They started with one food truck in South Park. Then, they opened the first brick-and-mortar store in La Mesa earlier this year, followed by the second one coming to Mira Mesa by mid-August. Next, owner Bryan Zeto says he plans to open astore in South Park and at least one more in San Diego by the end of the year. Then, he’s looking to launch a national franchise.

“I’ve been in talks with people in Michigan, Arizona, [etc.],” says Zeto. We want to get these first couple of brick-and-mortars open, have a good game plan for them, and then expand.” 

Shawarma Guys launched the food truck in 2018, which Yelp named the #1 place to eat in the U.S. in 2020, made an appearance on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives in 2022, and has been a regular fixture in this magazine for years. Restaurants may be notoriously hard businesses, but Zeto’s career move from cell phones to the kitchen seems to work out nicely for him and guests with a taste for his Middle Eastern fusion. (I’m very partial to the California shawarma wrap.) 

Known for its Wagyu and chicken shawarma, Zeto says Mira Mesa’s menu will mirror La Mesa’s, but with a few additions. Along with its brick-and-mortar-only shawarma cheesesteak with white American cheese on an Amoroso roll, he’s playing with adding chicken tikka skewers, beef kebabs, and maybe even a tahini Caesar salad with falafel croutons. He doesn’t want the menu to get too big, but a few new things might keep things interesting. 

The location in Mira Mesa is sandwiched between Bafang Dumpling and Crumbl Cookies and can seat around 30 people at a time, including a common outside area they share with Bafang, Crumbl, and nearby Sunmerry Bakery. Zeto estimates the space clocks in at around 1,650 square feet, but he’s thinking bigger for future locations. “Going forward, we’re going to look for 2,000-plus square feet,” he explains. That sounds like a smart move based on how hot things have been for them over the past few years.

New San Diego Restaurant News & Local Food Events

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival Returns September 28-29

Art? Wine? Music? Proceeds going to San Diego Unified? Sounds like a winning event to me. The 16th annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival kicks off Saturday, September 28, and runs through Sunday, September 29. More than 160 artists will be on hand, as will wineries, breweries, distilleries, and plenty of food vendors. Pets and children are welcome to the free event, but tickets are required for the wine and beer garden. Prices are currently $45 for five tasting tickets and $65 for 10. Prices go up on and after September 1. 

Beth’s Bites

• I’m totally late to the game, but Kin Len—Thai Street Eats on 30th Street is my new jam. The Hat Yai chicken and curry were a totally unexpected flavor fusion that paired beautifully with a Japanese yuzu and sea salt ale. I’ll return whenever I’m in North Park (and might crank up the spice level, just for fun). 
• The Omni San Diego Hotel has two new on-site restaurants. Ace Porter partnered with the Padres and features baseball-appropriate fare like draft beer and smoked brisket slides, while Tortuga is a sixth-floor pool bar with Baja California fare like seafood and spritzes
• Does anyone else remember the monthly food truck gatherings that used to be at the venue at Hancock and Washington in Middletown? They ended at least 10 years ago, and food truck culture has changed a lot since then, so I’m always glad to see a successful food truck leap into a brick-and-mortar space. Taqueria by El Prieto is now open in the former Tacos el Gordo space at 689 H Street in Chula Vista, bringing its tacos, tostadas, and more to the masses.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Shawarma Guys Set to Open in Mira Mesa appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Social Dropouts Collective in Carmel Valley have created an accessible maker space for neurodivergent people

Stacy Keck

There’s a noticeable lack of loud music. No bright posters or stark images adorning every wall. Not even a single inspirational quote in cursive.Social Dropouts Collective has a much different vibe from your standard maker space. Here in a converted garage in Carmel Valley, cofounders Uyen “Wednesday” Tran, Koy Suntichotinun, and Tommy (last name withheld by request) are crafting a creative space more reflective of their own artistic process. It’s still fun, still funky. But it’s also an environment mindful of people who learn and perform best in the absence of the hyperstimulation that’s become de rigueur for art workshops.People like them.“The goal of Social Dropouts is to create an accessible maker space for neurodivergent people,” says Tran, an illustrator and designer who is diagnosed with severe ADHD and bipolar disorder. “This world was made for neurotypical people. It’s up to us to create a world that serves us.”

Social Dropouts Collective – Garage

Stacy Keck

The group launched their business in November 2021, after more “typical” creative-work environments—which overwhelmingly emphasized high-energy social interaction—left them feeling burnt out.“Dropping out is a choice,” says Suntichotinun. “We’re dropping out of what’s popular and building our own space.”Tran says it’s as simple as creating a space that’s quiet and resourceful for creatives, where tools, equipment, and support are easily accessible. When possible, artists are invited to one-on-one training for equipment they might otherwise see only at a design manufacturer—like a heat pressing machine to set original designs on T-shirts and shoes, or a laser cutter to create keychains or earrings.
The group also lifts the veil from the creation of their art and products, documenting the process from concept to execution. Tran makes colorful stationery and jewelry. Suntichotinun is known for stylized designs on hats and shirts. Tommy drives the business end, producing quick video clips and sharing the stories on their social media accounts.Tran and Suntichotinun joined our video call from outside Market on 8th, the National City food hall, where they were working on a mural for a new location of Weapon Ramen—a restaurant from top local chef Phillip Esteban. It’s another atypical day for the collective, which is raising revenue for their maker space by taking on commissions. They also sell identity-affirming merchandise online and in person by popping up at local San Diego spaces like Loose Lab in Grant Hill.Art has been important for finding and maintaining mental wellness for each of the founders, particularly for Tran, who didn’t originally set out to become a creative despite being drawn to artmaking as a child. Before graduating from UC San Diego in 2018 with a degree in economics, Tran took an internship in Washington, DC, with former Congresswoman Susan Davis’s team.“I was collecting the experience for my résumé and I felt really empty inside,” she says. “I didn’t feel like I was being genuinely me.”

Social Dropouts Collective – stickers

Stacy Keck

It was her budding long-distance relationship with Suntichotinun that pulled Tran out of her creative fog. “I embroidered flowers and sent them to him, he made me drawings—it was back-and-forth snail mail,” she explains. “I would read books and draw in them and annotate them and send them to him, and he would read them. I felt like myself again.”New love becomes new art becomes a new company. Now, with Tommy onboard, Social Dropouts Collective is mapping out a business plan based on the thrill of making, creating access to art careers, and teaching creatives in a different, less-stimmed way. As the collective becomes more financially stable, they hope to incorporate paid mentorships and collaborations.“At the end of the day, it takes one special core memory to get someone to embark on their journey of being their most authentic self,” says Tran. “We want to provide that.”

Social Dropouts Collective – sewing machine

Stacy Keck

Even if they can change the frame of reference for just one neurodivergent artist—to know that spaces empathetic to how they work and learn can exist—it’s the first step in changing the field, so creatives can be supported not only for their final product, but for the often slow, bumpy, and error-riddled process it takes to get there, too.

The post This New Arts Collective in Mira Mesa Is Carving Out a Space for Neurodivergent Creators appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Catania

If you need a little extra something after a long day of voting, this coastal Italian eatery perched atop La Plaza Center in La Jolla will be offering all night Happy Hour specifically on Election Day. From 4 p.m. until closing, head in and enjoy spritzes and select cocktails for $9, wines by the glass for $7, and $6 draft beer.

7863 Girard Avenue, La Jolla

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Wave goodbye to the election season at this breezy staycation in La Jolla. Bring proof that you voted and you’ll receive up to 30 percent off room rates through the entire month of November. Your stay comes with a complimentary bottle of wine, access to a selection of complimentary E-books, and a $25 food and beverage credit. Use promo VOTE when booking.

9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is offering a sweet incentive to get you out of the house and to the polls—a free original glazed donut. No proof of voting is required and no purchase necessary, all they ask is that you cast your vote. Voted by mail? The locations will also be handing out ‘I Voted’ stickers for those who didn’t vote in person!

4180 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont

11050 Rancho Carmel Drive, Rancho Penasquitos

Mongolian Hot Pot

This family-owned restaurant is encouraging guests to Rock the Vote this election with a complimentary ice cream special when you flash your ‘I Voted” sticker as you place your order. The filling main course of seafood, vegetarian, or meat-based hot pots is worth the visit alone but hey—we won’t say no to free ice cream! Promotion lasts November 3-5.

4718 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont

Shabu Works

Shabu Works is serving up a free sweet treat to all diners showing off their “I Voted” stickers November 3-5. Enjoy savory hot pot selections of fresh veggies, premium proteins, and delicious handmade noodles before diving into complimentary ice cream to round out your election day dinner.

9841 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa

The Smoking Gun

This urban eatery and bar is encouraging San Diegans to go to the polls by offering a specialty Patriot Dinner and cocktail exclusively on Election Day. For just under $18 enjoy a boilermaker cocktail to sip alongside a Wagyu beef patty stacked with all the standard fixings, a generous slather of garlic aioli, and a warm homemade bun with crispy tater tots on the side. All you need is proof that you rocked the vote in 2020.

555 Market Street, Gaslamp

Voting Discounts San Diego

The post You Voted! Now Enjoy These Local Election Day Rewards appeared first on San Diego Magazine.