summer. Sign me up for one (fine, two) of everything on the omakase menu.

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].

The post LA-Based Brewjeria Company Opening in Chula Vista appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Last year, they began to fall on hard times, first with Stephanie’s departure to work in the marketing department of QDOBA HQ, then Todd faced health issues that forced him to take a break from the brewery. Brewer Nathan Stephens (formerly of Ballast Point) also departed in 2023, leaving Eppig’s leadership and very future in question.

A Newport Beach-based consulting group West Coast Ventures & Resources—which includes Mason Ale Works among its hospitality outlets—stepped in and quickly closed Eppig’s short-lived La Jolla location, keeping their Point Loma Waterfront Biergarten open and the brand alive, if not on life support.

But don’t sound the death knell for Eppig quite yet. According to a pending Type-23 ABC license for small beer manufacturing, Eppig Brewing will open a new tasting room in the former Stone Brewing Tap Room location at 795 J Street next to Petco Park.

West Coast Ventures & Resources worked with Mason Ale Works before taking Eppig on board, helping them to expand their distribution footprint and brand awareness. They hope to do the same for Eppig, opening a space for the two brands in a highly trafficked location that has plenty of beer history of its own. (Stone Brewing Tap Room occupied the space from 2014 to 2020.)

This development proves that ain’t over ‘til it’s over, and I, for one, am glad to see the history books haven’t closed on Eppig Brewing quite yet. 

Eppig Brewing, West Coast Ventures & Resources, and Mason Ale Works have been contacted for comment and have confirmed the license application, pending more details. We will update this developing story as they share more information.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Common Theory Coming to Otay Ranch This Month

Cristian Liang and Joon Lee opened Common Theory on Convoy Street 10 years ago, serving signature dishes like duck fat fries alongside one of the best beer tap lists in town. Now, the pair is returning to their South Bay roots to open Common Theory Otay Ranch at 1980 Optima Street by the end of February. 

“We’re actually both from Chula Vista—we went to high school here, and both of our parents are still living here. So we kind of wanted to go back to our home ground and cater to people here,” explains Lee. Plus, he adds, “it has a significant meaning, because this year is our 10th year anniversary for Common Theory [Convoy] in June. We are opening our second location on the 10th anniversary of the first one.”

If all goes well with final details and construction, Lee says Common Theory Otay Ranch will open on February 27 every day starting at 11 am to midnight, although hours may change depending on clientele. Other changes include some original menu items specific to the location, incorporating Mexican and Filipino flavors, as well as some updated design details and no hidden speakeasy. But Lee says one thing is certain—there will still be plenty of rotating beer on draft.

Ox Coffee Now Open in Mission Valley

There’s no shortage of great coffee shops in San Diego, but we can always use one more (IMHO). The latest java hut, Ox Coffee Roasters, just opened in Mission Valley at 8590 Rio San Diego Dr. Suite 101, next to Mission Valley Breakfast Company. Ox is part of Rise and Shine Hospitality Group, which also includes Breakfast Republic, and hopes to continue building a neighborhood feel in an area known more for retail than residents. 

“With Ox Coffee, we aim to create not just a place to enjoy great coffee, but a community hub where people can connect, learn, and savor the simple pleasures of life,” says Johan Engman, founder of Rise and Shine Hospitality Group, to San Diego Magazine. “We are thrilled to bring Ox Coffee to Mission Valley and beyond.”

Ox promises to focus on coffee education as well as service, offering classes, tastings, and other training opportunities for aspiring coffee nerds. Ox is now open daily from 7 am to 3 pm. 

Beth’s Bites

Bali Hai is kicking off its Platinum Jubilee starting March 1, celebrating 70 years of slinging Mai Tais in San Diego. I’ll cheers to that!

I’m a super-far-advance planner, so I’ve already marked my calendar for this year’s Nat Diego festivities on June 28-29. It’s the weekend after the Lao Food Festival in Mira Mesa on June 22-23, so it sounds like June is shaping up to be a delicious month. 

Oh, hello! Nico’s Fish Market is setting up shop at 745 Emerald Street in Pacific Beach this summer. We love to see a pop-up become a brick-and-mortar (especially when there’s shrimp involved).

The post Eppig Taking Over Former Stone Tap Room Space by Petco appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

On Thursday, NVRL FT Hospitality Group and Lamplighter’s Frankie Sciuto will open Gaslamplighter, a cocktail-focused karaoke bar at 536 Market Street. Sciuto—a San Diego native, fourth generation bar owner, and owner of Side Bar—used the Lamplighter, his family’s karaoke bar, as a jumping-off point for the concept. 

“The Lamplighter has been a staple in the San Diego community for decades, known as a place to come together and share good times,” said Sciuto in a recent press release. “I’m confident that Gaslamplighter will mirror its legacy.”

Arianne Virsunen, marketing director for the NVRL FT, explains that the Gaslamplighter team “wanted to bring 1920s mixed with a little bit of 1960s New York-style flair” to bring a sense of “timeless nostalgia” to the former Ciro’s Pizzeria space. “A lot of people know the location because that was people’s drunk slice,” she laughs. 

But the 1,600-square-foot suite won’t be quite so recognizable now. GTC Design Studios, who most recently redesigned multiple Rare Society locations, did a complete overhaul, installing speakeasy-inspired accents as well as historical details and photographs provided by the Gaslamp Quarter Association that show what the corner of 6th and Market looked like in the early 20th century. 

“We wanted to pay homage to the Lamplighter, but really create a contemporary iteration,” says Virsunen.

Other recognizable names include beverage director David Tye (Kingfisher, The Crab Hut, The Lion’s Share, Sycamore Den) and Stevie Latona, who Virsunen calls “a huge player in the industry for a long time,” adding that “David actually started his career at Side Bar, which is a very cool circle moment.”

If you’re the type of person who needs liquid courage to belt it out at karaoke, the cocktail menu promises to deliver. Virsunen says the focus is classic cocktails with a modern flair, “everything from a classic Manhattan with a little bit of a twist, to an amazing Martini that’s been taken to a new level with truffle and caviar.” There may or may not even be a Negroni topped with 24K gold. It’s a whole vibe.

Gaslamplighter will open to the public on Thursday and hours will run Thursday through Sunday, 6 pm to 2 am.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and there are a ton of events to attend and reservations to make. (Seriously, if you haven’t made a reservation yet, time’s a-fleeting!) A few that I’m eyeballing include The Rose’s dinner for two with optional wine pairings (South Park), Monarch Ocean Pub’s “Bottle & Board” special (Del Mar), Bivouac’s cider and dessert pairing (North Park), and Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s prix fixe menu for two (with childcare available? Yes please!) in Carlsbad.

The best part of Super Bowl Sunday is the food (don’t @ me). Luckily for all of us, there are plenty of places to either watch the game or pick up some tasty snacks to impress. See our full list of places to catch the game or just eat some good grub here.

Beth’s Bites

When former New Yorker and SDM managing editor Jackie Bryant vouches for pizza, you know it’s legit. Angry Pete’s Pizza just opened their latest spot at 5335 Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa, and you can’t miss it—the space’s history as a former Taco Bell is pretty obvious. (No shade, I’m always ready to eat más.)

I’ve never eaten better than when I was in Japan. When that craving hits, I head to Ichiban Sando for one of their sandos on the silky-soft milk bread I haven’t found anywhere else in San Diego. 

More Millennial pink! The Sasan is coming soon to Mission Hills, and with it are two delicious-sounding concepts: Communion, a rooftop restaurant and bar, and Paradis, an outdoor sidewalk cafe. I’m definitely keeping my eye on the Nakhshab Development & Design Instagram page for updates (which I’ll share here, of course).

The post Fancy Karaoke Hits the Gaslamp appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Hosting a Super Bowl party is hard work. All of the food prep, clean-up, and rowdy houseguests can make this day into a nightmare. So why not go out and enjoy some drinks, eat some great food without the clean-up, and cheer on your team? Whether you root for the 49ers or the Chiefs, spend February 11 at one of these San Diego hotspots to watch Super Bowl LVIII. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, so we made the list for you. Kick off is at 3:30p.m., and all you have to do is pick which spot sounds best.

If You Want a Place with 20 or More TVs

Barleymash

Head downtown to Barleymash and watch the game on one of their 45 TVs. Sports Illustrated even once hailed it as one of the best places in the country to watch the Super Bowl, so call ahead to reserve your spot or arrive early to secure your spot.

600 Fifth Ave #6916, Gaslamp Quarter

Slater’s 50/50

If you’re planning on steering clear from the downtown chaos, Slater’s 50/50 in Liberty Station is home to over 50 beers taps and 22 screens to enjoy the game. Attend their Big Game Watch Party for $90 and receive one entree, one appetizer, and access to their open bar throughout the duration of the game.

2750 Dewey Rd #193, Point Loma

Draft Republic

For North County fans, Draft Republic locations in Carlsbad and San Marcos both has over 70 TVs to choose from and hundreds of beers on tap. Grab a seat anywhere because chances are good that you’ll be facing at least one TV. Enjoy Draft Republic’s all day Super Sunday Special offering $8 appetizers and Draft Republic beers, $2 off their pound of wings, and their Half Time Happy Hour Blitz offering 50 percent off well cocktails and selects pints and wines.

5958 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad and 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos

If You Want a Comfy Chair

Harrah’s Resort SoCal

Take a little trip up to Funner, CA, go to Harrah’s Resort Southern California and settle into one of their plush recliners located in the Events Center. Opt for their VIP Viewing Package featuring Topgolf Swing Suites transformed into exclusive viewing theaters for the big game, along with a bucket of beer and a private cocktail server upon reservation. Tickets are $150 which includes a table for two and entry at 2:30 p.m.

777 S Resort Dr, Valley Center

San Diego Bars for San Francisco 49ers Fans

Moonshine Beach

Don yourself in scarlet and gold before making your way to Moonshine Beach in PB for their Super Sunday Party, featuring special offers like five Bud Light or Budweiser beers for $32, $8 Tito’s or Jack Daniel’s, and $10 sliders. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., there is no cover, and it’s first come, first served, so don’t be late!

1165 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach

Saddle Bar

North County 49ers fans can gather at Saddle Bar in Solana Beach, a cozy 1920s bike-shop-turned-sports-bar. For the ultimate Super Bowl watch party, don you’re Patrick Mahomes or Joe Montana jersey and join the fun at this 49ers hub.

123 Plaza St, Solana Beach

San Diego Bars for Kansas City Chiefs Fans

Kansas City Barbeque

The name of this spot says it all: Kansas City Barbeque. Known for it’s appearance in Top Gun, this Gaslamp watering hole is the ideal spot to revel in another Chiefs Super Bowl win with quality BBQ, local craft beers, and fellow Chiefs fans.

600 W Harbor Dr, Gaslamp Quarter

Home and Away

Make your way over to Home and Away to be greeted by friendly faces dressed in red and white on Super Bowl Sunday. This popular Old Town sports bar serves as the home field for local members of the Chiefs Kingdom.

2222 San Diego Ave, Old Town

Super Bowl Sunday Specials in San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt

At Manchester Grand Hyatt‘s The Landing, football fans can watch the big game on a large projector screen while indulging in their game day menu consisting of loaded nachos, BBQ candy, and buffalo chicken sandwiches with $2 off draft beers.

1 Market Pl, Seaport Village

Morena Provisions

Bay Park’s Morena Provisions is cooking up a modern twist on stadium favorites this year for takeout and delivery. Their special Super Bowl Sunday menu includes salt and pepper chicken wings, pigs in a blanket, onion dip, baby back ribs, and so much more.

1122 Morena Blvd, Bay Park

Nason’s Beer Hall at the Pendry

Celebrate the end of the NFL season downtown at Nason’s Beer Hall at the Pendry Hotel. The hotel’s brewery is home to 23 televisions to catch every moment and is offering fans $10 Don Julio Tequila drinks along with $30 buckets of Modelo Especial or Pacifico beer.

570 J St, Gaslamp Quarter

Village Pizzeria

Coronado’s Village Pizzeria is offering a to-go Super Bowl Party Pack that caters to six to 10 guests. Meal packs come with 10-piece wings, 10 mozzarella and zucchini sticks, and a 12-pack of Diablo garlic knots for $60. Add on a large single-topping pizza or a family salad for an additional $12.

1206 Orange Ave and 1201 1st St, Coronado

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Scramble over to The Clubhouse Grill at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar for a Super Bowl buffet for the books for $89 per person with the option of bottomless beers for an addition $49. Buffet starts at 2 p.m. and ends once the game clock stops. Reserve your spot here.

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Carmel Valley

Del’s Hideout

Swing by this Del Cerro Texas BBQ joint to catch the pigskin game or an order of pigskin to go. Swing by the restaurant for tailgate specials including $25 and $30 buckets of domestics and import beers along with plenty of game day bites like their tri trip nachos or pulled pork sliders. For those hosting your own watch party, check out their catering offerings for groups of eight to 80.

5351 Adobe Falls Rd, Del Cerro

The Rabbit Hole

Located on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, The Rabbit Hole is your destination for the big game. Their game day specials include $7 bloody Marys, $30 Nütrl hard seltzer buckets, and savory bites like their loaded fries topped with bacon bits, or their fried pickles.

3377 Adams Ave, Normal Heights

The post Where to Watch Super Bowl LVIII in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Like the others, the Grove melds warm vibes with cold beers. The architect behind the space, Garrett van Leeuwen—who was named San Diego’s Young Architect of the Year in 2021 and whose brother happens to be Burgeon co-founder Derek van Leeuwen—says his close ties to the brewery made it easy to build something brand new that still felt familiar.

He describes wanting to create “a comfortable and friendly atmosphere reminiscent of our favorite outdoor hangouts,” pointing to details like live wood edging for the bar tops and tables made from fallen cedar trees in East County, which have become a signature for the Burgeon brand.

To make the corner suite feel even more open, van Leeuwen and contractor Mike Campell decided to take out the existing walls and install floor-to-ceiling accordion-style windows that open toward the Paseo Artist Village, a development that offers affordable housing to artists, veterans, seniors, and more.

Mackenzie Kline, Burgeon’s marketing director, says being a part of the Artist Village was a huge draw for the team when scouting for new locations. “When you get people like artists to live in your community, that brings something so different. It breathes life into a community,” she explains, adding they plan to constantly showcase and rotate artwork by local artists in the space.

But with such a strong presence already in North County, I wondered: Why open another location there? Kline laughs and admits it’s a good question. “As much as it seems like it’s relatively close to the brewery in terms of the entirety of San Diego, it’s far enough away that it allows us to root down in that community in a deeper way than we were previously able to,” she explains, adding that growing strategically and sustainably in order to keep their carbon footprint as small as possible is a core part of the Burgeon ethos. (The company recently became the first brewery to triple certify as Climate Neutral, Ocean+Positive, and with 1 percent for the Planet.)

There will be plenty of familiar faces behind the bar, promises Kline. Manager Eric Shepard worked at Coronado Brewing Company and The Lost Abbey, while assistant manager Matt (Matty) Lawson beertended for years at Burgeon’s Carlsbad taproom as well as Burgeon at the Oasis in Escondido. Burgeon’s new General Manager for the four taprooms, Jenni Jones, is another Burgeon longtimer, initially working as a beertender before moving to the assistant management position in Carlsbad. 

The property seats 100 guests across 1,820 square feet of indoor space, plus an additional 300 square feet of outdoor patio space. No brewhouse on the premises means that all the beer will come from their nearby Carlsbad headquarters, with food available to order from nearby restaurants, including Best Pizza & Brew and 508 Tavern.

“We plan to have a QR code on the tables so customers can order food from either restaurant and have it delivered to their table at The Grove,” says Co-Founder and President Matthew Zirpolo. Kline adds there will be 18 taps available, including core brews, limited releases, and collaborations, plus cans and bottles to-go, which will include Nature Calls!, their triple-certification celebration IPA that will donate a portion of proceeds to environmental nonprofits.

But, no matter what style of beer you fancy, she hopes everyone feels welcome. “We want people to look in at night and see warm, twinkling lights and greenery and be invited into the space,” says Kline. “We’re treating it like a feast for the eyes from the street. But when you’re inside, we want that same feeling.”

The post First Look: Burgeon at the Grove Opens in Vista appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

2AM Bike Ride

Fall Brewing | 5% ABV

Give your usual Guinness a rain check and try a stout from San Diego’s favorite punk rock brewery. 2AM Bike Ride—a vanilla bean stout and nitro pour in collaboration with one of San Diego’s top coffee roasters—may be love at first sight. This light mouthfeel brew features a special edition Guatemalan roast from Dark Horse Coffee (which you can order online from Fall Brewing), infused with chocolate malt, roasted barley, flaked oats, and British malts. This caffeinated nitro brew offers a welcome kick, perfect for jumpstarting a lackluster date on the town.

Little Secret Milk Stout

Eppig Brewing | 4.1% ABV

Surprise your soulmate with this little secret from Point Loma’s Eppig Brewing. This dark chocolate stout is enriched with the rich aromas of maple syrup, espresso, and bakers chocolate, ideal for pairing with the dessert of your choice. The added lactose and maple syrup give it a creamy texture and sweet aftertaste that can enhance any Valentine’s Day plans.

Stone Xocoveza

Stone Brewing | 8.1% ABV | 50 IBUs

Inspired by the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, Stone Brewing’s Xocoveza imperial stout is a hearty reimagining of your abuela’s favorite drink. This special batch collaboration between Tijuana’s notorious Cerveceria Insurgente brewery and award-winning San Diego homebrewer Chris Banker has become a fan-favorite among Stone’s seasonal beers. With a mix of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, cinamon, nutmeg, and pasilla peppers, this blend is well worth seeking during cuffing season. Crafty DIY mixologists should also check out Stone’s beer-nog recipe using Xocoveza for a twist on an old favorite.

Victory at Sea

Ballast Point | 10% ABV | 60 IBUs

If you’re not having success in the dating game, at least you can have Victory at Sea. This high ABV porter from local brewing empire Ballast Point packs a punch with flavors from the coffee beans of North Park’s Caffe Calabria, along with hints of caramel, vanilla and malt. At select breweries and Ballast Point locations, beer aficionados can try their barrel-aged, 12 percent ABV variant flavored with the smoky casks of High West Bourbon or their Chai Victory at Sea featuring masala chai along with cinnamon, cloves, black tea, and cardamom for a spiced alternative to this classic stout.

Velvet Phenix Marshmallow Mocha Stout

North Park Beer Co. | 5.8% ABV

Valentine’s Day plans fell through? Rise like a phoenix from the ashes and visit North Park Beer Co. for a stout that will definitely make you fly. One of the smoothest stouts around, the Velvet Phenix Marshmallow Mocha Stout is a mix of Chicago’s Dark Matter coffee beans, cacao nibs, and vanilla. This mocha stout has a silky smooth mouthfeel just like velvet.

Obsidian Cliff

Pure Project | 13.2% ABV

Often overshadowed by the brewery’s excellent hazy’s, IPAs, and kombuchas, Pure Project’s Obsidian Cliff is certainly worth a sip. This high ABV stout is brewed with cacao, vanilla wafer, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavors and aged for 13 months in Old Fitzgerald bourbon barrels where it develops a smoky accent. Inspired by the great outdoors of Yellowstone National Park, The Obsidian Cliff stout is a potable s’mores sandwich best enjoyed in the company of your loved one around a campfire.

Peanut Butter Milk Stout

Belching Beaver | 5.3% ABV | 30 IBUs

Belching Beaver’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout is likely already high on your list of sweet brews but you can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day without mentioning it. While peanut butter flavors dominate the brew, hints of dark chocolate, rolled oats, and lactose greet you with each additional sip. Those with a sweet tooth top this stout with a scoop of ice cream for an alcoholic root beer float that won’t disappoint. Belching Beaver’s iconic brew is the perfect desert beer nightcap for a beer-lovers’ Valentine’s Day.

The post 5 Chocolate-Infused San Diego Beers To Try on Valentine’s Day appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Here’s what they had to say.

What’s a word you’d use to describe the San Diego craft beer scene and industry in 2023?

Rebooting

“I feel that everyone was still getting over the pandemic, so this [was] a year of recovery.” –Esthela Davila, Board of Directors member, San Diego Brewers Guild

Motivated

“San Diego can’t be the greatest beer city forever, can it? Time will tell, but we can surely try. Every business and household feels the struggles of the economy right now, but all we’ve seen this year is continued motivation to succeed and support our communities of beer lovers throughout San Diego.” –Erik Fowler, Executive Director, San Diego Brewers Guild

Modernizing

“This wave of the digital age continues to advance, and craft breweries everywhere are faced with fresh opportunities to develop the way we brew and to strengthen the relationship with our customers. Over the last year in San Diego, I’ve seen shifts in trends that tell us a lot about what our customers want to drink, what they care about, and how they want to interact with our brand.”

“It’s exciting to evolve and grow both with our community and our beer, learn from and share ideas with brewery collaborators, experiment with hyper-creative products from our hop growers, and interact with our audience in totally new ways.” –Mackenzie Kline, Marketing Director for Burgeon Beer Company

What do you predict the San Diego craft beer scene and industry will be like in 2024?

Smaller

“[There are currently] over 150 breweries in San Diego. [With] the changing market dynamic, there will likely be a shift in the number of breweries.” –Chad Heath, Chief Operating Officer, Beer Division for Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Recovering

“The way craft beer has changed and shifted has all breweries really looking at how they can try and get out of the pandemic hole and gain the high ground.” –Davila

Innovative

“New products, business models, and ways of engaging with beer drinkers are all things we’ll see more of in 2024.” –Fowler

Modernizing

“I’m carrying this concept over to 2024 because it feels like technology is becoming more sophisticated with each passing second, and craft breweries will continue to go along for the ride in the new year.”

“How do we re-imagine our operating practices to reduce our carbon footprint and respond to the urgent climate crisis? How do we reach a wider audience by opening new channels or expanding existing ones? How do we push the boundaries of our craft even further? New methods and tools are at our fingertips, and I’m here for it!” –Kline 

What openings, closures, accomplishments, events, or people are significant to note in 2023?

“Anyone that opened this year really comes to mind—GOAL Brewing, Fall’s second location, Thr3e Punk Ales’ second location—but none more so than Joann Cornejo and Eddie Trejo, the owners of Machete Beer House, opening their second spot, La Nacional, on Third Avenue in Chula Vista. They have always been about great beer and drinks. Now, with adding food to the mix, I see nothing but great things for this place!” –Davila

“Kristina and Tyson Blake purchasing San Diego Brewing Company is pretty sweet in my book. Two of my favorite people in the business [leading] such a legacy brewery for San Diego will only help push our industry in a positive direction.” –Fowler

“[I have to note] Paige McWey Acers for passionately and expertly acting as the executive director for the SDBG for 10 years. [I have] deep admiration, empathy, and respect for the founders and staff of breweries that had to make difficult but necessary decisions in 2023, [and I offer] encouragement and friendship to new and upcoming breweries.” –Kline

Any other thoughts you’d like to offer about the San Diego craft beer scene as we look back on 2023 and toward 2024?

“One of the things we used to say at New Belgium is that hope is not a plan. We also know that you can’t have a plan without hope. It is time for execution, excellence, and really listening to the voice of the customer.” –Jen Briggs, acting CXO for Karl Strauss Brewing Company

“San Diego Beer Week is back, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like in 2024. We in the craft beer community really want to see everyone succeed, so I see nothing but amazing things for #SDbeer in 2024.” –Davila

“There has been a generally negative outlook on the brewing industry in San Diego throughout 2023. While not completely unjust, I think it’s important to not see it in a vacuum. The industry has matured and, although some of our favorite breweries may have changed or closed, it’s presented opportunities for new breweries to welcome to the neighborhood. The same skepticism doesn’t seem to be applied to restaurants and other businesses, but, at the moment, there are a lot of parallels between the struggles of the beer industry and most other industries made up of small, independent businesses.” –Fowler

“Providing breweries bring their A-game to the table in 2024, I feel it will be a good year. You can’t be a hobbyist and be successful in craft beer anymore. You have to run it like a thriving business where you invest the time and effort to make your brand well-represented.” –Heath

The post Year in Review: A Look Back at San Diego Beer in 2023 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.