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| Jon Mangini (right) and Chef Alex Carballo (left) will soon join for a new brewery concept in El Cajon. |
July 10, 2013
URBN Restaurants Inc. set to expands into El Cajon, partnering with Stone Brewing Co.’s former Executive Chef Alex Carballo. Leading Southern California Restaurateur, Jon Mangini of URBN Restaurants Inc. (Gang Kitchen, BASIC Urban Kitchen + Bar, and URBN Coal Fired Pizza in both North Park and Vista) announces major plans to expand his collective eastward into the heart of El Cajon. Expected to open doors in early 2014, the dual-concept initiative will house a yet to be named brewery and will add a third URBN Coal Fired Pizza to Mangini’s growing repertoire. With this news Jon reveals that the new concept will partner with seasoned industry veteran, Alex Carballo – Executive Chef of Stone Brewing Co., who will be leaving his current position at Stone near the end of July.
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| El Cajon Brewing Co.'s former building will be the site of the new brewery concept. |
This brewery will be Mangini’s first foray outside of the traditional restaurant concept. Bringing on Executive Chef and Partner, Alex Carballo, who has experience working hand-in-hand with the national brewing industry, will elevate the credibility of URBN’s already existing reputation in beer.
Nationally respected as of one of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s “12 to watch in 2012” and noted in top industry publications such as Food & Wine, Sunset Magazine and Draft Magazine to name a few, Carballo has been at the helm of Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido as the Executive Chef and General Manager in addition to Stone Catering for the past five years. A graduate of San Diego State University and the National Culinary & Baking School, Chef Carballo has held the position of Executive Chef at many prestigious San Diego restaurants, such as Crosby Country Club, Indigo Grill, Brigantine and The Fishery. He is a practicing member of Slow Food San Diego, which links the pleasure of food with a commitment to the community and environment, serves as a board member for Chef Celebration, is an advisor for the California Department of Education’s “California Farm to School Task Force,” and donates his time to many charities in Southern California.
Alongside Mangini, Carballo is putting together a stellar team comprised of some of industry’s most passionate brewers to head up brewery production. As a distribution company, URBN’s unnamed brewery also plans to distribute their beers to the rest of the concepts within URBN Restaurants Inc., with greater distribution throughout San Diego in the years to come.
The culinary program, also led by Executive Chef Carballo, will feature URBN’s award-winning menu staple – a traditional thin crust, coal-fired pie, reminiscent of the famous pizzerias found in New Haven, Connecticut. In addition to URBN’s signature pizzas, Chef Carballo will introduce a handful of various dishes while taking a playful twist on pub favorites like wings, salads and more, to give patrons a variety of approachable options. He also plans to roll out a series of beer pairing dinners, while forging on in his passionate support of local farmers and farm-to-table credo. With BASIC & URBN known for their eclectic beer selections and knowledgeable staff, the new location will follow suit in offering an extensive international selection of craft brews and, pending the approval of a liquor license, spirit driven craft cocktails.
“El Cajon is uncharted territory for the group, and I love the idea of being able to offer the neighborhood something new and totally original,” says Jon Mangini. “In regards to the new brewery, quality beer has always been a passion of the collective, and we’re excited to share our interpretation of what great beer should be with the rest of San Diego.”
