Left Coast Brewing Company – family-owned and -operated in San Clemente since 2004 – produces more than 11,000 barrels of beer annually. General Manager Tommy Hadjis and his team opened a second location at Sand Canyon Plaza in 2018. The spot includes a brewery, distillery and smokehouse.
A third location recently opened, proving expansion is in the genes. Brothers George and John Hadjis – Tommy’s late father and uncle, respectively – also founded Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Company, which has grown to 15 locations over its 35 years.
Left Coast’s Sand Canyon location is known for its Kansas City-style smoked brisket sandwich and fried pickles. Also offered: a half dozen Left Coast spirits – including limited-production bourbon, single-malt whiskey and reposado agave spirits – and a dozen beers from Blonde Marvel ale to Voo Doo stout.
Left Coast’s Trunk Box American-Style Brown Ale won a gold medal at last year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, considered the nation’s most prestigious beer competition.
What made you choose Irvine?
We’d been looking at multiple locations. We ultimately came here because the Irvine Company had precisely the same vision we did – to bring lots of life to the center.
Who were the target customers?
They envisioned the people with the cool jobs at the nearby high-tech and gaming companies looking for a place for lunch, for after work and for company parties. Bandai Namco, as in Pac-Man and Tekken, is right behind us. A statue of its Elden Ring character pretty much lives in our event space.
What does it mean to win gold at the premier beer event in the nation?
So many times, you put your best foot forward, you make an amazing beer, but the competition is so, so stiff – you might be going up against 300 others doing the same style of beer.
How do you win that?
First, you’ve got to make an awesome beer, technically sound, no flaws. Then you need a little bit of luck. The judges are knowledgeable, but they’re just people. When you do win, you’re on top of the world.
What ways does Left Coast reach out to the community?
We often donate beer or food for events in the business parks. Our Anteater Lager is the official craft beer of UC Irvine – we’re on campus for all the sporting events. We have arts and crafts nights. Trivia is huge, between 20 and 30 teams – unless you’re coming for trivia, don’t come on Wednesdays.
Celebrating Small Business
TACOS & CO
Owner: Francisco Hernandez
Opened at Sand Canyon Plaza in 2013
“Irvine is family- and community-oriented. Over the years, we’ve adapted to meet the needs of a diverse community, and the relationships we’ve built are a big part of why we’re still here.”
What it’s known for: A neighborhood Mexican spot where quality is personal. Hernandez says he inspects ingredients before buying, rather than relying solely on delivered products. First-timers often start with the shrimp quesadilla, originally created as a pescatarian request, or the Burrito Los Cabos with steak.
EVERYDAY EATERY
Owner: Nasim and Brian Clark
Opened at Sand Canyon Plaza in 2019
“We’ve lived in Irvine for 15 years and walk the Jeffrey Open Space Trail almost daily. We loved the cafes we used to go to in New Zealand, and we’re strongly influenced by that Down Under scene: specialty coffee paired with great food.”
What it’s known for: An all-day cafe for coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch, with roots in the cafe culture the Clarks enjoyed while living in New Zealand. They chose Sand Canyon Plaza for its mix of office traffic and nearby neighborhoods, plus patio seating that takes advantage of the weather.
TROOTH & SMILES
Owner: Dr. Mita Jethwani, DDS
Opened at Sand Canyon Plaza in 2022
“Our family moved to Irvine for its schools and strong sense of community. Opening in Sand Canyon felt like a natural extension. We wanted to serve our neighbors with a thoughtful approach to care.”
What it’s known for: A modern, patient-centered dental practice designed for families and professionals. Jethwani completed a general practice residency at UCLA and emphasizes the mouth-body connection, linking oral health to overall health as part of treatment and prevention.
