Fire, Flavor, and Family: Vaquera’s Bold BBQ Bash for Father’s Day in San Juan Capistrano from Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer
Fire, Flavor, and Family: Vaquera’s Bold BBQ Bash for Father’s Day in San Juan Capistrano from Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer
If your Father’s Day plans call for smoky meats, bold flavors, and a sun-drenched patio, it might be time to head south. About halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, San Juan Capistrano’s buzzy new Vaquera Restaurant & Bar is pulling out all the stops this June 15th with a Father’s Day celebration tailor-made for BBQ lovers.
Led by Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer, Vaquera is part of the River Street Marketplace—a growing culinary and cultural hub just off the 5 Freeway. Since opening, the restaurant has quickly drawn attention for its wood-fired cooking, a technique Zimmer uses to spotlight California-grown ingredients in dishes that feel both rustic and refined.
This Father’s Day, Chef Zimmer leans into what he knows best: fire, flavor, and feeding people with heart.
“THESE ARE THE DISHES I LOVE MAKING FOR MY OWN FAMILY,”
CHEF ZIMMER
“They’re about comfort, bold flavors, and bringing people together around something that feels both familiar and elevated.”
Think of it as a SoCal-meets-smokehouse moment. The Father’s Day menu features barbecue-forward specials with Zimmer’s signature layered approach—where traditional backyard fare gets an artful upgrade. And while the limited-time dishes are geared toward dads, the full à la carte brunch and dinner menus will also be available, giving guests a chance to mix and match.
Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer
Brunch service runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (extended hours just for the holiday), followed by dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Whether you’re sharing plates with the whole family or just want to sip something smoky on the patio, the vibe promises to be relaxed, celebratory, and very SoCal.
Located less than an hour from both LA and SD, Vaquera makes for an easy day trip destination—especially if you’re looking to swap the usual backyard setup for something a little more elevated without losing the charm.
Reservations are recommended via RESY, and while the full lineup of Father’s Day specials is under wraps, the spirit behind them is clear: wood, fire, and food that brings people together.
Whether you’re raising a glass to your dad, grandpa, or just someone who showed up in all the right ways, Vaquera is offering a memorable way to say thanks—with good food, great drinks, and plenty of heart.
Menus are live online now, but don’t wait too long to book—because if there’s one thing Angelenos and San Diegans know, it’s that the best patios fill up fast.
