For over 20 years in North Park, Suher and Edward Haidar have served thousands of plates of Lebanese favorites like chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, grape leaves, manaeesh, and more out of a tiny Craftsman cottage on Alabama Street. In that time, they’ve raised children, catered parties and festivals, and remained a stalwart part of the community. Now, one chapter of Mama’s Bakery is closing—but Suher says the next one is going to be even better.
The husband-and-wife team first looked into moving to a bigger building a few years ago, in order to accommodate their growing catering demands. The original location opened in 1988, and was designed for a different time (and different owners). With the arrival of the six-story mixed-use One Mississippi building around the corner (2141 El Cajon Blvd), the Haiders knew it was time to take that next step.
“Throughout the years, we just saw North Park transition into this very urban, very hip, trendy space,” she explains. “I think that, if anything, Mama’s Bakery’s success is because of the community, and because of our consistency and what we do and what we offer.”
There will be a few changes, but nothing major beyond a bit of a rebrand. The restaurant has been known as Mama’s Bakery for years, but the sign at the new location will read “Mama’s Mediterranean Kitchen.”
Courtesy of Mama’s Bakery
“When you say ‘Mama’s Bakery,’ a lot of people have been confusing it with a bakery, like a cake bakery,” she explains. She plans to expand the menu as well to incorporate more dishes from Lebanon, where both she and Edward have family.
“I kind of want to keep it a surprise… we all got together as a family, and we came up with a few really fun recipes from our home.”
It’s a bittersweet move, but one Suher feels they’re finally ready for.
“When people come into the restaurant, I want them to still feel like they’re coming into mama’s house, where there’s history,” she says. “There’s warmth. There’s joy.”
Like almost every new hospitality venture, Zion Market’s relocation has taken longer than Kevin Hwang hoped it would. But after reopening the market portion earlier this year (at 8330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.), he says his family (who owns the business) anticipate the first restaurants to start opening as soon as August, and continue to be rolled out over the next two years.
Upcoming eateries include Marugame Udon, EM Coffee, Fika Fika ice cream, Pepper Lunch, and Chagee Tea House, an Asian beverage behemoth that Hwang calls “the next Starbucks.” Some of the originally announced concepts have since dropped out (Bafang Dumping, Tang Japanese BBQ, Dot + Dough), but he has new concepts in the works, including one with Alvin Cailan, the founder of Eggslut.
“We’re working on a collaboration to do a burger spot,” says Hwang. He estimates they’ll eventually open around a dozen restaurants before moving to phase three of the project—a 25,000-square-foot food hall and speakeasy cocktail bar designed by Michael Soriano (Realm of 52 Remedies, Vin de Syrah).
Courtesy of Louisiana Purchase
Beth’s Bites
The Hotel Del is fully finished with its $550 million renovation, which includes the brand-new Nobu (chef Nobu was in town a few weeks ago prepping the staff). This week they’re inviting all dignitaries, friends, historians, even media to see the massive, six-year renovation of the historic Coronado hotel in all its glory. Go get some spicy tuna crispy rice.
Louisiana Purchase is hosting its first Juneteenth Block Party on June 19 (noon-6 p.m.) on the corner of Louisiana and Wightman Streets in North Park. The family-friendly festival is free to all and will include plenty of food and drink, along with a kid’s zone, live music, and a DJ battle. Up North, Juneteenth San Marcos will also be held at Cal State San Marcos (3 p.m.-8 p.m.) featuring chefs, black-0wned businesses and brands, and raising money for Bad Boyz of Culinary, which supports aspiring black chefs in San Diego.
I recently picked up some locally made ceramics at Tao of Clay in Barrio Logan, and it turns out, they do more than host art classes and open studio hours. This year, the community space is launching its inaugural Studio Table series, which will bring together chefs and ceramic artists for a supper club-style event, and as a fan of both ceramics and food, I plan to check it out.
Vista-based brewery Barrel & Stave is moving out of CoLab Public House, but not because its closing. Its simply outgrown the space (which is good news given San Diego’s waning beer scene) and is looking for a bigger spot in North County. Guests have until June 15 to grab a pint at the Vista venue, and I’ll keep an eye on where they land.
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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.
