I firmly believe that establishing a sense of community wherever you reside, in whatever form it may take, undoubtedly enriches life. Being an advocate for this principle and an eternal enthusiast of sunsets regardless of locale, I struck gold a few years ago when Beacon’s Beach became a short stroll from my doorstep.
This discovery occurred amidst the pandemic, an era marked by a bustling scene at the beach, with the entire parking lot teeming with individuals relishing the limited social interactions permitted. DJs, musicians, and the diverse array of personalities that define Leucadia congregated nightly. While the post-pandemic period saw a slight lull in activity, as sunset regular Tiffany Weiss aptly noted, “The core group known as the Beacon’s Bunch, with a longstanding history at the spot, continued to convene at dusk.”
Gradually immersing myself in this milieu, I attended with sufficient frequency to earn recognition and eventually gain acceptance into the inner circle. Perhaps my association with Lick the Plate played a part, but whatever the catalyst, I had found my local tribe.
Remarkably, this community thrived in an extraordinary setting that consistently delivered visual spectacles in the form of breathtaking sunsets, formations of pelicans soaring in V-shaped patterns, sightings of dolphins and whales, displays of world-class surfing, SpaceX launches, and a vibrant cast of locals, seasonal visitors, and tourists.
Witnessing old-school local Gerry Rahill strumming his ukulele as the sun descended into the horizon truly epitomized the essence of the experience. However, the arrival of boisterous revelers with their mobile dance contraptions blaring at deafening levels was less enchanting.
Nevertheless, the location remains splendid, and I will forever cherish each sunset and the connections forged therein. In this column, I showcase four individuals—some seasoned locals and others new to the scene. Feel free to join us sometime.
First up is Tiffany Weiss, the quintessential local who is an invaluable resource on all things Encinitas. “I grew up in Encinitas and have been here since 1970, when it was just a hippie enclave. I’ve been immersed in what some might call ‘earthy’ cuisine my entire life. My childhood haunts included restaurants like The Good Shepherd (now the Union), Papa Gus (later became Mozy’s), Roxy’s (the original), and Ki’s (back when it was on Birmingham) — all serving up delicious vegetarian fare.”
“Today, the coast is filled with organic, vegan, high-priced meals…not a bad thing, just different. I love tacos, and I am a vegetarian, so that can get tricky until I found City Tacos. Albeit it’s a chain, it’s fantastic! They have a fairly good-sized menu complete with a number of vegetarian options that are each super tasty, decent size and average no more than $4. The chile relleno one is my favorite, but the mushroom one is pretty darn good and the zucchini one is nothing to squawk at. They also have elote corn, which is a great side option.
“On top of all that, they usually have a large vat of some yummy homemade juice like watermelon, pineapple or Jamaica that’s a must. I have been known to frequent City Tacos on Taco Tuesday as they have a live DJ spinning records while also playing 80’s music videos…there is no way not to dance yourself right through the front door.”
Thanks, Tiffany… City Tacos on a Tuesday sounds like a plan!
Moving on, we have J.R. O’Brian, Tiffany’s partner, who works as a technician for emerging technologies and boasts multiple Emmy Awards from his tenure in broadcast sports, notably from his time with “Monday Night Football” for several years. His professional background naturally aligns with his keen interest in the rise of the Detroit Lions as contenders this past season.
It was always fun cooking for J.R. and Tiffany as the Lions won. His take on local food goes like this:
“Ah, where to eat? Well, I will keep it simple and close to home because David wants it short and simple, so here it goes. Basically, I like to roll down the street and depending on whether I want to go right or left, I have two great options.
First off, let’s talk Haggo’s. I’m a huge fan of their Veggie Vessel Bowl—it’s packed with delicious veggies and bursting with flavor (shout out to Willy for curating such healthy greatness). Next, I want to give a shout-out to Corner Pizza. They’ve really stepped up their game with some fantastic pizzas. For me, the Sausage Fest reigns supreme — it’s savory, spicy, and absolutely satisfying. Plus, they offer unique flavor options like dirty crust and honey pepper sauce to spice things up.
Plus, for all of us cheapskates out there — and I know a lot of you — two-for-one pizza Mondays don’t get better than that. Then I roll back up the street.”
I love how you follow instructions, J.R. Good stuff!
Andie Cajuste may be the freshest face among our sunset regulars, but you wouldn’t guess it—everyone seems to know her, and her contagious enthusiasm, expressed through applause for every sunset, is simply irresistible. Hailing from Long Island, New York, Andie and I quickly bonded over our shared interests in sports, food, and music. Her presence is a delight, adding a vibrant energy to our gatherings.
Recently, Andie shared her local love for Eat Crispy Burger, and let me tell you, she didn’t hold back on the details: “Cheeseburgers are my favorite food group; I could eat one every day.
“When I moved to Encinitas, I was searching for a great burger place and found it in Eat Crispy Burger. I love the burgers there but it’s a hard choice to pick. Most of the time, it’s the All-American Burger because I love pickles! Yet sometimes I go with The Original OG because I love fried onions! Either way, they’re hot, juicy and delicious. More importantly, they’re smashed and crispy. Something as a foodie I didn’t realize I needed in my life.
“On my first visit, I was greeted by Angela, one of the owners. She was warm and friendly and explained the menu choices. You can have 1, 2 or 3 patties. That’s good news for hungry people. There are options for kids, bowls, Impossible Burgers and fries! Something for everyone.
“I’ve been back a few times by myself, with friends and I brought my mom when she visited from Florida. Each time I go, the burgers and fries are always delicious, the service is quick and friendly. Most importantly, the burgers are reasonably priced. Check them out if you haven’t already and tell them Andie sent you! Bon Appetite, let’s eat and God bless the cook!”
I could not have said it better myself Andie, thanks!
The Beacon’s sunset gatherings are filled with individuals boasting fascinating backgrounds, and Lee Walker is certainly no exception. A native of Chicago, Lee’s journey includes training at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America), running restaurants at Colorado ski resorts, and even serving as a chef on a research vessel bound for Antarctica — just a glimpse into his captivating narrative. Our connection was immediate, likely due to the parallel paths we traversed to arrive in Leucadia.
Here’s how Lee recounts his remarkable journey:
“I have spent 25 years peddling the juxtaposed and melding of cuisine of the southwest and beyond the southern border crafted with love, passion and respect from our humble kitchen and bar at 9603 feet in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. North County is a crown jewel of offerings and tradition. The scope of my view starts at Ponto and flows south to Cardiff.
“Start at Roberto’s Tacos down from Ponto and dive into a chili relleno burrito. Saunter south and make sure you tip your hat to Karina’s, which vacated its spot after 40 years, but continue on to Juanita’s and scarf down a carne asada burrito. Continue to Raul’s Shack for a Machaca beef and egg burrito. Swipe the tears of joy from your eyes and boogie to City Tacos for their creative outlook on tasty tacos. Your journey south will end at Lourdes in Cardiff, where a basket of Baja fish and shrimp tacos awaits.
“Can I get a hallelujah, brothers and sisters? And I say to my uninitiated charge, pay attention to the subtle differences in every salsa and accompaniments offered. Absorb and embrace all the different flavors and executions of what would seem the same to the unenlightened. And as important, soak into your soul the culture of the flock and the faithful. Notice the joy of people getting out of a surf session and dancing into Lourdes on taco Tuesday, glowing with the energy of mother ocean and tasty grinds. Take time to notice a squadron of pelicans in perfect formation gliding across the waves with yet another perfect sunset as a backdrop. This and so much more surround us, can you feel it? Can you dig it?”
I can dig it, Lee Walker. Thank you, Tiffany, J.R. and Andie, for welcoming me into your sunset community and sharing your stories.
