No longer 21 and over, The Hills Local Pub defines and boosts community

Once an establishment that solely served and marketed to 21 plus, The Hills Local Pub in La Mesa recently made that policy a thing of the past, driving the change home by burning it’s “NO PERSON UNDER 21 ALLOWED” sign and posting it on Instagram to tell locals, followers, regulars and potential customers that anyone and everyone is welcome.

Once an establishment that solely served and marketed to 21 plus, The Hills Local Pub in La Mesa recently made that policy a thing of the past, driving the change home by burning it’s “NO PERSON UNDER 21 ALLOWED” sign and posting it on Instagram to tell locals, followers, regulars and potential customers that anyone and everyone is welcome.

The Hills Local Pub has gained popularity by parlaying traditional word of mouth but also Instagram and Facebook to get people in the door. Sophisticated hash tagging, vendor tagging and photos of elevated pub food with catchy descriptions and smiling staff provide the perfect accompaniment to the regular posts. “Pub grub” is what you might expect from a brick and mortar sports bar on La Mesa Avenue, but like its sister property Eastbound, the menu is thought out to sync what people want, accompanied by savvy owners and staff who know what little, and larger things will make it stand out.

The tantalizing food posts may get people in, but The Hills has many virtues that keep people coming back.

In addition to a full bar, The Hills has twenty-four brews on tap, as they’re distinctly aware they don’t need to go far for great beer—craft brews from the San Diego region are offered in a “give the people what they want” endeavor.

Also in community spirit, The Hills does “We Care Wednesdays,” giving 10 percent of sales back to a “local charity, foundation or sports team.”

To keep things interesting but dependable, there are different menu items and themes almost every day of the week at The Hills. Mondays, guests can enjoy “Suds ’n Sliders,” three sliders with three 4 oz. beers. Why deviate from a cultural expectation—people can enjoy the famed “Taco Tuesday” at The Hills. Thursday is “Date Night,” with wine and dessert pairings offered. On Sundays, “Dinner with the Morello’s,” means authentic Italian cuisine and half price bottles of wine. The Hills is going to try and impress you in an upping-the-ante sort of way while still being a faithful, sturdy neighborhood place to drink a cold brew, slide down a scotch, and catch the game on any one of its thirteen screens.

The staff hits it out of the park here due to the attention they give each and every patron. Whether you have a baby on your hip, doing a girls’ night out, drinking a pale ale while watching the Chargers or starting Sunday off on their outdoor patio enjoying brunch, you are greeted and treated like you are a friend whose time and needs are the most important things happening in La Mesa that day.

Be prepared to go beyond standard pub fare at The Hills Local Pub. The starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers and tacos offered have been thought out with urbanized appetites in mind, and are executed by chefs who succeed by cooking the way Southern Californians like to eat. Hearty, but healthy, satisfying, but not heavy. Classic, but updated. It’s a simple formula, executed in a fun, come as you are, stay as long as you want atmosphere. 

All burgers are hand-crafted and 1/3 lb. They cater to the healthy eaters with a Superfood Salad (shredded brussels sprouts, kale, shredded parmesan, toasted almonds and craisins tossed with a citrus avocado dressing), and delight the taco shop-frequenting crowd with Chipotle Carne Fries (carne asada, melted cheddar, topped with a chipotle sauce). The dojo sauce served with the Grilled Ginger Soy Chicken Wings is downright drinkable, but best when used for dipping the moist on the inside, crispy on the outside wings. The perfectly caramelized onions in the Lakesliders peek out from under Hawaiian buns that are a winning combination of savory, salty and hint of sweet that justify many return visits. Pulled pork with a smoky-sweet sauce does not disappoint, served with coleslaw on ciabatta with homemade Serrano jelly. Tacos are served either a la carte or with rice and beans, and they come bursting with your choice of mahi, carne, grilled chicken or slow-roasted pork. A variety of sauces rounds them out. Pico de gallo, salsa, cheddar spicy ranch, avocado cream, salsa verde, all done just right. 

Large establishments with common denominator menus and broadcasted sports are easy to find, but La Mesa wanted, and got, something more with The Hills Local Pub. The doors are open to everyone who wants somewhere to habitually go, where they can feel good about what they eat, drink and who with, the fact that it’s a community place (and a local craft brew served quickly), completely refreshing.

Find them online at www.thehillslocalpub.com.