Blog Entries
Come Catch ‘Em All at Casa Guadalajara!
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Hey PokémonGo players – Casa Guadalajara is an official PokéStop in San Diego. Let us turn your quest to catch ‘em all into a fiesta!
Enjoy Cooking Demo and Tastings from Chef Duran, June 17-18
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Come celebrate the art of delicious design during Bazaar del Mundo’s “Fashion + Flavors,” a vibrant new event by Diane Powers featuring food, fashion and fun, Friday and Saturday, June 17–18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the corner of Juan and Taylor Streets in Old Town.
To give the event added “flavor,” our own Chef Jose Duran will present cooking demonstrations of his popular summer salad and dressing recipes. Guests can enjoy tastings of his splendid creations along with a light lunch served in the beautiful Bazaar del Mundo courtyard at 11:30 a.m. both days.
For eager “fashionistas,” guest artists will showcase their handmade creations, including unique fashion accessories, clothing and crafts. Shoppers can peruse collections of silk scarves, leather handbags and jewelry made from metals, glass, semi-precious stones and sparkling jewels that are contemporary, as well as ethnically inspired.
Visiting artists include:
- Mary Brown: Using unique stones and silver, Ms. Brown creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind ethnic jewelry pieces.
- Bonita Chamberlin: Ms. Chamberlin presents silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, handmade in Afghanistan to support local villages.
- Beautiful Soul: Hand-crafted jewelry made with natural gemstones, pearls and metals.
- Melissa Gladhill: Found objects and ceramic pieces are incorporated into Ms. Gladhill’s unique jewelry.
- DanDee Silks: These hand-painted silk scarves, ruanas and ponchos are made and designed by self-taught, retired school teachers in brilliant color combinations.
- Kim Yubeta: Attending Friday only, Ms. Yubeta creates one-of-a-kind “treasure” necklaces.
- Erda Bags: Handbags for every event made from fine leathers and tapestries.
- Rochelle DiMaggio: “Day of the Dead” inspires Ms DiMaggio’s jewelry.
- Indiri Silver Jewelry: Made in Bali, each item is Fair Trade and handcrafted with pride in villages that specialize in ancient jewelry making, with techniques passed down over generations.
Musical entertainment will be provided by TINKU, performing over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments.
Cinco de Mayo Starts at Casa Guadalajara
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Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla, in which Mexican troops prevailed over French forces on May 5, 1862. Mexico’s soldiers, greatly outnumbered, defeated the army that was thought to be the most powerful in the world at the time. Though it did not stop the French from taking control of Mexico, the victory boosted the nation’s morale and determination to fight the invasion.
In honor of the holiday, Diane Powers first launched Old Town’s Cinco de Mayo festival in 1983. Today, she continues her tradition of celebrating Mexican culture with lively revelries at her Bazaar del Mundo Restaurants.
Specials on food and drinks include: the festive “Cincorita” margarita – strawberry, Midori (melon flavored liqueur) and lime in layers of green, white and red, paying homage to the Mexican flag; and Enchiladas Guadalajara – a shredded beef enchilada with salsa roja and a chicken enchilada with salsa verde.
And, it wouldn’t be one of Powers’ distinguished events without strolling Mariachis and Folkloric dancers!
Also visit Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town for festive and authentic Cinco de Mayo attire and decorations for your own home or party.
Join us Thursday through Saturday, May 5–7, for live entertainment, promotional giveaways, delicious food and drink specials, and a fiesta unlike any other!
Celebrate Spring! Book Your Special Occasion at Casa Guadalajara
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Have a special occasion coming up? A big family birthday, rehearsal dinner or company milestone? Give your gathering some fiesta flare by hosting it here at Casa Guadalajara!
Indulge in authentic award-winning Mexican cuisine and Birdbath Margaritas among beautifully decorated dining rooms and an enchanting outdoor patio. Decorated with hand-crafted furnishings, fine Mexican folk art, and colorful hand-painted murals, guests feel the warmth and romance of Mexico as soon as they enter the door. Our world-class strolling mariachis add a level of fun to the festive atmosphere.
Casa Guadalajara offers abundant banquet and catering menu options, including gluten-free, vegetarian and healthy dining selections. Only the freshest ingredients are used for our 14 salsas and sauces made fresh daily, delicious selections of homemade salad dressings, and hot corn and flour tortillas prepared throughout the day. Choose from one of our affordable event packages, or let us work with you to custom design your perfect menu.
Give your guests a fiesta to remember!
To let us bring the fiesta to you, call us at 619 295-5231 to discuss party-to-go options or visit our website to view our take-out catering menu.
Valentine’s Day, Love at First Bite!
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You’ve heard about love at first sight, but at Casa Guadalajara we believe in love at first bite! This Valentine’s Day, bring your loved ones for an unforgettable authentic Mexican experience. Here at Casa Guadalajara, we offer a variety of delicious Mexican dishes in generous portions perfect for sharing. Start your meal with our popular Antojitos Platter, which includes a few favorites like our cheesy quesadillas, taquitos and nachos — all bursting with mouthwatering flavors.
Our beautiful ambiance and lovely décor are more than enough to make any guest fall head-over-heels. Decorated with colorful streamers and surrounded by splashing fountains, our courtyard is the ultimate destination for any romantic occasion. Sit under the stars as you enjoy the charming music of our strolling mariachi. Don’t forget to indulge in one of our birdbath margaritas as you listen to the festive tunes! In tasty flavors like strawberry or mango, these drinks are also big enough to share and are sure to get the fiesta started.
With delicious entrees like Tequila Lime Shrimp or Carne Asada Tampiqueña on our fabulous menu, it may be hard to pick just one! Room for dessert? Our Deep Fried Ice Cream is sure to get your appetite going again.
Make this Valentine’s Day an unforgettable one. Fall in love with the taste of Mexico at Casa Guadalajara!
Holiday Home Décor Inspired by Casa Guadalajara and Bazaar del Mundo
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If you’ve visited Casa Guadalajara lately, you may have noticed our restaurant is alive with the holiday spirit. But did you know that much of our décor comes from the same artists and vendors found at Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town?
Throughout the Shops, you’ll find a large collection of wonderfully dressed Christmas trees adorned with hand-crafted ornaments, Mexican paper flowers, colorful ribbons, and – for something a little out of the ordinary – creative folk art masks, dolls and gourd ornaments. These pieces of art are stunning on a tree or as gifts!
If you’re searching for holiday pieces to decorate your mantel or dining room table, Bazaar del Mundo has a wide selection of hand-carved nativities and festive poinsettia table runners that will add holiday cheer to your home.
The holidays will be here before you know it! Visit Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town to find unique décor items from all over the world that will help turn your home into a holiday oasis. And, if you’re looking to host a holiday party at home, consider Casa Guadalajara for your catering needs. We can bring the holiday fiesta to you! Visit our website or call 619-295-5111 for more information.
Honoring Día de los Muertos at Casa Guadalajara
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Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a Mexican celebration to remember past family and loved ones. Despite its title, the celebration is a vibrant and colorful tribute to the lives of those who have passed.
Celebrated annually on November 1 and 2, Casa Guadalajara will continue the tradition of paying homage to the deceased with an elaborately decorated alter, and offer traditional Day of the Dead dishes such as chicken pipián tamales and mole negro.
The festivities will continue next door at Bazaar del Mundo. As part of Old Town San Diego’s Annual “Tour of Altars,” produced by the Old Town Chamber of Commerce, the Bazaar del Mundo shops will be transformed into a walkable trail of altars, complete with traditional sugar skulls, handmade papier-mâché decorations and guest artists selling Day of the Dead-themed jewelry, handbags, accessories, prints and cards to promote the holiday. Exotic sounds will be provided by Latin American folk group Tinku.
Children and families can enjoy a sugar-skull decorating class on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and face painting both days. Hot chocolate, mini churros and coloring sheets will be available for the children, while historical handouts will be provided to adults.
The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 2, the Bazaar del Mundo Shops will highlight its alters and offer treats and children’s crafts through closing at 5:30 p.m.
The event is in conjunction with Old Town’s Día de Los Muertos three-day event, from 2 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, which includes “Tour of Altars,” a candlelight procession, face painting and mask decorating throughout Old Town at participating sites.
Parking tips: park for free across the street at Caltrans all day Saturday and Sunday, or take the trolley.
Grab Your Tickets for The Taste of Old Town
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Old Town San Diego is rich in history and steeped in tradition – the best place in San Diego to experience the vibrant beginnings of California, and to enjoy some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine in the city.
On September 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors and locals alike will have the opportunity to experience the delicious food and drink options Old Town has to offer during the second annual Taste of Old Town.
As one of the most popular dining destinations in Old Town, and an event sponsor, Casa Guadalajara is the first stop along the Taste of Old Town trail. We’ll be serving up our “Carnitas Fabuloso” street tacos: carnitas with grilled onions, cilantro and Serrano chiles in a mini tortilla topped with our homemade smoky salsa quemada and avocado salsa.
In addition to the delicious eats, the event will feature special tequila tastings and cocktail pairings, music and live entertainment. A designated Trolley will run throughout the event to help move you along the trail.
Pre-tickets are $35, and bound to go fast! Purchase yours at Taste of Old Town or at the Old Town Chamber Visitor Center.
Genuine Latin American Folk Art, Mata Ortiz Pottery and More – July 31 to Aug. 2
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Bazaar del Mundo Shops’ annual Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market returns to Old Town, July 31 – Aug. 2, to showcase one of the most extensive collections of genuine Latin American folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles and dazzling jewelry this side of the border.
Mata Ortiz pottery, based on a centuries-old art form renowned for its detailed process and hand-painted geometric and ancestral symbols, will be the highlight of the event with several skilled potters showcasing their wares, including returning artist Jorge Quintana – a principal Mata Ortiz artist whose work has been displayed in museums all over the world.
Live demonstrations will be performed for eager festival-goers, as artists hack away at wooden stumps to reveal life-like animal figures, weave hand-pulled wool into intricate textiles and skillfully paint delicate designs onto hand-formed clay pots.
Other traditional crafts and sought-after handmade goods include: San Antonino embroidery, tinwork, Talavera pottery, Oaxacan wooden animal carvings, Guatemalan weaving, various colorful and symbolic wall art and sculptures, Huichol yarn and bead paintings and one-of-a-kind pottery from the farthest regions of Mexico.
TINKU, a Latin American folk band, will perform over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments. Mouth-watering Mexican cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara restaurant will be for sale, completing the cultural aesthetic, making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into one of Mexico’s rural markets.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Casa Guadalajara Celebrates 20 Years in Old Town, San Diego
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Casa Guadalajara is celebrating its 20th anniversary next week! While many San Diegan’s have come to call the restaurant their favorite San Diego Mexican dining destination, we bet few remember how Casa Guadalajara came to be. In honor of the milestone, here’s a little history behind the Old Town icon:
Casa Guadalajara was once known as Romaine’s Guadalajara Grill. Upon discovering that Romaine’s former owner intended to cut down a majestic, 250-year-old California Pepper tree on the property to make way for a parking lot, Diane Powers purchased the land and transformed the restaurant into Casa Guadalajara – saving the tree and making it the focal point of the restaurant’s festive courtyard. Casa Guadalajara officially re-opened for business on June 12, 1995.
The tree isn’t the only thing that has been around since Casa Guadalajara’s beginning. Head Chef Jose Duran and General Manager Filiberto Horta joined Powers’ team in 1995 and have been working together ever since. Long-time guests of Casa Guadalajara might also notice that several of the servers and other staff members have been working at the restaurant for 10 years or more.
To celebrate the occasion, Powers and Casa Guadalajara will be throwing a week-long fiesta, with special entertainment including Folklorico dancers, strolling troubadours and mariachis, and special promotions. Starting Monday through Thursday, June 22 to 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., a special “Happier Hour” will take place in the Garden Room with tequila vendors on hand to present a special seminar. Thursday and Friday, June 25 and 26, will feature a special “throwback” menu with five favorite dishes that date back to the original menu, each with a 20 percent discount, and a commemorative T-shirt giveaway provided by Casamigos Tequila.
Come join the party and see why Casa Guadalajara has been a San Diego favorite for the last 20 years!
