Casa de Pico

CASA DE PICO NAMED BEST RESTAURANT IN EAST COUNTY

Iconic Diane Powers restaurant honored by San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce 

East County News Service

March 21, 2022 (La Mesa) - Diane Powers’ Mexican restaurant Casa de Pico has been named the “Best Restaurant in East County” by the members of the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, awarded during the chamber’s 110th annual East County Honors ceremony on February 27.  


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DIANE POWERS’ CASA DE PICO RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Celebrate “50 Days of Fiesta” with special menu and more now through Dec. 24  

East County News Service

November 27, 2021 (La Mesa) – Diane Powers’ Casa de Pico Mexican restaurant is celebrating 50 years of delicious and festive fun starting November 4 through December 24 in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center.  

Opened in 1971, Casa de Pico was Powers’ first restaurant and originally located within San Diego’s Old Town State Park. With the vision of recreating the beautiful Mexican bazaars she had long-admired, Powers leased the site of the rundown and boarded up Casa de Pico Motel from the state and began a legendary transformation of the space to create Bazaar del Mundo, a colorful shopping and dining experience, including Casa de Pico.


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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY FAVORITES AT CASA DE PICO: TURKEY MOLE TAMALES, PUMPKIN FLAN AND MORE

East County News Service

Photo: Turkey Mole Tamales, courtesy of Bazaar del Mundo Restaurants.

November 19, 2020 (La Mesa) – This holiday season, Diane Powers’ award-winning Bazaar del Mundo Restaurants – Casa de Pico in La Mesa, Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, and Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad, are welcoming guests to enjoy special holiday dishes infused with authentic Mexican flavors. Each restaurant will offer an annual favorite for both dine-in and take-out orders: Turkey Mole Tamales, two handmade tamales filled with turkey, raisins, chopped pecans and apples, all topped with a mole sauce and sesame seeds.

With vibrant and spacious courtyards, the restaurant patios overflow with festive and colorful decor providing a visual feast for all, as well as ample outdoor heating and increased seating. In compliance with State guidelines, San Diego County has moved into the purple tier, limiting services to outdoor dining only and Powers is following a strict plan that will provide a safe environment for her customers.

The holiday menus are available through the New Year and vary by restaurant; with dishes including:


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BEST RECIPES IN EAST COUNTY: TURKEY TAMALES

 

Chef Aida Elbers

January 13, 2015 (La Mesa) – Chef Aida Elbers at Casa de Pico has generously agreed to share a recipe for the restaurant’s turkey tamales, a favorite during the holidays and year-round.  To Chef Elbers, we say, “Gracias!”


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RESTAURANT RECIPES: CASA DE PICO’S CHEESE CRISP SPECIAL IS PERFECT FOR YOUR NEXT FIESTA

 

 

March 30, 2014 (La Mesa)--The Cheese Crisp Special was popular among Casa de Pico customers from the first day it was served in 1971. Diane Powers, owner and operator of Bazaar del Mundo Shops and the Bazaar del Mundo Restaurant Group, wanted to create a unique signature dish. The 40-year-old recipe consists of a crisp flour tortilla, topped with refried beans, two kinds of beef or shredded chicken, melted cheese, fresh avocado slices, tomato wedges, guacamole and sour cream.

“It’s popular because you taste lots of our Mexican flavors,” said Manager Lino Rodarte. The Cheese Crisp Special originated at Casa de Pico, which has since relocated to La Mesa’s Grossmont Center. It can also be found at all Powers’ restaurants – Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad, and Casa Sol y Mar in Del Mar Highlands. 

Exclusive to East County Magazine, Casa de Pico has shared its signature Cheese Crisp Special recipe below.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.