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Against the Grain
Many beer makers remove gluten at the beginning of the brewing process, resulting in a watery, sad thing. Enter San Diego’s Duck Foot Brewing Company. At their new 5,000-square-foot brewery and 749-square-foot tasting room (fits 49 drinkers), owners Matt DelVecchio and Brett Goldstock add a natural, flavorless enzyme at the end that exorcises the gluten but keeps the craft beer taste. The 20 taps will feature pale ales and IPAs, plus concoctions like a chocolate-hazelnut stout and coconut-molasses brown. The space is modern minimalism meets Comic-Con, with concrete, steel, and wood and murals from childhood buddies at Brooklyn design studio Madonna+Child. 8920 Kenamar Drive, Miramar
New Brewery: Duck Foot Brewing Company
Photo by Paul Body
Our Twitter followers reveal where they like to grab a cold one.
Tweet us your favorite @SanDiegoMag or emailus at [email protected]
Encinitas Ale House
Encinitas Ale House | Photo by Paul Body
Encinitas Ale House is the real deal—a consistently amazing and ever-changing tap and bottle selection, and servers who know their beer. #SDMBeer —@PetCobra
Plan 9 Alehouse. Their pork belly BLT is great and their nut brown ale is the best I’ve had. —@BallTerrence
Phileas Foggs: Great food, great beer, great staff, very clean, killer specials like 50-cent wings and $4 drafts. #SDMBeer —@TuyeYAYA
Bruski Burgers and Beer is my favorite place to grab a beer and food in San Diego. Their burgers beat out any burger joint. The pastrami burger is to die for. —Kyle Rayder via email
O’Brien’s Pub is one of SD’s oldest specialty beer bars. The owner, Tom Nickel, gets a lot of rare, one-off kegs. The prices are still really good—$4.50 for some pints. Some customers have been going there practically daily for close to 25 years. —Peter Hawkins via email
Has to be Blind Lady Ale. Why? Because @LeeChase of @AutomaticBrewCo will sit and talk beer with everyone! #SDBeer —@bernasconi
Hamilton’s Tavern
Hamilton’s Tavern | Photo by Paul Body
Hamilton’s Tavern’s easily my fave bar to enjoy craft brews. Choices galore, tons of events, 2nd Saturday. What’s not to love? —@MatyRice
Oh my fave beer bar is, hands down, Queens Of Beer in #Hillcrest—the world’s first out & proud #LGBT brewery. The pizza = epic. —@AHizz
Tiger! Tiger! is my absolute fave beer bar! The beer selection is always exceptional +food/staff put it over the top! —@jennjjones
Raglan Public House. Great beer selection. Knowledgable servers. Beach vibe. Oh, & good food too! #SDMBeer —@MartinEglitis
Hands down fave beer bar is MonkeyPaw. Fabulous rotating taps, great bottle selection, super knowledgeable staff & great grub! —@JenQFE
Stone Brewing Co.'s Craft Beer Ambassador and Certified Cicerone, Bill Sysak (aka “Dr. Bill”), salutes the newbies.
Rip Current Brewing
Hop heads will love the Curl IPA, with 10.3% ABV and strong citrus, tropical fruits, and pine aromas.
Modern Times Beer
Try Fortunate Islands, a wheat beer brewed with West Coast hops. Its citrus and tropical notes are a great choice for warm summer nights.
Modern Times Beer
Modern Times Beer | Photo by Luis Garcia
Nickel Beer Co.
It’s great to see Tom Nickel (owner of O’Briens Pub) back in the brewing game. His beers are exceptional. Try Stonewall Stout, a classic English stout with coffee, chocolate, and vanilla notes.
Saint Archer Brewing Co.
Their connection to the extreme sports community is sure to convert a whole new wave of craft beer aficionados. Try the Pale Ale, a hop-forward California-style pale.
Amplified Ale Works
The in-house craft brewery of California Kebab & Beer Gardens has some delicious food and equally delicious beers. Rare Form, a Belgian quad with notes of fig, plum, raisin, and brown sugar, is the perfect nightcap.
Benchmark Brewing Company
Their Feisty Fleur, with its Belgian esters and light candy sugar notes, is a spot-on representation of a traditional Belgian tripel.
Culture Brewing Co.
The American strong ale clocks in at 7.7% ABV and 100 international bitterness units (IBUs).
Our Twitter followers reveal where they like to grab a cold one.
Tweet us your favorite @SanDiegoMag or emailus at [email protected]
Encinitas Ale House
Encinitas Ale House | Photo by Paul Body
Encinitas Ale House is the real deal—a consistently amazing and ever-changing tap and bottle selection, and servers who know their beer. #SDMBeer —@PetCobra
Plan 9 Alehouse. Their pork belly BLT is great and their nut brown ale is the best I’ve had. —@BallTerrence
Phileas Foggs: Great food, great beer, great staff, very clean, killer specials like 50-cent wings and $4 drafts. #SDMBeer —@TuyeYAYA
Bruski Burgers and Beer is my favorite place to grab a beer and food in San Diego. Their burgers beat out any burger joint. The pastrami burger is to die for. —Kyle Rayder via email
O’Brien’s Pub is one of SD’s oldest specialty beer bars. The owner, Tom Nickel, gets a lot of rare, one-off kegs. The prices are still really good—$4.50 for some pints. Some customers have been going there practically daily for close to 25 years. —Peter Hawkins via email
Has to be Blind Lady Ale. Why? Because @LeeChase of @AutomaticBrewCo will sit and talk beer with everyone! #SDBeer —@bernasconi
Hamilton’s Tavern
Hamilton’s Tavern | Photo by Paul Body
Hamilton’s Tavern’s easily my fave bar to enjoy craft brews. Choices galore, tons of events, 2nd Saturday. What’s not to love? —@MatyRice
Oh my fave beer bar is, hands down, Queens Of Beer in #Hillcrest—the world’s first out & proud #LGBT brewery. The pizza = epic. —@AHizz
Tiger! Tiger! is my absolute fave beer bar! The beer selection is always exceptional +food/staff put it over the top! —@jennjjones
Raglan Public House. Great beer selection. Knowledgable servers. Beach vibe. Oh, & good food too! #SDMBeer —@MartinEglitis
Hands down fave beer bar is MonkeyPaw. Fabulous rotating taps, great bottle selection, super knowledgeable staff & great grub! —@JenQFE
Stake Chophouse & Bar brings contemporary classics and old-school service to the heart of Coronado
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
Stone Brewing Co.'s Craft Beer Ambassador and Certified Cicerone, Bill Sysak (aka “Dr. Bill”), salutes the newbies.
Rip Current Brewing
Hop heads will love the Curl IPA, with 10.3% ABV and strong citrus, tropical fruits, and pine aromas.
Modern Times Beer
Try Fortunate Islands, a wheat beer brewed with West Coast hops. Its citrus and tropical notes are a great choice for warm summer nights.
Modern Times Beer
Modern Times Beer | Photo by Luis Garcia
Nickel Beer Co.
It’s great to see Tom Nickel (owner of O’Briens Pub) back in the brewing game. His beers are exceptional. Try Stonewall Stout, a classic English stout with coffee, chocolate, and vanilla notes.
Saint Archer Brewing Co.
Their connection to the extreme sports community is sure to convert a whole new wave of craft beer aficionados. Try the Pale Ale, a hop-forward California-style pale.
Amplified Ale Works
The in-house craft brewery of California Kebab & Beer Gardens has some delicious food and equally delicious beers. Rare Form, a Belgian quad with notes of fig, plum, raisin, and brown sugar, is the perfect nightcap.
Benchmark Brewing Company
Their Feisty Fleur, with its Belgian esters and light candy sugar notes, is a spot-on representation of a traditional Belgian tripel.
Culture Brewing Co.
The American strong ale clocks in at 7.7% ABV and 100 international bitterness units (IBUs).
Offering everything from smashburgers to sundaes, the latest food hall from Tiger Hospitality opens its doors this weekend
Omakase and fixed-price menus are one way hospitality businesses are addressing our collective food decision-making fatigue. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, some restaurateurs are offering a bonanza of totally unrelated options for people ordering on a whim. Why not pair a lobster grilled cheese sandwich, açaí bowl, and ridiculously loaded hot dog?
Starting June 27, diners can satisfy their spur-of-the-moment appetites at Global Fork in Little Italy, the latest food hall from Southern California-based Tiger Hospitality.
Six different food concepts will be featured in the 4,685-square-foot, indoor-outdoor space along the Piazza della Famiglia promenade. The space’s inaugural lineup includes a mix of Tiger Hospitality-owned concepts (Cosmos Burger, La Vida, Lobster Lab, and Prik Ki Nu Thai) and outside operators (Seattle-based Moto Pizza and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream). The space next door, Good Enough Cocktail Club, is another Tiger-backed brand, operated by the team behind Same Same and Amor y Magia in Carlsbad.
Cosmos Burger serves smashburgers stacked with classic toppings, while Lobster Lab focuses on seafood favorites including lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, and lobster mac n’ cheese. Prik Ki Nu Thai adds Thai street food to the mix, with traditional noodle, rice, and stir-fry dishes. And for those looking for something on the lighter side, La Vida offers things like smoothies, salads, and wraps.
Moto Pizza focuses on Detroit-style square pizza with Filipino influences and, despite the name, is not affiliated with Mr. Moto Pizza. Handel’s, which began in Ohio in 1945, will offer dozens of flavors ranging from staples like chocolate and vanilla to rotating specialties packed with candies, cookies, and other mix-ins. (Handel’s already has a number of locations across San Diego, with a La Mesa store coming later this year.)
Some of these vendors already operate at Miramar Food Hall, the other Tiger-owned food hall in San Clemente. And some of them will also appear in Station8, the next food hall slated to open in UC San Diego’s Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood later this fall. But if you ask me, reviving the space that housed the Little Italy Food Hall before its closure last February is a far better outcome than leaving empty suites smack in the middle of an area saturated with fantastic food options. Plus, where else can you order a slice of beef adobo pizza alongside squares of caviar toast and a banana split?
Global Fork opens June 27 at 550 W. Date Street, Suite B, in Little Italy. Initial operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, but vendor hours may differ.
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.
SeaWorld dazzles with a drone show, big-name entertainers, new animal adventures and more
Nights are heating up at SeaWorld San Diego. The quintessential summertime staple on Mission Bay is transforming into a destination for unforgettable day-to-night adventures, bringing back some of its most popular Summer Nights programming and introducing exciting new experiences sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
The 2026 Summer Day to Night at SeaWorld San Diego is the park’s most ambitious season yet. SeaWorld has planned a highly anticipated entertainment lineup that features nine weeks of throwback concerts featuring R&B and hip‑hop favorites from the ‘90s and early 2000s, including Jordin Sparks, Too $hort and Warren G, Ashanti, and an array of boy band heartthrobs performing together as part of the Pop 2000 Tour.
New this season is perhaps the park’s most visible update: a nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, which illuminates the sky with hundreds of synchronized sparklers. Drones form sea otters, sharks, dolphins, and a majestic orca that tell a breathtaking 12-minute story of marine life and underwater ecosystems. The show culminates with a spectacular electric neon finale celebrating hope, wonder, and ocean stewardship.
Nighttime visitors are also in store for animal adventures that fuse education with high-energy fun and the dreamy ambiance of nighttime. The park has launched two all-new animal presentations: Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night and Dolphins: Touch the Sky. Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night features vibrant lighting, music, and dynamic choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales. Dolphins: Touch the Sky showcases playful bottlenose dolphins and the special connection between humans and the natural world. And back by popular demand is fan-favorite Sea Lions Tonite. See the charming pinnipeds splash, play, and parody pop culture in this refreshed crowd-pleaser.
More must-sees: a newly reimagined Shark Encounter, one of the country’s more immersive exhibits highlighting 11 different species up close, SeaWorld’s beloved BMX Blast! stunt show, and high-seas escapade, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. And don’t miss the park’s all-new Deep Sea Disco, which encourages guests to dance the night away under the glow of the SkyTower, and vibrant closing time laser light display Laser Reef Summer Spectacular.
Amp up the nighttime vibe with local craft beers, curated cocktails, and nostalgic theme park treats with $1 beer all summer long. SeaWorld is the place for day to night summer fun. When the sun goes down, SeaWorld lights up, and inspires guests of all ages to embrace their inner whimsy and see why generations of San Diegans head to SeaWorld to make memories they’ll never forget.
