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Health and safety guidelines issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic took a major toll on San Diego restaurants in the past year. But while some closed down, others, like Cali Comfort BBQ in Spring Valley, were prepared to make quick adjustments, building on the digital-first mindset of owner Shawn Walchef.
Even before the pandemic, Walchef preached the importance of digital marketing and innovation in the food world both at his own restaurant and on a podcast called Digital Hospitality, where he invites industry leaders to share what they know.
Not only was Walchef in a position to easily prioritize online ordering and delivery during the height of the pandemic, but as case numbers go down and San Diego County beings to reopen to more possibilities, his Spring Valley restaurant has done some remodeling and Cali Comfort BBQ’s second location is opening up at the new Barrio Logan Food Hub. The hub is home to what’s known as “ghost kitchens,” which operate un
Since opening Cali BBQ in 2008 in San Diego County, owners Shawn and Rositsa Walchef have set out to transform the way Californians think of barbecue. Part of that is how they continue to incorporate the Bulgarian traditions of hospitality into every facet of their expanding business empire.
Ask Shawn and he’ll tell you the goal is simple: Make Cali BBQ the “Amazon of BBQ.” So, when you think of barbecue, you not only think of mouthwatering meats and sides, you think of easy online ordering, ghost kitchens, cool and informative podcasts and media content, and the kind of hospitality you cannot get anywhere else.