Chef-Driven Fast-Food Eatery Nitros Launches In San Diego's South County

March 31, 2020

The team behind San Diego's roving wagyu supper club Cosecha has launched a new take-out exclusive eatery in South County called Nitros, a chef-driven fast-food concept centered around dishes incorporating the namesake "nitros" - potatoes that are frozen with liquid nitrogen before frying.

Del Mar Fairgrounds & San Diego Food Bank To Provide Emergency Food Distribution This Friday, April 3

March 30, 2020

The San Diego Food Bank is stepping up to feed a growing number of vulnerable families and seniors during the COVID-19 crisis with drive-thru food distribution sites, including hosting an emergency food distribution event at Del Mar Fairgrounds this Friday, April 3.

Five San Diego County Food Handlers Test Positive For COVID-19 Coronavirus

March 29, 2020

This afternoon at the daily San Diego County media briefing, health officials stated that five local food handlers have tested positive for COVID-19, including four restaurant employees and one grocery store employee.

San Diego Restaurant Week & California Restaurant Association Announce Efforts To Support San Diego Restaurants In Light of the Recent COVID-19 Outbreak

March 29, 2020 

In light of recent events related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the California Restaurant Association has tapped into the full power of its San Diego Restaurant Week website and launched an online interface where restaurateurs are invited to upload information on their eatery's status for take-out & delivery orders.

San Diego's Del Mar Fairgrounds & Racetrack To Offer $44 Chef-Prepared Family Meals

March 28, 2020

Starting next week, Del Mar Racetrack & Fairgrounds will offer $44 chef-prepared meals to feed a family of four.

These San Diego Businesses Are Giving Back During A Time Of Loss & Uncertainty

March 27, 2020

In this trying time when the whole world is facing increasing precautionary measures aimed to battle the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, these San Diego businesses are doing their part to give back.

Barons Market Installs Barriers At Checkout To Protect Store Visitors & Employees Alike

March 26, 2020

After being one of the first grocery stores to offer senior-only morning shopping hours amid COVID-19 coronavirus concerns, San Diego-based Barons Markets is installing plexiglass shields at its checkout aisles to help prevent the spread of germs.

Thank Us Later - South Bay Drive-In Theatres Is Still Operating Nightly

March 26, 2020

Are you tired of being cooped up in your home? Are the kids driving you crazy. Although the concessions are closed, San Diego's South Bay Drive In Theatres is still open nightly!

Second Longtime San Diego Area Magazine Folds Due To Covid-19 Coronavirus

March 26, 2020

The second long-running San Diego-area magazine to have folded this week, San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyle has announced that the April issue will be its last after a four decade run.

San Diego City Council Passes Eviction Moratorium & Small Business Relief

March 25, 2020

A special meeting of the San Diego City Council took place today where the governing body voted unanimously to adopted ordinances that will temporarily ban evictions due to the declared state of emergency from COVID-19, as well as a passing a small business relief package.

For First Time In 132 Year History, Hotel Del Coronado Suspends Operations

March 25, 2020

San Diego's historic Hotel del Coronado is temporarily suspending hotel operations for the first time in its 132 year history, citing the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus as the reason.

For Convenience Sake, These San Diego Restaurants Add Groceries To Take-Out Menu

March 24, 2020

During this difficult time when efficient shopping excursions are more necessary than ever, these San Diego eateries have transitioned into a one-stop-shop for customers to pick up both hot meals and groceries.

San Diego Mayor Announces Closure Of All Parks, Beaches & Hiking Trails

March 23, 2020

After yesterday's announcement of a citywide order forbidding all social gatherings, San Diego's mayor has announced the closure of all beaches, parks, boardwalks, bays, city lakes, and hiking trails to the public.

After Company Wide Layoff, San Diego Magazine Shutters After 72 Years

March 23, 2020

The longest running magazine in the history of America's Finest City, San Diego Magazine has announced it will close its doors after more than 70 years in business and has laid off all employees. The April issue is believed to be the publication's last.

City Of San Diego Bans Gatherings Of Any Size At Beaches & Parks

March 22, 2020

At today's daily COVID-19 coronavirus update press conference, City of San Diego officials announced that gatherings of any size (except for family units) are hereby prohibited at beaches and parks, and parking lots at all city-run beaches and parks are now closed.

After Selling Restaurant Empire For More Than $300 Million Last Summer, Sam Fox Launches GoFundMe To Support Out-Of-Work Staff

March 22, 2020

Sam Fox sold his Phoenix-based restaurant group for more than $300 million last summer, yet Fox Restaurant Concepts is asking for our help in supporting its employees and launched a GoFundMe with a $500,000 goal. This is after Fox Restaurant Concepts' parent company, The Cheesecake Factory Inc., announced that they would not be paying rent to any landlords for the month of April.

Crowd-Sourcing Campaign Raises Funds To Purchase Food From Struggling San Diego Restaurants To Feed Hospital Staff

March 21, 2020

One local husband of a San Diego nurse is doing what he can to support those on the front lines of the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus while at the same time helping struggling area restaurants.

La Jolla UTC Area Restaurant Offers "Bunker Down" Family-Sized Burrito Package

March 20, 2020

Scott and Thai Slater, owners of the La Jolla-based Spitfire Tacos, are now offering the family-sized Bunker Down Burrito Package in an effort to help the local community with food and necessary supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

California Restaurants Now Permitted To Sell Alcohol To-Go Following ABC Suspension Of Restrictions

March 20, 2020

Following Governor Newsom’s emergency declarations and stay-at-home orders aimed to battle the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has temporarily suspended enforcement of certain legal restrictions on alcohol manufacturers, off-sale stores, and restaurants. California bars and restaurants with a beer, wine, and/or liquor license will now be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages to-go with delivery becoming a possible option.

California Governor Issues Stay-At-Home Order Due To Growing Fear Of COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic

March 19, 2020

At a press conference this evening, California Governor Gavin Newson issued a stay-at-home order after citing fears that more than 50% of state population will contract the rapidly spreading COMID-19 coronavirus.

San Diego-Based Barons Markets Expands Seniors-Only Hours To Ensure Safe Shopping During Covid-19 Coronavirus Quarantine

March 18, 2020

San Diego-based Barons Market has extended senior-only morning hours to ensure its at-risk elderly customers have a safe shopping experience during this trying time during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

San Diego Restaurant Group Goes Non-Profit Model To Feed First Responders This Week

March 18, 2020

The San Diego Dining Group (Greystone, Osetra, Osteria Panevino, Butcher's Cut & Salwater) and Farmer’s Table Little Italy have transitioned their restaurants into nonprofit community kitchens so they can feed people on the front lines of the effort to contain the growing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Comprehensive List Of San Diego Restaurants Open For Dine-In, Take-Out & Delivery


Since the initial publishing of this list on March 17, the post has been a work in progress, updated almost hourly, aimed at informing the San Diego community at-large where they can go for food and other necessities during a tumultuous and historic time. Being that San Diego restaurants have now been allowed to reopen for dine-in, so long as strict social distancing and safety protocols are implemented, we have adapted once again to include restaurants open for dine-in, as well as those continuing to solely offer take-out and delivery options.

San Diego Issues Sweeping Mandates Closing All Bars, Restaurants, Schools, Gyms, Theaters & Non-Essential Services Amid Growing Coronavirus Outbreak Precautions

March 16, 2020

After California Governor Gavin Newsom called for the closure of all bars, nightclubs, brew pubs and wineries just yesterday, San Diego today dictated new precautionary measures to battle the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak at a press conference this afternoon, including mandating the closure of all bars, theaters, schools, and non-essential public gathering spaces, as well as limiting restaurants to only take-out and delivery. The order is in effect until March 31 at the earliest at which point it may be renewed for a longer period.

Culture Brewing Announces Impending Closure Of Ocean Beach Tasting Room

March 15, 2020

Seemingly unrelated to the growing coronavirus pandemic, Culture Brewing Company has announced it will permanently closing its 5-year-old Ocean Beach tasting room next month.

All California Bars Asked To Shut Down Amid Growing COVID-19 Coronavirus Concerns

March 15, 2020

At a news conference today, California Governor Gavin Newsom and California health officials have called for the home isolation of all seniors in the state and asked for the immediate shutdown of bars, nightclubs, brew pubs and wineries to help stop the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus, now considered a global pandemic.

In Response To San Diego Magazine's Irresponsible Article, "How To Help Restaurant People Survive COVID-19"

March 15, 2020

San Diego Magazine recently released an article entitled "How to Help Restaurant People Survive COVID-19". I believe it contains misinformation and is irresponsible. Here is why.

San Diego Chef Brian Malarkey Latest To Shut Down Restaurants Amid CoronaVirus Warnings

March 15, 2020

San Diego celebrity chef Brian Malarkey announced today that they are temporarily closing all their restaurants in reaction to the rapidly spreading CoronaVirus (COVID-19).

San Diego's Supannee House of Thai Goes Takeout Only Due To CoronaVirus

March 14, 2020

Due to fears caused by the CoronaVirus pandemic, San Diego's farm-to-table Supannee House of Thai in Point Loma has announced it will no longer be accepting dine-in patrons for the foreseeable future and limiting its operations exclusively to take out and delivery.

Downtown San Diego's Donovan's Steak & Chophouse Is First Area Restaurant To Close Amid Coronavirus Hysteria

March 14, 2020

More than 50 restaurants have already shuttered in Seattle amid the continued Coronavirus hysteria and we fear San Diego may follow suit. The first area restaurant to announce its impending closure due to growing COVID-19 precautions is the Gaslamp Quarter's Donovan's Steak & Chophouse.

Mike's Taco Club Offshoot Opening In Pacific Beach

March 13, 2020

The owner of such area concepts as Harry's Coffee Shop in La Jolla and The Venetian in Point Loma is in the process opening Harry's Taco Club - a Mexican food concept expected to unveil in Pacific Beach later this month in a similar vein to sister eatery Mike's Taco Club in Ocean Beach.

Continuing In An Unknown World - Restaurant News In The Age Of An Unprecedented Pandemic

March 13, 2020

It seems trivial to write and report about local restaurant news in a time like this, but this is also the time when small local businesses will most need support. The United States and much of the globe are reeling in response to a global pandemic unprecedented in the modern world. Like most of my fellow humans dealing with Coronavirus hysteria, I do not know what to do or how to proceed. Yet we cannot continue as we have without addressing the elephant in the room. Our way of life has changed dramatically in a short period of time, and we surmise it will continue to become more restrictive as testing increases and precaution measures evolve. What do you want from your local food news blog during such a time? Should we just ignore this and provide a respite from the craziness? Should we remain a light-hearted distraction? Should we report about how local eateries are reacting to the epidemic, who is open, who is closing, who is doing what to adapt in the face of this new world? Should we continue to encourage commerce or opt to promote prepared safety for our readership? Personally, I have no idea what to do. Do you?

Local Business Offers 19 Cent Corona Beer With Any Entree To Boost Business During Coronavirus Hysteria

March 12, 2020

In this tumultuous and unprecedented time when hysteria is at its peak due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, San Diego's Bánh Mì Hội An is trying to boost business by tapping into the zeitgeist of the time and offering a 19 cent Corona beer with any entree order.

TBT RePost: Making The World's Best Taco - Perrones From Rosarito's Tacos El Yaqui

March 12, 2020

Located about an hour south of downtown San Diego, Tacos El Yaqui in Rosarito, MX, makes only one kind of taco, but it is our favorite taco in the world. Called a "taco perron", this work of art is made with a fluffy flour tortilla quesadilla, unfolded then filled with marinated wood-fire cooked arrachera (skirt steak) chopped to order in front of you. These Sonoran-style tacos are topped with cooked pinto beans, and if you order it "con todo" as you always should - cilantro, chopped white onion, thin guacamole and salsa are all added. These tacos are then served with a side of roasted jalapeños and radishes. Here is a video showing how to make them at home!

Chula Vista's Popular Birrieria Y Menuderia Guadalajara To Expand To San Diego's North County

March 11, 2020

A Chula Vista destination for Mexican comfort foods for the past 5 years, Birrieria y Menuderia Guadalajara will soon open a new location in San Diego's North County.

Sports-Themed & Scratch-Made, MVP Family Restaurant To Debut This Spring In San Diego's La Jolla Neighborhood

March 11, 2020

Opening in the 4,200 square foot standalone building in La Jolla that formerly housed Parachute Brunch & Supper Room is MVP Family Restaurant - a scratch-made, sports-themed eatery debuting this spring.

Buona Forchetta Unveils "Garage" Coronado Location As Early As This Weekend

March 10, 2020

After opening their for-charity bakery Matteo just last month, the crew behind San Diego's hit Italian restaurant group Buona Forchetta will unveil its Coronado eatery by next week in the 5,000 square-foot space that formerly housed the historic El Cordova Garage.

Mendocino Farms & CAVA Grill Heading Into San Diego's Westfield Mission Valley

March 10, 2020

Splitting the space that last housed Michael's inside Westfield Mission Valley mall are new locations from Los Angeles-based Mendocino Farms and Washington D.C.'s CAVA Mediterranean restaurant.

Global Boba Tea Brand Happy Lemon Will Open Branch Within Westfield UTC

March 9, 2020

With more than 1,000 locations around the globe, boba tea brand Happy Lemon is increasing its footprint in San Diego with the launch of its fourth area location set to open this spring within Westfield UTC mall in La Jolla.

All Four San Diego PrepKitchen Restaurants Are Now Closed

March 8, 2020

After reporting the sudden shuttering of the Little Italy location last week, we have learned that all remaining PrepKitchen restaurants are now closed.

Dave & Buster's San Diego Location Adds 30-Tap Self-Serve Beer Wall

March 8, 2020

Arcade bar and restaurant concept Dave & Buster's has teamed up with self-serve beer company PourMyBeer to add a wall of 30 self-pour beer taps to the Mission Valley San Diego location.

The Ultimate Event For Automobile Aficionados Returns To San Diego This April 17-19 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win VIP Tickets To The 16th Annual La Jolla Concours D'Elegance

March 8, 2020

A bucket list experience for any car enthusiast, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance returns to the stunning shores of San Diego's La Jolla from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, offering multiple events that showcase some of the most exquisite automobile displays in the world, earning the event the reputation as one of the finest internationally renowned automobile showcases in the United States. We are raffling off 2 VIP tickets to the Sunday La Jolla Concours D'Elegance main event, as well as offering promo code SDVILLE for 10% savings on any of the weekend's events!

13th Annual North Park Festival Of Beers Returns To San Diego On April 4 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win VIP Tickets

March 7, 2020

The North Park Festival of Beers returns outside the historic Lafayette Hotel for its 13th year on Saturday, April 4, from 12-4pm, for a day devoted to two of San Diego’s best known exports - music and craft beer. Enjoy tastes of over 80 beers from more than 40 breweries, as well as hard kombucha, cider, spirits, live music, local vendors and great food. We are offering promo code SDVILLE for $5 saving per ticket and also raffling off 2 VIP tickets to attend!

North County San Diego's Frazier Farms Independent Market To Open La Mesa Location

March 5, 2020

One of North County top independent grocery stores, Frazier Farms will soon open a more central San Diego location.

Roving Supper Club CosechaSD To Host 16-Course Wagyu + Seafood Dinner At Isabel's Cantina On March 15

March 6, 2020

Amidst a global tour of his roving Cosecha supper club, Chef Steve Brown is joining forces with Chef Isabel Cruz for a one-night-only, 16 course, wine-paired dinner on March 15 at Isabel's Cantina in San Diego's Pacific Beach.

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro Will Bring Ethiopian Cuisine To San Diego's North Park

March 5, 2020

A University Heights destination for Ethiopian cuisine for over a decade, Muzita Abyssinian Bistro will soon open a new outpost in San Diego's North Park.

Griddle-Your-Own Pancakes Restaurant Flap Your Jacks Opens In San Diego's North Park

March 4, 2020

Now open in San Diego's North Park community is brunch-focused Flap Your Jacks, a 4,200 square-foot, cook-your-own pancake concept featuring tabletop griddles and an extensive breakfast and brunch menu.

San Francisco-Based Grilled Cheese Specialists The Melt To Open Downtown San Diego Location

March 4, 2020

Entering San Diego's Gaslamp later this year is the second area outpost of San Francisco-based The Melt, a fast casual sandwich & comfort food eatery founded by the same person who started Flip Video.

PrepKitchen Suddenly Shutters In San Diego's Little Italy With Goal To Relocate To Gaslamp For Fall Reopening

March 3, 2020

After 8 years in business, the PrepKitchen location in San Diego's Little Italy closed suddenly over this past weekend, but ownership has plans to relocate the restaurant to the Gaslamp Quarter space that last housed Monkey King.

Ocean Beach's Kaiserhof To Receive Food Network Overhaul

March 2, 2020

San Diego's four decades old Kaiserhof German American Restaurant will be the latest area eatery featured on Food Network's Restaurant: Impossible makeover show.

Ballast Point Brewing Celebrates Return To Craft Beer Status With Open Letter To San Diego

March 2, 2020

With all regulatory permits and licenses finalized, it was announced today Ballast Point and its associated production facilities and brewpubs throughout California and Chicago are now officially owned by Kings & Convicts Brewing. To honor the newest chapter in Ballast Point’s 24-year history, company-wide employees signed an open letter signifying the return to the brand's iconic independent roots in San Diego.