Black woman-owned business won 3 months free rent and  $20,000 business investment in mall’s Taste for the Space Competition

Source: Parkway Plaza

July 20, 2023 (El Cajon)--   Parkway Plaza held its first-ever Taste for the Space competition in June, offering one local food business the opportunity to win three months of free rent at Parkway Plaza’s food court, plus a $20,000 business investment.  Chef Char’s Seafood N Soul is the lucky recipient of the prize package and will be moving into the shopping center’s food court latet this month.

Over 600 people came out to taste food from 12 selected local businesses to vote on whose cuisine was the best. The winner was chosen by a combination of votes from the community and a panel of tastemaker judges that included El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Chef Phillip Esteban (Open Gym, White Rice and Weapon Ramen), Christina Ng (local culinary personality and Foundation Cultivator for Berry Good Food Food), and Sabrina Medora (freelance writer and novelist). The judges helped decide the winner based on taste as well as overall fit for the center.

Winner Charlene Plummer launched Chef Char Seafood N Soul (formerly known as ChefChar2020) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic when her then 16 year-old was unable to find employment. Creating the business not only helped provide her child with work, but also an opportunity to play a large role in the company which she could help cultivate and design.

Update: We've added lots of great prizes! See list below.

You're invited to the East County Dining Club's next dining adventure at Buckboard’s Barbecue & Brew in El Cajon (975 Greenfield Drive) on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m.  Everyone is welcome!

Buckboard’s is brand new to El Cajon, but they’ve been serving up amazing BBQ for 30 years in San Diego before moving to East County. The chef formerly worked as a top chef at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, a Michelin-caliber restaurant. If you love barbecue, you’ll want to try out Buckboard’s! 

Buckboard’s is famous for their Santa Maria-style slow-cooked barbecue, with meat that is brined and marinated for five days before being cooked over the open flames. 

They also have a full range of craft beers as well as some good wines. 

RSVPs are required so the restaurant can be prepared with a feast for our hungry members and guests!

RSVP: editor@eastcountymagazine.org or call 619 698 7617.

By Miriam Raftery

February 24, 2018 (El Cajon) – What better way to brighten up those mid-winter doldrums than with some cheery new cocktails, a sweet and spicy appetizer, Alaska King Crab combo dinner and decadent new dessert now available at Black Angus restaurants?

East County Eater's Restaurant Review

Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill (Facebook: NahrainFish&ChickenGrill)

1183 E. Main Street, #A, El Cajon, CA 92021 (619)334-3222

March 29, 2013 (El Cajon )—Masgoof—fish smoked whole in a clay oven with wood fire, Iraqi-style--at Nahrain Fish & Chicken Grill in El Cajon  is the freshest you’ll find in East County.  Choose from fish caught daily displayed in a glass case, or at times, take the opportunity to catch your own with a fishing net in a tiled pool inside this eatery, which is popular with  both Middle Eastern and Western customers.

My dining companion and I savor a whole red snapper that is tender and juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside with a paper thin skin and a delightful smoked wood flavor.  It is served with a mango sauce (amba) that is balanced, sweet and spicy, along with onions, tomatoes, lemon parsley and freshly baked tanoor bread.