Around Lakeside

March brings new trails for hikers and new restaurant for Lakeside

Lakeside celebrates its own March Madness with new trail and eats. The Lakeside River Park Conservancy and the new business, Bucking Delorean Restaurant, both held ribbon cutting ceremonies bringing new and exciting things to the community

March brings new trails for hikers and new restaurant for Lakeside

Lakeside celebrates its own March Madness with new trail and eats. The Lakeside River Park Conservancy and the new business, Bucking Delorean Restaurant, both held ribbon cutting ceremonies bringing new and exciting things to the community

The Lakeside River Park Conservancy held their Trail Extension Ribbon Cutting ceremony on March 8. Supervisor, Dianne Jacob, welded the huge scissors to make it official. After two years of negotiations and building to make the trail fully accessible for all and for equestrians, hikers and bikers, the new section of the trail was finally open for the public to enjoy. This section started at the baseball fields on Marathon Way. This half-mile section headed east under the Riverford Road Bridge toward the older trail at the River Park.

 It abruptly stopped at the Lakeside Land Company property line, because the industrialists have not yet joined the community’s enthusiasm about having a trail that traverses along the San Diego River. This is a one-half mile section that is holding up the progress of the new trail connection to the older part of the trail. The River Park Conservancy hopes to get Lakeside Land Company on board soon, meanwhile riders, hikers and bikers are doubling back after a short trail experience.

An ardent supporter of the River Park Trails system, Jacob took a stroll to experience the new trail for herself. She said that this is the first time the different agencies have been working together for the trails. The compromise is that the section of trail going through Santee will be paved, but the section going east toward El Monte Valley will be decomposed granite, a softer trail that will be equestrian friendly.

“This trail is not just for today, but forever, it is a legacy to be proud of”, she said.

Jacob gave special recognition certificates to Billy Ortiz, Charlie Cidell and Pete Nelson, for their work on the new trail section. According to Christine Deleon, special events coordinator, a Certificate of Appreciation for work done in Lakeside was also given by Senator Joel Anderson’s office. East County Horsemen Foundation riders were on hand to test out the new trail section and other vendors who took part in the celebration were: I Love A Clean San Diego, H&R Block, San Diego River Foundation and Pivot Coffee Shop, who provided drinks for the guests.

Another ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the new Bucking Delorean restaurant on Maine Avenue in the Historic Business District. The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce board of directors was in full force helping with the grand opening on March 14. There was a lot of excitement as everyone took a gander at the new rustic decoration of the old building. The owner, Bashar Katou, was all smiles as he proudly showed off his handy work. This was a family affair since his cousins and brother and other family members had a hand in creating the unique interior.

Katou is experienced at food service. He owns a pizza restaurant in our Wal-Mart Shopping Center.  

He said the menu would include Prime Steaks, BBQ chicken, ribs, fresh pastas and, of course, build your own Bucking Burgers, and food with a Mediterranean flare. The name, Bucking Delorean comes from the movie “Back To The Future” and as a special treat to the public, three DeLorean cars, dating back to the mid 1980s were on display in the front of the restaurant. It was an eye-catching event. Dan Wellington, one of the owners of a DeLorean, said when they were originally built in the 1980s, for only three years, they cost $25,000 new, but now are going for $40,000.

Katou plans a new facade for the historic building, the front already has a new entrance and paint job and he plans to build a patio in the front as well. According to the Lakeside Historical Society’s archives, this old building was built in 1910. It was originally Lakeside Hardware and Lumber Store, (owned by W.D. Hall), and recently purchased by Steve Clapp, the former owner of Fire and Ice Heating and Air Conditioning.