Del Mar Village Small Business Spotlight: Zel’s Del Mar
Welcome to our brand new blog series, in which we’ll be interviewing the folks behind your favorite Del Mar Village businesses. We hope you learn something new and stop in soon!
Del Mar Village Small Business Spotlight: Zel’s Del Mar
Interview With: Jennifer Powers and Greg Glassman, Owners/Operators
Tell us your backstory: What was your path to owning a business in Del Mar Village? Did you grow up here? Why did you choose Del Mar Village to set up shop?
We opened Zel's in 2009 when a great opportunity presented itself and we decided to just go for it! The restaurant is named after Greg's grandfather, Zel Camiel, who owned one of the first liquor stores in town located where the Del Mar Plaza is today. Zel was a much loved member of the Del Mar community for many years and it only seemed natural to name it after him in a nod to the town.
Tell us about your business. What should people know about it? What makes it unique?
Zel's truly is a neighborhood bar and restaurant. It's a place where friends meet to eat and drink and neighbors run into neighbors, all the while enjoying good food, drink and local live music! It is exactly the type of place that Greg and I love to frequent and brings us joy that we have been able to bring that into the community.
What is one menu item or product you are most known for or is particularly special to you?
If you ask Greg, it would be his tequila, mezcal and bourbon selections. If you ask me, it's all about my Grilled Cheese Monday nights!
Tell us one fun fact about your business most people don't know.
The building which is now Zel's was originally the Pacific Bell Phone Company and hidden away in my office are some of the (very) old phone lines.
What do you love about Del Mar Village?
Small, quaint, walkable....not to mention located on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach!
How would you spend the perfect day in Del Mar? Where would you go? What would you eat or do?
A great run on the beach at low tide. Then a mani-pedi at Del Mar Nails and Spa located in Del Mar Plaza and then, of course, dinner and drinks at Zel's!
