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These Side-by-Side Eateries are Serving Classic Favorites and Fusing New Flavors
Last year presented many of us with unparalleled challenges. While many struggled to pivot their businesses to meet these challenges, others found opportunities to dive in and start new ventures altogether.
One new business that has found success is Escondido-based The Barking Dog Deli (formerly the Continental Deli) at 120 Kalmia Street and its next-door restaurant Fusion on the corner of Kalmia and Gand, which is set to open mid-January. Both restaurants are owned and operated by friends Jamie Horgan and Jenny Hwang. Their friendship began 10 years ago when Jamie and her husband, John - design-build contractors by trade - designed Hwang’s sushi bar Ginza Sushi in Rancho Bernardo. That friendship has since evolved into a business partnership.
“We found out this property was for lease, we told Jenny about it, and things just evolved from there,” said Horgan, whose husband also helps run the eateries. The Barking Dog Deli serves sandwiches, delicious salads, soups, hamburgers, pizza, and of course, hot dogs. Horgan’s favorite dish is the California Salad. “It has lots of greens, all kinds of different fruits, and a citrus vinaigrette,” she said. “It’s a lovely salad and I like it with grilled chicken added.”
Delicious salad & sandwiches selections from The Barking Dog Deli
Along with people's food, the deli also serves specially made human-grade dog food and treats, including a doggy pizza, a burger, grilled chicken and chicken liver brownies. A full deli case of homemade dog treats will be available starting in January. Horgan’s first passion is dogs. She is the director of the dog rescue Dog Squad Rescue in San Diego and a portion of the dog food sales from the deli will go to the non-profit.
The Barking Dog Deli officially opened on November 11, 2020. Even though they opened during the pandemic, the women felt hopeful that at the time, the pandemic was nearing its end. “It was during the pandemic, but we thought everything was getting better and we had a great opportunity to get into a great piece of real estate here in Escondido,” said Horgan. Fusion, which is next door and shares an outdoor courtyard, was scheduled to open in December just before the second shutdown. “We ordered our food for the restaurant and were ready and able to open, then they shut everything down again,” Horgan said.
Mouthwatering burgers and pizza surrounded by one of a kind murals
Fusion’s menu is a mix of classic dishes such as hamburgers and veggie lasagna and fusion meals such as bulgogi (a thinly sliced Korean marinated prime steak) pizza and fries.“We are currently testing bulgogi nachos with a fresh wasabi cheese sauce,” Horgan added. Diners who eat in the courtyard can order from either menu and once the dining orders have been lifted, the courtyard will be open for service.
Until then, both eateries offer their entire menu to-go and since opening have seen a lot of support from the City, especially from Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development, Amber Tarrac.“Amber came in and asked if there was anything she could do to help us,” said Horgan, adding that Tarrac helped her with social media contacts, and permits to allow for more outdoor seating. “She has been the greatest help.”
“It’s inspiring to see people starting new businesses and investing in our City during the pandemic,” Tarrac said. “We are here to help them succeed and I’m glad that the Horgans and Hwang have decided to bring their culinary talents to Escondido. We look forward to supporting their success. "
Horgan added that many City employees and management have ordered food from their restaurants and is grateful for the support. She has been posting dishes on social media sites such as the Barking Dog Deli Facebook, and local sites such as Escondido Eats, the Escondido Eats FaceBook group, and Everything Escondido.
Beautiful image of Escondido artist Mauro Alvarez’s mural
As word-of-mouth spreads and brings in new customers, so does the curiosity about the wall mural outside. It was painted by Escondido artist and friend of the Horgans, Mauro Alvarez. “Mauro is a friend of ours and he offered to paint it for us,” Horgan said. “We have also commissioned him to do a mural on the ceiling in the bar.”
Alvarez said the mural depicts a fusion of the Oceanside Pier and an 80s pop art style. He is a self-taught artist who creates commissioned works for private clients. One of his other works in Escondido is a mural dedicated to the late Kobe Bryant at Country Club Barbershop on Grand.
Other art pieces by local artists are hung throughout both restaurants. “We are inviting local artists to put their art on our walls,” said Horgan. She says sales from the art will be donated to the rescue or other non-profits. She added that she realizes there are many people in need right now and she wants to help. “If there’s any way we can give back, we will,” she said. Local artists can inquire with Horgan about displaying their works.
Looking ahead, Horgan is hopeful that people will be allowed to dine out again and enjoy community gatherings.“I hope that everybody is healthy. That we can put the pandemic behind us and just open our doors, and be able to spend time with friends, family, and engage in our community.”
The Barking Dog Deli is located at 120 Kalmia Street and Fusion is located at 201 E. Grand Avenue. Call ahead 760-294-1985 for to-go orders.
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What’s Brewing at Manzanita Roasting
Escondido Locals are Blending and Branding Quality Roasts and Check-Out Bonus Social Media Tips and Tricks
Manzanita Roasting on the corner of Grand and Juniper
While many spent 2020 working from home, couple Weston and Samantha Nawrocki discovered the perks of opening a new business closer to home. In November, they opened Manzanita Roasting at 301 E. Grand.
“It’s just two minutes away from my house,” said Samantha whose family are the third-generation owners of Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo. “It’s a good time to be opening because people want to go out for coffee. They want that 15 minute or half-hour interaction to grab a cup and sit outside.”
Local pups enjoying a coffee break with their person
The current state order doesn’t allow indoor seating but customers are sitting outside at the park across the street as well as taking their orders to go.
“Manzanita Roasting was one of the 696 new Escondido-based businesses that applied for a business license from March 1 through November 23, 2020 during the pandemic. This is a tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the Escondido community to forge ahead and build a business they can be proud of right here in our City,” said Amber Tarrac, Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development.
In addition to getting a hot cup of coffee or packaged coffee at the coffee shop, Manzanita Roasting also provides a subscription model that gives customers a home delivery option.
Team Manzanita choice subscription allows you to choose your preferred coffee option
Samantha said, “The subscription started during the first lockdown.” People became interested in Weston’s local roasting and the couple found they were delivering to people for free as a way to get out of the monotony of lockdown and to do something with their, as Samantha put it, “our nervous energy.” As a result, customers got hooked on Weston’s blends and the subscription model was created.
Manzanita Roasting owners Weston and Samantha Nawrocki
Weekly or monthly orders are available with many blend options. “You can get our blend, the blend of the month, or the roaster’s choice, which is usually something fun from one of our new farms,” said Samantha who added, “We ship all around the country and an order of two bags or more ships free.”
Weston, who is a chef and accomplished Sommelier, is now master roaster, roasting beans from independently-owned small farms in Africa, South America and Central America.
Every cup is made with love
“It’s just really good, quality locally roasted coffee, that’s sourced,” said Samantha. “What my husband does is kind of upping the game, he’s always roasting it better and better, making sure that he gets the perfect sweetness from the coffee.”
The couple, who live in Historic Escondido, love that they have been able to open a coffee shop in their hometown. It’s their second cafe, their other location is on the Bernardo Winery grounds. They also feel the Escondido community has been extremely supportive since they opened.
“The community’s really behind us. Everybody is coming out to support small businesses like ours,” said Samantha, who mentioned that even Mayor McNamara sent an email welcoming them. City leaders have also trickled in to say hi and welcome them. “They have all said welcome and that they are here to support us with whatever we need.” One of those needs was to repaint the curb outside the cafe which ended up providing closer parking for customers.
“They’ve just gone above and beyond,” Samantha added. “I feel like the support has just breathed a little more life into the streets and downtown.”
Manzanita Roasting is open daily
Branding Beyond Coffee
Samantha feels this kind of support enhances the City and combined with the marketing efforts Escondido is embracing, will continue to make it a great place to live and do business.
Samantha who has run the successful marketing campaign for Bernardo Winery is now marketing her coffee shop. She is also planning to work with the City to host an online workshop on how businesses can promote themselves in today’s market on social media. She feels social media is a great way to promote any type of business. “I don’t like to see a business struggle because they don’t know how to use social media tools,” Samantha said.
Samantha has some pro tips on how to use social media to promote any type of business:
Focus on Instagram
Unlike Facebook, which Samantha says is limited and only gives you an audience to the people who follow you, Instagram reaches a wider audience and by using hashtags smartly and often, the audience will widen even more.
Commit to Post Daily
Samantha suggests posting something every day on your feed or story and making sure the images are very clear and relevant to the post.
Limit Your Marketing Message
While this might seem counterproductive, limiting your marketing message to every 10-to-12 posts, you will create a following of people who find your business interesting and want to know your story. Samantha added this is especially important for the millennial crowd. “You’ll lose their interest if you are constantly posting, buy this, buy that.”
Let Your Followers Get to Know You
“Take pictures, introduce yourself and your employees,” she said. Don’t be afraid to be a real person with real things going on in your life.” Followers want to relate to you and understand how you live and do business, she said.
Be Relevant
Story, photos, and effective hashtags can do wonders to boost your audience and get people talking about your business. Product hashtags will represent whatever you are selling, niche hashtags connect you within your industry, and community hashtags connect you with people around you. Special events and seasonal hashtags will also help connect you with others who participate in or sell timely products.
You are Never Too Old for Social Media
Samantha emphasized that older adults should give social media a try. She said that with their knowledge and experience, they could gain a lot of followers who are looking for that expertise. She said not to just hand off your social media account to a younger person just because you think they might be more comfortable on the platform. Remember, it’s free advertising!
For Samantha, social media has also proven to be extremely helpful during the pandemic. It has helped customers stay aware of the status of businesses like hers. “Are you open, are you closed, people are relying on social media to know what the status is of businesses,” she said. And it has also helped many find ways to support their local businesses.
For now, she and her husband would like to let their community know they are happy to be here and don’t plan to go anywhere. “This is our home; we’re planted,” she said. “Our passion is to be here.”
Manzanita Roasting is located at 301 E. Grand Street. For more information contact them at info@manzanitaroasting.com