San Diego, CA

The Mesa Opening at Former Effin’s Pub Location | San Diego Magazine

Published

11 months ago

April 1, 2025

The Mesa Opening at Former Effin’s Pub Location | San Diego Magazine

Besides a stint playing college football in Nebraska, Darrien Oliver has lived in San Diego his entire life. “I grew up in Spring Valley, went to Rancho [Elementary], La Mesa Middle, then went to Helix [Charter High School],” he says. Growing up in the area, he laughs and says he definitely remembers partying at Effin’s Pub & Grill back in the day.

To him, and many other locals, Effin’s was more than just a local sports bar—it was a community staple from 1996 until it closed due to the pandemic in late 2020. So last summer, when he started looking for a place to open his own bar and grill, he couldn’t believe it was still available. “It’s such a prime location,” he says. “I know what the space can do and what it can do for the community.” He called the broker and signed a lease for The Mesa Bar & Grill last month.

The Mesa will be the first restaurant Oliver owns, but he’s been a general manager at plenty of establishments for years. His first job was working as a security guard at Tin Roof downtown, where he worked his way up to bartender, assistant general manager, and finally general manager. Then, Covid-19 hit. But Oliver decided to keep honing his skills behind the bar and behind the desk, learning to run things at different Tin Roof locations from Kansas City, Missouri to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Once his second child was on the way, he decided to move back to San Diego permanently and started to look for new GM positions.

Courtesy of Google Maps

After talking to his mentor, Mauricio Cardoza (who owns a few downtown concepts like Cielo Rooftop Lounge, National Lampoon: The Yellow Door, and Year Of The Fortune Chinese restaurant), he decided to take the plunge and try to open his own spot. He’s shooting to open The Mesa this May, hopefully around Cinco de Mayo or Labor Day.

“The concept I’m trying to build there is what I like to call a modern social bar and restaurant,” Oliver explains. “Drinks will be affordable, food will be great and affordable, [I’m] just trying to revitalize the space.” The Mesa will have a full liquor license with 18 beers on tap and plenty of entertainment, like DJs, trivia, karaoke, and more. Food will skew towards typical bar fare—think burgers, salads, wings, and the like. “But everything’s going to be from scratch, for the most part,” he promises.

He plans to open for lunch every day, staying open until midnight on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends, plus weekend brunch. Most importantly, he says, while he wants everyone to feel welcome, he’s specifically looking forward to relaunching a space for people who live nearby. “It’s real dear to me, being from the area,” he says. “It’s just gonna be exciting to tell people, like, ‘Hey, we’re back.’”

Food from San Diego pop-up Indian restaurant Sabor Piri Piri which opened its first brick-and-mortar location in National City — Courtesy of Sabor Piri-Piri

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

From the Farmers Market to National City—Sabor Piri-Piri Now Open

If you, like me, have ever had one of Candido Gadaga’s samosas or hot sauce at a local farmers market, you’ve probably been counting down the days until he opened a brick-and-mortar version of Sabor Piri-Piri, his Mozambique-inspired food stand serving specialties like chicken peanut curry bowls, black eyed peas and kale, matapa (savory sauteed collard greens in a coconut-peanut sauce), and his signature piri-piri hot sauce. Now, our wait is over. Gadaga’s first permanent location is now open at 804 B Avenue in National City next to 8th & B Poke with all the same farmers market favorites, and hopefully with a stationary kitchen, a few more things in the future. But honestly, even if I just get the samosas for the rest of my life, I’ll be set.

Food from San Diego restaurant MAKE Projects and MAKE Cafe which is moving to a new location in Normal Heights — Photo Credit: Cole Novak
MAKE Projects

Beth’s Bites

San Diegans are spoiled with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to incredible Mexican food. And for as devoted as I remain to my local taco shop, I do enjoy a fancy taco every now and again, and when the urge strikes, it’s often Puesto. Now, joining the already ridiculously talented drinks team of Beau du Bois (vice president of bar & spirits) and brewmaster Doug Hasker is creative chef Raul Casillas. Coming from Michelin-starred kitchens like Valle in Oceanside and L’atelier in Las Vegas, Casillas plans to redo the Puesto menu with items like a CDMX ribeye taco for the meat lovers, an asparagus taco for the veggie lovers, bluefin tuna ceviche for the seafood lovers, and a whole bunch more. All the yes.
North Park’s MAKE Projects is gearing up to move from University Avenue to a brand-new space at 4712 Felton Street for more room, more education, and more good stuff coming. They plan to break ground for the new location this summer, and I’m definitely keeping an eye on the exciting stuff they’re up to.
Lots of things are happening at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (and yes, most of them are bougie). Besides A.R. Valentien finally reopening next month, the resort’s annual Celebrate the Craft on April 27 is one of the toniest tastings in town, with chefs from Valle, 31ThirtyOne, George’s at the Cove, Nine-Ten, Trust, and more gathering alongside local vintners, brewers, distillers, and creations of all scrumptious sorts. All proceeds go to The Ecology Center, so sip and savor to your heart’s delight

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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