The launch of The Ocotillo at Harland arrives just in time for the craft brewery's annual Ube Day celebration on Saturday, September 13, marking both the brewery’s sixth anniversary and the official start of a new culinary era. The restaurant is housed within a custom-built outdoor kitchen installed alongside the brewery’s tasting room, equipped with a flat-top, fryers, burners, and an oven. Under the direction of Executive Chef Scott Cannon - who joined Harland earlier this year after nearly a decade leading Rancho Bernardo’s Cork & Craft - the space will serve a compact but carefully curated menu built for beer pairing and casual enjoyment.
Diners can expect elevated takes on comfort staples, including the Harland Smash Burger with caramelized onions and special sauce, a fried chicken sandwich on brioche, and the gochujang barbecue pulled pork sandwich with kimchi slaw and garlic aioli. For lighter fare, there's a Tuscany Salad with orzo, salami, pepperoncini, and feta, plus a sharp and citrusy Harland Caesar Salad. Other bites include chicken tenders with dipping sauces, dipper fries, and a decadent pork birria quesadilla served with chili de arbol consommé. Add-ons like avocado, bacon, or a fried egg allow guests to customize, while Impossible meat substitutions keep the menu accessible for vegetarians.
While streamlined, the menu was designed to be nimble. Cannon says the goal is to showcase bold flavors in approachable formats, with room to swap in specials for Harland’s frequent events. Plans are already underway for themed nights like Taco Tuesdays and Wing Wednesdays, where rotating sauces and seasonal twists will give regulars more reason to return.
Guests will place food orders directly at Harland’s main bar and receive a pager that buzzes when their meal is ready for pickup at The Ocotillo window, making the experience seamless for both beer drinkers and diners.
The Ocotillo’s opening coincides with one of Harland’s biggest yearly parties. Ube Day will feature live music from reggae-rock outfit Through the Roots, a DJ set, vendor pop-ups, and plenty of ube-infused beer creations, including an Ube Milkshake IPA and a Halo Halo Milkshake IPA brewed with mango, coconut, and milk sugar. It's a fitting launchpad for the brewery’s newest venture - blending food, drink, and community under one roof.
Harland Brewing’s headquarters and The Ocotillo are located at 10115 Carroll Canyon Road in San Diego's Scripps Ranch. For more information, visit harlandbeer.com and check out the launch menu below.
Originally published on September 9, 2025. Information first reported by Brandon Hernandez of San Diego Beer News.
