It’s nearly Thanksgiving, and this year’s selection of prix-fixe, to-go, and specialty menus from restaurants in San Diego will satisfy any craving. Between mouthwatering turkey buffets, oven-ready prepared meals, and desserts you’ll be dreaming about for months, everyone can enjoy the only thing better than a home-cooked meal: One you don’t have to make yourself. Here are 30 San Diego restaurants—including some of the city’s best—that are serving Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Named after The Inn’s designer and architect, Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is serving a four-course dinner for $125 this Thanksgiving. The Rancho Santa Fe restaurant is offering options for each course, including perfectly fried and crispy squash blossoms, slow-roasted beets with creamy burrata, and a fall-off-the-bone 24-hour brandt beef short rib plate. Complement your meal with the restaurant’s iconic specialty drinks. Reservations are now available.
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Price: $125 per adult, $45 for children 12 and under
Address: 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe
Cafe Champagne at Thornton Winery
Cafe Champagne at Thornton Winery in Temecula will host an all-day Thanksgiving affair, during which attendees should expect a memorable experience where they can indulge in a choose-your-own three-course meal alongside award-winning wines. Classic entrees will include butter truffle roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, or butternut squash ravioli and focaccia bread. The meal will run from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and reservations are required via Opentable.
Time: 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Price: $105 Adults; $94.50 Wine Club; $89.25 Reserve Club; $32.95 Children 5-10 and up; plus tax & gratuity
In Barrio Logan, the food-truck-turned-brick-and-mortar Lia’s Lumpia is renowned for its mouth-watering Filipino menu. Owner Spencer Hunter and his mother—the eponymous Lia—will be offering preorders for Thanksgiving Day to-go boxes until November 26. Will you get the pork belly deviled eggs or turkey holiday lumpia? The mango-glazed ham or cornish game hen adobo? Just make sure you save room for the pan de sal stuffing and persimmon green beans, maybe with a side of the toasted rice vanilla ice cream.
Time: Preorders available until November 26 for pickup on Thanksgiving Day between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can make a reservation via text or email, and will receive a link to payment for pickup.
Price: $85 for two servings; $150 for four
Address: 2219 Logan Avenue, San Diego
Courtesy of Great Maple
Great Maple
Founded by award-winning restaurateur and San Diego native Johnny Rivera, this Hillcrest, Michelin-guide darling will be open for brunch from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., serving a special of fried turkey, eggs, and pumpkin pecan caramel pancakes. Those who prefer a later Turkey day meal can join them for dinner starting at 11:30 a.m., or pick up one of Great Maple’s dinner boxes for two or four that includes a starter, salad, entree, and sweet from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. the same day. This year, there will also be a special pie pickup—key lime or pumpkin with gingersnap crust—on both Wednesday, November 27, and Thursday, November 28. For reservations and pickup information, visit here.
Time: Dine-in from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., pick-up from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.; dine-in will be
Price: $160 for two; $295 for four
Address: 1451 Washington St, San Diego
Chefsgiving
On November 14, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., some of San Diego’s most decorated and respected chefs will join together to prepare a meal of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, alongside carefully-selected wine pairings from The Prisoner Wine Company. Taste some of the city’s best of the best: duck carnitas from executive chef Roberto Alcocer of Valle Oceanside, dynamite lobster mac and cheese from executive chef Steven Ruiz at Lionfish, juicy turkey meatball with soy glaze from executive chef Brandon Sloan at Pendry San Diego, and pumpkin bars or a dark chocolate truffle torte for dessert. A portion of the proceeds will go to the San Diego Food Bank.
Time: 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Price: $150 per ticket
Address: Provisional Kitchen, 425 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Mister A’s
Celebrate Thanksgiving in style with a 12th floor view of the San Diego skyline from Mister A’s in Bankers Hill, where business casual attire is encouraged. Look out at the city while enjoying the roman artichoke appetizer or the black truffle cacio e pepe. Stay close to tradition with the restaurant’s roasted turkey, or stray a bit further afield and try the 14-ounce Wagyu ribeye with maître d’ butter, potato croustillant, and scallion cream. And what’s that? Ginger butterscotch chia pudding for dessert? Or a salted caramel ganache? This prix-fixe menu has it all.
Time: First seating is from noon until 3:00 p.m.; the second seating is from 4:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m.
Price: $105 for adults; $45 for children 12 and under.
Address: 2550 Fifth Ave 12th floor, San Diego
Pacific Catch
This is a safe space to acknowledge Thanksgiving food isn’t for everybody, so if you’re looking for a warm and cozy meal that isn’t chock full of tryptophan, swing by Pacific Catch in La Jolla for their updated fall menu. Choose between the West Coast and East Coast-style lobster rolls (though if you order the West Coast style, I’m sorry, you’re wrong), their new spicy green curry bowl, or clam chowder with applewood bacon and crispy shallots. They’ve also added a new surf and turf to the menu with lobster tail and either salmon or skirt steak.
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: Most entrees on the menu are $12.95 and up
Address: 575 La Jolla Village Dr Suite 1160, San Diego, CA 92122
Courtesy of George’s at the Cove
George’s at the Cove
Head to George’s at the Cove for a family style prix-fixe menu with a side of floor-to-ceiling views of the La Jolla coastline. Not only can customers expect a family-style selection with arugula salad, slow-roasted Diestel turkey breast, sausage stuffed leg roulade, smoked potato puree, and more. Pastry chef Anna Adams will be preparing three varieties of Thanksgiving pie for takeout: gingerbread pumpkin, Chai apple, and pecan caramel for $38 each. Preorders are required, and pickup will only be available after 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Reservations are available on Tock.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Price: $90 for adults; $45 for children 12 and under
Address: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Nine-Ten
Nine-Ten executive chef Jason Knibb and pastry chef Jose Alonzo III are designing a three-course, prix-fixe menu that blends Thanksgiving holiday favorites with seasonal ingredients and specialty plates. The award-winning La Jolla destination won’t be releasing the full list of dishes until mid-November, but reservations are expected to fill up regardless (and we can at least confirm there will be a roasted honeynut squash dish with whipped ricotta and a honey-sherry gastrique). Prearrange your table by calling (858) 964-5400. A waiting list will be established when reservations are full.
Time: 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Price: $100 per adult; $25 turkey plate for children 12 and under
Address: 910 Prospect St, La Jolla, California 92037
Chez Loma
Head over to “The Crown City” for a thanksgiving feast at Chez Loma located within the historic Carez Hizar House built in 1889. This charming restaurant offers a festive venue where friends and family can gather to savor in French and Baja flavors. Alongside their full dinner menu, Chez Loma will be offering a three-course french menu including a pan roasted half duck.
Time: 1p.m. until 9 p.m.
Price: Dishes range from $18 to $60
Address: 1132 Loma Ave, Coronado
Bronze Bird
Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Gaslamp Quarter with a three-course prix fixe at Bronze Bird. This holiday menu features SoCal-inspired takes on traditional favorites, including roasted turkey with herbed stuffing, rosemary mashed potatoes, and dessert choices like pecan walnut tartlet or pumpkin cheesecake. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
This year’s Thanksgiving buffet at the Hotel Del will take place in the recently restored Crown Room and Coronet Rooms, with gleaming chandeliers and a newly discovered and preserved mural from the 1880s. The menu is extensive, with a fresh sushi and sashimi station of yellowtail, ahi tuna, and assorted rolls. Help yourself to soups, charcuterie, pastas, and paellas, but make sure to leave room: The most wide-ranging table is the desserts.
Time: 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Price: Adult (Hotel Guest): $199*; Adult (General): $205* (On Nov 15, price increases to $225); Child (Ages 5-12): $100*; Young Child (Ages 0-4): Complimentary with paying adult. Members receive a member discount.
Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado
Rancho Valencia
Go all-out at Rancho Valencia with a family-friendly celebration featuring a bounce house, carriage rides, face-painting, and even a petting zoo. Adults can make the most of the restaurant and spa’s raw bar and carving station, then head over to the dessert buffet. Not looking to hang around? Rancho Valencia will also be offering to-go boxes this year, which serve a minimum of four people and start at $350. Those orders must be placed by midnight on Sunday, November 24.
Time: To-go pickup will be on Wednesday, November 27. Dine-in will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28
Price: $235 per adult; $95 for children 11 and under. Kids under 3 eat free.
Address: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
Courtesy of Bahia Resort Hotel
Dockside 1953 at The Bahia Resort Hotel
You could spend all day at The Bahia Resort Hotel’s restaurant, Dockside 1953, which will be open for both its standard a la carte brunch and a Thanksgiving buffet. Expect seven stations and a whole lot to choose from such as oysters on the half shell, creamy soups and grain salads, and an indulgent smoked gouda and aged cheddar mac and cheese dish to satisfy even the strongest appetite. Don’t miss out on the made-to-order, sweet stuffed crepes, with everything from smooth, nutty nutella and bananas to apple compote.
Time: Brunch is from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.; Dinner is from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Price: $150 for adults; $68 for children 5-12; children 4 and under are free
Address: 998 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Ember & Rye
There’s something for everyone at Ember & Rye this year, which has planned a truly expansive Thanksgiving brunchanddinner menu. Start your day at the buffet and choose from a smorgasbord of seafood like smoked salmon and trout, or maybe embrace full breakfast mode and order the lobster roll benedict or custom omelet. If you’re not really a breakfast person, swing back around in the evening for either smoked turkey or a Colorado rack of lamb. Top it all off with some praline pumpkin pie.
Time: Brunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Dinner is from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Price: Brunch is $155 for adults and $60 for kids ages two to 12. Dinner is a la carte.
Address: 7447 Batiquitos Dr, Carlsbad
Courtesy of Catamaran Resort
Oceana at Catamaran Resort
Savor a sumptuous holiday dinner that starts with bottomless plates of sushi and ends with an entire table spread of tarts and turnovers, but be sure to plan for the apple-cider-and-citrus-brined turkey course. Peer out at the view across Mission Bay from the resort’s ballroom while sipping on an Oceana espresso martini or zero-proof passionfruit-orange-guava juice with honey.
Time: 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Price: $150 for adults; $68 for children between 5 and 12; free for children under 4
Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
ARLO
The 2024 Reader’s Choice winner for Best Hotel Restaurant and Critic’s Choice winner for Best Restaurant For Big Groups is Arlo. And this year they’re hosting a buffet with festive favorites for the whole family. Start with a persimmon and arugula salad with smoked goat cheese crumbles before forking over butter-poached turkey thighs and a side of roasted sweet potato with maple streusel. There will be a butternut squash ravioli option for the pasta-lovers in the house (including a choice of sauce and toppings), and no one can say no to the flourless chocolate cake as one of several dessert options.
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Price: $90 per person, $38 for children 12 and under
Address: 500 Hotel Circle N, San Diego
Rumorosa
Head over to the recently-opened Rumorosa on Harbor Island for their Thanksgiving buffet — and waterfront views from the Sheraton. Enjoy a “Cali-Baja dining experience” with curated starters like charcuterie plates with cheeses from both Mexico and California, followed by your pick of adobo-roasted turkey breast, black garlic-marinated NY strip, or something else entirely. Let loose with an eggnog rompope and tres leches cake, or cream cheese flan. For reservations, visit OpenTable.
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Price: $49 adults and $25 kids 5 to 12; Kids under 5 eat free
Address: 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego
Courtesy of Juniper & Ivy
Thanksgiving Take-Home Meals in San Diego
Juniper & Ivy
Feed parties of four to six guests with Juniper and Ivy’s thoughtfully-crafted holiday feast. Hassle-free yet elevated, Juniper and Ivy’s menu will allow you to host the perfect meal at home without the fuss involved in extensive preparation. Serve your family and friends the classics: herb-roasted turkey, Yukon gold potatoes, cider gravy, miso-maple candied yams, and parker house rolls. There are only a limited number of meals available, and pre-orders are now open.
Time: Wednesday, November 27, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Price: $395
Address: 2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
Terra
In addition to their a la carte menu, takeout-only Terra is serving an “everything but the bird” feast for four with a fall salad, roasted butternut squash soup, apple-pecan cornbread stuffing, and garlic-herb roasted cauliflower and broccoli. There’s even a scaled-down version as a fully prepared “kids menu” for the little ones in your life.
Time: Orders must be placed by 12 p.m. on Saturday November 23 to be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27.
Price: A la carte items are available, and packages for four or more people start at $169.99
Address: 7091 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego
The Plot
Vegetarians, rejoice: The Plot has you covered with a satisfying, sustainable, three-course dinner of an autumn quinoa salad drizzled with maple olive oil dressing, your choice of entree—though who is really going to be able to choose between lentil and wild-rice based apple sage sausage or chorizo-stuffed squash (also faux meat, in case you were wondering) —and a creamy pumpkin cheesecake with pepita creme and chocolate crumble. Carnivores shouldn’t get to have all the fun.
Time: Pick-up Wednesday, November 27, between noon and 9:00 p.m.
Price: $35 per person for individual meals
Address: 1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside
Courtesy of Pop-Pie Co.
Pop-Pie Co.
For the month of November, Pop-Pie Co will be running a limited-time special of their turkey-pot pie in a buttery crust, filled with an herb cream sauce and stuffed full of shredded meat, peas, carrots, and pearl onions. Enjoy them hot-and-ready, or frozen to prepare at home. Pop-Pie will also have pre-orders open for their nine-inch Thanksgiving specialty pies: pumpkin cream cheese with a soft custard, vegan apple cranberry ginger crumble, sweet and salty caramel apple crumble, or nutty and zesty bourbon pecan.
Time: Turkey pot pies will be available during business hours at least through Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving pie specialties will be available Wednesday, November 27, from 11 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Thursday, November 28 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Price: Turkey pot pie is $12.50 plus tax, all other specialty pies are $37 plus tax
Address: 4404 Park Blvd suite a, San Diego
Beach Break Market
Don’t lift a finger and feel good about it with holiday catering from organic grab-and-go market Beach Break Market in La Jolla. Choose from appetizer platters of sweet potato bites, crudites, fresh fruit, and more. Get a beet and lemon salad with maple-balsamic vinaigrette and ricotta. Impress your guests by serving rosemary mustard lamb rack, stuffed acorn squash, and a side of the rosemary roasted rainbow carrots, or show up to someone else’s party with wild rice pilaf and winter mushrooms. If anyone asks, you definitely made it yourself. And your secret is safe with us.
Time: Pickup is anytime during regular business hours (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) between November 1 to January 1.
Price: Roughly $40 – $90 per person, depending on order
Address: 5646 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla
Tribute Pizza
Pizza? For Thanksgiving? Not quite, but certainly just as good. Tribute Pizza owner Matthew Lyons will be serving two versions of Thanksgiving dinner this year: A nourishing vegetarian option with a decades-old family recipe for a savory cheese and nut loaf, or all-natural turkey breast lightly smoked and roasted in the wood oven. Both will be accompanied by porcini mushroom gravy, Aunt Lynette’s Southwest stuffing, wood-fired focaccia with butter, and an organic greens and walnut salad. Pre-orders are officially open for pickup between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 27.
Price: $319 for the vegetarian package; $359 for the turkey package
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27
Address: 3077 N Park Way, San Diego
Courtesy of Little Frenchie
Little Frenchie
Pre-orders are now live for Little Frenchie’s party trays and pies. Feed between four and six people with the Les Amis platter of domestic and imported cheeses, meats, house jam, spreads, breads, and dried fruit. There’s a larger size, the La Famille, that serves between eight and 12, and don’t forget to pick up a truly stunning dessert in the form of the restaurant’s holiday treats: an apple crumble pie with Biscoff cookie crust, cream cheese chantilly rosettes, filled with rich and delicious cheesecake; a pumpkin cinnamon roll cake with spiced pumpkin jam filling and a cream cheese glaze; or a barrel-aged bourbon pecan pie with a chocolate crust and satiny Valrhona chocolate mousse.
Time: 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27
Price: Pies start at $45, platters start at $85
Address: 1166 Orange Ave, Coronado
Jensen’s Point Loma
Family-owned and operated since 1940, Jensen’s grocery store is selling Diestel turkeys ranging from 12 to 30+ pounds in size. Choose from fresh, fully cooked, or the whole bird as part of a holiday feast, including cranberry sauce, stuffing, King’s hawaiian rolls, pumpkin pie, and more. Fresh turkeys start at $4.59/lb, while the whole shebang goes for $259 to feed a dozen people. There’s also an organic, oven-ready option, and pre-orders are already available for your convenience.
Time: Monday – Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Price: Fresh: $4.49/lb; oven-ready $5.59/lb; fresh organic: $5.99/lb, organic oven-ready: $6.99/lb; fully-cooked whole: $119.99/lb; complete feast $259.99 not including tax.
Address: 955 Catalina Blvd #101, San Diego
Siesel’s Meats / Iowa Meat Farms
If you’ve never had a turducken, make 2024 your year with a fully-prepped, ready-for-baking turducken from one of our best butcher shops in San Diego: Siesel’s Meats in Bay Park and Iowa Meat Farms in Mission Gorge. Both locations will be selling at the same prices as 2023, and are eager to continue the two-plus decade tradition with meals of three different sizes that can feed between 10 and 30 people. Comprehensive instructions are available for the home chef. Orders must be placed by Thursday, November 21.
Time: Orders must be placed by Thursday, November 21 via phone at 619-275-1234 (Siesel’s) or 619-281-5766 (Iowa Meat Farms), or in person at either store. Pickup will run during normal business hours from Friday, November 22, through Wednesday, November 27.
Price: Purchases begin at $125 and go up to $195.
Address: Siesel’s Meats: 4131 Ashton St, San Diego | Iowa Meat Farms: 6041 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego
Courtesy of The Wise Ox
The Wise Ox
Pre-order a pasture-raised, naturally-fed whole turkey from Diestel Farms at either the North Park or La Costa Wise Ox location this Thanksgiving day. (Pro tip: They do sell out, so get your $50 deposit in quick). Birds will be roughly 16 to 18 pounds, and both outposts will also have homemade gravy, meat butters, Italian sausage and more for sale. Top it all off with a pumpkin or apple crumble pie prepared by executive pastry chef Jeremy Harville—the latter option of which is made from his grandma’s own special recipe.
Time: Pick up between November 25 and November 27
Price: Turkeys are $8.99 / lb, and crumble or pie is $35 each
Addresses: North Park: 2855 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego | La Costa: 7755 El Camino Real, San Diego
Frost Me Cafe + Bakery
Pick up a scrumptious seasonal quiche for brunch from woman-owned Frost Me Cafe and Bakery. Current flavors include bacon, feta, and spinach; veggie and goat cheese; and ham cheddar and chive. Or, swing by the morning of Thanksgiving for their usual breakfast to keep your own kitchen clean. Owner Audrey Hermes will be preparing seven different specialty pies, including a gluten-free option (pumpkin coconut pecan) and a lemon blueberry tart that’s both gluten-free and vegan. Pies are $35 each and order close on Monday, November 25.
Time: Open every day from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Price: Pies are $35 each
Address: 555 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101
Courtesy of Del’s Hideout
Del’s Hideout
Feed your whole family—or any group of six to eight people, really—with a turkey-day spread from barbecue favorite Del’s Hideout. Their pre-arranged package includes a choice of chef’s carving (a whole smoked turkey, beef brisket, or turkey breast), with three sides like killer beans and gluten-free bacon potato salad, and dinner rolls or cornbread. Not looking for a banquet? Keep it small and order a la carte, instead, and add a dessert of decadent banana pudding or sweet and crumbly peach cobbler. All orders must be placed by Monday, November 25, by 3:00 p.m. local time.
Time: November 28, 2024, between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Price: Feast is $214.95; sides and desserts are $29.95 a la carte. A la carte chef’s carvings are a whole smoked turkey for $129.95 (feeds 8-10), prime beef brisket for $31.95, or turkey breast for $29.95
Address: 5351 Adobe Falls Rd, San Diego, CA 92120
Morena Provisions
Skip the hours of cooking this Thanksgiving and treat yourself to one of Morena Provisions’ takeout specials for up to 10 guests. This year’s menu features a savory turkey breast roulade, maple-roasted carrot salad, red wine-braised short ribs, and your choice of dark chocolate ganache or pecan pie for dessert. Place your order by Friday, November 22, for stress-free pickup or delivery.
Time: Pickup available on Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; delivery available Wednesday from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Pricing: A la carte options, with group packages starting at $19
Location: 1122 Morena Blvd., Bay Park
Solare
Supplement your tablescape with takeout from the one and only Solare in Liberty Station. Voted a top five readers pick of the best restaurants in San Diego, this Michelin-guide spot has opened pre-orders for three iconic Italian dishes that blend comfort and taste. Purchase the Tuscan-style butternut squash soup—the secret ingredient for which is a little bit of white chocolate blended with the organic squash—by the quart. Or, opt for quarter- or full-sheets of thinly-sliced eggplant parmigiana or bechamel and bolognese lasagna made by chef Maria from Sicily. Email orders to [email protected] or call 619-270-9670.
Time: Pickup will be from 12 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. daily from Saturday, November 23 until Wednesday, November 27
Price: Orders start at $17 per portion and go up to $26 per portion
Julie Bogen is an experienced writer and digital strategist whose work has been featured in The Atlantic, The 19th News, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and more. She is passionate about storytelling that centers women and marginalized communities, and when not working she's either with her family or in a barre studio.
Basque grandmothers have not been making it for centuries. If you’re a millennial, there’s a strong possibility you’re older than the dessert itself. Yet somehow in less than 40 years, the Basque cheesecake—a half-pudding, half-cake creation with a top that looks like a mistake—managed to ooze its way onto menus all over the world.
It became the undisputed dessert star of San Diego’s restaurant world this year. So we invited 19 of the top restaurants, pastry chefs, and bakers to bring their best to the San Diego Magazine office for a blind taste test to find the best in the city.
First, a little history and context.
In 1987, after failing to find a job as an electrician, Santiago Rivera started working as a bartender at his parents’ unassuming pintxo bar La Viña, in San Sebastián, Spain. He was a naturally curious, self-taught cook who spent his free time testing recipes, tinkering with ingredients, and tweaking techniques.
So when it came to the cheesecake—which hadn’t changed much since its invention (a rudimentary version was served at the first Olympics in Greece 4,000 years ago, and the modern New York version in 1872)—he got radical with it.
He removed the crust (partly just to speed up the process because time is money for a small business). Without the crumbly crust, the experience was far creamier, less granulated. Then he cranked the oven to 400 degrees, nearly 100 degrees hotter than the normal baking temperature.
The result? The top became deeply caramelized, almost burnt, while leaving the center luxuriously soft and loosely set. The restaurant became a legend because of this breakthrough in the dairy arts, and his father never let him stop making it after that.
Now, 67 years after the restaurant’s opening, La Viña stands out for the unceasing line spilling onto the street, and the remarkable amount of curd cultists standing nearby, hovering over cream-smeared plastic containers. It’s the kind of scene that makes you stop and think: What the hell are they eating?
Now, the blind tasting. To keep things fair, the contenders were divided into four categories: Restaurant Traditional, Restaurant Flavored, Bakery Traditional, and Bakery Flavored. (It’s a tad unfair to pit a baker who specializes in the one glorious thing against a restaurant that cooks dozens of things.) Each entry was served blind and judged on texture, flavor, and number of vaguely inappropriate food moans.
The logistics were chaotic, to say the least. Our fridge—not a walk-in, sadly—was packed to the brim. Each cake was sliced, secretly labeled, and shuffled onto plates while the team gathered in the conference room. The whole shebang was not in any way sponsored by Lactaid, despite our various attempts to convince them of this ripe marketing opportunity.
The judging became gloriously unhinged. We heard it all, from “I don’t care how the cheesecake gets in my mouth, it just needs to happen,” and “Is it supposed to be this jiggly?” to “Kind of a baby throw-up situation,” “Straight cheese,” and “I’m getting vague socks there.”
But four Basque cheesecakes stood out among the rest, earning themselves the title of Best Burnt Basque Cheesecake in San Diego.
Courtesy of Mesa Agricola
Restaurant: Traditional
Mesa Agricola
A restaurant for the people. Rosarito native chef Juan González and Megan Strom are the ideal married couple to be running a farm-to-table joint. She’s been a farmer for decades, selling top-notch produce to some of the best restaurants in California—which is how the two met. A couple years ago, she started working at the small organic farm in Valley Center run by Mike Reeske, who had spent decades breeding the perfect heirloom beans for SoCal’s climate. He recently retired, and gifted those strains to Strom—who grows them (and other crops) for their tiny Escondido taco/burrito shop specializing in guisados (Mexican stews).
A Basque cheesecake in a taco shop? You bet. Juan’s got family roots in Spain and has cooked in Spanish kitchens.
Mesa Agricola’s winning Basque is by far the most “burnt” of all contenders—so much so that an Instagram follower declared it a mistake. But as Chef Juan notes, there’s an art to hitting the sweet spot where “the bitterness of the char balances the richness and sweetness without turning it into ‘chicharrón.’” Plus, char is a core charm of Baja cooking. It’s the perfect Basque for the people who prefer setting their campfire marshmallows fully on fire.
Photo Credit: Casiel Sanchez
Restaurant: Flavored
Moe’s Steakhouse
With red leather booths and a retro steakhouse vibe, Moe’s in Mission Beach is a good cheat day destination. The menu is flavor maximalism—dry-aged steaks, housemade pastas, brown liquors, and sides like the lobster truffle mac ’n’ cheese. Pastry chef Eli Peralta (whom some might remember as the creator of The Patio on Lamont’s “Twisted Elvis”—a peanut butter-banana brûlée stunner) brings that same intensity to the dessert menu.
Baked at sister restaurant Molly’s (6 feet away), his Basque is served on a bed of caramel with walnut brittle and a dollop of whipped cream, an indulgent recipe that converted the pastry chef himself. “I wasn’t crazy about cheesecakes,” Eli admits. “Then I started making different flavors, and I started to like them.” He’s not the only convert: During our blind tasting, one judge likened the cake to crème brûlée, concluding, “I don’t even like crème brûlée, but I like this.”
Courtesy of Muse Cheesecakes & Bakery
Bakery: Traditional
Muse Cheesecakes & Bakery
Every creative pursuit starts with a muse—and Lada Sadovnyk’s has been the Basque cheesecake for years. In Ukraine, she baked them for friends and family gatherings, never imagining she would one day build an entire bakery around them in the US. “When we moved to San Diego,” she explains, “I kept thinking, ‘What can I do? What do I really love to do?’”
The answer is pretty fantastic.
After obsessing over proportion and techniques, chasing that molten center and deeply caramelized top, what began as an online recipe evolved into something entirely of her own.
She moved from her home kitchen to a rented commercial kitchen close to Sports Arena. The orders kept coming, and so did the pressure. “At one point, I was thinking about divorcing my husband,” she says with a laugh (while sitting next to him). The grind paid off: Today, Muse Cheesecakes bakes roughly 1,200 cheesecakes a month and is planning to open its first brick-and-mortar home in Pacific Beach.
For our competition, the expectations met reality. Muse has made a quick name in San Diego as the Basque to beat. In a blind taste test, there’s no bias, no reputational shine to sway a room. The response on reveal: “Oh, of course.”
Photo Credit: Casiel Sanchez
Bakery: Flavored
Bite Cheesecakes & Bakery
Husband-and-wife duo Alex and Anastasia Kiperband pulled off the number of failures (and then some) that are required of any search for the best recipe. After adjusting baking temps, sugar rations, and experimenting with different brands of cream cheese and heavy cream—they finally landed on something worthy of a business license.
“When we started this business in America, we were really nervous,” Anastasia says, co-owner of Bite Cheesecakes & Bakery.
Once they won over those first customers, their confidence grew enough to start tinkering. When Dubai chocolate took social media by storm, they developed their own version, making the pistachio paste from scratch before layering the buttery kataifi pastry beneath a glossy chocolate shell to create its signature Dubai Chocolate Basque Cheesecake.
“In a lot of situations, we’re converting cheesecake haters to cheesecake lovers,” they say. “That’s probably the best feedback that we get.”
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
September is San Diego’s unofficial second summer—the crowds thin, the weather stays warm, and the city’s calendar somehow gets even busier. This month brings stadium-sized rock shows, Broadway’s buzziest comedy, a new anime convention, world-premiere theater, gallery openings, food festivals, and the first signs of spooky season. Whether you’re ready to lean into fall or determined to keep summer going, here are the best things to do in San Diego this September.
As Guns N’ Roses storm into decade five, their appetite for destruction persists. During their Snapdragon Stadium concert, hear the hard rock anthems, new material and a set from The Black Crowes.
9/23
Kehlani is proof that the romance and earnest sensuality of old-school R&B will never go out of style. Hear her take it back to the aughts at Viejas Arena.
From the silver screen to The Old Globe stage, John Carney will Begin Again (again) with a world premiere musical adaptation featuring new songs—courtesy of Train—and a story overflowing with hope.
9/12-10/17
The concept of work is a guiding principle for San Diego native and multidisciplinary creative noé olivas. Observe his community-informed approach via Tierra y Cielo (Earth and Sky) at Best Practice Gallery.
9/18-10/25
Two workers grapple with the weight of their roles at a temporary migrant shelter in Mario Vega’s world premiere play Our Lady of the San Diego Convention Center, set for citywide performances.
9/26-2/28/2027
Luminous visions of peace and the Punjabi-American roots of Rupinder Kaloti inform The Gathering, a wondrous unification of family foretold via paintings at Oceanside Museum of Art.
9/29-10/4
It’s Mary Todd Lincoln’s world and we’re just living in it. See the presidential paramour barrel to her way to stardom at the Civic Theatre during Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola’s political spoof.
Courtesy of SeaWorld
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
9/5 & 9/6
Pros and Con(vention)s: Anime San Diego will debut at the San Diego Convention Center with cosplayers, panels and more than 400 vendors well-versed in Japanese animation.
9/11-10/31
Scaredy cats beware: SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream embraces frights forged in darkness. Enjoy an ominous lineup of live shows, scare zones and bloody bars ahead of Halloween.
9/12
The best parts of Artivál and the Alley Cat Art Walk have united for the free Alley Cat Art Fest, an all-day outing for live music and immersive artwork in Downtown El Cajon.
9/12 & 9/13
Take a Grecian vacation for a fraction of the price during the annual Cardiff Greek Festival, two days of immersive cuisine and culture—with plenty of dancing—on the Encinitas coast.
9/13-9/20
Step away from the stove! The California Restaurant Association has eight days of eating experiences with your name on it. During San Diego Restaurant Week, explore by meal, neighborhood or cuisine for your personal dining plan.
9/16
Nourish yourself with an all-inclusive spread of Pacific Beach eats and locally-crafted artwork during the HeArt of PB Restaurant Walk on Garnet Avenue.
9/19
When it comes to stand-up comedy, Chelsea Handler is always ready to roast. See Handler tell anecdotes and skewer an assemblage of victims during her Balboa Theatre performance.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
After running El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria in Old Town for 30 years and opening Nómade Tapas & Records in North Park in 2025, owner Juan Carlos Gomez wasn’t actively on the hunt for a new project. But sometimes, you have to grab the opportunities as they come, unexpected though they may be.
He was taking a stroll in Bankers Hill last year when he noticed Barrio Star was closing after 17 years. “[It] was a neighborhood staple for a long time,” he says. So he figured he’d take a look. “We were talking with ownership and threw out an offer, and then it was accepted. So we were like, ‘Okay, cool, guess we’re going to get a new concept going!” (Much respect to the YOLO business style.)
That new restaurant is nearing completion. Filo will open early in September. The restaurant’s name, pronounced fie-low, references phyllo, the Greek word for “leaf” and an unleavened pastry dough commonly used in Mediterranean (often Greek) cuisines. Gomez says the menu will range from all over the Mediterranean region.
“I’ve always been a fan of European cuisine, obviously, but I can’t land on just one,” he laughs. “I’m part Spanish, so we wanted to do something Mediterranean, have a little bit of Spanish, have a little bit of French, Italian, Greek… a lot of olive oil, a lot of sea salt, and very, very light seasoning.”
Courtesy of Juan Carlos Gomez
Although the menu feels European, Gomez says expect the vibe and ingredients to feel very Southern Californian. There will be tapas, of course, and other small plates, along with housemade pastas, salads, with lots of seafood (like a whole branzino) coming from local purveyors. The accompanying beverage program will feel equally breezy, “fresh, very light, citrusy, salty,” he says. “We’re going to have a pretty hefty wine list and full bar.”
Gomez’s goal for Filo is for it to feel like a laid-back, seaside eatery on the craggy Mediterranean coastline—light colors, white oak, lime wash, flowing between the indoor dining room and outdoor patio. Personally, a European escape sounds pretty awesome right about now.
Filo opens at 2706 Fifth Avenue in early September. Initial operating hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with lunch and happy hour coming soon. (Subject to change.)
Courtesy of Nobu Del Coronado
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beth’s Bites
It’s hotter than a mile of Georgia asphalt in July, but relief is on the horizon. No, I don’t mean autumn (or as we San Diegans call it, “second summer”). I’m talking about the Sails & Ales Beer Fest at Kona Kai San Diego. The annual brew fest takes place on Saturday, September 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Polynesian-themed Shelter Island resort, with over 30 local beverage makers bringing their most refreshing products to the hot and thirsty masses. Look for names like Pure Project, Coronado Brewing, Ketch Brewing, and a whole lot more, all of whom are donating a portion of the proceeds to Surfrider Foundation San Diego. Tasty waves? A cool buzz? Sounds just fine.
If you seek edible respite before September 12, Hotel del Coronado has you covered. On Friday, September 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the man behind global sushi powerhouse Nobu—Chef Nobu Matsuhisa himself—will host Taste of Nobu, an immersive evening of sushi and signature cocktails on the Paseo Lawn. Prepare yourself for the famous black cod miso, Wagyu dumplings, hand rolls galore, and much more. (Personally, I will also prepare myself to be somewhat star-struck.)
I love a group grilling get-together, something Kingfisher must have known when the Golden Hill restaurant launched its Nướng Nights series. The recurring patio grill event brings patrons to the curb with a casual, but ridiculously delicious collection of skewers alongside special cocktails, this month coming from Realm of the 52 Remedies. Keep August 26 open for grilling glory (and save September 29 for the Mid-Autumn dinner with chef Helen Nguyen of NYC’s Saigon Social).
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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.
Implementing a farm-to-table model hardly deserves acknowledgement these days. It’s not a stretch. It’s not innovative. “It’s the bare f**king minimum,” says Herb & Sea‘s executive chef Aidan Owens.
When I arrive at the Encinitas restaurant, I’m ready to talk sustainability, farm-to-table stuff, with Owens. “Did you see the chin on that?” he says of the extra big jiggly chin on the sheephead that just arrived with the day’s fresh catch. I did. It was Jay Leno adjacent.
I learn quickly that he somehow oozes both charm and stone-cold honesty. Maybe he could construct a new dish with chin goo, like he did when he had a bunch of tuna scraps and voila’d it into a smooth and crowd-pleasing ‘nduja. “I want to know what’s in there,” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The instinct to look closer, to dig into what others might discard, says a lot about the chef’s approach. I guide him back to our topic, but he has something else on his mind. “We’re overcomplicating food—what happened to just cooking good food and having fun with it?”
Owens grew up on a farm in Byron Bay, Australia, where sustainability wasn’t a concept you chat about so much as a way of life. Think dirt roads, backyard chickens, pulling vegetables straight from the ground, and a mother who believed that if you couldn’t pronounce the ingredients on a package, you shouldn’t eat what was inside.
Food wasn’t precious or performative. Making it was what you did because you were hungry and that’s still what inspires Owens today. “I like to cook good food because I like to eat good food,” he says.
His approach to sustainability at Herb & Sea began so naturally that it felt just like instinct. “I was just like, ‘Let’s order food from the people who live and work here,’” he says.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
And why wouldn’t he when lives in San Diego? Cities all over the world vie for our goods. Our tuna is sent overseas. Our spiny lobsters hit dinner plates in China and Japan. Not to mention California’s producing a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.
“Why would we outsource when it’s all here?” Owens asks.
Sustainability, in this context, is about cooking what exists in abundance, nearby, right now. “I love the local fish here. It’s f**king delicious and San Diego citrus, I mean, it is so f**ing good,” he says.
Instead of importing ingredients, Owens also looks for nearby alternatives. “You can find really cool things in the local waters,” he says, pointing out that stingray cheeks taste similar to scallops.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
Whatever he finds in that sheephead chin might just be the next substitute for marrow. But to make this work, it means getting diners amped up about the slightly unfamiliar.
Tasting menus, where diners are completely in his hands, become an opportunity to gently push boundaries. “I’ll serve mackerel, because people think they hate it,” Owens says, noting that the abundant local fish can have some fishiness. “But when it’s fresh, it’s arguably one of the best fish in the ocean.”
He also tweaks the language on the menu so people might feel more compelled to give dishes a try without preconceived notions. He might use “lengua” instead of “tongue.” “Whelk” instead of “snail.” When he puts “stingray throat” on the menu, he disarmingly calls it “skate.”
To reduce waste, scraps aren’t always discarded but rather turned into something new. Sometimes they’re smoked, cured or fermented. Apples going bad turn into apple ponzu. Lemons turn to marmalade, which stretches their usefulness far beyond peak season. “And it’s super tasty on our pizza,” he says.
What makes the food even richer, is the relationships he’s built with farmers. Though it didn’t always feel natural, Owens sought personal connection first. He recalls approaching a fisherman at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. “I was awkward,” he says. “I went up to him and said, ‘I like your fish.’”
Owen’s is now so close to his suppliers—like fishermen Ryan Sebo and Joe Daly—that he gets texted pictures of fresh catches right as they flop on the boat. The messages always ask if he wants first dibs. “I say yes to a lot of fish,” Owens says, noting that Herb & Sea can go through 2,000 pounds of seafood a week.
Courtesy of Herb & Sea
The next evolution of sustainability, in his view, will be chefs working directly with producers such as his alliance with Sebo, cutting out middlemen and purveyors where possible. “It will put more money in the pockets of the people doing the work,” he says.
It will mean that chefs can’t just know their local farmers and producers, but they’ll choose to work with the ones who have the best practices. Dining and sustainability will become much less about the final plate. “It will be more about the impact that plate has on the Earth,” he says.
Ultimately, he believes sustainability doesn’t need to be loud. It doesn’t need hashtags. It just needs to be honest.
“We aren’t saving lives. We’re feeding people good food,” he says.
And yet, in feeding people well—simply, thoughtfully, responsibly—something meaningful happens. Guests leave satisfied. Ingredients are respected. Local ecosystems are supported and food returns to what it has always been at its core: nourishment, pleasure, and a quiet reflection of the place it comes from.
You have to be crazy or a genius to name a restaurant Fish Guts. You have to be even crazier to open a restaurant that holds maybe two dozen people at a time—if you don’t mind elbowing one other while scarfing down some of the best fish tacos in San Diego.
And yes, “best” is a relative term. But in Fish Guts’ case, it’s for real—and that’s saying something in a town literally world-famous for fish tacos.
Ever since Pablo Becker opened up his diminutive eatery in 2023 at the corner of Logan Avenue and Sampson Street in Barrio Logan, Fish Guts has been named one of the city’s best new restaurants in 2023, Critic’s Pick for the best fish tacos in San Diego in 2024, 2025 and 2026, as well as readers’ top pick in 2024. It’s like if Rubio’s married into the royal family.
Most of his ingredients come straight from the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, which happens to be down the street. His de espada (blackened swordfish) taco is the stuff of legend. He’s kept Fish Guts operating at an elite level, which tends to happen when you work for five years in Chicago under chef Richard Sandoval (who, by chance, is also his cousin) and open an ahead-of-its-time high-end modern Mexican restaurant in East Village (El Vitral Restaurant & Tequileria, 2009-2013).
Now Becker is branching out again, opening two new concepts in Barrio Logan this fall.
The first will be upstairs from Fish Guts, which at one point was destined to become an intimate omakase counter. Santo Poco will be a lunch-only sandwich shop, offering takeout and delivery (no dine-in), and the sandwiches will be a little Mexican, a little French, a little Italian, a little from Chicago, a little from New York. Basically, a bunch of different styles all on really, really good bread.
“There’s probably going to be a Cuban-style sandwich in there with a touch of Mexican, some cold cut Italians, too, putting my touch on them,” he says. “That’s what I feel like is my style of cooking.”
Things will be traditional, but inventive. Like his fish & chips taco at Fish Guts: two classic dishes, one killer mash-up. There will also be a hat tip to the late, great Anthony Bourdain, a sandwich called the Antonio Bourdain.
The second will be across the street from Fish Guts in the former Lia’s Lumpia space. Concrete Cowboy will be a taco-driven joint on the same wavelength as Fish Guts (keep it simple, keep it special), but featuring land animals rather than sea brethren. Think tacos made with duck confit, ribeye, pork belly, skirt steak.
The inspiration behind Concrete Cowboy comes from Becker’s father, a lifelong Western obsessive, despite growing up in Mexico City’s urban metropolis. “He always liked that cowboy life, that vibe,” he says. “I always say ‘Dad, you just grew up in the wrong city.”
He’s aiming to open Santo Poco in October and Concrete Cowboy in November. Neither require massive renovations, and while the former Lia’s Lumpia space will keep the cabin-esque aesthetic, he’s creating more of an adobe-style exterior and an interior lined with Western-themed wallpaper and taxidermied animals. He’ll also tweak the bar layout to move from a fast-casual feel to full service.
Local designer Dane Danner is designing both spaces and visual direction for menu layouts, logos, and packaging, going for low-key, but high on vibes. Once Concrete Cowboy opens, Fish Guts will temporarily close to remodel the space to switch its white palette for a warmer feel, plus introducing a refreshed menu featuring some new tacos and other items.
Could another Fish Guts be on the way somewhere else in San Diego? Not likely, says Becker. “Fish Guts is cool, “ he says. “I feel once you start branching out, it’s more forced, not as organic.” So for now, count on Becker staying in the neighborhood.
Santo Poco opens for lunch daily October 2026, 2222 Logan Avenue (above Fish Guts). Concrete Cowboy opens Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner November 2026, 2219 Logan Avenue.
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.
Ten years ago, restaurant design centered around sleek minimalism. Fonts lacked serifs, clean lines dominated, and any manufacturer that made globe-shaped chandeliers must have made an absolute killing.
Things have changed since then, and Jeff Fink says it’s time for Madison on Park to glow up. On September 7, Madison will temporarily close its doors for a top-to-bottom renovation of the space and concept. Fink hopes to reopen this fall ahead of the busy holiday season, with a new look he calls moody mid-century maximalism.
“We have to take into consideration what’s going on culturally,” he says. When Madison first opened, TikTok wasn’t a thing in the U.S. and craft cocktails felt relatively cutting-edge. Today, he sees a resurgence in the vintage look, handmade goods, and low-to-no ABV drinks dominating menus everywhere.
Courtesy of Madison on Park | Photo Credit: Andy McRory
Fink and his partner Matt Sieve have already dabbled with that sort of motif at Sonny’s Pizza, their Brooklyn-inspired joint around the corner. Fully half of the cocktail menu is made up of spritzes, mocktails, and Negronis. Madison 2.0 will take it further.
The new concept doesn’t have a name yet—Fink says they have to feel out the vibes as they make progress with the design. “The name comes when you see it appear,” he says. But he has a few design elements in mind: things like more artwork and more uplighting. “Not cluttered and overstuffed… I want to keep it intimate, sexy, and immersive.”
Madison rightly earned its rep as one of the best-dressed eateries in San Diego, nabbing an Orchid Award for interior design its first year. The returning designers Anna and David Sindelar originally transformed the space from weird padded walls and fake greenery at Lei Lounge into a mid-century modern wonderland, complete with a signature arched ceiling and geometric patterns aplenty. Michelin-recognized chef Mario Cassineri (Ciccia Osteria, Bice Ristorante) built a menu heavy on Mediterranean flavors mixed with California classics.
The new menu shouldn’t feel completely jarring, but will take cues from Fink’s recent travels in Spain with his family. Expect shareable plates with lighter ingredients. “Americans eat way too much, and our portions are way too big,” he says. “I like the idea of smaller plates, healthier plates, and being creative… I’d rather see 15 items on the menu that are all less than $20 so that I can try different ones.” Bar manager Danny Kuehner will continue developing craft cocktails and mocktails for the new venture, as well as curating a selection of wine from Europe and locally.
Courtesy of Madison on Park | Photo Credit: Haley Hill
This isn’t the only project on their plate. Besides running Sonny’s in University Heights and Madi in Normal Heights, later this fall, Fink and Sieve will also open Josie’s, a modern all-day, Midwestern-style diner inspired by Sieve’s Minnesota roots. Like all their restaurants, it’ll hold a special part of their families’ legacies—something Fink hopes people feel as soon as they enter.
“You walk into Sonny’s, you’re like ‘Oh, Jeff’s at home,’” Fink laughs. “[Josies’] will be ‘Matt’s at home.’” The next version of Madison? We’ll have to wait and see.
Madison on Park will temporarily close on September 7 until October (barring any unexpected delays). Keep up with the newest updates on Madison’s Instagram.
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.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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