Better of San Juan Capistrano: Proper Aspect of the Tracks—Trevor’s Maintains Esteemed Fame in SJC Restaurant Scene
Likelihood is, for those who’ve been to Downtown San Juan Capistrano, you’ve eaten at Trevor’s on the Tracks—or at the least heard in regards to the well-liked institution’s meals and ambiance.
Many readers of The Capistrano Dispatch have, sufficient in order that they’ve constantly voted for Trevor’s within the annual Better of San Juan Capistrano Folks’s Selection Horseshoe Awards in quite a few classes—for finest restaurant, finest vegan spot, finest burger, amongst different honors.
In truth, Trevor’s has earned two distinctions this 12 months: most medals awarded for 2022 (15 in whole—eight Golden Horseshoes and 7 Silver) and most medals awarded up to now (70) since launching the “Finest ofs” 16 years in the past.
“We’re tremendous grateful for the way we’ve been acquired on the town for the reason that very starting,” founder and proprietor Trevor Baird says. “We give our all. It’s pretty to see that reciprocated. We’re making an attempt to be the most effective restaurant.”
Trevor’s on the Tracks opened in 2017 and is actually proper by the downtown practice station. The restaurant has change into a spot the place folks rejoice birthdays or to meet up with associates. Present menu gadgets embody Southwest steak Cobb salad with roasted corn and bleu cheese and a Turkish fig and fungi flatbread.
Some huge cash and “painstaking trials and tribulations” went into beginning Trevor’s, Baird says.
“The bones of this construction are so good, as a result of it’s strong brick and mortar. It didn’t give us any hassle,” Baird says when reflecting on what went into beginning the restaurant, which is in a historic former practice depot. “It was (hassle) coping with every thing else in a construct, coping with subcontractors and all that stuff, however as quickly as we opened, it was recreation on. Given our location, it’s such a draw.”
A number of the Golden Horseshoe awards that Trevor’s earned this 12 months embody Finest Menu for Wholesome Selections and Finest Restaurant for Vegan Choices.
“We’re very proud to offer these. It’s a rising inhabitants section,” Baird says. “We’re increasingly conscientious about our well being as of late, and we wish to be a steward—extra of an advocate, I assume—of more healthy consuming. Simply since you’re out to eat doesn’t imply you must eat poorly.”
Trevor’s goals to “have enjoyable” with utilizing fruit and veggies.
“Traditionally, vegans have been capable of eat salads, and that’s sort of it—and french fries,” Baird says. “To have a vegan tikka masala is cool.”
For carnivores, Trevor’s additionally received gold for Finest Burger in 2022 for the fifth time.
“We attempt to get that burger award yearly. It’s burger,” Baird says. “We put great things on it.”
Trevor’s was additionally named by readers in 2022 because the Finest Household Restaurant. For Finest Bar, it took house the Silver Horseshoe.
“We try to have one thing for everybody, which is an actual tall declare. In case you take a look at the menu, it’s a assorted menu,” Baird says. “If you need the taking place bar vibe, that’s there. If you need a extra secluded desk inside—heat, cozy, by the fireside—that’s there.”
Joseph Tripi and Jessie Eckhardt earned Silver Horsehoes for Finest Chef and Finest Bartender, respectively.
“Each of them are terrific of their commerce and masters of their commerce, and I’m actually pleased to see them acknowledged,” Baird says.
Trevor’s additionally earned a Silver Horseshoe for Finest General Customer support, its first medal within the class.
“We’re simply imperfect folks promoting food and drinks to different imperfect folks. You may have a burger, but when that burger takes a half-hour to get to you, if it’s not cooked to your choice, that’s the stuff we have now management over,” Baird says. “We attempt to give good service. That’s actually the toughest a part of this enterprise, having constantly pleasant service.”
“I attempt to rent people who care. You may practice anybody to do most issues in life, however you possibly can’t practice them to care,” he continues. “Happily, we have now plenty of good folks round right here.”
The downtown space normally has change into a hub for brand spanking new well-liked eating places. When requested if he feels Trevor’s kick-started that pattern, Baird humbly genuflected and says Mayfield and Inn on the Mission San Juan Capistrano additionally opening make San Juan extra of a vacation spot.
“Our timing was good. I wouldn’t take any private credit score for the booming of San Juan,” Baird says. “It was solely a matter of time earlier than folks actually realized (the draw of Downtown San Juan Capistrano). I feel Rancho Capistrano Vineyard began all of it off. Redoing the theater began all of it off.”
Like different Orange County locals, Baird—who grew up in Laguna Niguel—remembers coming right down to San Juan for a film and a go to to Ruby’s Diner in earlier years, “however nothing else.” Instances are actually completely different, with crowds of weekend guests patronizing Trevor’s and different locations.
Trevor’s has bounced again from the results of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a short lived closure throughout the preliminary days of the outbreak.
“We’ve seen pre-COVID ranges of enterprise nonstop. I might say it’s even busier. this final summer season was indication,” Baird says. “Now it’s again to life normally. I do really feel (the pandemic) has instilled a better appreciation for issues we took without any consideration beforehand, reminiscent of eating out.”
Baird calls the long run vibrant for the downtown space and his namesake restaurant, particularly mentioning Heritage Barbecue getting Michelin recognition and the upcoming opening of River Avenue Market across the nook.
“I’m thrilled to be proper in the midst of it,” he says. “I’m pleased that there’s extra competitors. Competitors is nice. I firmly consider {that a} rising tide lifts all boats, and that’s what’s taking place proper now.”
