Generally, visitors go to Pipeline to gawk at the massive Hawaiian waves, not the houses. But in the ’90s, one of the beachside cottages became almost as famous as the wave. Known as “Benji’s House,” it was the childhood home of Benji Weatherley, who’d eventually become a pro surfer. Thanks to his mom Barbara’s open-door policy, it became a hangout for an entire generation of pro surfing icons known as The Momentum Generation—Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Taylor Steele, to name a few. (The place is now known as the Volcom House.)
Weatherley was and is the funny kid, the personality, the constant entertainer. And now he’s bringing that spirit to his new restaurant in Encinitas. It’s an ode to his mom.
Slated to open in March at the former Schooner’s Pizzeria (481 Santa Fe Dr.), the Hawaiian cafe, bar, and grill will be named Breakers—the same name of the cafe his family ran in Haleiwa when he was a kid.
“I’m a full-on people person, so hospitality comes naturally to me,” he says. The remote-coasts life of pro surfing allowed him to sample food from around the globe. Plus, he says, after working in the family cafe as a kid running everything from the counter to the dish pit to the kitchen, “I got my feet wet, and now I just found my calling.”
The original Breakers in Hawaii closed in 2022 after 20 years in business. For the last year or so, Weatherley has been working on opening a version up along the coast, where he’s owned a house since 2000. He says he wants it to be a cornerstone of the local community that embodies North County’s slower-paced way of life. It’ll be an old-school, nostalgic place, and he’s designed it with the kids at San Dieguito Academy High School in mind.
“We’re gonna have kids from the high school deliver food, so they can make extra side money and get their first job,” he says. “I kind of like how the old pizza joints used to be, and—nothing against DoorDash—but it’ll be a way to give back to the community and not the corporation.”
Breakers will be open as an early morning cafe, before shifting to full restaurant service for lunch and dinner. It’ll have a full bar, live entertainment, hula dancing classes, ukulele nights, stand-up comedy—you name it. Weatherley says it’s not Hawaiian food—it’s Hawaii food, with dishes including items like ahi katsu, garlic shrimp, Hawaiian-style ice cream and coffee, and inexpensive poke and teriyaki bowls to entice nearby school-age kids to have an affordable, mellow place to hang out.
For local legend bonus points, his decor will include mementos from the recently departed and severely mourned iconic dive bar: Captain Keno’s. “We have the Keno’s bar stools, their booths, the old O’Hurley’s cocktail sign that was spelled wrong that’s been there for 65 years,” he explains.
And I’ll bet on at least one thing—there’ll be plenty of Blink-182 on rotation.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Beating Breast Cancer, One Bite At A Time
The Susan G. Komen Foundation has invested more than a billion dollars to the fight against breast cancer since its inception in 1982. Unfortunately, with more than 310,000 new diagnoses every year in the U.S. alone, we still have a ways to go. On Friday, March 21, the San Diego chapter of the non-profit will host the inaugural Impact Luncheon at Mister A’s in order to continue that mission, as well as honor local community members who have helped advance the group’s mission through raising awareness, funds, and access to care. Together, we can find a cure and enjoy a stellar view of America’s Finest City.
Beth’s Bites
- Rustic Root opens its new location in Solana Beach on Wednesday, January 29, and while you probably already know what’s on the menu, did you know that nearly 100 percent of the wood used came straight from the Hotel Del Coronado’s renovation? Three cheers for sustainability.
- Zion Market is reopening… sort of. The main grocery store portion opens this Thursday, but the forthcoming plaza of restaurants and the rooftop bar are still a ways off. Still, you can save 20 percent while you wait.
- San Diego’s craft beer scene isn’t just stagnating—it’s shrinking. But there are still bright spots on the horizon, including a new concept coming to San Marcos, as first reported by SD Beer News. Michi Brew Company will offer tropical-inspired ales and lagers (so yes, expect a new local pineapple beer) once owner Cody Gagnon takes over the former Double Peak Brewing space this spring.
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].
