If there’s one thing San Diego restaurateurs have in common, it’s that they agree things are only getting harder. Profit margins are thinner, influencers are the new critics, and unless you have deep pockets, it’s really hard to find a space to lease. But sometimes, everything clicks into place, and things work out like they should.
“Everything happens for a reason,” says Brian Foxworth, Jr. Born and raised in San Diego, he and his family have been in the restaurant business for eight years, first operating Rhythm’s Chicken and Waffles as a food truck and brick-and-mortar restaurant in Pacific Beach. Even their success (and an appearance on Netflix’s Fresh, Fried and Crispy in 2021) couldn’t shield them from the seasonal effects of the tourist-heavy beach town, leading them to close the doors and retire the concept in 2023.
But Foxworth says they kept looking for a new space for their next business, inspired by his mom, and fittingly named Mom’s Chicken & Waffles. U-31 owner Steve Billings offered his lounge’s kitchen in North Park while they looked. It took two years.
“I put in bids for the last two years, trying to get a space, but we couldn’t get it,” explains Foxworth. “Some of the ones were too expensive, or the owners have a different concept, [or] bigger companies come in and take and buy the space and renovate. So there’s a struggle for the small businesses and small restaurants.”
But every cloud comes with a silver lining. Just down the street from U-31, Wong Chong (better known as Lucky) operated Lucky’s Breakfast (also known as Lucky’s Golden Phenix) for more than 50 years before passing away last December. The popular corner eatery at 3804 Grim Avenue, now “Lucky Lane,” in the heart of North Park became prime real estate. When it came on the market, Foxworth says they didn’t offer the landlords a ton of money (even though a few other people did). What he offered instead was to honor what Lucky built and gave to the North Park community—and they got it.
“We understand the history of it,” he says. “Us being locals and being family-owned, we’re happy to take over that [and] continue that same legacy he had.”
Courtesy of Mom’s Chicken & Waffles
Mom’s Chicken and Waffles will continue operating out of U-31 until they fully move into the former Lucky’s location in late October or November this year. Foxworth says they don’t plan to change much—some new paint and flooring, but that’s about it—and will even keep Lucky’s famous $9.99 eggs, bacon, and potatoes breakfast special. The menu will also feature a signature Chicken Sunrise sandwich, fried chicken and waffle poppers, and other fan favorites.
It may have taken the better part of a decade, but Foxworth says they’re grateful for the chance to be stewards of a small piece of North Park history, and hope to continue Lucky’s legacy for as long as he did. “We’ll be there a while,” he promises.
Mom’s Chicken & Waffles will open by the end of the year at 3804 Grim Avenue. Initial operating hours will run Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Courtesy of Oceanside Vegan Food Festival
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Vegans, Assemble! It’s Time To Feast
Vegans, vegetarians, and generally hungry people can head to Oceanside on Saturday, August 23 for the largest gathering of vegan food vendors in North County. The third annual Oceanside Vegan Food Festival starts at 11 a.m. on Pier View Way, with over 70 vendors offering a dizzying array of vegan cuisine from South Korea, China, Mexico, Turkey, and a whole lot more. Plus, there’s music, shopping, and pet adoption opportunities. Carnivores welcome, too.
Photo Credit: Dee Sandoval Cellar Hand
Beth’s Bites
September is the hottest month in San Diego, and I don’t just mean the temperature—it’s also when the annual Bartender’s Weekend takes place, this year from the 14 through 17. It’s one of the funnest industry-only events of the year, with hospitality professionals congregating across the city to celebrate beverages and each other. Even though the event itself is industry-only, with the influx usually comes a few fun activations, so stay tuned.
Sushi has landed in the Miralani Maker’s District. Cui-daore quietly opened in June at 8680 Miralani Drive, Suite 122, offering fresh sushi rolls, bites, sake, and a very cute logo. The name means “to eat until you drop,” which sounds like a challenge to me…
Look, I get it. The term “farm-to-table” is way played out. But until we collectively come up with something more clever, then we’re stuck with it (and frankly, there are far worse tragedies.) Plus, I like knowing when what I’m eating really does come straight from a farm, which promises to be the case at Cellar Hand’s one year anniversary farm dinner on Wednesday, August 13. As part of its Handmade Series, the Hillcrest restaurant is bringing in a bunch of cool collaborators to put together a five-course meal with optional beverage pairings. Lauren Silver of Wildwood Flour, Byron Nkhoma of Hukama Farms, Ty Thompson of Thompson Heritage Ranch, Shane Volberding of Shane’s Seafood, and Aaron Walker of Pali Wine Co. will all be there.
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.
