This is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is having technical difficulties today, so Cathy is writing this post.
Bushfire Grill is a family owned and operated restaurant with locations in La Costa, Temecula and Del Mar. There's an 'About Us' poster near the condiments: "Farm Fresh Food Made the Old Fashioned Way – affordable, top shelf ingredients, local and organic (when practical) cooked simply with bold flavors". The Del Mar location opened a year ago this month. The Mister and I dropped in for lunch on a weekday.
The Northwest corner of Interstate 5 at Del Mar Heights road is the location of this obscure mall. Anchored by Vons, AAA and some other interesting (future posts) eateries, right next to a Starbucks.
You are directed to walk along the food preparation area then order and pay. Menus (Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner) with prices are above the open area (and at the bottom of this post) 
Take a number, find a seat and your order is brought out.
When I saw that Zumbar coffee was sold here, I ordered a press pot ($4) and it was brought out first, with a pitcher of half and half. Zumba is my favorite local roast coffee and this was just so perfect. 
The Mister ordered the half chicken plate ($11) and it came with a house made peri peri sauce (crushed chillies, citrus rind, onion, salt, pepper, lemon juice, bay leaves, paprika, pimento, basil, oregano and tarragon). It was a bit spicy. The chicken had been coated in a very nice spice blend already…very moist and the addition of sauce 'interrupted' those flavors.
I decided to try an entree portion of mixed sides ($12.95) Clockwise from 12:00: Grandma's Mac & Cheese; quinoa, beet and wild arugula salad; Kaleslaw; baked sweet potato. Each of these sides were flavorful and unique. Of course the mac & cheese was the favorite…each item was so fresh and went with the chicken.
Other sides choices include: bacon & beans; butternut squash; seasonal grilled veggies; garlic mashed potatoes; potato chips; french fries; sweet potato fries; rustic greek salad; caesar salad; spinach & strawberry salad and mixed seasonal greens. 
Both the chicken and the sides entree came with a piece of house made focaccia-light, fluffy, soft, warm…with a side cup of champagne vinaigrette infused with chopped chives-unique and another burst of flavor.
Service was outstanding, even though it was getting busy. The food was really great. We are planning a follow up visit.
Who else has been here? Soo was here about six months ago, so was Faye, about ten months ago.
Bushfire Kitchen 2602 Del Mar Heights Road Del Mar 92014 (858) 461-0946 open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Website
Nice variety for your entree of mixed sides. Great choices.
That mixed sides entree was a smart choice for us, cc. Everything was unexpectedly good. Nice that it’s a local place too.
I tried the bacon burger for my birthday. http://www.hungryones.com/2017/03/bushfire-kitchen-del-mar/
It was pretty good. I’ll have to try the half chicken.
Your post specifically on Zumbar was a few years ago, but maybe you’ve seen that New English Brewing has a beer brewed with Zumbar coffee? Appropriately named Zumbar it’s a pretty gnarly beer.
So sorry I didn’t notice that post, Soo. Happy belated birthday. The burger looks good; I do like a good char, not a burned char; was curious about the bacon. (I linked your post (Faye’s too)).
Thank you for telling me about the stout, Eddie. It sounds like something I would definitely order (and like). I’ll be looking for that blue and yellow/sunshine label for New English the next time out.
Thanks for the link Cathy! I’m looking forward to trying the burger at the soon to be open Shake Shack. 🙂