Board & Brew has been spreading their legendary secret sauce and sandwiches to every corner of the county since 2013. Now, a recent lease signing has revealed that Board & Brew’s latest development is set to open at 1354 W Valley Pkwy. in Escondido this coming May.
Board & Brew has been a local mainstay since it opened in Del Mar in the ’70s, but owners Craig Applegate and Clayton Wheeler have been ramping up the business with new locations throughout Southern California over the past several years. More recently, they have branched out into the Inland Empire and Orange County.
What Now San Diego spoke with Wheeler about Board & Brew’s ongoing growth despite the pandemic.
“Quality and value are the biggest components of our success,” Wheeler said. “Plus, just our vibe and culture really resonates with our guests. And, throughout COVID, safety has been really important to us. We want to keep our team members and our guest’s safety a top priority.”
After craving post-surf sandwiches for years, Applegate and Wheeler decided to get in on the business. Since then, Board & Brew storefronts have multiplied, with more locations constantly in the works.
“We’re a laid-back Southern California brand and we promote a very family-friendly environment,” Wheeler said. “So, whether you just went surfing and want to grab a sandwich, or you’re picking up a meal after your kid’s soccer practice, or grabbing lunch for a business meeting, the style of Board & Brew just kind of fits for everyone. We’ve created an environment that’s casual, fun, and very welcoming, like a home away from home.”
When asked about the secret sauce, Wheeler confirmed that they are, in fact, crafting “the tears of a unicorn.”
Applegate and Wheeler also ventured into Mexican food in 2019, with the restaurant Casero Taqueria in Bressi Ranch, Carlsbad. There, they’ve proven their commitment to serving fresh, house-made food from scratch — both Board & Brew and Casero Taqueria include promises of freshness in their mission statements.
Once a FedEx Office space in Escondido, the building on Valley Pkwy. will soon house the newest Board & Brew, serving fresh deli sandwiches alongside local draft beers. The lease was signed on Jan. 5, and Wheeler confirmed with What Now San Diego that they plan to open mid-May.
