Besides the surf, greenhouses, and world yoga headquarters, Encinitas is known as the Mexican food capitol of the world. More than Mexico City. No, seriously, look it up. We've got little hideaways like
Haggo's to high end Casa de Bandini. From basic Taco Bell to authentic La Especial Norte. From old school Juanita's to, well, old school Las Olas, there's at least 25 joints in town.
So if you're a restaurateur, let's just say the Mexican food market is pretty much covered. So what's the niche that's been popping up lately? Seafood. And with Encinitas being on the ocean, it's a no brainer. From little mom and pop shops like Lobster West to the fancy
Pacific Coast Grill. From Josh Kerr's favorite Fish 101 to my grom's favorite Happy Fish, seafood diners are popping up like periscopes (bad pun, sorry). The latest to grace our shores is the Fish Shop on the corner of Highway 101 and I Street.
In the old St. Germain's location, the Fish Shop is the brainchild of Eric Leitstein, owner of the
Union Kitchen and Tap, Encinitas Ale House, and a couple more restaurants in PB- like the PB Ale House and another Fish Shop. So far Eric's been on the right track and his recent locations have been busy with good layouts and décor. The Fish Shop's main draw besides the food will be the corner patio which should get a lot of use this summer. The sign out front says a July opening but I think it will be more towards mid-August by the looks of their progress. Regardless, make sure to stop by in the near future and try it out.
In regards to the greenhouses in Encinitas, we hardly knew ye. From the old Encinitas Ranch fields, to the
Hall property now Encinitas Community Park, to the
Ecke property on Saxony that Shea homes is taking years to finish, to the
2 new developments east of the 5 in Leucadia, the old flower fields are dropping like flies. And who's the latest to bite the dust? The old grower east of the 5 freeway across from the new Encinitas Community Park in Cardiff.
Looks like 8 homes are being built on MacKinnon Ave., a couple blocks south of San Dieguito Academy. Like the rest of any new development in Encinitas, it's not a big one like Encinitas Ranch or nearby La Costa Valley, because there's no space left; only old greenhouses that are sitting on goldmines They're still a ways away to breaking ground; gotta do that environmental impact report, post the 'New Homes' sign, build the model, etc thing. I don't expect it to be move in ready until late next year.
Bummer to see this old greenhouse go. It was tucked away in a group of old school homes and every December they'd open up their lot and sell some Xmas trees. Cool local vibe. Make sure to check back on the North County Surf blog for updates.
