UPDATE: Version Of Tijuana's Popular Tacos El Franc To Enter San Diego's Gaslamp This Summer

April 18, 2017

An incarnation of Tijuana's uber-pupular Tacos El Franc is in the process of taking over the space previously occupied by Nippon Sushi Bar at 532 4th Avenue in downtown San Diego to open a north-of-the-border outpost, expected to debut with a menu of authentic Baja-style char-grilled tacos by this summer.

Bracero No More | Little Italy Modern Mexican Restaurant To Become 2nd Romesco Location

April 18, 2017

Bracero Cocina de Raiz was supposed to be San Diego's hottest restaurant when it opened in the summer of 2015, but Javier Plascencia's most northern eatery never truly lived up to its hype. After losing its figurehead celebrity chef earlier this year, owners of the bi-level concept have decided to rebrand and transform it into the 2nd outpost of its sister restaurant Romesco Mexiterranean Cocina, which should be completed by this June.

Tamarindo Latin Kitchen + Bar Now Open In North Park

April 17, 2017

From the owners of Fred's Mexican Cafe, Tamarindo Latin Kitchen + Bar is now open within the 2,500 square-foot former Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge space, offering a Latin-fusion menu in the heart of San Diego's North Park Community.

San Diego’s Gator By The Bay Music & Food Festival Returns This May 11-14 | Enter To Win Tickets

April 16, 2017

The largest, most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou returns to America's Finest City this May 11 through 14. Presented by San Diego’s Bon Temps Social Club, the 16th annual Gator By The Bay features four days of live music with over 100 musical acts and special performances on seven stages, as well as southern cuisine including 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked from Louisiana, non-stop live music, dancing and family fun at Spanish Landing Park on beautiful San Diego Bay. We are raffling off 2 pairs of single-day tickets to this fun & delicious event.

San Diego Reader's Tacotopia Returns For Third Year This May 13 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win VIP Tickets

April 15, 2017

The San Diego Reader is continuing its search to find the best taco in San Diego, and at the 3rd annual Reader Tacotopia at Golden Hill Park on Saturday, May 13, over 50 of the top eateries from San Diego, Los Angeles and Tijuana will compete for bragging rights. The best part about Tacotopia is that attendees pick the champion. After tasting signature tacos from as many restaurants as possible, ticket holders vote for their favorite vendor and the one who receives the most tokens wins the title of "Best Taco"! We're giving away 2 VIP tickets to this already-almost-sold-out event and also offering promo code SDVILLE for $5 savings on any ticket type. Read on for all the details and be sure to enter.

San Diego Brewers Guild’s Rhythm & Brews Festival Returns To Downtown Vista Village On Saturday, May 6 | Enter To Win VIP Tickets

April 14, 2017

The San Diego Brewers Guild’s Rhythm & Brews music and craft beer festival returns along 'Hop Highway' in historic downtown Vista Village on Saturday, May 6, from 1-4pm (12pm for VIP) for an afternoon block party pairing many of the country’s most celebrated craft breweries with local musicians for its annual bookend event – the other being San Diego Beer Week in the fall. We are raffling off 2 VIP tickets to this always-entertaining event. Read on and be sure to enter.

Tapas & Beers Now Open In Downtown San Diego

April 14, 2017

San Diegans will get a taste of Spain with Downtown’s new small plate concept - Tapas & Beers, now open in the former St. Tropez Bakery space and offering a menu centered around shareable dishes and local craft beer.

Working Class American Diner + Bar To Debut In North Park Within Former-Ritual Kitchen Space

April 13, 2017

Ritual Kitchen & Garden, which debuted at 4095 30th Street in North Park a decade ago, will soon close, making way for the opening of Working Class American Diner + Bar, a late night bar and eatery from the owner of Bayside Landing in Crown Point.

HI Poke Moving Into Former-Venissimo Cheese Spot In The Headquarters At Seaport Village

April 12, 2017

Venissimo Cheese quietly closed its location within The Headquarters at Seaport Village last month, but the unit already has a new tenant. HI Poke is preparing the space to launch a poke shop inside the waterside dining and retail destination.

Parking Lot Turned Urban Oasis - Lot 8 Breaks Ground In San Diego's Mission Valley

April 12, 2017

From owner Todd Ferrari and Chef Nick Brune, Lot 8 will be a new 4,200 square-foot urban open-air event space akin to downtown's Quartyard in the East Village. Located directly off Interstate 8 in Hotel Circle, the aptly named project was first conceptualized several years ago but didn’t officially break ground until this past February in the once-vacant parking lot adjacent to the Atwood Hotel, formerly the Mission Valley Travelodge and the historic Albie’s Beef Inn and Adam’s Steak ‘N Eggs duo.

Arizona-Based Grabbagreen Food & Juice Bar To Open First San Diego Location This Summer

April 11, 2017

Arizona-based, fast-casual food and juice restaurant Grabbagreen is in the process of an expansion that will bring more than 90 locations to Southern California, including the first San Diego outpost, which will open at 222 Broadway in downtown's financial district as early as this summer.

Hachi Ramen Debuts In San Diego's Bankers Hill

April 10, 2017

The owner of Azuki Sushi has transformed their former Artisan Bento concept that sat at 2505 5th Avenue in San Diego's Bankers Hill into Hachi Ramen - a modern Japanese eatery now serving creative takes on ramen noodle soup.

International Mini-Burger Franchise Burgerim To Open Locations In La Jolla & Within San Diego's Horton Plaza Park

April 9, 2017

Entering San Diego's Horton Plaza Park, Westfield Mission Valley, and La Jolla neighborhood is Burgerim - an Israel-based international fast-casual chain with a menu centered around customizable micro-burgers.

Food Cart Turned Franchise - The Halal Guys To Open San Diego Locations As Part Of Global Expansion

April 8, 2017

What was started as a chicken and rice food cart by three Egyptian-born immigrants in New York City in 1990 has grown to 35 thriving locations around the globe with hundreds more in the pipeline. As part of a huge expansion spearheaded by franchise professionals Fransmart, The Halal Guys plan to open locations around San Diego in the near future.

Vegetarian & Vegan Green Door Cafe Moves Into Former-Finch's Bistro Space In La Jolla

April 7, 2017

Now open at 7644 Girard Avenue within the space that previously housed Finch's Bistro in La Jolla is Green Door Cafe, an organic, vegetarian and vegan bar and restaurant.

Barbecue & Beer Hotspot Iron Pig Alehouse Adds Soul Food Sundays To Enticing Weekly Specials Lineup

April 6, 2017

Pacific Beach's Iron Pig Alehouse, a hotspot for drool-worthy Texas-style barbecue and a top-notch list of San Diego craft beers, is adding Soul Food Sundays to its lineup of weekly specials, which also includes Fried Chicken Tuesdays, Pastrami Thursdays, and an incredible daily happy hour.

Mostra Coffee Expands In Carmel Mountain | Popular Local Coffee Roaster To Open New Shop

April 5, 2017

Carmel Mountain Ranch-based coffee roaster, Mostra Coffee is expanding its operations and will soon open a new cafe adjacent to Grub Burger Bar at 12045 Carmel Mountain Road not far from its original roasting facility.