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Chula Vista El Grito Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month at Memorial Park

Kurt Bunch
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Chula Vista El Grito Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month at Memorial Park

My wife and I have been to a lot of Chula Vista community events over the years, but the Chula Vista El Grito celebration at Memorial Park on Sunday might be one of my favorites. The city kicked off Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations early, and the whole South Bay came out to celebrate together.

The evening opened with local singer Mercedes Gonzales performing the national anthem. She’s become a regular at these events, and she brings it every year. You could tell how much it meant to her to be part of the celebration.

Between the music, we wandered through the vendor market. There was no shortage of food, sweets, and drinks, plus a solid lineup of craft vendors if you wanted to bring something home besides a full stomach. We grabbed a pizza from OI Pizzeria – Osteria Italiana, and it did not disappoint.

Dancers from Southwestern College put on a Ballet Folklórico performance that stole the show for a while, moving through traditional dances from regions across Mexico, including Jalisco and Veracruz. Dancer Berenice Rubio said she was proud to represent her culture through the performance, and it showed in every step.

Chula Vista El Grito event
Mariachi Internacional San Diego sets the stage for Cecy Millán’s performance at the Chula Vista El Grito celebration, with the crowd filling in at Memorial Park’s amphitheater as the sun went down.

One standout moment of the night was a military band that traveled from Tijuana to perform honors and accompany the presentation of the Mexican flag. My wife and I were happy to see them back this year. They didn’t make it out for the celebration last year, so having them return added something special to the ceremony.

A representative from the Mexican Consulate then led the crowd through the traditional Grito de Independencia, with everyone joining in on the iconic “¡Viva México!” Mariachi Internacional San Diego took the stage next, backing Cecy Millán for her set, and Maestro Manuel Vera, an internationally renowned opera singer, closed out the night with his performance. Millán’s set was nice, but if I’m being honest, I was hoping for something with a little more energy to get the crowd up and dancing. Last year Tapy Quintero played, and that was a party from start to finish. Hoping he makes his way back for next year’s celebration.

Sunday’s celebration also marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15. Events like this are exactly why I love living here. Chula Vista gives its community so many free ways to come together, celebrate culture, and just have a good time doing it.

Papi’s Teppanyaki Express on Main Street

Kurt Bunch
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Papi’s Teppanyaki Express on Main Street

If you know me, you know I’m always finding an excuse to head over to Main Street. There are so many good food spots in this part of Chula Vista, and recently I came across a new one that I think you’re going to want to check out.

Papi’s Teppanyaki Express is serving up hibachi-style food near Main Street and Hollister, and I stopped by to see what they were cooking.

The menu has a little bit of everything, including chicken, shrimp, New York steak, salmon, filet mignon and even lobster tail. I didn’t get the lobster this time, but after seeing it on the menu, I already know I need to come back for that one.

They hooked me up with a combination of shrimp, chicken, and beef, along with fried rice and vegetables. Everything had plenty of flavor, and the portions were good too. I really enjoyed it.

One thing I liked is that this is also a nice option when you want something a little different without going too heavy. You can get your protein, rice, and veggies all together, and there are several combinations depending on what you’re in the mood for.

And don’t skip the aguas frescas

I tried the mango, and that might have been one of my favorite surprises of the visit. I was told they make them fresh without preservatives or added sugar. It was refreshing and went really well with the food.

Since Papi’s Teppanyaki Express is still pretty new to this location, they’re still working out their schedule. They usually try to be there Tuesday through Saturday, but like I always say with food trucks, check their social media before heading over.

Schedules change. Things happen. And there’s nothing worse than driving across Chula Vista because you’ve been thinking about hibachi all day only to find out the truck isn’t there.

So follow Papi’s Teppanyaki Express, see when they’re serving, and give them a try the next time you’re around Main Street and Hollister.

I definitely plan on going back. That lobster tail is still calling my name. Big thank you to Papi’s Teppanyaki Express for having me out and letting me try the food.

Chula Vista Rewind Festival Delivers a Perfect Throwback Saturday at Côta Vera

Kurt Bunch
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Chula Vista Rewind Festival Delivers a Perfect Throwback Saturday at Côta Vera

After attending the Chula Vista Rewind Festival at Côta Vera, it is going to be tough to narrow down my top three summer events in Chula Vista for 2026. I have mentioned before that every time this event came around, I somehow ended up out of town and missed it. So when the third annual Rewind Festival got announced, I cleared my calendar and made sure I was there this time. It did not disappoint. The event took over Central Square Park with live music, a beer garden, food truck alley, free activities for the kids, a retro arcade, and so much more. If you missed it this year, stay tuned, because I am already planning to be back for the 4th annual. And if you made it out, I would love to hear what you thought over on my Facebook page.

Live Music at the Chula Vista Rewind Festival

The lineup ran three tribute bands back-to-back, and the energy kept building all afternoon. Fooz Fighters opened things up with a great set tributing the Foo Fighters, setting the tone early. Then No Duh took the stage, and that is when things really got going. That No Doubt tribute had people up and dancing within minutes, bringing the kind of ska energy that made it feel like a real 90s show had dropped into the middle of Chula Vista. The night wrapped up with The Temptation, who did a great job covering New Order and closed the evening on a high note.

80s Nostalgia All Over Central Square Park

Beyond the music, Côta Vera leaned fully into the 80s theme. They had a Back to the Future DeLorean on display that was almost an exact replica, and it looked incredible up close. Right next to it was Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota truck, another crowd favorite for photos. Between those and the other 80s displays scattered around the park, there were photo ops everywhere you looked.

Chula Vista Rewind Festival
I love bumping into Xavier the Xman from Magic 92.5. He was the MC of the event and was also spinning some great 80’s and 90’s music during the Chula Vista Rewind Festival.

Beer Garden and a VIP Surprise

The beer garden was a great spot to post up, watch the bands, and enjoy a beer between sets. I also got access to the VIP lounge, where they were pouring some really good wine; I wish I could remember the company that provided it, along with short ribs from local Chef George. That was a nice touch on top of everything else going on.

A Crowd That Came From All Over South County

I figured this would be a solid neighborhood turnout, but the Chula Vista Rewind Festival pulled people in from all over South County, not just Côta Vera residents. Central Square Park stayed packed most of the afternoon, which says a lot about how much this event has grown in just three years. It was also great seeing so many familiar faces out there. A lot of community members came up and said hi, which I always love when I am out and about in Chula Vista.

Chula Vista Rewind Festival
Festival-goers spread out across the lawn at Central Square Park during the Chula Vista Rewind Festival, with the Côta Vera stage lighting up in the background and the beer and wine garden sign marking the way.

Food, Vendors, and a Free Arcade for the Kids

The food truck alley and vendor booths kept everyone fed all day. I grabbed the birria nachos from La Central, and they did not disappoint. I also swung by Reflect Coffee for a Mexican mocha that hit exactly right for an afternoon in the sun. Kids had plenty to do too, with activities running throughout the park and a retro arcade that stayed free to play all day.

Free for Every Family in Chula Vista

What really stuck with me is that this whole festival- live music, arcade, activities for the kids, and all- cost nothing to attend. Côta Vera deserves a big shout-out for putting this together and keeping it free, so families across Chula Vista can come out and enjoy it without worrying about admission costs.

I am already looking forward to the 4th annual Rewind Festival next year. If you want to stay in the loop, keep an eye on Côta Vera’s Instagram for updates. For more free community events around Chula Vista, check the Chula Vista Living event calendar and follow along on Instagram and Facebook @livingchulavista for ongoing coverage.

Chula Vista’s Outdoor Dining Ordinance Heads to a Vote

Kurt Bunch
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Chula Vista’s Outdoor Dining Ordinance Heads to a Vote

I was at Thursday’s press conference hoping to hear an update on one specific thing: parklets. Instead, I got a rundown of Chula Vista’s Outdoor Dining Ordinance, a proposal that would make it easier for restaurants and small businesses to put a table and a few chairs out front. Parklets never came up, dang.

What the Outdoor Dining Ordinance Actually Covers

The proposal calls for amendments to the city’s current ordinance, making it easier for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses to set up tables, seating, and service areas right outside their doors. Mayor John McCann is leading the push, aiming to boost economic activity and give some of our busiest commercial corridors a fresh look. It is worth being clear about the scope here. This is not a program to bring back parklets, those small platforms that used to extend seating into the street. What is on the table is much simpler: helping a small business put out a table and a few chairs in the space they already have out front.

The Parklet Question Nobody Answered

Many people in this community, myself included, have been hoping to see parklets return to Third Avenue. They gave restaurants real breathing room during the years we needed it most, and plenty of folks would love to see that option back on the table. So when I sat down at Thursday’s press conference, that was the question I wanted answered. It never came up. This ordinance, at least as it stands right now, does not address parklets at all.

Why Third Avenue Has the Most to Gain

Even without parklets, Third Avenue still stands to benefit most from this change. With such a dense mix of restaurants, shops, and small businesses packed into downtown, this stretch is already the heartbeat of our local economy and social scene. Letting more of these businesses set up outdoor tables could make the sidewalks feel more inviting, and more inviting sidewalks tend to bring more foot traffic, which is good news for every storefront nearby, not just the restaurants.

Downtown Chula Vista Parklets
I don’t think we will ever see the return of the parklets in Downtown Chula Vista. If you remember, these were removed in September of 2024.

A Mayor Pushing Alone

Here is the part that stood out to me most at the press conference. This ordinance is clearly Mayor McCann’s initiative, and from what I could tell, he is the one carrying it. It did not sound like the rest of the city council shares his enthusiasm. I am not convinced this passes as written, and I would not be surprised if it gets pushed back, reworked, or voted down entirely.

The city council is set to vote on the Outdoor Dining Ordinance in two weeks. That vote will decide whether these changes move forward at all, and given what I heard on Thursday, it is not a sure thing. If it does pass, expect small businesses along our commercial corridors to get a straightforward path to more outdoor seating. If it does not, we will likely be back here again with another version of this conversation.

Keep an Eye on This One

This is exactly the kind of local policy that could shape how downtown Chula Vista looks and feels, and I will be watching the council vote closely. In the meantime, check the CVL event calendar for what is happening around town, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @livingchulavista so you never miss an update.

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