Taste of Third Avenue gets cooking

Third Avenue Village Association is hosting its 16th Annual Taste of Third and Artwalk today, Sept. 22.

“People will be going into the restaurants, there will be balloons outside each restaurant and each individual will have a punch card,” said Jovita Juarez Third Avenue Village Association Event Manager.

The 16 participating restaurants include: California Sushi, Chico’s Bakery, D’Volada Cafe & Smoothies, Don Pedro Taco Shop, Edible Arrangements, El Comal, El Primero Hotel, Fuddruckers, Indulge, La Bella’s Pizza Garden, Mangia Italiano on 3rd, Marie Callendar’s, Red Lobster, Sweet Life, The Soupe Stone, and Teriyaki Grill will offer their signature dishes at the event.

“The size of the food samples depend on the restaurant. Don Pedro Taco Shop will be having mini potato tacos, little cups of pozole and ceviche; Marie Callendar’s is having clam chowder; La Bella’s will have pizza; and El Primero Hotel will have their banana bread and coffee,” Juarez said.

Also featured at the event will be 27 artists that will display their work along the sidewalk, mariachis, a magician that will perform on the corner of Third and F Street, and chalk artists that will begin their work at 9 a.m. so its ready for the event at 4 p.m.

“Something we have new this year is an artwork contest,” said Juarez. “The public will be able to vote for three categories; best in show, most original, and best Chula Vista centennial portrayal.”

Winners of the contest will be notified the next day and will receive edible arrangements as their prize.

Taste of Third Avenue is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased at the Village Association office on 353 Third Ave. in Chula Vista. For more information call (619) 422-1982.