Doggus Gus Ends Run Managing The Kitchen Of San Diego's Twisted Taps | Island Life Foods To Bring The Aloha To University Heights

July 1, 2018

For a short time, it was home to the SanDiegoVille Dog! Doggos Gus took to social media yesterday to announce that today would be their last day in operation within the kitchen at Twisted Taps beer bar in University Heights. Starting on July 11, the onsite eatery will be taken over by another previous farmers market vendor - Hawaiian food concept Island Life Foods.

In 2017, Gustavo Tonella took his mobile hot dog stand and installed it within the craft beer-centric Twisted Taps, taking over the food component at the family-friendly bar and restaurant. Offering an array of bacon-wrapped dogs served on steamed bolillo buns, Doggos Gus was also frequently seen at area markets and festivals. Tonella, who started Doggos Gus in 2010, has announced that although his time at Twisted Taps has come to an end that he will continue to operate at area farmers markets and events.

"For now, we will be shifting our focus to our catering services," explained Tonella. "However, you can still find Doggos Gus at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market every Sunday and the Otay Ranch Farmer’s Market every Tuesday."

This isn't goodbye, but rather see you later. ❤️ Today, we are saddened to inform our friends and family that Doggos Gus' time inside of Twisted Taps has come to an end. When we moved into Twisted Taps just over a year ago, our goal was to bring the most authentic Baja Dogs to San Diego and you welcomed us with open arms. We cannot thank you enough for your support. For now, we will be shifting our focus to our catering services. However, you can still find Doggos Gus at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market every Sunday and the Otay Ranch Farmer’s Market every Tuesday. Sunday, July 1st, will be our last day inside of Twisted Taps. We invite you to come in and enjoy one last Doggos Gus Dog with us as we say goodbye. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking this journey with us. ❤️🌭
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Starting on Wednesday, July 11, the kitchen at Twisted Taps will be in the hands of Island Life Foods, a Hawaiian cuisine and poke concept from husband and wife duo Sean "Chef Maui" Canosa and Jenn Sablan. Island Life Foods entered the local spotlight after taking home top honors at the annual I Love Poke Festival in 2017. Most recently this past spring, the eatery made waves in the local food community after posting an online outburst following a fallout with the organizer of the Little Italy Mercato and Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market.

We have been doing there markets for three years now, selling Urchin for one. More then 80% of the time we sell out every week, this has always been the case, but now it's a problem??? Going against guidelines, we have never signed, never even seen, Nothing given to us physically or via email. We're confused and saddened like everyone else. We apologize to those who came out today, messaged, texted and called us. PB is and will always be our favorite market and all customers hold a special place with us. This is our current situation. We have two new markets come next week that we will be posting more info on! We apologize for the inconvenience this causes, and mahalo to those for being our loyal Ohana. #sandiego #farmersmarkets #yelp #hawaii #hillcrest #oceanbeach #chef #foodie #loyal #beer #happyhour #chef #seafood #organic #local #sustainable #tuna #seaurchin #maui #sandiegofood #sandiegofoodie #ohana #supportsmallbusiness #weekend #springbreak #fitness #foodporn
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Island Life Foods will offer a menu of "Hawaiian grindz & raw seafood", including Maui-style limu (seaweed) poke, Huli-Huli chicken, SPAM musubi, locally caught uni, and entrees like Shoyu brisket, chicken katsu, kalua pork, panko shrim and more.

Twisted Taps is located at 2302 El Cajon Boulevard in University Heights. Visit twistedtaps.com for more information and check out Island Life Foods menu below.