If you’re counting, this is the third installment of TIDBITS, an occasional roundup of foodie news from downtown San Diego. TIDBITS is a collection of blurbs that might not make stand-alone stories, but as a team of fun facts mix it up for some delicious reading. Bon appetit.
Fourth of July
- Maybe Coney Island someday, but competitive eating aspirants can practice on July 4 at The Smoking Gun’ s hot dog eating contest. Contestants get five minutes to down as many dogs as possible. To sign up, email gary@thesmokinggun.com with the subject line HOT DOG CONTEST SIGN-UP. Ingestion starts at 2 p.m. sharp, with indigestion immediately following the proceedings.
- Before Independence Day lights up the sky, consider colorful shots at Lionfish in the Pendry San Diego hotel. A red, white and blue cocktail trio (patriotically priced at $17.76) includes shooters of strawberry Aperol spritz, piña colada and blue curaçao.
- Barleymash is playing the name game at the bar for The Fourth. Belly up and order a Big Badda Boom (with Grey Goose Peach), a Red, White & Party (Bacardi Silver), or the Star Spangled Stunner with Cazadores Blanco.
- The Aperol spritz drink du jour at Cloak and Petal is called a Stars & Spritz. From the kitchen, salute the Freedom Glizzy, a panic fried Angus beef hot dog.
Throughout July
- Bulleit-Proof Peach Tea is the drink of the month at The Smoking Gun. It mixes Bulleit Bourbon, peaches and Southern tea to create the ultimate porch-sipper. Rocking chair not included.
- The Bluefin Tuna Tasting Menu is back at Herb & Sea and Herb & Wood (Puffer Malarkey Collective restos). The spotlight is on locally caught bluefin with a three-course tasting menu for $65. Available every Thursday until the season ends. Heads up: The tuna deliveries come straight through the dining room.
- Two of the five Spill the Beans coffee shops are downtown (Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village) and will be serving the July bagel special of the month. Prepare to wake up to a Fried Onion & Gouda Bagel schmeared with Chipotle Ranch Cream Cheese.
- Salt & Straw is bringing back its lip-smacking ice cream Berry Series. Opportunities to try something berry good include Birthday Cake & Blackberries, Huckleberry Cornbread Pudding and Banana Bread with Strawberry Jam.
Coming & Going
- Anaheim-based Villains Brewing is taking over the two-story white house in East Village formerly known as Half Door Brewing. The transition to California-style BBQ is expected to take place mid-summer.
- City Tacos (adjacent to Petco Park) closed on June 30. The San Diego Padres clawed back the location; there’s a hope City Tacos will get a concession spot inside the park next season.
- Legendary Tijuana taqueria Tacos El Franc has crossed the border. Started on a street cart in 1974, El Franc recently opened in National City and is due to open its doors in the Gaslamp Quarter this summer.
- The laid-back So Cal sandwich shop Board & Brew is getting set to open in the Research and Development District (RaDD) development (825 N. Harbor Drive #109) in the Marina District. SDSun
