Posts tagged old town
“It’s The Umbrellas…”
0
“The Umbrellas”
When you think of Casa de Pico Mexican Restaurant what do you think of first (besides the award winning margaritas)? The number one answer: the colorful umbrellas.
As many of you know, Casa de Pico (a.k.a. Pico) opened its doors in 1971 in Old Town. Many of the regulars, and out of town visitors, entered via Juan Street. If you were fortunate you’d get a parking space in the small parking lot, but most of us parked on the street and made the short walk to the opening in the fence that bordered Pico. What struck your first, what you couldn’t miss, what people loved to look at, what they loved to sit under, were those colorful umbrella. Like every detail at every restaurant Diane Power owns and operates, the umbrellas were always clean and never faded. They symbolized everything that Pico offered: quality. And Pico flourished their for years. Tourists, conventioneers and San Diego residents all associated Pico with the umbrellas. And came back again and again.
Fast forward to 2005. Diane loses her lease after 25 years. But if you know Diane you know she is tenacious and committed to her restaurants. Casa Guadalajara which had opened in 1995 stayed in Old Town. She found new homes for the two of them that were forced to relocate. Casa de Bandini went north to Carlsbad and Casa de Pico went East to La Mesa. And the Pico umbrellas went east to La Mesa as well. And the people followed. If you live in San Diego east of the 15 freeway you probably are like the majority and don’t go to La Mesa often, if at all. The umbrellas have changed that. Many San Diegans now head east on the 8 freeway and see the still beautiful and colorful umbrellas in the Grossmont Center.
Pico is located at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. Call us at 619-463-3267. We’re celebrating our 40th Anniversary for seven months, so ask what the specials are when you arrive. Come and enjoy the food, the mariachi music, the festive atmosphere, the birdbath margarita’s…and the umbrellas. You’ll be so glad you did. And for our loyal followers, thank you for being so faithful to us over the years. We appreciate each and every one of you.
To see our menu, get directions and learn more about the best La Mesa Mexican Restaurant, go to www.casadepico.com.
Come and Celebrate Pico’s 40th Anniversary On November 4th and 5th!
0
Casa de Pico's 40th Anniversary!
You’ve been with us for many years, followed us from Old Town to La Mesa and have continuously voted us as “the best” in all categories, from best margaritas to best Mexican restaurant. On November 4th and 5th we celebrate YOU! Come join us for a very memorable anniversary weekend. It’s your party!
Casa de Pico Named #2 Mexican Restaurant in San Diego for 2011 in Union Tribune Poll
0Casa de Pico, one of Diane Powers’ three signature San Diego Mexican restaurants, finished second in the annual “Best Of San Diego” readers poll conducted by the San Diego Union Tribune for 2011. Casa de Pico is located in the Grossmont Center in La Mesa, CA and will be celebrating it’s 40th anniversary on November 4th.
Finishing first was Powers’ Casa Guadalajara in Old Town. Located on Taylor Street, next to one of San Diego’s finest destination shopping experiences, Bazaar del Mundo, Guadalajara has been a consistent winner of many awards for it’s fine foods and classic margaritas.
Not to be forgotten is Casa de Bandini, Powers’ third eatery which is considered the best Carlsbad mexican restaurant by many North County residents.
Wherever you are in San Diego, visit one of our restaurants and experience the beauty and cultural experience each offers. It’s a feast for the eyes, as well as the palette. At Casa de Pico we thank you for your votes, your recognition, and your loyalty to our brand. We pledge to continue to offer you the best mexican restaurant dining experience in La Mesa and East County and will be working very hard to take the #1 spot next year in the U-T Poll!
Casa de Pico: Thriving in La Mesa
0
Casa de Pico, Grossmont Center, La Mesa, CA
Perhaps you’ve had a chance to read the beautiful profile of Casa de Pico owner Diane Powers in today’s San Diego Union Tribune. If you’d like to see the online version you can read it at http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/08/no-regrets-for-bazaar-del-mundo-maven/ The article details the challenges Diane faced with her enterprises in Old Town, San Diego. More important, it captures her winning spirit, her professionalism and her ability to persevere. Everyone who visits her restaurants: Casa de Pico in La Mesa, Casa de Bandini in Carlsbad, Casa Guadalajara in Old Town or her Bazaar del Mundo shops right next door to Casa Guadalajara are very thankful that she kept these businesses alive when they were being threatened. She then, along with the help of her husband Brent, relocated three of the four businesses, including Casa de Pico, and they are flourishing and visitors are as happy as ever.
Casa de Pico was relocated to La Mesa, CA, which is east of downtown San Diego and is referred to as being in “East County” in 2005. After a short hiatus, Brent spotted the opportunity to re-open “Pico” in the Grossmont Center in La Mesa. The trademark multi-colored umbrellas adorn the patio and are a welcome sight to anyone that enjoyed Pico in Old Town. There is plenty of patio seating, a very large and beautifully decorated dining section, a Cantina area where Happy Hour is held from 3-7 Monday-Friday, and another outdoor patio area just off of the Cantina.
The Casa de Pico management team of Julie Bell Gastelum and Lino Rodarte move heaven and earth to make sure that every visitor has an enjoyable experience. Parties of all sizes can be accommodated. It’s amazing what they’ve been able to do when large parties show up without reservations. They’re not turned away, Julie and Lino find a way to make it work and have the guests have a memorable evening.
Casa de Pico serves lunch and dinner daily, breakfast meetings are also held there and any group wanting to meet over breakfast is welcome. Parties of all kinds are held regularly at Pico: birthday’s, wedding rehearsal dinners, baby showers…we welcome the chance to make your event special.
Did we mention our Guacamole was voted the best in San Diego last month in a blind taste test? San Diego Magazine awarded us the honor and we know you’ll love it when you have it with chips or with any of our entrees. Come and enjoy all we have to offer. We’re located at 5500 Grossmont Drive at the Grossmont Center in La Mesa. You can reach us by phone at 619-463-3267. For a more detailed introduction to Casa de Pico visit our website at www.casadepico.com.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
