Business & Tech

Charcoal House Is Reopening Under Owner of Popular El Cajon Restaurant

Murray Drive steakhouse could resume service Monday night, after county health inspections.

Three months after an eviction led to its closure, the landmark Charcoal House is reopening under new ownership—perhaps as early as Monday.

Now called the Charcoal House Steakhouse & Sports Bar—with seven “high-def” TVs and an expanded menu—the 48-year-old restaurant west of Grossmont High School will retain its red-booth flavor and even bring back its two-hole putting green out front.

Chris Dallo of El Cajon, owner of the Harvest Ranch grocery chain, bought the Murray Drive business after hearing about its availability from customers at the Junction, his nearly 18-month-old steakhouse in El Cajon—formerly the Jamacha Bar & Grille.

“The opportunity came,” Dallo said Sunday while making final checks before a county health inspection Monday. “We just wanted to bring it back to the way it was.”

Promising to keep “the same old feel” but add color and “new energy,” Dallo says he spent “quite a lot” to remodel the restaurant, including a fresh exterior paint job and ceramic floor tiles. He revived the rock fountain out front and added an electronic jukebox.

A leaky roof has been repaired, he said, and last month the 6,300-square-foot building was tented for several days by a pest-control company.

Dallo, 43, says some former employees of eight-year owner Brian Hames will return to Charcoal House. He says he expects his work force of 10-12 staff members to grow.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday—although the bar will stay open until 2 a.m. all nights.

Former owner Hames won’t be involved in the new business, said Dallo, an 18-year area resident who moved here from Michigan after being involved in the food business since he was about 14 or 15.

He calls his restaurants an extension of his markets, which include Harvest Ranch stores in El Cajon, Encinitas and Del Mar and Jonathan's Market in La Jolla and Foodland Mercado IGA outlets.

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“I’ve always loved the business,” says Dallo, president of Dallo Enterprises.

The new menu (attached) will feature prime rib ($20.95 for a “petite” portion, $28.95 for “hearty”), but also include chicken, pork and seafood entrees (like Macadamia Crusted Halibut for $19.95) and several pasta dishes.  A “smaller plates” menu includes fish tacos for $6.50.

Dallo, who will serve as night manager, said he’ll use the same head chef as that at his Junction Steakhouse and Sports Bar. His day manager will be Christy Hill, a 15-year veteran of his operation who also works at Viejas.

With room for 198 occupants, the restaurant sits on land owned by Thomas Toothaker of Connecticut. Dallo says he’s leasing, but “we plan to be here for a very, very long time.”

In recent days, curious would-be diners have trooped to the restaurant in hopes it was serving, including an older couple last week who saw the doors open.

“It’s been a part of La Mesa since 1963,” Dallo said Sunday while giving Patch a quick tour. “It’s an icon. We’re just excited to bring it back.”

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