When Latchkey Brewing vacated the Mission Brewery Plaza brewhouse mid-pandemic, it looked like lights out for the small brewery. 2021 was a weird, hard year, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and other businesses didn’t make it. But Latchkey persevered, making beer out of Viewpoint Brewing Company in Del Mar and maintaining a presence across San Diego. But come this spring, they’ll have a new permanent home at 4170 Morena Boulevard in Bay Ho.
The 3,200-square-foot location formerly housed Bitter Brothers Brewing Company from January 2016 until what they described as a “temporary closure” in August 2022. Despite no formal announcement, Bitter Brothers never opened again.
Latchkey will take control of the 15-barrel brewhouse and tasting room and start operating as a brewpub with a food element in the coming weeks. With on-site food, plenty of parking, and an established place in the San Diego beer scene, Latchkey seems set up for success after a long slog through uncertainty. I, for one, am glad the latchkey kids have finally found themselves at home.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
O’Brien’s Pub Named #1 Beer Bar in The U.S.
San Diego beer bars are something special. Now that O’Brien’s Pub has been named the best beer bar in the US by USA Today, the whole country knows it.*
The Kearny Mesa craft beer icon opened in 1994 by Jim O’Brien before he sold it to Tom Nickel of Nickel Beer Co. O’Brien’s second co-owner Tyson Blake also owns and operates The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca with his wife Kristina and Nickel, as well as San Diego Brewing Company, which is open during renovations.
To celebrate the win, O’Brien’s is throwing a party on Saturday, March 9 with beer and food specials, and have plenty of events lined up for the coming months, including a Pink Boots Society Tap Takeover in April, a floral event for Mother’s Day and more.
Pizza Port Is Officially An Elder Millennial
Pizza Port opened its first location in Solana Beach in 1987, long before San Diego became the beer powerhouse it is today. On Saturday, March 23 from noon to 5 pm, they’re celebrating 37 years of cold beer and tasty pizza with a Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip special from Seaside Market (I mean, how could they not), a cornhole tournament, a tie dye station, and oh yeah, probably some beer.
Beth’s Bites
Bonjour Patisserie is now open at 320 West Cedar Street in Little Italy. Bring on the danishes!
San Diego has yet to hit peak hot chicken, and there’s more coming. Houston Hot Chicken is coming to Gaslamp in the coming months.
I’m a huge fan of meat markets (not that kind—get your mind out of the gutter). La Carniceria in Chula Vista caught my eye recently, but I wonder: is there anything specific I should pick up? Let me know at food@sdmag.com.
*USA Today did tap me for the initial nomination process in multiple categories, but I did not personally vote or solicit votes on anyone’s behalf.
Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to food@sdmag.com.
