8

FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 2, 2025


The horses are off—and so are plenty of folks from our little town of Sierra Madre, heading down 
the 5 to one of the greatest summertime traditions in Southern California: the Del Mar Summer 
Meet.

Now what, you might ask, does Del Mar have to do with Sierra Madre? My guess—plenty. I’m willing 
to bet a few of you have a stake in the game, whether it’s a share in a thoroughbred, a cousin 
working hotwalks, or just a deep love for big hats and better cocktails. Del Mar is more than a 
track—it’s a scene, and every summer it draws out the best from the barns to the bars.

I’ve been going for years, and trust me, the price of admission isn’t what it used to be. I remember 
when a room at the Hilton just across the street from the track went for around $150. Today? Triple 
that—if you're lucky. Best advice I can give? Use Expedia, and start early. Lodging fills up fast once 
the first bugle blows.

Plane, Train, or Automobile?

Getting there is half the fun—or frustration. I’ve tried it all.

Train: Take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Coaster to Solana Beach, then a quick Uber to the track.

Car: If you're brave enough to brave the 5, just be ready for traffic and pack patience.

Shuttle: My favorite? If your hotel offers a shuttle, jump on it. Beats the Uber chaos post-race. That 
pickup area never seems to go smoothly for me. Maybe this year’s better—but I’m not betting on it.

Who’s Who at the Track

Locals from our town are part of the Del Mar heartbeat. Just ask John Mathues, longtime usher 
at the finish line—a true racing staple. After the final race, John skips the after-parties and heads 
straight to Jake’s Del Mar, where the drinks are cold, the ocean’s in view, and the vibe is pure California 
chill. “It’s my go-to spot to unwind after the races,” he told me. That’s a solid tip from a man 
who’s seen it all.

And then there’s my friend Bob Hess Jr., a name you’ll recognize if you know horse racing. Bob’s 
been training at Del Mar since the ’80s and always has the inside scoop—not just on the ponies, but 
on where to eat.

Here are Bob’s Top Picks:

• Salt & Lime (Del Mar) – Fresh tacos, good vibes, and better margaritas.

• Bangkok Thai (Solana Beach) – Small, family-run, and one of Bob’s longtime favorites.

• Chief Burgers (Solana Beach) – Unpretentious, just a great burger joint.

• Tony’s Jacal (Solana Beach) – Been around since 1946. Classic Mexican food, and as Bob 
says, “Still packed for a reason.”

• Ken’s Sushi Workshop (Del Mar) – For the high rollers. It’s not cheap, but the sushi? Some 
of the best this side of Tokyo.

Local Flavor, Literally

And speaking of local knowledge, hats off to former Pasadena resident Blake Colburn, who tipped 
me off to something I might’ve missed: Cardiff Crack. No, it’s not a crime—it’s a marinated tri-tip 
sold at Seaside Market in nearby Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Blake swears by it, and I’ll admit—it’s quite 
good. If you're grilling at your Airbnb or just want a break from track food, it’s worth hunting down.

Fashion & Food

Opening Day is the big hat parade, and if you're dressing up—go big or stay home. But don’t sleep 
on track food either. There’s everything from lobster rolls and prime rib sandwiches to surprisingly 
solid tacos at 17 Hands.

Want to take it to the next level? Book a table at Il Palio or go old-school at Red Tracton’s across the 
street—a steakhouse with martinis and a piano bar that’s straight out of a Sinatra setlist.

And for the truly elite (or the truly hungry), there’s Addison, a three-Michelin-star dining experience 
at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. It’s not exactly “after the races” casual—but if you win big, why 
not?

Don't Forget Mike Smith

While we’re at it, let’s give a nod to the legend himself—Mike Smith, aka “Big Money Mike.” Still 
riding strong at age 59, Mike keeps in shape with cardio and one meal a day. The man has won 27 
Breeders’ Cup titles and rode Justify to the Triple Crown. If he’s riding in a race, take a second look 
at that program—he might be the one to push your trifecta across the wire.

Final Thoughts from the 91024

Del Mar’s summer meet isn’t just for the well-heeled or the racing elite—it’s for anyone who loves 
excitement, atmosphere, and a little bit of salt in the air. And as always, Sierra Madre folks are in the 
mix—whether working the paddock, sipping a drink at Jake’s, sharing tri-tip tips, or cheering from 
the stands.

So if you're heading down—pack your sunglasses, bring a budget, and remember: always bet the 
horse with the shiniest coat. It worked for my dad, and it might just work for you.

See you at the rail, Peter Dills

Dining With Dills – “The guy with the fork and the finish line” email your thoughts thechefknows@
yahoo.com and don’t miss this weeks podcast

DEL MAR DAYS: 

 WHY SIERRA MADRE FANS KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE


ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown DOUGLAS HARDING QUOTES

Douglas Harding was an English philosophical writer, professor, 
mystic, spiritual teacher and author of a number of books, including 
On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious, 
which describes simple techniques he invented for readers to experience 
the non-duality of consciousness. Known for his "headless 
way" philosophy, encouraged self-inquiry into one's true nature, 
emphasizing the experience of "seeing" rather than relying on conceptual 
knowledge. He challenged the common belief that we are 
in our heads, suggesting instead that we are a vast, empty space in 
which all is seen, heard and known. His quotes explore themes of 
self-discovery, the nature of perception, and the illusion of a separate 
self.

“There is a Reality which is Indivisible, One, Alone, the Source and Being of all; not a thing, 
nor even a mind, but pure Spirit or clear Consciousness; and we are That and nothing but 
That, for That is our true Nature; and the only way to find It is to look steadily within, where 
are to be found utmost peace, unfading joy, and eternal life itself.”

“Inwardly you are divine, outwardly you are a person. Instead of thinking you are just a 
person, that appearance, you can awake to the power behind you, the safety within you, the 
source of inspiration and guidance at the heart of your human life. This enables you to be 
yourself even more so.”

“Isn’t it the very last thing we feel grateful for - having happened? You needn't have happened. 
But you did happen.”

“The basis of what it’s all about is looking to see what it’s like right where you are, and seeing 
that you are not a thing. Your essence there is capacity, emptiness, openness, space, void, 
fulfilling.” 

“We are all more or less ill till we find -Self-enquiry our Oneness with everyone else.”

“When I look here and see who I really, really am at this moment, I am aware, capacity, and 
space—which is infinite. Space every which way—awake space and unbounded space for 
the world.

“When I trust who I really, really, really am, where I’m coming from—my true nature, my 
Buddha-nature, the indwelling holy spirit, kingdom of heaven, God, or whatever you would 
like to call this—I find I’m taken care of and that things work out.”

“The first motive for looking at this is curiosity. I’ll be damned if I’ll live and die without 
ever looking to see who is doing that … I’m making sure I don’t live and die without having 
a look at who’s doing that.” He has many talks on youtube.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com