Holiday Taste Of Old Town, A Festive Night For Area Foodies In 2023

TEMECULA, CA — What's the best way to ring in the holidays in Temecula? Locals know it's the Holiday Taste of Old Town.

The annual event, held Wednesday between 4 and 8 p.m., drew hundreds of locals and visitors to Old Town Temecula. The city's main arch and streets sparkled under twinkling lights and snowflakes during the "Temecula Chilled" holiday season.

Ticketed guests received a wristband and secret map to taste sweet and savory treats at Old Town's many restaurants from Front Street to cross streets in an "open house style." Those who know, dress warm and wear comfortable shoes for this walking tour of Old Town shops and eateries.

One of the best parts of the annual taste event is not knowing which shops and restaurants will participate or what they'll serve. In 2023, Patch stopped by as many as we could, starting on the south side of Old Town Front Street.

We stopped inside Baily's Old Town for shredded barbecue brisket bites on Hawaiian rolls and a pureed bean soup with cilantro and sour cream. Delightfully flavorful, the rich, creamy and spicy soup was a perfect start to the tasting.

Nearby Devilicious won the night with their bacon-wrapped mac-n-cheese balls, served by a delightful worker dressed in a festive holiday sweater. She was full of holiday cheer.

Our next stop was Swing Inn Cafe, across the street, for pulled pork sliders and barbecue sauce, where we paused to drink in the sights of the busy Old Town street under holiday lights. While we were there, festive music played from outdoor speakers, making this a must-stop on the walking tour.

Public House, on Main Street, was the next stop for our walking tour. We ducked under a lit archway into a holiday-decorated outdoor patio. They offered a bruschetta of kalamata olives and golden tomatoes tossed over a feta spread on a fresh baguette slice.

Next, we paused for a beer tasting at Stone Church Brewing and enjoyed a sample of their Mango Passion Fruit Wheat. Lovers of a good wheat beer will not be disappointed, and here's a toast to the barkeep for his sense of humor during the night.

The next stop was The Gambling Cowboy, where we braved three flights of stairs to sample their deconstructed mini beef Wellington with mushroom duxelles and dijon sauce served in a puff pastry shell. As one would hope, the meat was tender, and the dish offered a perfect hit of sweet and savory to tempt any palate. We highly recommend The Gambling Cowboy as a special occasion stop.

Continuing up 5th Street, we paused at Havana Kitchen for a delicious bite of their Lichon—roast pork in simmering juices with tender onion and peppers. Delightful and not to be missed.

Our last "dinner" stop was Landeros Mexican Grill and Cantina. If you have not visited this off-the-beaten-path Mexican restaurant, add it to your Old Town eatery list. The decor, from the sizeable artistic tree in the center to the murals painted behind the bar, makes you feel like you're on an instant vacation. We sampled street tacos loaded with flavor, which left us wanting more. The wait staff was charming and hard-working on the busy night. We will return to this stop on our next trip to Old Town.

We dropped by Bottega Italia for a bite of homemade peppermint gelato for dessert. If you've yet to stop by this restaurant, it is one of many owned locally by the Prestifilippo family in Temecula. Hospitality shines here in the staff and atmosphere. If you go for dinner, stay for drinks. Their spirits menu is a treat, from Italian cocktails and martinis to rocks and a full wine list.

No trip to Old Town is complete without a stop by the Old Town Sweet Shop on Front Street to sample their homemade treats. Where else can you find the world's hottest gummy bear, candy drops and other retro favorites? They served a bite of milk chocolate-covered bacon and freeze-dried Skittles for the night.

Our final stop was the Oak Grove Culinary Creations on 2nd Street for a delicious chocolate chip rosemary creation. There were many other places to stop, but alas! We had to pick and choose our way through the walking tour. Alas, we missed Qauil, Olivedipity, Silver Fever, La Fata Cellars, Old Town Deli, Big Nose Winery, Old Town Mining Company, Corbeaux Wine and Tea House, and Lorimar Winery.

Many shops remain open after hours, allowing for added holiday shopping.
We want to thank the Old Town Temecula Association and Visit Temecula for sponsoring Patch at this event.

Mark your calendar and watch for the next Taste of Old Town event, likely in the summer of 2024.