East County News Service

April 23, 2019 (Flinn Springs) — The Alpine Kiwanis Club invites the public to attend the 29th Annual Vintage Alpine fundraiser to be held on May 5. This amazing “Wine & Food Experience in the Country” will take place within the lovely gardens of Summers Past Farms at 15602 Olde Highway 80.

By Miriam Raftery

March 31, 2019 (El Cajon) – Slow-cooked, wood-smoked meats barbecuing on an old wagon base, or buckboard, filled the air with mouth-watering aromas at a ribbon-cutting held March 20^th at Buckboard’s Barbecue & Brew in El Cajon by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

The restaurant specializes in California smokehouse barbecue, which owner Fadi Shihadeh describes as “Santa Mara-style with a twist” that includes smoke flavor in all meats. They also do catering, if you've got a hankering for barbecue at your next outdoor gathering.

Now located at 975 Greenfield Drive, Buckboard’s moved to El Cajon from San Diego, where it was originally owned by Padres pitcher Randy Jones. The Shihadeh family bought it and ran it for many years, before moving recently to El Cajon at 975 Greenfield Drive.

“This really is a homecoming for us. It feels great to be back,” Shihadeh told ECM during the Chamber event.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2019 (Escondido) – Escondido-based Henry Avocado Corporation is recalling avocados after a government inspection at a California packing facility resulted in testing positive for Listeria. The recalled products have stickers reading Bravocado” on the exterior.

Listeria can cause fever, stiffness, nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms. It may be fatal to young children, elderly people or others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women.

East County News Service

March 8, 2019 (Ramona) – Ramona Ranch Winery announces a series of events including Cheeses from the Cave this Saturday, live music with the Tree Huggers next weekend, and a Winemaker Weekend in April.  Scroll down for details, provided by the winery: 

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, what could be finer than an evening at Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill with East County Dining Club--featuring great food and drinks, plus prize drawings?

Hooleys will donate a portion of every food and drink item purchased to benefit East County Magazine nonprofit news in the public interest and East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

Hooley’s was voted best Irish pub in the world (outside of Ireland) by an organization of international Irish pub owners.  Founder Craig McDonald has added authentic ambience along with traditional Irish foods, brews and bar offerings. 

Date:  Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Location;  Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill

Grossmont Center (5500 Grossmont Center Dr.), La Mesa

Please RSVP by Feb. 25 to be entered in an early bird prize drawing!

619-698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

*We’ve priced this event for affordability!  You can order just an entrée, or as many other items as you wish off a special menu just for our dining club event!  Here are the delicious details:

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Several  of East County’s most popular restaurants are offering specials for sweethearts on Valentine’s Day. Below are the delicious details. 

East County News Service

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) – The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) has announced a recall of thousands of cases of Fresh Peaches, Fresh Plums and Fresh Nectarines packed by Jac. Vandenberg Inc. The fruits were sold at major retailers in several states, including Costco in California.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019  (Jamul) – The highly anticipated 2019 Restaurant Week will feature two Jamul Casino^® restaurants: Prime Cut and Tony Gwynn’s.  Sponsored by the California Restaurant Association’s San Diego Chapter, San Diego Restaurant Week is January 20-27, 2019.  Over 180 restaurants will participate in the event.  As an opportunity to highlight their tastiest fare, many restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus especially for the event.

East County News Service

December 10, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- This holiday season, Lemon Grove’s cozy neighborhood eatery, Giardino, is giving diners multiple reasons to gather around its tables. A menu only available through the new year features chef’s specials highlighting flavors that bring on nostalgia. Start with a bowl of Lobster Bisque, or Portobello Ripieni stuffed with artichokes, gorgonzola, spinach and bell peppers. Pasta includes Oxtail Cannelloni and Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagna, while the entrees feature dishes like Roasted Duck Airline Breast, Veal Saltimbocca and Salmon San Remo. Save room for dessert – Chef Marco has a special Nutella Pistachio Tiramisu and housemade Limoncello to end the meal on a good note.

East County News Service

December 4, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – Over 250 people nationwide have fallen ill from salmonella tied to ground beef, including 66 cases in California, the Centers for Disease Control reports.  Over 12 million pounds of ground beef have been recalled, all packaged between July 26 and Sept.7, but health officials warn that some products may still be in consumers’ freezers.

Following an October recall, a second recall issued this week adds another 5 million pounds of potentially tainted products. The tainted beef was sold at major retailers including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Ralph’s, Food 4 Less and others.  View the retailer list here. 

By Miriam Raftery

November 17, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Leaders in our local wine-making industry were honored at the 6thannual Trailblazer Awards presented by Maness Vineyards owners Greg and Paula Maness and past award winners. This year’s awards were presented during the Toast of East County at the Elks Lodge in El Cajon, hosted by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. 

This year’s winners include Elaine Littleton and Norm Case of Hatfield Creek Winery and Vineyards, Johnny and Shirley Schwaesdall of Schwaesdall Winery, a family achievement award accepted by Joe Harmes of Vineyard Hacienda, and a lifetime achievement award for wine instructor Dominic “Dick” Colangelo.

East County News Service

November 7, 2018 (San Diego's East County) –  The 14 Chick-fil-A restaurants across San Diego County are teaming up to offer free food to customers who download or log into the Chick-fil-A Mobile App in November through Dec. 1. Chick-fil-A restaurants in East County are located at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, and 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

By Craig Reed, Envision La Mesa

October 16, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Envision La Mesa hosted its second Hidden Gems event on Saturday, October 13 at BMH Italian Deli located at 7670 El Cajon Blvd in La Mesa. More than 20 participants met Sammy Carini, the owner of the deli, while enjoying handcrafted deli sandwiches, soups, and cannolis.