Copyright timesofsandiego
Crisp air (at night anyway), pumpkins on porches, and cozy seasonal dishes signal that fall is in full swing in San Diego. From sweet pastries to bold sandwiches, craft beers, and even pet-friendly fun, the city’s food scene is serving up plenty of reasons to get out and savor every bite. Oct. 31 – Nov. 1: Día de los Muertos TreatsSpill the Beans is honoring Día de los Muertos with its traditional Pan de Muerto ($4.20) at all five locations — Gaslamp, Seaport Village, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach. Chef Karina Orozco explains that the round bread symbolizes the cycle of life, the dough strips represent bones and tears, and the cross marks the four cardinal points. Traditionally placed on altars to guide spirits home, this sweet, aromatic bread is also perfect to enjoy with coffee or cocoa at home. Late October: Lunch, Pastries & Small PlatesLa Mesa Village’s Tour de Tapas has launched lunch service Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., pairing its European-inspired small plates with four new sandwiches: Chicken Delight, Roast Beef Deluxe, Mozzarella Caprese, and Smoked Salmon — all served on rustic sourdough with hand-cut potatoes. Nov. 1: Taco Centro Little Italy Grand OpeningTaco Centro will open its second San Diego location on Saturday, Nov. 1, in downtown’s Little Italy neighborhood. The modern Mexican street food concept from owner Adrian Gutierrez originated in November 2022 in the Gaslamp Quarter. Saturday’s grand opening will take place from noon to 5 p.m. and feature a “buy two tacos, get one free” special along with live entertainment. The new Taco Centro is located at 2171 Kettner Blvd. at the corner of Ivy Street, on the ground level of the AV8 apartment building, which was most recently occupied by Bun & Patti. The menu features 13 tacos, as well as burritos, quesadillas, taco bowls, nachos, and fries. Signature Taco Azul comes on a blue corn tortilla with grilled angus steak, fresh cheese, black beans, avocado, cilantro, onions, and house salsa. Other tacos include carne asada, birria, carnitas, pollo asado, and seafood options such as grilled mahi mahi and camarón enchilada (spicy grilled shrimp), plus vegetarian options — mushroom and nopal (cactus). Birria offerings include quesabirria, birria ramen, and birria pizza, along with volcan (crispy corn tostada with melted cheese) and mulita (double-decked corn tortilla quesadilla) with carne asada or al pastor. Sides include shrimp ceviche, Mexican street corn, and chips & guacamole, while desserts include churros con tres leches, buñuelos, and paletas. The drink menu features draft beer, bottled beer, micheladas, margaritas, palomas, and hard seltzers. Following the grand opening, Taco Centro will open at 9 a.m. daily beginning Sunday, Nov. 2, with breakfast burritos and chilaquiles, staying open until 10 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday, 11 p.m. Thursday, and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The location is a 10-minute walk from the County Center/Little Italy Stop on the MTS Trolley’s Blue and Green Lines. The original Taco Centro remains at 539 Island Avenue. Meanwhile, East Village welcomes Relic Bakery & Kitchen, where European-style baking meets French comfort food. Expect naturally leavened, wood-fired breads, flaky pastries, and inventive Midwestern twists — ideal for brunch, lunch, or grabbing an artisan loaf to go. Bar Bites & Craft BeersNorth Park’s Louisiana Purchase is serving bar-exclusive bites Monday–Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring Fried Pickles & Beer, Links & Spiked Sweet Tea, and Mozzy with Cava or Sauvignon Blanc, along with Bayou-inspired dishes like gumbo, oysters Rockefeller, thin-cut catfish, wings, and beignets. On the beer front, Karl Strauss has teamed up with Orange County’s Beer Girl Brewing to distribute two new lagers — a lighter version and an amber — both brewed with corn for naturally sugar-free, gluten-reduced options. Nov. 3: National Sandwich DayNov. 3 is the perfect excuse to celebrate one of the world’s most versatile foods. San Diego’s sandwich scene shines across the city. At Urban Plates, the popular Caesar salad becomes the Caesar Wrap ($13.75), with crisp romaine, Caesar dressing, grape tomatoes, croutons, parmesan, and garlicky cream cheese spread in toasted lavash — with a choice of crispy or grilled chicken or grass-fed steak. For indulgent creations, head to barleymash in the Gaslamp for the Crispy Chicken Sando, drizzled with whiskey buffalo sauce, bleu cheese, tomato, lettuce, and house ranch. In Mission Beach, Miss B’s Coconut Club serves El Cubano, stacked with lechon asado, smoked ham, gruyère, pickles, spiced mustard, and cilantro garlic aioli. Seafood fans will find two standouts at George’s at the Cove in La Jolla — the Grilled Albacore Sandwich with jalapeño cabbage-fennel slaw and tartar sauce, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich with mojo sauce, dijonaise, spicy pickles, and Swiss cheese. In Carlsbad, PRK 101 offers the Big BBQ Sandwich piled high with smoked meats, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. Breakfast Republic keeps mornings lively with its Breakfast Sammie: Jurassic Pork bacon, sunny-side-up eggs, tomato, herb spread, and house potatoes. For Southern-inspired flair, The Smoking Gun in the Gaslamp showcases a Smoked Brisket Sandwich with au jus, pickled onions, tomato, spinach, and BBQ mustard. The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach serves a comforting Turkey Melt with cheddar, house slaw, tomato, and green onion on a pretzel bun. Nov. 6: Military Appreciation Event at the Armed Services YMCAChick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego are hosting a private Military Appreciation Event in partnership with the Armed Services YMCA. The Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchen will feed more than 1,200 invited military families. With roughly one in four military families experiencing food insecurity, Chick-fil-A is proud to support this community event and provide a moment of care for those who serve our nation. The event will be emceed by Paul Rudy of FOX 5 San Diego and KUSI News, co-host of “Good Morning San Diego,” who will bring added energy and celebration to the day. An Evening with Priya KrishnaNov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Price Center East Ballroom, UCSDAcclaimed New York Times food reporter and author Priya Krishna (Indian-ish, Cooking at Home) shares her journey in food and culture journalism. In conversation with UCSD’s Tamara Cunningham, she’ll discuss growing up surrounded by bold flavors, storytelling, and how food connects people, places, and identity. The evening includes a Q&A and book signing. Tickets: $42 general admission; UCSD students limited free via SSO.Doors: 6:30 p.m.Info: artpower@ucsd.edu Nov. 9: Shelter to Soldier’s Salute to Paws 5K & Gratitude Festival for DogsDog lovers can look forward to a full day of fun on Nov. 9 at Fox Point Farms in Encinitas. The event includes yoga, a 5K run, adoptable dogs from The Animal Pad, live music by Dorian Tide, food from Huerta Taco Stand and wood-fired pizza, Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, and VIP experiences featuring custom pet picnics. Tickets start at $50. Nov. 2–9: San Diego Food + Wine Festival Returns Capping off the week, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns for its 21st year, Nov. 2–9. One of the nation’s top culinary and cultural events, the festival features chefs from San Diego, Baja, and beyond — including Suzette Gresham, Roberto Alcocer, Elijah Arizmendi, and Mexico’s first Michelin-starred chef, Carlos Gaytán. Local highlights include Josh Reynolds of Pony Boy, Cohn Restaurant Group’s Con Pane, and Denice Grande of Solare. With new partnerships with the James Beard Foundation and Southwest Airlines, this year’s festival celebrates Latin, Asian, and BIPOC culinary traditions that shape Southern California’s food culture. Drawing more than 11,000 guests annually, the weeklong event blends creativity, sustainability, and community through tastings, workshops, and special dinners across the city. Have Fun and Get Going With Pan de Muerto for Día de los Muertos, inventive lunch sandwiches, hearty BBQ and brunch bites, craft beers, a dog-friendly festival, and the return of San Diego Food + Wine, the city’s food and community events make this a week worth savoring — whether you’re a foodie, pet lover, or sandwich enthusiast. Got any food news you want to share? Please drop me a note at DebbieS@timesofsandego.com.
