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The Greek Sombrero

Pop-country radio usually rules the night at the Greek.
Pop-country radio usually rules the night at the Greek.
Place

California Sol Greek Sombrero

12891 Campo Road, Spring Valley

First of all, what in the world are you doing in Jamul? Scouting for UFOs over the Unarius landing pad? Hunting blue people in Proctor Valley? Maybe you got lost on your way to the movies in Rancho San Diego or you’re just passing through for beers in Tecate. Perhaps you’re taking the scenic route to the train museum in Campo?

Whatever it is that brings you to the event horizon of suburban East County, where Starbucks and strip malls give way to rural expanse, there’s no better waypoint to begin, end, or justify your next trip down ole 94 (Spring Valley by zip code, Jamul by proximity) than the Greek Sombrero.

Serving a fusion of Greek and Mexican cuisine since 1988, this roadside cantina is home to a rugged assortment of desert bros, Border Patrol agents, chaparral hermits, spinster aunts, and, every first Monday evening, the monthly hobnobbing of the Jamul Tuna Club.

Sponsored
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So, here’s the deal: happy hour runs from 3 to 6 on weekdays and during live-broadcast football games. That means $2.50 Coors Lite drafts, $3 wells, and $3.50 margs.

Your best bet is Wednesday afternoons, when all appetizers are half off, so dishes such as super nachos, gyro pita pizzas, and saganaki (pan-seared cheese) go for under five bucks each. Otherwise, stop in for $1 T.J. taco Mondays, $7.50 chicken plates on Tuesdays, or $2 taco Thursdays.

In lieu of the occasional live band that no nobody has ever heard of, you can watch afternoon football to a classic-rock soundtrack until the 5 o’clock shift change, when you’ll likely be subjected to pop-country radio for rest of the night.

Insufferable? Yes, but somehow it works.

You may or may not run into any blue people, but the house salsa, garlic carrots, and surly regulars are worth the trip alone.

Besides, down a few $4 happy-hour Greek Sombreros — the culture-melding apertif of 151-proof Bacardi, tequila, and anise-flavored ouzo — and you’ll be chasing lights in the Laguna Mountain sky in no time.

  • Capacity: 55
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.; weekends 11 A.M. to 9 p.m.
  • Happy: Monday–Friday 3 to 6 P.M. and during football games
  • Cards accepted

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At 4pm, this Farmer's Table restaurant in Chula Vista becomes Acqua e Farina

Brunch restaurant by day, Roman style trattoria by night
Pop-country radio usually rules the night at the Greek.
Pop-country radio usually rules the night at the Greek.
Place

California Sol Greek Sombrero

12891 Campo Road, Spring Valley

First of all, what in the world are you doing in Jamul? Scouting for UFOs over the Unarius landing pad? Hunting blue people in Proctor Valley? Maybe you got lost on your way to the movies in Rancho San Diego or you’re just passing through for beers in Tecate. Perhaps you’re taking the scenic route to the train museum in Campo?

Whatever it is that brings you to the event horizon of suburban East County, where Starbucks and strip malls give way to rural expanse, there’s no better waypoint to begin, end, or justify your next trip down ole 94 (Spring Valley by zip code, Jamul by proximity) than the Greek Sombrero.

Serving a fusion of Greek and Mexican cuisine since 1988, this roadside cantina is home to a rugged assortment of desert bros, Border Patrol agents, chaparral hermits, spinster aunts, and, every first Monday evening, the monthly hobnobbing of the Jamul Tuna Club.

Sponsored
Sponsored

So, here’s the deal: happy hour runs from 3 to 6 on weekdays and during live-broadcast football games. That means $2.50 Coors Lite drafts, $3 wells, and $3.50 margs.

Your best bet is Wednesday afternoons, when all appetizers are half off, so dishes such as super nachos, gyro pita pizzas, and saganaki (pan-seared cheese) go for under five bucks each. Otherwise, stop in for $1 T.J. taco Mondays, $7.50 chicken plates on Tuesdays, or $2 taco Thursdays.

In lieu of the occasional live band that no nobody has ever heard of, you can watch afternoon football to a classic-rock soundtrack until the 5 o’clock shift change, when you’ll likely be subjected to pop-country radio for rest of the night.

Insufferable? Yes, but somehow it works.

You may or may not run into any blue people, but the house salsa, garlic carrots, and surly regulars are worth the trip alone.

Besides, down a few $4 happy-hour Greek Sombreros — the culture-melding apertif of 151-proof Bacardi, tequila, and anise-flavored ouzo — and you’ll be chasing lights in the Laguna Mountain sky in no time.

  • Capacity: 55
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.; weekends 11 A.M. to 9 p.m.
  • Happy: Monday–Friday 3 to 6 P.M. and during football games
  • Cards accepted
Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
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Previous article

Jayson Napolitano’s Scarlet Moon releases third Halloween album

Latest effort has the most local vibe
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At 4pm, this Farmer's Table restaurant in Chula Vista becomes Acqua e Farina

Brunch restaurant by day, Roman style trattoria by night
Comments
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