16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People's Choice Horseshoe Awards

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 | THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

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IN THIS ISSUE

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WELCOME TO THE 16 EDITION OF THE BEST OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO PEOPLE’S CHOICE HORSESHOE AWARDS TH

The Capistrano Dispatch is back with another edition of our annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards. This year—with the help of our loyal readers, of course—we recognize the dozens of businesses, individuals and groups that have been voted “Best” in town for 2022.

For the past 16 years, we’ve had the privilege and honor of celebrating the local business community and some of their hard-working staffers who help make our little slice of South Orange County special, unique and charming by awarding Gold and Silver Horseshoe medals.

We certainly couldn’t have done it, though, without the participation of our readers who made their voices heard by casting their votes across nearly 100 categories that we’re featuring this year.

For this year’s issue, we have made some changes to the format and layout. Gone are the brief descriptions of the Gold and Silver winners.

Instead of finding a few words to say about every finalist, we’re focusing on just a handful of the overall winners, letting them tell their interesting and unique stories.

In turn, this allows us to provide our readers with a more comprehensive and intriguing view of the businesses, people and organizations that have earned the title of “Best” in San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo.

We’ve put an emphasis on featuring more art and photos, while telling stories more visually through video packages on our social media channels. And we also started to keep track of how many medals each finalist has won over the years, so we can better recognize dynasties and legacy businesses that win year after year.

We recognize that this change may take some getting used to.

Just know that this decision to revamp the “Best ofs” wasn’t simply made overnight. It took a considerable amount of internal discussion and consideration, and when it came down to it, the time was right to take these annual publications in a fresh, new direction.

One where we could tell better, more informed stories that we believe readers can appreciate.

Without further delay, please enjoy our latest Best of San Juan Capistrano issue and help us toast all of this year’s winners.

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 thecapistranodispatch.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER : EDITORIAL & PHOTOGRAPHY:

ART/DESIGN: ADVERTISING: OPERATIONS:

Norb Garrett Shawn Raymundo, C. Jayden Smith, Breeana Greenberg, Collin Breaux, Zach Cavanagh, Jake Howard, Randy Youngman, Alan Gibby/Zone57.com Jasmine Smith, Marc Hostetter, Chelsie Rex Lauralyn Loynes, Debra Wells Alyssa Garrett, Inna Cazares

The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and the San Clemente Times (sanclementetimes.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Welcome

CONTENTS EATERIES, WATERING HOLES AND MORE

Best…

Ambiance Appetizers Bar Bartender Beer Selection Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Brewing Company Brunch Burger Chef Chinese Food Cup of Coffee Dinner Spot Family Restaurant Happy Hour International Eats Lunch Spot Margarita Menu for Healthy Choices Mexican Food New Restaurant Overall Restaurant Pizza Restaurant for Outdoor Dining Restaurant for Vegan Options Salsa Sandwich Spot for Take-Out Spot to Cure a Sweet Tooth Sushi/Poke Taco Wine Selection

12 12 16 16 16 6 6 16 6 9 12 9 6 12 12 16 12 6 16 6 9 6 12 9 12 9 9 9 12 16 9 9 16

AT THE SHOPS

Best…

Antique/Secondhand Store Auto Dealer Clothing Home Décor and Furnishings Home Improvement Store Jewelry Local Grocer New Business Nursery Pet Store Place to Buy Flowers Shop for Equestrian Gear Shop for Western Wear Spot for the Perfect Gift

22 22 18 22 22 18 22 22 22 22 22 18 18 18

Chiropractor Dental Health Care Provider Dry Cleaner Financial Planning Service Grooming/Pet Care Group Workout Gym Gym for Personal Training Hair Salon Home Improvement Service Law Firm Local Nonprofit Organization Manicure and Pedicure Mechanic Shop Medical Health Care Provider Orthodontist Overall Customer Service Pilates Studio Senior Living Facility Spa for Massages Spa for Facials Specialty Beauty Service Veterinarian Yoga Studio

29 29 29 32 25 28 26 28 26 25 32 32 26 28 29 29 25 28 29 25 26 26 28 28

GETTING OUT

Best…

Camp for Kids Entertainment Venue Family Excursion Spot Historic Spot Horse Training Local Annual Event Park Place to Take Out-of-Towners Riding Lesson Special Event/Wedding Venue Stable Trail

36 36 33 36 33 36 36 36 33 33 36 36

FEATURES & WINNER SPOTLIGHTS Best Entertainment Venue Best Hair Salon Best Medical Health Care Provider Best New Business Best New Restaurant Best Place to Buy Flowers Best Salsa y Tacos Best Wine Selection Most Medals to Date/of 2022 New Categories

34 27 30 24 7 20 10 8 14 4

SERVICES ON THE TO-DO LIST

Best…

Acupuncturist Auto Body Shop Banking Institution Barber Shop Catering Page 3

29 28 32 25 25

Number of medals next to each business name represents medals in category all-time. thecapistranodispatch.com

Welcome

FROM THE PUBLISHER

They’re baaack!

Bigger and Better ‘Best of’ Awards

By Norb Garrett

Like the swallows of Capistrano, waves at T-Street and sunsets over Dana Point Harbor, you can count on the annual return of our People’s Choice “Best of” awards for San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch.

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This year’s special issues feature several entirely new categories as we strive to include even more of your favorite local businesses, service providers and destination locations:

Best Brewing Company Best Chef Best Chinese Food Best Financial Planning Service Best Gym for Personal Training Best Home Improvement Service Best Mexican Food Best Sushi/Poke In an effort to “freshen up” our special “Best of” issues, our editors have created a fun, new editorial approach to help highlight some of the trends, unique businesses and interesting people who make our communities so special.

I’m excited about the changes and, hopefully, you will be, too.

We’re always listening to your feedback, so you’ll notice Norb Garrett we expanded our “International Eats” category by creating stand-alone food categories for Chinese, Mexican and even sushi and poke.

You also asked about creating a special category for “Best Chef,” so we added that, as well.

Clearly, we all like food, and the area’s culinary offerings continue to improve year after year! Each of the new categories is a result of feedback we get from you, the readers, so if there are other categories that you’d like us to consider, please email me at ngarrett@picketfencemedia.com.

As for selecting which business to profile, that came down to attempting to highlight some of the more interesting storylines—businesses that earned the most total votes, historical trends behind some of your favorite businesses, people or locations, and spotlighting newcomers to the party.

We did our best to pick a variety of storylines that made 2022 special and unique.

Please enjoy this year’s “Best of” issues, and if you’d like to check out the other “Best of” issues from the other communities, simply go online and click on “Special Publications” on our navigation bars on each website.

Thank you for voting and playing a part in this special way of celebrating our communities!

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

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Mollies Famous Café. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

Best Breakfast Gold

Mollies Famous Café

Congratulations

15 MEDALS

32033 Camino Capistrano, 949.240.9261

Silver Ellie’s Table Egan House

to all of the winners and nominees!

2 MEDALS

31892 Camino Capistrano, 949.558.5310, elliestable.com

Best Cup of Coffee Gold

Hidden House Coffee

12 MEDALS

31791 Los Rios Street, 949.240.0200, hiddenhousecoffee.com

Silver Mayfield Restaurant & Marketplace

1 MEDAL

View this guide year-round at thecapistranodispatch.com.

31761 Camino Capistrano, 949.218.5140, mayfieldoc.com

Best Breakfast Burrito Gold

Ellie’s Table Egan House

1 MEDAL

31892 Camino Capistrano, 949.558.5310, elliestable.com

Silver Las Golondrinas Mexican Food

8 MEDALS

27124 Paseo Espada, Suite 803, 949.240.3440, lasgolondrinas.biz

Best Brunch Gold

The Ramos House Café

7 MEDALS

31752 Los Rios Street, 949.443.1342, ramoshouse.com

Silver Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano 26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

1 MEDAL

Best New Restaurant Gold

The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar

31781 Camino Capistrano, #301, 949.503.3358, rooftopoc.com

Silver Breezy

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 4, 949.373.5218, experiencebreezy.com

Best Lunch Spot Gold

Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano 26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

Silver Five Vines Wine Bar

3 MEDALS

1 MEDAL

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Best Menu for Healthy Choices Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

4 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Mayfield Restaurant & Marketplace

3 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, 949.218.5140, mayfieldoc.com

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

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BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Winner Spotlight

High Up: The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar Adds to Growing San Juan Capistrano Restaurant Scene

Left: Business partners Archie Hami and Marc Resnick opened The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar on Swallows Day in 2022. Right: A pulled pork sandwich with fries is one menu item customers can chow down on at The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar. Photos: Collin Breaux

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By Collin Breaux

he Rooftop Kitchen + Bar certainly aimed high when it chose to open during the Swallows Day Parade in 2022.

The downtown spot has lived up to that ambitious start, as it was chosen as Best New Restaurant by The Capistrano Dispatch readers for our 16th annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards.

“First of all, I’m absolutely stunned and surprised to hear that. It’s a great surprise to hear we made some kind of impact in the community over here,” co-owner Archie Hami says of the recognition. “The year went by really fast. We’re still learning. We’re still making ourselves better.”

“The sky’s the limit when it comes to becoming better with food, service and everything else,” Hami adds. “We have a very good family dynamic over here. We care about our customers. We care to locally service our items over here, whether it’s food, salads, desserts, seafood as well.”

Located around the corner from the Regency Theatres movie theater—where Ruby’s Diner previously sat—The Rooftop is one of several new restaurants adding to Downtown San Juan Capistrano’s growing reputation as a foodie destination.

It’s also joined in that regard by its neighbor and island-themed brunch spot Breezy, which captured the Silver Horseshoe for Best New Restaurant.

“We are so grateful for all the support from the amazing San Juan Capistrano community,”

thecapistranodispatch.com

Breezy owner Jasmin Gonzalez says. “We’ve only been open for a short time, but we really feel the love and are thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful city.”

Breezy opened in late 2022.

For The Rooftop, its name is an apt description of the restaurant’s location, because it is right above Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria. Patrons can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Camino Capistrano and Swallow’s Inn across the street during their meals.

Tables sit low to the ground and chairs are comfortable to sit in, giving the area a mellow feel— somewhere you might hang out with friends after work or to enjoy a solo weekend lunch.

Menu items include truffle cauliflower, coconut shrimp, Ortega nachos and Verdugo pork chop.

Hami and business partner Marc Resnick, with whom he opened the restaurant, describe the eclectic offerings as modern American comfort cuisine. They aimed for the restaurant to reflect a San Juan vibe.

Hami says he feels the restaurant has settled into the downtown scene. He is no stranger to the area, as he has been visiting Mission San Juan Capistrano since the fourth grade and has seen San Juan grow considerably since then.

“It’s been a good little experience. We’ve still been challenged, just to figure out what people really want over here sometimes—but that’s a good kind of challenge, I call it,” Hami says of how The Rooftop has come along since opening.

“We want to see where we stand with the other restaurants, what people think of us.”

To keep up with evolving demands, The Rooftop changes its menu every season so as not to get stale—figuratively and literally.

“We always try to make sure everything we have is seasonal and fresh for everyone,” Hami says. “I’m a true believer in that.”

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Hami takes customer reviews into account, good and bad, and is open to feedback.

“The first menu we had, we were testing out to see what people wanted. I think we were more sandwich-heavy the first time around and salad-heavy at first,” Hami says. “We realized people wanted a little mix of meat.”

The pulled pork sandwich and burgers—the latter being their No. 1 selling item—are an example of more meat.

“Then, we’ll, of course, throw in our own touch.

For the season, we have the seafood bread bowl,” Hami says. “It’s basically a nice big bread bowl.

We open up the center and serve seafood chowder with salmon, clams and shrimp.”

The Capistrano chicken—continuing the local name theme—is fire-grilled chicken with cilantro rice and vegetables on the side.

Weekends, of course, tend to be the busiest time for the restaurant.

“San Juan Capistrano, as a whole, is more of a weekend town. We have live music on the weekends. We’re open now for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.” Hami says. “There’s more people out in the area with their families, walking around downtown, commuting with the train, going to the Mission and Los Rios Street and Zoomars.”

Live music adds to the ambience, which can complement the views of the sunset and Mission, Hami adds.

As for what’s ahead, The Rooftop plans to celebrate the Swallows Day Parade again on March 25—particularly because it will mark its one-year anniversary.

“We have Yachty by Nature playing for our music that day,” Hami says. “We still have the best view in town. We’re going to be much better and much more prepared this year with everything.”

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST WINE SELECTION

Five Vines Wine Bar pairs a personable and passionate approach with a curated selection from smaller, West Coast producers to offer a low-key, accessible wine concept. Photos: Zach Cavanagh

Perfect 10

Five Vines Wins 10 Golds and 10th Consecutive Wine Gold in 10 Years of Business

W

By Zach Cavanagh

hat makes the perfect wine pairing?

You could get in-depth with flavor profiles and tannins and mouthfeel or any other level of pretentious sommelier discourse.

However, if you slide into Five Vines Wine Bar in downtown San Juan Capistrano, you might get an answer that’s a bit more pared down, yet powerful.

“You could have the perfect scientific pairing, but if you don’t like an ingredient or a flavor, just because it pairs well, doesn’t mean you’re going to like it,” says Cole Fairchild, head bartender and Vine 16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

No. 4. “The best pairing is really wine you like, food you like, beer you like, people you like. Everything’s just got to go together.”

It’s this simple, personable and passionate approach to wine that, in its 10 years in business, has earned Five Vines Wine Bar 10 consecutive Best of San Juan Capistrano Golden Horseshoe Awards for Best Wine Selection, according to the people’s vote among readers of The Capistrano Dispatch.

Rancho Capistrano Winery earned the Silver Horseshoe for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

“If you ask, we know all the answers,” Fairchild says of their wine approach, “but if you want ice in your wine, I’ll put some ice in your wine.

We’re not going to tell you how to drink. We’re going to give you a very low-key, educational experience. We’re very passionate about that. It’s us.

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Best Restaurant for Vegan Options Gold

2 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Mayfield Restaurant & Marketplace

People have responded to that—a mellow, low-key wine concept that is accessible to everyone.”

The people have responded to the tune of 10 People’s Choice Golden Horseshoes in 2022 alone, along with three Silver Horseshoes. Five Vines earned golds for ambience, appetizers, bar, bartender for Fairchild (his seventh win), chef for Omar Ramirez, happy hour, customer service, place to take out-of-towners, special events venue and, of course, wine selection.

Five Vines earned silver for dinner spot, lunch spot and overall restaurant.

“We’re a mom-and-pop shop,” says Suzy Fisher, owner, mom and Vine No. 2. “They don’t exist anymore in life, and I think people like to support family.”

The smaller, family-oriented approach extends to the wine selection process.

Randy Fisher, owner, dad and Vine No. 1, tastes anywhere between 100-150 wines per quarter to select seven for the Five Vines wine club and to stock up on the 65 or more wines for the restaurant. Fisher says they have a focus on West Coast producers from California, Oregon and Washington and specifically the smaller producers.

While wine varieties found in the grocery store can be made as part of 100,000 cases per year, Five Vines looks to showcase wines from producers of less than 1,000 cases per year.

“Since we’re a family-owned business and we know how hard it is to run a family-owned business, we try to support those family-owned wineries as well,” Randy says. “If you want to make a lot of money, you make a lot of wine. If you want to make a cool product, a passion project, you just make a little bit of wine. We try to find those people and be an outlet for the small winemakers.”

“If you ask, we know all the Five Vines celebrated its 10-year answers, but if you want ice in anniversary on your wine, I’ll put some ice in your Jan. 10, and while the wine selection wine. We’re not going to tell you process has stayed fairly consistent, how to drink. We’re going to give the business has you a very low-key, educational seen plenty of changes, from experience. We’re very passionate the growth as an about that. It’s us. People have events host in its private room upresponded to that—a mellow, lowstairs to the expankey wine concept that is accessible sion of its kitchen and food menu. to everyone.”

The one good thing that came Cole Fairchild out of the pandemic period, according to Randy, was the addition of the commercial kitchen upstairs.

Randy says that changed the complexion of their business and allowed chef Omar Ramirez to make the menu more robust.

“We were usually a before-and-after place, and now we are the place,” Suzy says.

Ramirez says he cooks from the heart, and when customers ask what ingredient a certain taste comes from, his usual answer is “love.”

While Ramirez is the chef for a wine bar, when it comes back around to the task of pairing food and wine, that falls back on Randy as the wine selector and Cole as the bartender, and luckily for them, Ramirez’s menu makes it easy.

“This may sound like blasphemy when it comes to the wine world, but the reality is, when you’re carrying 65 wines, you can serve darn near any food,” Randy says. “You’re going to find something that pairs with something. We just let Omar go. He makes great flavors. He makes things that taste wonderful, and then it’s our job, of these 65 wines, what pairs well with the things he makes.”

At Five Vines Wine Bar, the wine and conversation flow like rivers of gold. thecapistranodispatch.com

Trevor’s at the Tracks

3 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, 949.218.5140, mayfieldoc.com

Best Sandwich Gold

FKN Bread

2 MEDALS

31760 Camino Capistrano, Suite B, 949.539.9110, fknbread.com

Silver Trevor’s at the Tracks

4 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Best Taco Gold

Ricardo’s Place

15 MEDALS

32082 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.4941, ricardosplacesjc.com

Silver El Adobe de Capistrano

7 MEDALS

31891 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.1163, eladobedecapistrano.com

Best Salsa Gold

Ricardo’s Place

15 MEDALS

32082 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.4941, ricardosplacesjc.com

Silver El Adobe de Capistrano

7 MEDALS

31891 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.1163, eladobedecapistrano.com

Best Mexican Food New Category!

Gold

El Adobe de Capistrano

31891 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.1163, eladobedecapistrano.com

Silver Sol Agave

31111 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.218.1158, solagave.com

Best Chinese Food New Category!

Gold

Jade China

31878 Del Obispo Street, Suite 120, 949.240.3888, jadechinaca.com

Silver Rice Bowl Express

31888 Del Obispo Street, Unit C8, 949.487.0068

Best Pizza Gold

Ball Park Pizza

12 MEDALS

31654 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.493.6852

Silver Ciao Pasta

1 MEDAL

31661 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.5002, ciaopasta.net

Best Burger Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

5 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver The Stand

1 MEDAL

31882 Del Obispo Street, Suite 160, 949.210.3636, thestand.com

Best Sushi/Poke New Category!

Gold

Toyota Sushi & Tapas

31105 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite C7, 949.218.9050, totoyasushi.com

Silver Wowpoki

32118 Paseo Adelanto, 949.661.3354, wowpoki.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST SALSA Y TACOS

Ricardo’s Place Boasts a Family Tradition of Tasteful Mexican Cuisine

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By Shawn Raymundo

hen it comes to a Mexican dinner plate, “everybody eats the taco,” says Ricardo Beas.

But—as the operator of the popular Mexican restaurant Ricardo’s Place in San Juan Capistrano explains—“it has to be good.”

After earning his 15th Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Tacos in San Juan in 2022, it’s safe to say that Beas knows what makes a good taco.

“It goes back to the consistency and the tradition,” Beas says when asked what he believes San Juan residents enjoy about his tacos. “Right now, nobody makes the crispy tacos, and they’re

moving away from traditions, and we stay with those.”

The concept of tradition, and maintaining it, is certainly seeped into the restaurant’s ethos. From the tacos to the salsas, many of the restaurant’s offerings are rooted in family traditions that all started with Beas’ grandmother.

“In order to satisfy the needs of the customers, you cannot only have one kind of salsa, because everybody’s different,” he notes, adding: “My grandmother, she always had salsa on the table, different salsas … every time we went there, salsas, beans, cheese, tortillas; you never went hungry, so that’s why tacos are very important to me.”

As Beas points out, it’s not enough to just have great tacos; there should be a variety of salsas to pair with those tacos that Ricardo’s has to offer—likely one of the reasons The Capistrano Dispatch readers have also

This year, Ricardo’s Place turns 20 years old, and it is celebrating a long-standing history of family traditions when it comes to the restaurant’s popular tacos and salsas that continue to earn recognition

by The Capistrano Dispatch readers. Photos: Shawn Raymundo

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

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recognized Ricardo’s as having the Best Salsa for 13 of the past 16 years.

“There’s not one combination on making tacos. That’s why people get educated here that they now say, ‘Oh, I want that kind of salsa, I don’t want that one, I want those two,’ ” he says, adding: “We have a lot of choices on salsas.”

On the taco menu, customers have the mainstay options of carne asada, chicken, carnitas, and even potato—a favorite of Beas’ growing up in Mexico. In recent years, Ricardo’s has introduced a salmon taco, which has attracted those looking for something on the healthier side.

“We are going to keep the traditional ones, but we have added up a lot of tacos,” Beas says. “One of my favorites is a potato taco, because I grew up eating potato tacos.”

Beas adds, though, that the shrimp tacos have become a customer favorite.

“Once people order it, they love it,” the 64-yearold restaurant owner boasts.

However, he says, the crispy beef tacos are still the No. 1 seller.

Asked what sort of pairing goes well with the shrimp taco, Beas recommends “The Camala,” which has charbroiled ingredients and a unique taste.

“Personally, I like that, because it has a connection to my grandma,” he says. “And then we have a little spicy salsa roja picante that is only red peppers that I like to put in a little bit. The idea is that you mix three salsas in a taco, so you kind of find your own little recipe. That, to me, is how I look at it.”

The restaurant overall has been a San Juan favorite since opening 20 years ago this April. In fact, when Ricardo’s opened in 2003, Beas had already been familiar with the building, previously a coffee shop. At 14 years old, he worked at the shop as a dishwasher.

“It was my first job here in America, living the American dream,” he recalls, adding: “I was a dishwasher; it was a very interesting job. A lot of dishes, a lot of pots to wash.”

The family-owned business in San Juan was one of five locations that Beas and his mother and siblings had operated since 1987—when they opened their first restaurant, La Cocina de Ricardo, in Mission Viejo.

With his mother running the restaurants as the main chef, Beas held multiple positions such as dishwasher, cook, busboy, server, and then manager.

“I did everything. I learned from scratch the reality of running a business on your own,” says Beas, who moved to America when he was 12 years old. He adds that “this is still part of the family structure that we had at the start … this is still a family venture. The philosophy was to create work for the family.”

Over the years, the family would shutter the other locations, focusing solely on the San Juan spot. And about six years ago, Beas took the reins of the restaurant, as his mother and sister had retired from the family business.

Beas says that when his sister—who was trained in the kitchen by their mother—retired, “it was a big blow for the family, because I had to step up without my mom, without my sister.” thecapistranodispatch.com

“In order to satisfy the needs of the customers, you cannot only have one kind of salsa, because everybody’s different.

My grandmother, she always had salsa on the table, different salsas … every time we went there, salsas, beans, cheese, tortillas; you never went hungry, so that’s why tacos are very important to me.”

Ricardo Beas

“Well, how is the restaurant going to fare? And we’ve done well, because we have kept the philosophy of the recipes, and because we are there in the kitchen making sure there is a consistency,” he says.

While consistency and tradition are integral to the restaurant’s success, Beas says the restaurant has been blessed with chefs and cooks whom he’s empowered to be creative and develop their own salsa recipes.

“They become very creative, and I ask them, occasionally, ‘Why don’t you make up your own salsa?’ So, I give that freedom so they can explore a new salsa,” Beas says.

Sometimes, the salsa hits, but other times, he acknowledges, the recipe can be too spicy or it’s simply not practical for the restaurant to maintain daily.

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“I always look at the practicality that we can be able to maintain the recipe, and it has to, because making eight different salsas a day is not easy, especially, we make a lot of the ones we serve on the table,” Beas says.

“That’s one of the secrets, that you open the door for the new ideas and the new generation,” he adds. “That’s what we want without losing our touch with the ones that are traditional. Traditional ones have stayed, and then a few of them have come and gone.”

Commenting on the support from the San Juan Capistrano community all these years, Beas says he feels blessed.

“I’m very thankful for (their votes as Best in San Juan), because the support they give us, they keep us in business, and that’s why we strive to do the best that we can.”

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Appetizers Gold

Five Vines Wine Bar

7 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano 26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

4 MEDALS

Best Dinner Spot Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

6 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Five Vines Wine Bar

2 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

6 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano 26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

5 MEDALS

Best International Eats Gold

Thai Juan On

11 MEDALS

31878 Del Obispo Street, Suite 109, 949.234.0332, thaijuanon.com

Silver Ciao Pasta

5 MEDALS

31661 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.5002, ciaopasta.net

Best Family Restaurant Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

2 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Bad to the Bone BBQ

2 MEDALS

31788 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.218.0227, badtothebone-bbq.com

Best Spot for Take-Out Gold

Thai Juan On

3 MEDALS

31878 Del Obispo Street, Suite 109, 949.234.0332, thaijuanon.com

Silver Heritage Barbecue

2 MEDALS

31721 Camino Capistrano, heritagecraftbbq.com

Best Ambience Gold

Five Vines Wine Bar

6 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Trevor’s at the Tracks

5 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Best Overall Restaurant Gold

Trevor’s at the Tracks

6 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Five Vines Wine Bar

1 MEDAL

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Best Chef New Category!

Gold

Omar Ramirez (Five Vines Wine Bar)

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Joseph Tripi (Trevor’s at the Tracks)

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

MOST MEDALS TO DATE AND IN 2022

The food at Trevor’s at the Tracks aims to have a global scope but with locally harvested ingredients. Photo: Collin Breaux

Right Side of the Tracks

Trevor’s Maintains Esteemed Reputation in SJC Restaurant Scene

C

By Collin Breaux

hances are, if you’ve been to Downtown San Juan Capistrano, you’ve eaten at Trevor’s at the Tracks— or at least heard about the popular establishment’s food and atmosphere.

Many readers of The Capistrano Dispatch have, enough so that they’ve consistently voted for Trevor’s in the annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards in numerous categories—for best restaurant, best vegan spot, best burger, among other honors.

In fact, Trevor’s has earned two distinctions this year: most medals awarded for 2022 (15 in total—eight Golden Horseshoes 16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Trevor Baird appreciates his restaurant, Trevor’s at the Tracks, being warmly embraced by the San Juan Capistrano community since opening in 2017. Photo: Collin Breaux

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and seven Silver) and most medals awarded to date (70) since launching the “Best ofs” 16 years ago.

“We’re super grateful for how we’ve been received in town since the very beginning,” founder and owner Trevor Baird says. “We give our all.

It’s lovely to see that reciprocated. We’re trying to be the best restaurant.”

Trevor’s at the Tracks opened in 2017 and is literally right by the downtown train station. The restaurant has become a place where people celebrate birthdays or to catch up with friends.

Current menu items include Southwest steak Cobb salad with roasted corn and bleu cheese and a Turkish fig and fungi flatbread.

A lot of money and “painstaking trials and tribulations” went into starting Trevor’s, Baird says.

“The bones of this structure are so good, because it’s solid brick and mortar. It didn’t give us any trouble,” Baird says when reflecting on what went into starting the restaurant, which is in a historic former train depot. “It was (trouble) dealing with everything else in a build, dealing with subcontractors and all that stuff, but as soon as we opened, it was game on. Given our location, it’s such a draw.”

Some of the Golden Horseshoe awards that Trevor’s earned this year include Best Menu for Healthy Choices and Best Restaurant for Vegan Options.

“We’re very proud to provide those. It’s a growing population segment,” Baird says. “We’re more and more conscientious about our health these days, and we want to be a steward—more of an advocate, I guess—of healthier eating. Just because you’re out to eat doesn’t mean you have to eat poorly.”

Trevor’s aims to “have fun” with using fruits and vegetables.

“Historically, vegans have been able to eat salads, and that’s kind of it—and french fries,” Baird says. “To have a vegan tikka masala is cool.”

For carnivores, Trevor’s also won gold for Best Burger in 2022 for the fifth time.

“We try to get that burger award every year. It’s a good burger,” Baird says. “We put good stuff on it.”

Trevor’s was also named by readers in 2022 as the Best Family Restaurant. For Best Bar, it took home the Silver Horseshoe.

“We are trying to have something for everyone, which is a real tall claim. If you look at the menu, it’s a varied menu,” Baird says. “If you want the happening bar vibe, that’s there. If you want a more secluded table inside—warm, cozy, by the fireplace—that’s there.”

Joseph Tripi and Jessie Eckhardt earned Silver Horsehoes for Best Chef and Best Bartender, respectively.

“Both of them are terrific in their trade and masters of their trade, and I’m really happy to see them recognized,” Baird says.

Trevor’s also earned a Silver Horseshoe for Best Overall Customer service, its first medal in the category.

“We’re just imperfect people selling food and drink to other imperfect people. You can have a burger, but if that burger takes a half-hour to get to you, if it’s not cooked to your preference, that’s thecapistranodispatch.com

Trevor’s at the Tracks is a popular spot to dine for people visiting Downtown San Juan Capistrano, given the exotic and diverse food offerings, as well as the pleasant outdoor atmosphere. Photo: Collin Breaux

the stuff we have control over,” Baird says. “We try to give good service. That’s really the hardest part of this business, having consistently friendly service.”

“I try to hire people that care. You can train anyone to do most things in life, but you can’t train them to care,” he continues. “Fortunately, we have a lot of good people around here.”

The downtown area in general has become a hub for new popular restaurants. When asked if he feels Trevor’s kick-started that trend, Baird humbly genuflected and says Mayfield and Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano also opening make San Juan more of a destination.

“Our timing was good. I wouldn’t take any personal credit for the booming of San Juan,” Baird says. “It was only a matter of time before people really realized (the draw of Downtown San Juan Capistrano). I think Rancho Capistrano Winery started it all off. Redoing the theater started it all off.”

Like other Orange County locals, Baird—who grew up in Laguna Niguel—recalls coming down to San Juan for a movie and a visit to Ruby’s DinPage 15

er in previous years, “but nothing else.” Times are now different, with crowds of weekend visitors patronizing Trevor’s and other places.

Trevor’s has bounced back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a temporary closure during the initial days of the outbreak.

“We’ve seen pre-COVID levels of business nonstop. I would say it’s even busier. Looking at this last summer was a good indication,” Baird says. “Now it’s back to life in general. I do feel (the pandemic) has instilled a greater appreciation for things we took for granted previously, such as dining out.”

Baird calls the future bright for the downtown area and his namesake restaurant, specifically mentioning Heritage Barbecue getting Michelin recognition and the upcoming opening of River Street Marketplace around the corner.

“I’m thrilled to be right in the middle of it,” he says. “I’m happy that there’s more competition.

Competition is great. I firmly believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that’s what’s happening right now.”

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Spot to Cure a Sweet Tooth Gold

FKN Bread

Best Brewing Company New Category!

Gold

2 MEDALS

31760 Camino Capistrano, Suite B, 949.539.9110, fknbread.com

Silver JD Flannel Donuts & Coffee

27122 Paseo Espada, A904, 949.652.3379, thedogpawrk.beer

Best Margarita

Best Happy Hour

Trevor’s at the Tracks

Gold

1 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Silver Sol Agave

Gold

4 MEDALS

33049 Calle Aviador, Suite C, docentbrewing.com

Five Vines Wine Bar

6 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Trevor’s at the Tracks

1 MEDAL

27122 Paseo Espada, A904, 949.652.3379, thedogpawrk.beer

4 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Best Wine Selection Five Vines Wine Bar

3 MEDALS

Best Bar

Silver The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company

Gold

6 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

Best Beer Selection Docent Brewing

Five Vines Wine Bar

Silver Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano

4 MEDALS

31111 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.218.1158, solagave.com

Gold

33049 Calle Aviador, Suite C, docentbrewing.com

Silver The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company

1 MEDAL

31878 Del Obispo, Suite 122, 949.218.4483, jdflannel.com

Gold

Docent Brewing

Best Bartender Gold

10 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Rancho Capistrano Winery San Juan Capistrano 26755 Verdugo Street, 949.481.6682, ranchocapwinery.com

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Cole Fairchild (Five Vines Wine Bar)

7 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Jessie Eckhardt (Trevor’s at the Tracks)

7 MEDALS

3 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Shhooppss Att tthhee S A

Wildfire Mercantile. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

Best Jewelry Gold

Wildfire Mercantile

5 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite K, 949.240.6770, wildfiremercantile.net

Silver Abby’s Fine Jewelry Designs

8 MEDALS

32382 Del Obispo Street, 949.493.3632, abbysdesigns.com

Best Clothing Gold

Wildfire Mercantile

6 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite K, 949.240.6770, wildfiremercantile.net

Silver Chico’s

6 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite G & L, 949.488.7075, chicos.com/store/

Best Spot for the Perfect Gift Gold

Wildfire Mercantile

5 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite K, 949.240.6770, wildfiremercantile.net

Silver Paper Annex

1 MEDAL

31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D3, 949.661.4342, paperannexsjc.com

Best Shop for Western Wear Gold

Wildfire Mercantile

6 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite K, 949.240.6770, wildfiremercantile.net

Silver American Horse Products

8 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite C4, 949.248.5300, americanhorseproducts.com

Best Shop for Equestrian Gear Gold

American Horse Products

7 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite C4, 949.248.5300, americanhorseproducts.com

Silver Wildfire Mercantile

6 MEDALS

26850 Ortega Highway, Suite K, 949.240.6770, wildfiremercantile.net

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS

Top-Quality, Long-Lasting Flowers Earn Mother Earth ‘Best Place to Buy Flowers’ Distinction

By C. Jayden Smith

F

Mother Earth’s high-quality flowers have proved to be a boost to any worthy celebration. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

lowers can be a perfect way to add a special touch to significant moments in life, such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings, or just to let that special person know they’re loved and on your mind.

Since 1986, Mother Earth Flowers has served as a one-stop shop for those in San Juan Capistrano to drop in and select any arrangements that they need.

Amir Zargar, the store’s co-owner, has prided himself on providing the best possible service and quality to customers and maintaining a flower shop for the community’s benefit.

Those efforts throughout 2022 led The Capistrano Dispatch readers to award the Golden Horseshoe to Mother Earth as the Best Place to Buy Flowers in town, with Trader Joe’s receiving the Silver Horseshoe.

Zargar fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a business 37 years ago, along with a friend of his as a business partner. However, the store

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

may not have stayed open without the help of a retired, former flower shop owner who took the pair under his wing.

“We didn’t (know) anything as far as flowers, how to arrange them, how to sell them, how to pick them,” says Zargar, adding: “We opened the shop, and at the time, there were five flower shops in town. I think they all bet on how long we were going to last.”

The older gentleman took the business owners to a flower market in Los Angeles and showed them everything, from how to buy wholesale to designing arrangements.

His help, as far as wisdom and putting together a cooler in the storefront, was crucial to Mother Earth’s long-term success.

Now, the store utilizes a wholesaler in Mission Viejo that Zargar’s partner helps to run, to get the highest quality flowers from places such as the African continent, Ecuador, and Israel. From there, the Mother Earth employees can put anything together from the store website, as long as the flowers are available or in season.

“I try to have a knowledgeable staff, so they can walk (people through decisions) step by step,” he says, adding: “They know what to guide Page 20

you to. We always have a 100% guarantee, so if you got flowers and you didn’t like it, we (don’t) ask questions, and your money will be refunded.”

Staff don’t argue with customers, Zargar says, as it’s natural for people to have tastes different to what the store recommends. Fortunately for them, disagreements don’t happen often.

He also took the time to attribute Mother Earth’s longevity to women, who often are the ones either receiving the eventual gift or coming in to purchase flowers for other people.

“Most women, they love flowers,” Zargar says with a laugh. “We’re just here to sell to women.”

Another reason he focuses on service is the number of flower shops within a 10-mile radius in all directions.

“If you call me, and tomorrow’s your anniversary, and the anniversary flowers get to your wife at 6 p.m. in the (evening), you’re not going to want to call me again,” he says. “My flowers are being delivered at 10 a.m., 10:30, before even noon, because I realize that it’s important for you.”

People will remember the treatment they receive, Zargar adds as why service is emphasized.

Additionally, the store tries to have the best flowers available, because people can easily notice lower quality. Providing arrangements that last for weeks instead of days is equally important.

“The customer will enjoy it longer, because it’s something that is ambience for your house,” Zargar says. “It’s a sort of luxury.”

As San Juan Capistrano has supported his business for nearly four decades, he has reciprocated the love by providing scholarships for San Juan Hills High School graduates, working with The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding and local businesses.

Throughout the time, Zargar has put significant effort into being there for his customers by selling high-quality products and being “punctual,” to not inconvenience the client but give them what they need when they want it and how they want it. “(The guys that started this,) we both had a goal to make it successful no matter what,” he says. “We put a lot of hours into this. We try to find the best, always, because we were taught how to buy.”

In addition, the women who have worked at Mother Earth over the years have pushed the business to be its best, he adds.

“It’s been the story of my life,” Zargar says.

“Every business is successful because of all the women behind it.” thecapistranodispatch.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Place to Buy Flowers Gold

Mother Earth Flowers

16 MEDALS

32158 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.4400, motherearthflorist.com

Silver Trader Joe’s

4 MEDALS

32151 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.4150, traderjoes.com

Best Nursery Gold

Plant Depot

16 MEDALS

32413 San Juan Creek Road, 949.240.2107, plantdepot.com

Silver Armstrong Garden Centers

16 MEDALS

32382 Del Obispo Street, Suite D, 949.661.6666, armstronggarden.com

Best Home Improvement Store Gold

DeNault’s ACE Hardware

7 MEDALS

31862 Del Obispo Street, 949.493.1031, denaults.com

Silver Bellisimo Tile & Marble Inc.

1 MEDAL

32951 Calle Perfecto, 949.325.0345, bellisimo-tile-marble-inc.business.site

Best Home Décor and Furnishings Gold

Lavish Home Décor

3 MEDALS

31105 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite C4, 949.429.8881, lavishhomedecor.com

Silver RJ Imports

1 MEDAL

32992 Calle Perfecto, 949.248.8810, rjimportsoc.com

Best Antique/Secondhand Store Gold

The Old Barn Antique Mall

9 MEDALS

31792 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.9144, facebook.com/theoldbarnantiquemall/

Silver Laura’s House Resale Store

6 MEDALS

31878 Del Obispo Street, Suite 104, 949.218.6400, laurashouse.org/resale-store

Best Local Grocer Gold

Trader Joe’s

6 MEDALS

32151 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.4150, traderjoes.com

Irvine Ranch Market at Marbella

9 MEDALS

Silver 31109 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 1782, 949.248.1067, marbella-farmers-market.business.site

Best Auto Dealer Gold

Capistrano Mazda

1 MEDAL

32852 Valle Road, 833.753.0710, capomazda.com

Silver Capistrano Valley Toyota

1 MEDAL

33395 Camino Capistrano, 949.596.4428, capovalleytoyota.com

Best Pet Store Pets Plus

7 MEDALS

Silver PetSmart

4 MEDALS

Gold

32022 Camino Capistrano, 949.248.3400, petsplusca.com 33963 Doheny Park Road, 949.443.5336, petsmart.com

Best New Business Gold

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Page 22

Floraison Bridal Loft & Petite Venue

31831 Camino Capistrano, #301, 949.310.1374, floraisonbridalloft.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Floraison Bridal Loft Earns ‘Best New Business’ Honors in Preparing Brides for Big Day

Seasoned wedding expert Rebecca Stafford devoted herself to creating a feminine environment for brides-to-be to enjoy before weddings. Photo: C. Jayden Smith

A

By C. Jayden Smith

fter working for more than 10 years in the wedding space in Southern California, Rebecca Stafford saw an opportunity in San Juan Capistrano to provide a space for brides-to-be to prepare for their upcoming nuptials.

The number of wedding locations nearby and the lack of similar rooms at such spots, she says, was the inspiration for Stafford to dive into owning a business for the first time, as she also hosts tea parties, wine tastings and other small events.

She acquired the space downtown in March 2022 and poured herself into getting it ready to open at the end of summer.

Just a few months later, Stafford’s Floraison Bridal Loft and Petite Venue had earned enough goodwill among readers of The Capistrano Dispatch to receive the Golden Horseshoe for Best New Business in town.

She landed on floraison, a French word that translates to “flowering,” as her business’ namesake because of its significance of marking the start of hopefully decades of happiness for couples.

“What I liked about that is weddings are always

the beginning of a new chapter, a new part of a couple’s life,” says Stafford. “To me, it’s like blooming. It’s the beginning.”

Stafford has also worked as the wedding coordinator at the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, contributing to her knowledge of what women need as their wedding approaches.

She defined bridal lofts as a place for brides to have their bridesmaids, hair and makeup team all in one space and where women can be pampered and feel relaxed.

“It’s almost like a little sanctuary for the bride, right before she walks down the aisle,” Stafford says.

Beforehand, she has an initial phone call to determine everything her clients might need, with add-on options such as food or massages.

She added that she tries to make the experience “seamless” for brides.

From the day-to-day operations perspective, Stafford spends a few hours working in the suite with availability for anyone who might walk in, especially if people are scouting out a wedding venue nearby.

She enjoys being able to show firsthand what women can experience if they rent out the loft.

“Most of the time, people are just blown away, because it’s so open,” Stafford says. “The lighting is great.”

Aspects such as the lighting in the space were by design, as she was intentional in creating a comfortable and feminine environment. Some

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Page 24

pieces came from her home, and Stafford featured the city of San Juan Capistrano by placing wallpaper in the makeup area with swallows on it.

She adds that there needed to be a balance between having a “perfect backdrop” and a functional space.

Another element related to the business that she has tried to improve upon is getting the Floraison name out to people.

“I think that was probably the most challenging (thing), is just making sure people know I’m here, I’m available, and I’m just centrally located to them,” she says. “And I don’t even really see that as a challenge.”

Regardless, Stafford loves every part of being involved in the wedding process and the happiness that comes with it, in addition to the focus on femininity, hair and makeup, and beauty.

The fact that every bride is unique is also fun, according to Stafford.

“No two weddings are the same, so it never gets dull,” she says. “The couples are different, their dynamic is different, their wedding is different. It’s just really fun to see and experience that and be a part of that.”

Despite the efforts that were required to prepare the loft to open, the past year has been “very positive” for her. Stafford also describes the year as simultaneously uplifting and scary.

She says that people have given her great feedback, and she enjoys seeing people’s faces light up when they walk inside.

“All the feedback I’ve received, it’s just reassured me that I’m in the right businesses, that I’m doing the right thing in supporting the wedding business industry,” says Stafford.

In the weeks and months following the holiday season, during which many people become engaged, the loft has received more calls. Word of mouth has also started to spread, according to Stafford.

She’ll be preparing for weddings, bridal showers, day-after-wedding brunches and rehearsal dinners into the spring, she says, in addition to her other duties at the Mission Basilica.

Wedding season is starting to pick up, but Stafford says the city’s numerous venues can surely handle everything.

“I’m just here to help support that,” she says.

Stafford describes her emotions upon hearing Floraison was nominated for Best New Business as amazing and heartwarming, and that she was glad to be recognized.

She mentions that she feels fortunate to be a part of such a unique community, equating San Juan Capistrano to “Carmel of the South.”

“We have these really unique businesses, and I’d like to (definitely be) supportive of the community and local vendors,” says Stafford. “I really try to incorporate them. It’s just been such an honor to, in such a short time, be voted among the best new businesses.” thecapistranodispatch.com

thee iceess oonn th Seerrvvic S istt Lis Doo L Too--D T

The Zuri Pet Spa & Resort. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

Best Grooming/Pet Care Gold

The Zuri Pet Spa & Resort

9 MEDALS

32423 Calle Perfecto, 949.429.7222, thezuripetspa.com

Silver Ortega Animal Care Center

8 MEDALS

27341 Ortega Highway, 949.487.7600, oaccpets.com

Best Home Improvement Service New Category!

Gold

DeNault’s ACE Hardware

31862 Del Obispo Street, 949.493.1031, denaults.com

Silver Brett’s Home Services

32242 Paseo Adelanto, Unit E, 949.682.6633, brettshomeservices.com

Best Catering Gold

Sundried Tomato American Bistros & Catering

7 MEDALS

31781 Camino Capistrano, 949.661.1167, sundriedtomatobistro.com

Silver Bad to the Bone BBQ

5 MEDALS

31788 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.218.0227, badtothebone-bbq.com

Best Overall Customer Service Gold

Five Vines Wine Bar

5 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Silver Trevor’s at the Tracks

1 MEDAL

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Best Barbershop Gold

Brush Salon

5 MEDALS

31770 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8800, brushsalon.com

The Señor Barbers

8 MEDALS

Silver 31901 Camino Capistrano, Suite 1, 949.248.4577; 31105 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite C-16, 949.218.5276, thesenorbarber.com

Best Spa for Massages Gold

The Massage Associates

7 MEDALS

31952 Camino Capistrano, Suite C-10, 949.489.7924, themassageassociates.com

Silver Spa at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano 26907 Old Mission Road, 949.503.7313, spaatthemission.com

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1 MEDAL

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Manicure/Pedicure Gold

Salon Capistrano

11 MEDALS

32241 Camino Capistrano, Suite A103, 949.493.2200, saloncapistrano.com

Silver Color Spa by Elizabeth

3 MEDALS

31952 Camino Capistrano, #B1, 949.443.0125, colorspabyelizabeth.com

Best Spa for Facials Gold

Salon Capistrano

11 MEDALS

32241 Camino Capistrano, Suite A103, 949.493.2200, saloncapistrano.com

Silver OC SkinLab

5 MEDALS

31899 Del Obispo Street, Suite 130, 949.359.6400, ocskinlab.com

Best Specialty Beauty Service Gold Silver

Brush Salon

8 MEDALS

31770 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8800, brushsalon.com

OC Sugaring & Skin

2 MEDALS

30200 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite F, 949.226.9829, ocsugaring.com

Best Hair Salon Gold Silver

Brush Salón

11 MEDALS

31770 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8800, brushsalon.com

Salon Capistrano

9 MEDALS

32241 Camino Capistrano, Suite A103, 949.493.2200, saloncapistrano.com

Best Gym Gold

24 Hour Fitness

12 MEDALS

27124 Calle Arroyo, 949.489.9900, 24hourfitness.com

Silver Align Pilates & Yoga

6 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, 949.481.3577, alignpilatescenter.com

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Page 26

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BEST HAIR SALON

(From left) Sisters Maureen Scafuri and Ann Marie Morahan work together to run Brush Salon.

Photo: Breeana Greenberg

Family-Owned Brush Salon Provides Personal Touch

S

By Breeana Greenberg

tyling hair has always been Maureen Scafuri’s passion, so when the opportunity presented itself to open her own salon in San Juan Capistrano, she leaped at the chance.

When Scafuri opened the Brush Salon in late 2011 in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, she brought in her sister, Ann Marie Morahan, to help with the interior design.

The two worked so well together that they decided to keep the dream team going, with Morahan working as salon manager.

“I just felt it was time to be an owner and have an amazing salon,” Scafuri says.

Morahan adds that opening the salon in Mission Promenade was a

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unique opportunity.

“The people that own the building were very supportive and really encouraging us to take over and remodel,” Morahan says.

After Brush Salon remodeled the space, the Tspoons Cooking Classes opened next door, followed by the bakery FKN Bread.

Morahan adds that the Mission Promenade area has slowly grown with each new small, family-owned business that’s opened in the space, adding to San Juan’s charm.

“We’ve gotten an enormous amount of support,” Morahan says.

“It’s still a small town, and people are really supportive. It’s very lowkey, and it’s really a unique place.

I’ve lived in a lot of places; this is really unique.”

Over the past 11 years, the salon has become a community favorite in San Juan Capistrano, as The Capistrano Dispatch readers have

Winner Spotlight

voted Brush Salon as the recipient of our Golden Horseshoe for Best Hair Salon in 2022. In fact, Brush Salon has earned the Golden Horseshoe every year since opening.

Salon Capistrano, which opened in San Juan Capistrano in 2012, earned the Silver Horseshoe for Best Hair Salon in 2022.

In addition to haircuts and colors, extensions, highlights and Brazilian Blowouts, Salon Capistrano also has a full-time manicurist and esthetician.

“We really focus on customer service, and I think when you walk in the door, you find it very warm and friendly,” Salon Capistrano owner and esthetician Paula Guerena says. “We know all our clients by name, and we try to treat everybody really well, and my girls are all talented. All of my hairstylists have either been owners before or managers for at least five to 10 years.”

As a small, family business, Brush Salon has had success, Morahan says, thanks to the hard-working staff.

“We have an enormously successful staff, because we hire really nice girls, but, really, we put our heart and soul into training them, and they show us an enormous amount of loyalty,” Morahan says.

“We create a lot of loyalty because we’re really loyal to our staff, and our clients are really important to us,” Morahan continues.

Scafuri’s own touch on the salon as a great listener and classic hairstylist sets Brush Salon apart from its competitors, she says.

“I just make people feel really beautiful,” Scafuri says. “And I love what I do.”

The salon offers a variety of services, from haircuts and treatments to blowouts and extensions and more.

“We specialize in balayage, hair lightening, extensions, keratin treatments, everything,” Scafuri says.

Morahan adds that blonde beach waves are the most popular styles now, though the salon specializes in a natural look.

What’s helped Brush Salon grow has been the loyalty of the staff and customers, Morahan says.

“I think it’s all really about the staff we hired; we got more selective, and I think that it’s really helped us grow and really build something strong,” Morahan says.

Scafuri adds that the salon’s commitment to its educational program has helped create an exceptional environment for its staff.

Morahan says that the salon’s staff training and customer service set it apart from its competition.

“We’ve been really lucky, really blessed. We got through the pandemic; we kept our staff together.

We’re just hoping for more of that,” Morahan says, adding: “It’s a great community, San Juan is really unique, and people are really nice.”

Scafuri adds that San Juan is a really special place for the salon to thrive.

“Absolutely, a huge thank you; we just love San Juan, the location, the people,” Scafuri says.

Brush Salon is open from Tuesday through Saturday.

Brush Salon owner Maureen Scafuri says the salon has developed a loyal clientele because of the hard work and loyalty of the staff. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

Page 27

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Align Pilates & Yoga. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

Best Gym for Personal Training New Category!

Gold

Align Pilates & Yoga

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, 949.481.3577, alignpilatescenter.com

Silver Anytime Fitness

31107 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 5, 949.481.2220, anytimefitness.com

Best Group Workout Gold

Align Pilates & Yoga

5 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, 949.481.3577, alignpilatescenter.com

Silver 24 Hour Fitness

1 MEDAL

27124 Calle Arroyo, 949.489.9900, 24hourfitness.com

Best Yoga Studio Gold

Align Pilates & Yoga

8 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, 949.481.3577, alignpilatescenter.com

Silver Yoga Bungalow

6 MEDALS

32382 Del Obispo Street, 949.310.5477, yoga-bungalow.com

Best Pilates Studio Gold

Mantra Fitness

4 MEDALS

31654 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite A, 949.388.0002, mantrafitness.com

Silver Align Pilates & Yoga

9 MEDALS

31896 Plaza Drive, Suite E6, 949.481.3577, alignpilatescenter.com

Best Veterinarian Gold

San Juan Animal Hospital

12 MEDALS

32391 San Juan Creek Road, 949.493.1147, sjah.com

Silver Mission Equine Hospital

3 MEDALS

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.661.2225, missionequine.net

Best Auto Body Shop Gold

Caliber Collision

4 MEDALS

26442 Via De Anza, 949.661.7077, calibercollision.com

Silver Coastline Collision Center

5 MEDALS

33001 Calle Perfecto, 949.388.1555, coastlinecollisioncenter.com

Best Mechanic Shop Gold

Star Motors European Service

9 MEDALS

32961 Calle Perfecto, 949.539.0494, starmotorseuro.com

Silver West Coast Tire & Services

1 MEDAL

33171 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.7733, westcoasttireandservices.com

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Page 28

thecapistranodispatch.com

AXOS Acupuncture. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

Best Acupuncturist Gold

AXOS Acupuncture

6 MEDALS

27462 Calle Arroyo, Suite A, 949.248.9899, axosacupuncture.com

Silver Kian Wellness

1 MEDAL

31654 Rancho Viejo Road, #E, 949.350.5426, kianwellness.com

Best Dental Health Care Provider Gold

Carol Daderian, DDS

10 MEDALS

32272 Camino Capistrano, Suite C, 949.661.3594, caroldaderiandds.com

Silver Kaban Dental Group

1 MEDAL

32124 Paseo Adelanto, Suite 2, 949.496.5585, kabandentalgroup.com

Best Orthodontist Gold

Aspire Dental

1 MEDAL

31876 Del Obispo Street, Suite 103, 949.538.4250, aspiredentalsjc.com

Silver Olsen Orthodontics

5 MEDALS

31920 Del Obispo Street, Suite 265, 949.542.7799, ocbraces.com

Best Medical Health Care Provider Gold

OC SkinLab

6 MEDALS

31899 Del Obispo Street, Suite 130, 949.359.6400, ocskinlab.com

Silver MemorialCare Medical Group Urgent Care

7 MEDALS

31001 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 200, 877.696.3622, memorialcare.org

Best Chiropractor Gold

Ortega Chiropractic

4 MEDALS

27462 Calle Arroyo, Suite A, 949.493.7070, ortegachiropractic.org

Silver Fox Chiropractic Sports Rehab

1 MEDAL

31501 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite #102, 949.489.2920, docfox.org

Best Dry Cleaner Gold

Polo Cleaners

15 MEDALS

31105 Rancho Viejo Road, 949.496.7354, polocleaners.com

Silver Shine Cleaners

6 MEDALS

32301 Camino Capistrano, Unit H, 949.661.2023

Best Senior Living Facility Gold

Reata Glen

3 MEDALS

2 Las Estrellas Loop, Rancho Mission Viejo, 949.674.4139, reataglen.com

Silver Atria San Juan

8 MEDALS

32353 San Juan Creek Road, 949.661.1220, atriaseniorliving.com

thecapistranodispatch.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST MEDICAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Dr. Michelle Hure is dedicated to helping patients take care of their skin and educating the public about general medical issues. Photo: Collin Breaux

Skin in the Game: Dr. Hure Treats, Educates Patients Through OC Skinlab

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By Collin Breaux

hether it’s discussing skin health with patients or informing the San Juan Capistrano community about overall medical facts, Dr. Michelle Hure is well-known in the area as a medical resource.

Hure won the Golden Horseshoe for Best Medical Health Care Provider in our 16th annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice awards—a contest she has been recognized in a total of six times since 2017.

The double board-certified physician is humbled by the recognition and aims to be a sensible expert who patients can talk to and trust.

“All of the awards I’ve ever gotten, I’m very humble and I appreciate them all,” Hure says. “I don’t think I can rest on my laurels. I’m always trying to do better and be the best doctor I can be.”

MemorialCare Medical Group Urgent Care won the Silver Horseshoe, a distinction it was honored to receive.

“We’re grateful to the community of San Juan Capistrano and take pride in the exceptional, compassionate care that our clinicians and employees have provided over the years,” says MemorialCare’s CEO Mark Schafer, MD. “We look forward to continuing to serve the wonderful community of San Juan Capistrano for many years to come.”

We recently sat down with Hure for a Q&A to also hear about her gratitude and continuing service.

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

The Capistrano Dispatch: Tell me about OC Skinlab and what you do here.

Hure: OC Skinlab was my vision of being kind of the everything for the community. I am dermatology, pathology, dramatic pathology, and I loved the idea of being in a community as one of the pillars—the doctor people go to, to ask questions, to bounce things off. I feel like I’ve kind of become that person, especially with COVID, with everything that went on—Coffee Chat, giving my opinion. If city councilmembers had questions, they’d come to me. I felt like that sort of desire was satisfied, and I love the fact that I feel like a part of the community.

I always felt there was a lack of down-to-earth dermatology providers that are not just cosmetic in nature, that look at the whole person and go on a different angle, which is healthy, holistic sort of care. There aren’t many places like that in Orange County. It’s Botox and filler. That’s just not me. I think my patients appreciate that. It’s pretty obvious that’s not how our practice is.

CD: What’s your reaction to, again, this award?

Hure: I think, since we opened, we got an award. The very first year we opened, we got best new business. Every year has been multiple awards, and I’ve never taken it for granted. I appreciate every single award I’ve ever gotten.

At least it’s some validation, I guess, I’m doing the right thing.

People recognize it, and they want to give me an award, that’s great.

It’s not like that defines me or motivates me.

CD: What does helping out patients mean for you and what do dermatology services mean for the community?

Hure: I really feel that my goal every day and my job is education.

So many people come through the door every day with questions and myths and things they hear and see online which are totally false.

It’s a lot of misinformation.

It’s not just about dermatology.

People come to me with other questions about their medical problems, whether it’s their general practice or whatever’s going on in their life.

Dermatology reflects a lot of different organ systems. Many times,

Page 30

I make diagnoses off of skin lesions that people never realize they had—say, prostate cancer or gout or whatever. Brand new diagnoses people never knew they had.

You can see it in the skin. It’s a reflection of what’s going on inside. I was also an internal medicine doctor, so I know a lot of the stuff.

People talk to me. I spend a lot of time with my patients. That’s really what separates me from a lot of other practices. We sit and talk.

How is your health? What’s going on? What are your new meds? Tell me about new things going on.

Oh, you were in the hospital? What happened?

That’s how I feel I am taking care of people the best I can, not just looking at their skin and sending them out the door.

CD: You spoke about being the community doctor during COVID. Talk to me about that and the importance that role served.

Hure: Exactly like how I do every day, dispelling myths and misinformation and disinformation. My experience in medicine made me the best person to dispel myths we were hearing or reading about or people were actively trying to misinform us about.

I wanted to be that voice of reason. I was also a general pathologist. I worked on the swine flu when it first came out, H1-N1.

It was very similar to changes we were seeing in the lungs for COVID. I felt like my background—I was a virologist and immunologist as a grad student at UC Davis and then going off for pathology and dermatology—(and) my passion is to break the myth and give the information.

I felt like that was not happening in the media, with other doctors.

Certainly, in the community, there were a lot of misconceptions. I was, like, this is my role here. This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to help out and answer the best I can.

CD: Anything else to say or add?

Hure: I love what I do. I love San Juan. I came from a small town in the Central Valley, a small farming community, and when I came to San Juan, it really reminded me of home. I’ve always felt like I was at home here, and I still do. Winning these awards, I guess people appreciate me and what I do. That’s important to me. thecapistranodispatch.com

thecapistranodispatch.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Local Nonprofit Organization Gold Silver

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding 26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, sheacenter.org

Surf & Turf Therapy

7 MEDALS

2 MEDALS

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.312.7227, surfandturftherapy.org

Best Banking Institution Gold

Farmers & Merchants Bank

7 MEDALS

31873 Del Obispo Street, 949.488.8550, fmb.com

Silver SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

2 MEDALS

31876 Del Obispo, 800.462.8328, schoolsfirstcu.org

Best Financial Planning Service New Category!

Gold

Williams Financial Advisors

30200 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite G, 949.496.2521, williamsfinancialadvisors.com

Silver Mares Mortgage

32172-A, Camino Capistrano, 949.489.8300, maresmortgage.com

Best Law Firm Gold

Cefali & Cefali, APC

3 MEDALS

32158 Camino Capistrano, Suite 207, 877.423.3254, callcefali.com

Law Offices of Stephen M. Rios

2 MEDALS

Silver 32302 Camino Capistrano, Suite 205, 949.493.1166,

yelp.com/biz/stephen-m-rios-san-juan-capistrano

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Page 32

thecapistranodispatch.com

Ouutt Geettttiinngg O G

Zoomars at River Street Ranch. Photo: Alan Gibby/Zone57.com

Best Special Event/Wedding Venue Gold Silver

Roots Kitchen + Events, Five Vines Wine Bar

3 MEDALS

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

San Juan Hills Golf Club

3 MEDALS

32120 San Juan Creek Road, 949.493.1167, sanjuanhillsgolf.com

Best Family Excursion Spot Gold

Zoomars at River Street Ranch

12 MEDALS

31791 Los Rios Street, 949.831.6550, zoomars.com

Silver Mission San Juan Capistrano

12 MEDALS

26801 Ortega Highway, 949.234.1300, missionsjc.com

Best Horse Training Gold

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding 26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, sheacenter.org

Silver Surf & Turf Therapy

4 MEDALS

1 MEDAL

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.312.7227, surfandturftherapy.org

Best Riding Lesson Gold

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding 26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, sheacenter.org

Silver Surf & Turf Therapy

4 MEDALS

1 MEDAL

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.312.7227, surfandturftherapy.org

thecapistranodispatch.com

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16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Winner Spotlight

BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

Since The Coach House was founded in 1980, owner Gary Folgner has been at the helm, noting that, like most places, The Coach House has evolved and changed a lot over the years. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

I

The Coach House Features a Wide Variety of Artists for Music Lovers

By Breeana Greenberg

n the four decades since The Coach House’s founding, the space’s function has changed several times, serving as a cook-your-own steakhouse, a country music dance hall and, most recently, a concert venue that highlights a wide variety of artists.

Since The Coach House opened in 1980, owner Gary Folgner has been at the helm, noting that, like most places, the venue has evolved and changed a lot over the years.

“When we got into the concert part, it started right off the bat, and the area needed it at the time,” Folgner says.

“From there, this is what you see. It took a while to get everything changed; we remodeled three times in that 40 years.”

After a concert venue in Huntington Beach closed, Folgner says it left the field for entertainment in Orange County wide open for The Coach House to fill.

The venue has drawn a steady crowd of music lovers over the years, as The Capistrano Dispatch readers have voted The Coach House as the

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

recipient of our Golden Horseshoe for Best Entertainment Venue in 2022.

Since 2013, The Coach House has been a finalist in this category 10 times, receiving the Gold for eight consecutive years.

Trevor’s at the Tracks, which readers of The Dispatch voted as the recipient of our Silver Horseshoe, has live music every night, featuring more than 50 musicians a month. Owner Trevor Baird notes that the restaurant has worked to emphasize the restaurant’s motto, “locally acquired, globally inspired,” by featuring local artists, beers, wines and domestic spirits.

“Really, trying to drive that environmentally conscientious focus and bring awareness to all the wonderful things that we have around us in this area and in this state,” Baird says.

Baird adds that Trevor’s at the Tracks is “proud to support local musicians,” and the nice outdoor environment makes for a unique music venue.

What differentiates The Coach House from other venues, Folgner adds, is that patrons can enjoy their dinner along with the show.

“We serve dinner for most of the shows, which makes it quite a bit different from most of them,” Folgner says. “We have dinners right where you’re Page 34

thecapistranodispatch.com

The Coach House features a wide variety of musical genres and has drawn a steady crowd of music lovers over the years, as The Capistrano Dispatch readers have voted the venue as the recipient of our Golden Horseshoe for Best Entertainment Venue in 2022. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

“They’re paying a pretty good sum of money to see a band when you can turn on your radio and listen to it for nothing. But to see them in person, it’s special to them, and it’s actually special to the bands. The bands are always happy when they sell out...”

Gary Folgner, Owner, The Coach House

thecapistranodispatch.com

Page 35

going to be seated to see the show.”

The Coach House features a wide variety of musical genres and can draw in larger artists than other clubs its size, Folgner says.

“We do most all the stuff, except we stay away from punk, just because we’re not set up to do it,” Folgner says, adding: “We’re able to get the artists because, from time to time, they like to play in a smaller venue, but they normally can’t afford it. To put a group on the road is not a cheap thing; it’s very expensive.”

The biggest draw for The Coach House, Folgner notes, is the entertainment.

“It’s who’s playing,” Folgner says. “If it’s not a band that’s popular, you’ll go broke.”

“That’s part of what’s hard about this business; you’ve got new bands coming up, and if you don’t try them or use them, you don’t have new music,” Folgner continues. “That’s why sometimes you come in and you see a show, and it’s only got a hundred people; that’s because the band is probably new. But

if you don’t try the new groups, you won’t have new groups in the future.”

The Coach House’s patrons vary from night to night depending on the featured artist, though the popular genres have also changed over the years.

“I think music will always be a basic factor to life,” Folgner says.

“We do all types of bands, and different types of people show up. When we do the old ’70s, ’80s rock stuff, it’s all people my age coming in. The ’90s stuff hasn’t been as popular as I’d hoped it to be; we need more work and more people to keep that business alive.”

Folgner adds that rock is always the most popular genre, though The Coach House has seen times when reggae or jazz was more popular.

“When I first started, it was jazz, and every group that was out there making any money was a jazz band, and now it’s rock or basic rock,” he says.

Now 81 years old, Folgner foresees a time when his nephew may take over the space.

“We’ve got 20 more years locked up in the lease, so I’m sure we’ll be around for 20 years,” he predicts.

Folgner adds that while he may be the one making the decisions for The Coach House, he wants to thank his staff for their hard work.

“I have a lot of people here that work their tails off to keep this thing going; I may physically make all of the decisions and stuff, but my employees do 99% of the work,” he says.

The Coach House’s patrons are music lovers, Folgner says.

“They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t (love music,)” Folgner says. “They’re paying a pretty good sum of money to see a band when you can turn on your radio and listen to it for nothing.”

“But to see them in person, it’s special to them, and it’s actually special to the bands,” Folgner continues. “The bands are always happy when they sell out, and they’re not happy when they don’t, because they want to get out and play to a crowded house; they want to see fans out there.”

Folgner emphasizes he just hopes people continue enjoying music.

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Best Stable Gold

Best Entertainment Venue

Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center

3 MEDALS

Gold

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.661.3867, rsvequestrian.com

Silver Ortega Equestrian Center

Gold

Patriot Trail

15 MEDALS

Gold

sanjuancapistrano.org sanjuancapistrano.org

Silver

Silver

6 MEDALS

26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, sheacenter.org 2 MEDALS

31441 Avenida de la Vista, 949.312.7227, surfandturftherapy.org

Best Historic Spot 14 MEDALS

Gold

31791 Los Rios Street, 949.493.1171, sanjuancapistrano.org

Reata Park and Event Center

8 MEDALS

Silver

28632 Ortega Highway, 949.493.1171, sanjuancapistrano.org

Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners Gold

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding

Silver Surf & Turf Therapy

1 MEDAL

Best Park Los Rios Park

2 MEDALS

26701 Verdugo Street, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Best Camp for Kids

Silver Las Vaqueras Trail

Gold

10 MEDALS

33157 Camino Capistrano, 949.496.8930, thecoachhouse.com

Silver Trevor’s at the Tracks

15 MEDALS

27252 Calle Arroyo, 949.661.3130, ortegaequestriancenter.com

Best Trail

The Coach House

Five Vines Wine Bar

3 MEDALS

Gold

15 MEDALS

Silver

26801 Ortega Highway, 949.234.1300, missionsjc.com

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

15 MEDALS

26801 Ortega Highway, 949.234.1300, missionsjc.com

Los Rios Historic District

15 MEDALS

Los Rios Street, sanjuancapistrano.org

Best Local Annual Event

31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, 949.800.9145, fivevineswinebar.com

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Page 36

Swallows Day Parade

14 MEDALS

Downtown San Juan Capistrano, 949.615.1920, swallowsdayparade.com

Shea Center Annual BBQ and Family Faire 26284 Oso Road, 949.240.8441, sheacenter.org

7 MEDALS

thecapistranodispatch.com

miinneeeesss Noom N

NOMINEES

2022

The nominees were submitted by our community of voters. Please note that we have done our best to review this list and to make edits such as misspellings and elimination of nonexistent businesses. Please be advised that there may be errors. Individuals’ names are listed in alphabetical order by first name.

If you have a correction to submit for next year’s Best of San Juan Capistrano issue, please email us with your suggestion at info@picketfencemedia.com.

Only polite suggestions will be reviewed and considered for publishing in future issues. Thank you for your understanding and participation!

*Business Has Closed

1 on 1 Training Center 24 Carrots, Franciscan Gardens 24 Hour Fitness 3:16 Bakery Shop

A

A Mobile Vet A Stones Throw Winery A1 Auto Repair Smog A’s Burgers Abby’s Fine Jewelry Designs Absolute Smile Adorable Pet Grooming & Nutrition Adrian De La Torre Adrian HernandezYsidora Advanced Auto Refinishing & Collision Agustin Mexican Food Align Pilates and Yoga Amanda Gorman American Horse Products Dr. Andi Lytal, DVM/ Sycamore Trails Stables Dr. Andrea Roberson Andrea Peckman Anytime Fitness APAC ATI Armstrong Garden Centers Arroyo Park Ashlee Averill Atmosphere Atelier Atria San Juan AXOS Acupuncture Azi Hair Salon

B

Bad to the Bone BBQ Bank of America Ball Park Pizza BASANTI Becky Holman Bill Jensen Auto Repair Blenheim EquiSports Bob Hill Wealth Management Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley Dr. Bradford Staph, DDS Brandy Stevens, Salon Capistrano Bravos California Fresh Breezy Brenda Dia Brett’s Home Services thecapistranodispatch.com

Brush Salon Bueno Bueno Mexican Kitchen

C

CAARS: Capistrano Alignment & Auto Repair Service Caliber Collision California Bank & Trust California Desert Engines Calvary Chapel Camino Import Auto Service Camino Real Playhouse Cancun Mexican Restaurant Capistrano Boxing Gym Capistrano Brewing Company Capistrano Children’s Dentistry Capistrano Mazda Capistrano Riding Club Capistrano Salon Capistrano Senior Living Capistrano Tire & Brake Capistrano Valley Toyota Capistrano Volkswagen Carl’s Jr. Carly Hurley Dr. Carol Daderian, DDS Carrie Ibbetson Casa De Kathy Thrift Store Caspers Wilderness Park Cedar Creek Inn Cefali & Cefali Dr. Charles Slone, DDS Charlotte Anderson Hair Designs Chase Bank Chick-fil-A Chico’s Chris Hahn Chrissy Rogers/ Woodland Farms Christina Carson Performance Horses Ciao Pasta Trattoria Cindy Forrest Performance Horses Citibank Club Pilates Coastline Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Coastline Collision Center Color Nails & Spa Comerica Bank Cook Cordova Park Corissa Dailey, Paramount Residential

G

D

Daniel Michael Salon DeeDee Jo Perlas Del Taco Del Obispo Terrace Senior Living Délice Breton DeNault’s ACE Hardware Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery Diamond Salon Docent Brewing Domino’s Pizza Donut Hut Doug Porcello, BP Performance Horses Downtown San Juan Capistrano

E

El Adobe de Capistrano El Café Real El Campeon Carniceria El Coyotito Mexican & Seafood Restaurant El Maguey Mexican Restaurant El Molino de Oro El Nopal Mercado Eli Alexander Salon Ellie’s Table Egan House Emerald Cove Day Camp Enterprise Bank and Trust Erin O’Steen Estrella Pet Grooming Excell Equestrian Express Cleaners Extreme Haircuts

F

Dr. Jeff Choi Jennifer Gusse-Ysidora Jensen Automotive Jersey Mike’s Jessie Eckhardt, Trevor’s at the Tracks Jillian Stewart, DPT John Berney Equestrian Jon Jon Sarmenta Joseph Tripi, Trevor’s at the Tracks Joie Gatlin, Morley Abey Show Jumping Juice Joint & Deli

Franciscan Gardens Frankie Whittaker Free Wheelchair Mission Freenote Cloth

Mortgage Group, Inc. Costco CREER Comunidad y Familia Crivello’s Italian Bistro CrossFit No Boundaries Curtis Michaels Hair Salon

F45 Rancho Mission Viejo Fairmont Schools San Juan Capistrano Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) Farmers & Merchants Bank Festival of Butterflies Five Vines Wine Bar FKN Bread Fox Chiropractic Sports Rehab

Ganahl Lumber Gelson’s Markets Gladstone Equestrian Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens Gold & Braid Salon Golden Spoon* Good and Goats Market Goodwill of Orange County Great Opportunities

K

H

H&M Motors Hair of the Dog Barbershop Hallie Bates Happy Nails and Spa Harbor Point Church Harmony Wellness Clinic Hennessey’s Tavern Heritage BBQ Hidden House Coffee Himalayan Taste Historic Town Center Homefront America Dr. Howard Fox, DC, QME Hurley Equestrian Hype and Tone by Nikki Carlson

I

Il Sole La Nuova Cucina In-N-Out Burger In Concert Pilates Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano Inspiration Boutique & Gallery Invictus Fitness Solutions Irvine Ranch Market at Marbella Isaac Berrun Isabel’s Beauty Salon Ivy Gate Farm Ivy Park at San Juan Capistrano

J

Jade China Dr. Jacqueline Johnson, DVM Dr. James Ashizawa, MD JD Flannel Donuts and Coffee

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Kaiser Permanente Kathy Holman Kelly Boshman Dr. Kelly Kaban, DDS Kim Cowens, Salon Capistrano Konversion Fit KR Beauty Concepts Kristin Barreto, PepperTree Equestrian

L

L’Hirondelle L + Co. Lash Studio La Michoacana El Rey Las Catrinas Boutique Las Golondrinas Mexican Food Las Ramblas Trail Las Vaqueras Riding Club Laura’s House Resale Store Lauren Firner Lavish Home Décor Law Offices of Cheryl L. Walsh Dr. Lawrence Kaban, DDS Leashes of Love Rescue Lebonejour Pet Grooming Lidia House by Rags & Stones Lily Nails Lisa Marie London Hair Studio Los Rios Historic District Los Rios Rock School Los Rios Street Lovely Nails Lunitas Pizza

M

Maggie May’s Grooming Spa Mantra Fitness Marbella Country Club

Mares Foundation Mares Mortgage Markata Stowe Dr. Martha Hall, DAOM Marshalls Matt Jaeger, Mayfield Mayfield Market McDonald’s MemoriaCare Medical Group Urgent Care Mercado El Rey Michael Campbell, Pacific Pearl Café Michael Foudy Dr. Michael Nelson, DC Michelle Bryant, Massage Associates Dr. Michelle Hure, OC SkinLab Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano Mission Chiropractic Mission Equine Hospital Mission Village Cleaners Mission San Juan Capistrano Mission Trails Stables Mollies Famous Café Monaco Jewelers Montanez Adobe Mother Earth Flowers Movie with a Mission, Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Music Under the Stars Concert Series My Perfect Brow

N

Nissan of San Juan Capistrano Nono’s Mexican Restaurant

O

OC Ghosts and Legends OC Goodwill Boutique OC SkinLab OC Sugaring & Skin Ocean Honda Oeeshi Japanese Grill Olsen Orthodontics Omar Ramirez, Five Vines Wine Bar Orange Twist Ortega Animal Care Center Ortega Chiropractic Ortega Cleaners Ortega Equestrian Center Ortega Equestrian Center Summer Camp

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

2022

NOMINEES

Ortega’s Capistrano Trading Post Otra Mas Equine Assisted Therapy

P

Pacific Pearl Cafe Paddy’s Station Panage Paper Annex Paradise Automotive Group Paradise Dental Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG) Parmiss Restaurant Paula Guerena, Salon Capistrano Paula Karina Patriot Trail Pet Project Foundation Petco Pets Plus PetSmart Pizza Amore Café Pizza Hut Plant Depot Plaza de Magdalena Poke & Sushi Polo Cleaners Portola Room, El Adobe de Capistrano Pregnancy Resource Center Mobile Clinic Purmort Farms Equestrian

R

Ralphs* Rancho Capistrano Winery Rancho Capistrano Winery Tasting Room Rancho Mission Viejo Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center Dr. Randall Bondurant, San Juan Animal Hospital Reata Glen Reflections Interiors and Design Regency Theatres Renu Facial and Body Aesthetics Reveal Equestrian Ricardo’s Place Rice Bowl Express RJ Imports Rooftop Kitchen + Bar Roots Kitchen + Events at Five Vines Wine Bar Ross Dress for Less Ryan’s Recycling

S

Salon Capistrano San Juan Animal Hospital San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition

San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library San Juan Capistrano Historical Society San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club San Juan Capistrano Christmas Tree Lighting San Juan Creek Trail San Juan Fit Body Boot Camp San Juan Hills Golf Club San Juan Hills Sports Bar & Grill San Juan Summer Nites Concert Series Sanctuary Home Furnishings by Renaissance SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Dr. Scott Lamming, DDS Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria & Tap Room Sendero Animal Hospital Sendero Field Serra Plaza Serra Sol Memory Care Serra’s Pantry and Outreach Shady Maples Equestrian Center Dr. Shaini Shah, DDS Shine Cleaners Skincare by Carrie Skincare by Marilee Sol Agave

16th Annual Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards

Southwest Barbers Spa at the Inn at the Mission Specialized Motorsports Star Motors Starbucks Dr. Sten Kerwin Stephen Rios Stevens Gardens Stone Creek Dressage Studio Barre San Juan Capistrano Sundried Tomato American Bistros & Catering Surf and Turf Therapy Sushi Tai Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Faire Swallow’s Inn Sycamore Trails Stables

T

Taco Bell Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar Taqueros Mexican Restaurant Tar Farms Stables Taralai Thai Massage Target Dr. Taylor Olsen, DDS Thai Juan On The Bagel Shack Restaurant & Bakery The BrewHouse

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The Coach House The Cottage Gallery on Los Rios The Dog Pawrk Brewing Company The Ecology Center The Ecology Center Farm Stand The Groves Seniors The Massage Associates The Mission Gift Shop The Old Barn Antique Mall The Olives Branch The Ramos House Café The Señor Barbers The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding The Shea Center Horseback Riding Camp The Shea Center Annual BBQ & Family Faire The Stand The Tea House on Los Rios The Zuri Pet Spa & Resort Tim Is Making Great Coffee Titan’s Pho Asian Bistro Town & Country One Hour Cleaners Totoya Sushi & Tapas Trader Joe’s Tree of Life Nursery Trevor’s at the Tracks Turquoise Territory Tuttle-Click Capistrano Ford

Two Stepping Under the Stars

U

Union Bank

V

V’s Victoria Hand Vidahermosa Chiropractic Vidaurre Chiropractic Vincent Michael Salon Vons

W

Wells Fargo Wendi’s Donuts West Coast Tire & Service Wildfire Mercantile Woodland Farms Equestrian Wow Poki-Poke

Y

Yoga Bungalow Yoon Kee Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge at Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano

Z

zpizza Zoomars at River Street Ranch

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