Breast Cancer Awareness comes in all shapes, sizes and efforts. In October, Verant Group is sharing proceeds at its restaurants with nonprofit Keep A Breast. In other October news, make time for national recognition of tacos, pizza and pasta. And maybe let your dog join you at M Winehouse (but don’t lest your furry pal drink alcohol, of course). Here are your downtown San Diego TIDBITS:
Breast Cancer Awareness
Throughout October, five Verant Group eateries (including four in downtown San Diego) are joining the fight against breast cancer with a portion of proceeds from food and drink specials going to local nonprofit Keep a Breast.
Keep a Breast’s mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact through art, education, prevention, and action, with a special focus on early detection.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the following specials will be available through October 31:
- The Smoking Gun: Barbie Wings – pickle-brined chicken wings tossed in a pink BBQ sauce. (East Village)
- Barleymash, Code Pink Cocktail – Cutwater Vodka, raspberry, coconut, and lemon. (Gaslamp Quarter)
- Spill the Beans, Strawberry Milk Latte. (East Village, Seaport Village, Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach)
- Hasta Mañana Cantina, Guava Margarita with Tequila, lime, and guava. (Gaslamp Quarter)
- Sandbar Sports Grill, Melon Margarita with tequila blanco, Licor 43, Cointreau Noir, watermelon-cucumber puree, and agave. (Mission Beach)
All specials will be served with a custom Keep a Breast “I <3 boobies” bracelet while supplies last.
Franc-ly Speaking
Our Next Taco Tuesday (October 7) is also, not-coincidentally, National Taco Day.
There’s no shortage of tacos downtown, from El Chingon to Tacos El Gordo to Hasta Mañana Cantina and on and on.
But if you don’t overdo it on Taco Tuesday, October 8 is the official grand opening of Tacos El Franc in the Gaslamp Quarter. Doors are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. (528 Fifth Avenue). Curious palates may want to taste why Tacos El Franc garnered accolades in the 2024 and ’25 Michelin Guide, and was featured on Taco Chronicles on Netflix.
Kids Eat Free
Some San Diego residents consider October “Locals Summer.” Thanks to the San Diego Tourism Authority, it’s also Kids-Free Month.
Now through 31, youngsters accompanied by paying adults can get free meals, perks at hotels, and visits to museums and attractions. Note: before you take the family to a participating restaurant or attraction, check its definition of the age of an eligible child. It may vary from 17, 12, 10 or 5 at some places.
Last Bites
- A Fetching Place. M Winehouse ownership wants dog owners to know their Victorian house-shaped winebar is proximal to two dog parks in Little Italy, and that dogs are welcome visitors while patrons sip some Chardognay.
- Adorable. Adore Coffee House, home of the most talented Ukrainian chef in town, has done a Fall Drop of seasonal drinks, including: a Whiskey Latte with Smoked Peanut Cold Foam, and an Apple Caramel Matcha with Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam.
- Some Extra Bread. Izola in East Village is extending its hours of business on weekend days. The bakery has been shutting down every day at 2 p.m. Now, Izola Afternoons (Fridays to Sundays) extend to 5 p.m. Stop in for a Farmstead Board.
- Boo Who? Want to guess the day the most pizzas are ordered? The Super Bowl comes in second to…Halloween. And yes, October is National Pizza Month (as well as National Pasta Day). Buon appetito!
- Bean There. Less of a shock, October is National Pumpkin Month. Feed that craving with a pumpkin spice bagel shmeared with pumpkin cheesecake cream cheese all month at Spill The Beans. SDSun
Have unique details about a downtown San Diego food-and-beverage operation? To be considered for inclusion in “Tidbits” email your info to: rondonoho@gmail.com.
