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Savor Global Cuisine at Side Street Escondido Restaurant & Bar
Tara A. Spears
Many people enjoy new places, new culinary experiences. Jaltemba Bay is fortunate to have dozens of great restaurants that offer Mexican, Italian, or Canadian cuisine. But, did you know that one popular La Penita restaurant, Side Street Escondido Restaurant & Bar, has a stellar menu of international dishes all the time?
Owner and chef Jim Lowery loves to cook and that passion transfers into outstanding entrees. Located on Calle Laureles y Gongora 9b, the restaurant is known for its diversity of authentic dinner specials and special order, take-home items such as sausages, Tourtière dinner pies, sauerkraut, and fresh sourdough bread. The Sunday brunch buffet is so exceptional that seating is available only by advance registration. Many of the dinner specials are also popular so that to ensure a meal, call Cheryl 322 188 9398 for a reservation
. (Do not use Facebook to try to make a reservation.) Side Street Escondido serves lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday noon-8 pm, Sunday brunch open 9am- noon, closed Mondays.
International cuisine refers to the cooking traditions and practices of various regions and countries around the world. These dishes are characterized by unique ingredients, cooking methods, and cultural influences that contribute to the distinct flavors and textures of each cuisine. Jim explained, “My personal cooking style is all about flavor and color. I want everything I prepare to be exciting and interesting, even if it’s something we’re all familiar with.” For Jim, being a chef isn’t a job, it’s a calling.
Jim met his wife of 22 years, Cheryl, at the Culinary Arts Chef’s school in Canada. “There are two certified chefs in this restaurant. When we first decided to open a restaurant in Mexico, we found that that there wasn’t a lot of choice for different styles of cuisines. We decided that our restaurant would do International- just a bit of this, a bit of that. That’s basically how I came up with the menu.” He tried various entrees the first year and kept the dishes that the customers most requested.
In addition to the dine in menu, Side Street offers a nice selection of specialty items for special order: the hand made sausages, sauces, and bakery goods are wonderful. Jim’s smoked baked beans are the best the author has ever had and compliment the sausages perfectly! Look at this season’s daily dinner specials- I know you’ll find a favorite.
Tues: salad & pizza;
Wed: chicken fried steak 
Thurs: Yorkshire pudding
Fri: fish & chips
Sat: rib/chicken combo
Sun: brunch buffet
Cheryl and Jim love working in the hectic but rewarding world of restaurant business. Side Street is not their first venture but rather a culmination of experience from several previous restaurants. “I would say from now versus 20 years ago, that I have way more knowledge now. I had a lot of knowledge then but I find what’s different now is that I have more confidence.” Jim said with a chuckle. “I had a lot more energy in the past- I guess age eventually gets to you.
When you run a kitchen, no matter how crazy and chaotic it gets, you have to be the calm one.”
Because the Lowerys changed to a larger facility last fall, Jim had the challenge and satisfaction of creating the kitchen. “I wanted to set up everything right. It’s important when you design your kitchen to think ahead. ‘what am I doing what kind of stuff am I preparing? and where do I need stuff so everything is available and there is a flow.” A unique feature to the food preparation is that Jim has a professional smoker and it enables him to add a flavorful twist to dishes.
When asked why he choose the career of being a chef, he explained that when he started working part-time as a teen, it was in a restaurant. Over time, he discovered that he was good at working in the kitchen. Eventually, Jim moved to Canada and went to chef school and now 20 years late, he can’t imagine doing anything else. “I love cooking because I love to eat. I’m inspired by the comforting food I’d eat as a kid, I’m inspired by flavors from cultures, seasonings from all around the world.”
Both Jim and Cheryl love kids and animals, having 6 children, grandkids, and 5 rescue dogs. When not working at the restaurant, the couple enjoy relaxing at home. Cheryl likes sketching and painting to unwind. Although they work long hours, they do volunteer when they can to help area groups. 
If you get a craving for a favorite meal but uninspired recipes make you sad, come to Side Street Escondido Restaurant & Bar. Their savory international dishes will satisfy your hunger and please your palate.
At Side Street Escondido Restaurant & Bar, it’s not just serving food, it’s about putting everything in your heart onto the plate; it’s about passion for good food and good times. When that craving for a taste of home hits, treat yourself to Jim’s fantastic international cooking. Good food is not simply organic fuel to keep body and soul together, it is a perishable art that must be savored.
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