Escondido Eateries Win 'Restaurants Care Resilience Fund' Grants

ESCONDIDO, CA — Fifteen San Diego area restaurants — including two Escondido eateries — were among 182 California eateries that received $5,000 grants from the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund.

The grant program, which can be used to strengthen businesses and retain employees, began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. It has since evolved into a permanent fund to build resilience within the restaurant community, a spokesperson for the fund said.

All grant winners were given means to purchase kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee retention bonuses and training, and unforeseen hardships. This second cycle of grants was made possible by donations from San Diego Gas and Electric, SoCalGas and The PG&E Corporation Foundation, which have contributed to the fund since it first launched.

In San Diego County, the following 15 restaurants received the award:

1. Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13, Cardiff by the Sea
2. The Grinder, El Cajon
3. Balsamico Italian Kitchen, Imperial Beach
4. Ethos Restaurant Group, San Diego
5. The Alcove Wine and Beer, San Diego
6. Jay's Southern Cafe, Alpine
7. Kabul Kabob House, El Cajon
8. Punjabi Tandoor, San Diego
9. World Curry, San Diego
10. Four Tunas Fish and Bar, Escondido
11. Phatties, Escondido
12. Cafeina Cafe, San Diego
13. Nico's Mexican Food, San Diego
14. Sangucheria PSF, San Diego
15. Bolt Brewery, San Diego

See the complete list of fall 2023 grantees.