What is your connection to Coronado? Tell us your Coronado story.
Kirsten Bertz grew up in the “hot dog capital of the world” (Chicago) and had been a Summer resident for eight years before permanently moving to Coronado four years ago. She has two daughters enrolled in Coronado Middle School. James McGee has been in San Diego since 1994 and has worked for Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Harbor Dr for almost twenty years.
Describe your new business Delux Dogs. What will the menu include? What makes it special?
The core of our menu is gourmet hot dogs and artisanal sausages. We will also be serving amazing fries and freshly squeezed and flavor-infused lemonades. Not only are we excited about our product, but we feel we are filling a huge void as there is currently is nowhere to go for a really great hot dog.
Why did you choose Coronado and this location on Orange Avenue?
Orange Avenue is the heart of the restaurant district and our fast and casual concept fits well among the other businesses.
Stretch’s has been a Coronado staple for close to 30 years. What do you want to say to their patrons?
Our understanding of Stretch’s long success starts with acknowledging Stretch himself. He started a business in a small community and became one with it’s patrons. While the business changed hands a few times after Stretch, it still maintained a personal, local feel. Kirsten worked there a short time with Lindsey Palmer and witnessed how she got to know each of her customers on a personal level. While our menu and concept will be entirely different from what Stretch’s serves, we too will hope to be a business that gives back to and becomes part of the Coronado community. We want to make the space more family friendly as well and offer items that speak to both children and adults…food that identifies with the “kid” in all if us.
What types of construction changes are you planning and when is the scheduled date to open Delux Dogs?
The space is going to require complete revision and effort to update it both aesthetically and to meet our operational needs. We have targeted November 2011 as our opening date.
Stay tuned!
