El After Life Event is a free, family-friendly Día de los Muertos celebration that brings art, culture, and community together at Chula Vista Center. The event honors the deep roots of Día de los Muertos while creating a welcoming space where traditions are shared, memories are honored, and the community connects through creativity and storytelling.
Guests can experience a vibrant mix of cultural elements, including a Community Altar where families can honor loved ones, immersive art installations, live folklórico performances and DJ sets, artisan vendors, face painting, and hands-on art stations for all ages. From marigolds and candles to calaveras and shared meals, El After Life reflects the heart of Día de los Muertos — a time when stories, rituals, and remembrance bridge generations.
Open to the public and completely free, El After Life invites everyone to honor those who came before us while celebrating life, culture, and community together. Families are encouraged to attend, participate, and even submit photos of loved ones for inclusion in the communal altar, making this event both personal and collective in spirit.
In a quiet South Bay neighborhood, a simple driveway hides one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets — a home-based burger joint that’s won over the hearts (and appetites) of locals. Meet Ryan and Kalina, the husband-and-wife team behind Burger Kook, proudly known as the “World’s Second Best Burger.”
From the outside, it looks like any other home. But step a little closer and you’ll spot the yellow umbrellas, hear laughter from happy customers, and smell the unmistakable aroma of sizzling burgers. Ryan and Kalina run their restaurant legally under California’s “micro-enterprise home kitchen operation” permit, which allows them to cook and serve restaurant-quality food right from their home kitchen.
I’ve been to Burger Kook a couple of times myself, and I can honestly say the hype is real. The burgers are juicy, the fries are perfectly crispy, and if you haven’t tried one of their signature shakes yet, do yourself a favor and get one. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re in someone’s front yard because it feels like your favorite neighborhood hangout.
Here is a video I did last year when I first discovered The Burger Kook
Ryan, Kalina, and their kids are always incredible hosts. Each time I’ve stopped by, they’ve greeted guests with genuine warmth and excitement. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and they truly love the attention their spot has been getting from the community.
Their slogan might say “second best,” but for many of us, Burger Kook is number one. So next time you’re in the area, skip the drive-thru and look for those yellow umbrellas — you’ll be glad you did.
The hamburgers were so good. I loved the fries cooked in beef tallow. Be sure to get out there and support them.
If you haven’t already, follow Burger Kook on Instagram to see their latest mouthwatering creations and updates from the family. And if you’ve visited before, we’d love to hear about your experience — share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page and let us know if you agree that this spot might serve the best burger in town.
Chula Tacos, the beloved South Bay taqueria known for its Tijuana-style street food and handmade tortillas, is opening a brand-new restaurant in Chula Vista. The local favorite will take over the 2,870-square-foot building on H Street—formerly home to Taqueria by El Prieto and Tacos El Gordo—and will feature something fans have been waiting for: a drive-thru.
I was a big fan of Taqueria by El Prieto when they were at this location. It was my go-to spot whenever I craved authentic street-style tacos in Chula Vista. I was disappointed to see them move out, but I’m glad they’re still serving up great food at their Otay Ranch Town Center location—I’ll definitely keep visiting them there.
This new chapter, however, marks an exciting milestone for Chula Tacos, which began as a small food truck and quickly gained a loyal following through its pop-ups and bold, authentic flavors.
From Food Truck to Fan Favorite
Chula Tacos currently operates its central location at 1719 Palm Avenue in National City, near the Imperial Beach border. The eatery is best known for its signature Kekas—oversized, cheese-stuffed corn tortillas filled with juicy carne asada, al pastor, or other grilled meats. Each tortilla is hand-pressed and cooked to order, staying true to the restaurant’s “no-frills” philosophy focused on freshness and authenticity.
Thanks to social media buzz and its dedication to flavor, Chula Tacos has become a go-to spot for locals craving real-deal Mexican food.
A Bumpy Road to Expansion
Like many growing small businesses, Chula Tacos has faced a few hurdles along the way. Earlier this fall, its pop-up location on Market Street was closed twice by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality following inspections. The Mission Beach branch, which opened in summer 2023, closed in mid-2024, and a planned Federal Boulevard location never came to life.
But these challenges haven’t slowed down owner Rigo Muñoz Jr., who remains focused on expanding the brand and keeping the vision alive.
This was Chula Tacos’ Facebook post in late October, teasing a new location in Chula Vista Coming soon. It was later confirmed that week.
New Chula Vista Location Promises Big Flavor and Convenience
The new Chula Vista location brings a fresh opportunity for growth. Situated in one of South County’s busiest dining areas, the standalone restaurant offers ample parking and a convenient drive-thru—perfect for taco lovers on the go.
Guests can look forward to the full Chula Tacos experience, including tacos, vampiros, mulas, gringas, and the famous Keka, along with freshly made aguas frescas. Inside, a large trompo of sizzling al pastor will greet guests with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly shaved tacos.
Traffic Concerns Return to H Street
While many residents are excited about Chula Tacos’ arrival, others are worried that traffic could once again become an issue at this busy intersection. When Tacos El Gordo operated at this same location, long lines of customers trying to access the drive-thru often caused backups on H Street and Oak Lawn Avenue.
As Chula Vista’s bayfront continues to grow and attract more visitors, traffic in the area has noticeably increased. With Chula Tacos’ large social media following and loyal customer base, some neighbors anticipate a similar surge in vehicles once the new restaurant opens.
One resident who lives nearby shared her concern, saying she tries to avoid the area during afternoon rush hour. “I usually take the side streets to get home because H Street can get really backed up,” she said. “I just hope the city has a plan to manage traffic and prevent cars from blocking the intersection again.”
“Tacos Are Essential”
For Muñoz, Chula Tacos has always been about more than just food—it’s about community, flavor, and authenticity. His motto, “Tacos are Essential,” captures the brand’s spirit: affordable, made-from-scratch Mexican fare served with heart.
The new Chula Vista location will feature all the fan favorites and may introduce new menu items designed for the larger space.
Ready To Visit Chula Tacos?
Let us know on Facebook if you’re ready to see Chula Tacos move in. You can still enjoy your favorites at 1719 Palm Avenue in National City, and soon at 689 H Street in Chula Vista when the new drive-thru location opens. For updates and menu information, be sure to follow Chula Tacos on Instagram.
This past weekend, Chula Vista was alive with color, music, and tradition as two major Día de los Muertos celebrations took place across the city. On Saturday, November 1, the Downtown Chula Vista Association hosted its annual Día de los Muertos celebration from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by El After Life at the Chula Vista Center on Sunday, November 2, bringing families together for a weekend full of community and culture.
Downtown Chula Vista’s Growing Tradition
The Downtown Chula Vista Día de los Muertos celebration has quickly become one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year. Now in its third year, the event continues to grow, drawing locals and visitors alike to Third Avenue for an afternoon of remembrance and celebration.
Altars honoring loved ones lined the area, each one uniquely decorated with photos, candles, and marigolds. One highlight was a local car club that transformed their trunks into altars — a creative twist that drew plenty of admiration from the crowd. Alongside the ofrendas, there were live performances, dancing, and dozens of local vendors organized by Las Jefas Market, turning Memorial Park into a vibrant cultural marketplace.
“I had the chance to speak with several people who come out every year,” said Kurt Bunch, better known as Mr. Chula Vista. “They love how the event keeps getting bigger and better, and it’s clear how much pride the community takes in celebrating together.”
During the Downtown Celebration of Día de los Muertos, the classic cars with altars inside the trunks are a big hit with the community.
El After Life at Chula Vista Center
The celebration continued on Sunday as the Chula Vista Center hosted its first-ever El After Life event, a free, family-friendly festival that turned the mall into a cultural playground.
The event was also the first event organized by the new property owners, Primstor Development, since purchasing the center in March of this year. Primstor plans to host more community events during the holiday season, aiming to bring families back to the Chula Vista Center. The company also announced plans to improve the property and attract new businesses.
Recently, Primstor conducted an online survey to gather community input, and one of the top requests from residents was for more events at the center. “I look forward to seeing what they have in store,” said Bunch.
Families gathered for kids’ crafts, face painting, and photo opportunities, while music filled the air.
Along with the live entertainment, music, and art. The El After Life event at the Chula Vista Center also featured a beautiful altar.
A standout attraction was the Art Through the Glass exhibit — a nonprofit program that fills empty storefronts with the work of local artists. The exhibit added an unexpected layer of creativity and meaning to the event.
During the festivities, Chula Vista City Councilmember José Preciado shared his excitement about seeing new life at the center. He expressed optimism about the mall’s new ownership and the potential for more community events like this one.
Both events captured the true spirit of Día de los Muertos — honoring the past while celebrating life in the present. From handcrafted altars to local Art and live performances, Chula Vista once again showed how strong its sense of culture and community really is.
“I love events like this that celebrate who we are,” Mr. Chula Vista said. “I can’t wait to see both of these events return next year. I really hope El After Life becomes an annual tradition; it’s exactly what the Chula Vista Center needs to keep people coming out and enjoying the mall again.”
Did you go to either event, or both? Let us know what you thought on our Facebook page. More events are coming soon, so stay tuned, Chula Vista.
