On this episode of Kiss My Glass we talk to Grant Tondro, partner in 3 Local Brothers, the parent company of Urge Gastropub, Mason Ale Works, Mason Coffee Works, The Barrel Room, Brothers Provisions, 101 Proof and so much more.
Tondro and long-time friend Zak Higson, launched their first venture, The Barrel Room, in Rancho Bernardo in 2010. The third “brother” (and Zak’s actual brother) Nate joined the team later on, as the business started to expand to new locations and ventures.
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Dan Cooper bowls at the 8-lane bowling alley inside the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos that features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Guests at the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos are greeted with artwork when they enter. The 21,000-square-feet of space houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | The new Urge Gastropub and Common House features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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The California Burger at Urge Gastropub in Rancho Bernardo is stuffed with French fries and avocado, like the ever-popular California burrito.
(Urge Gastropub)
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SAN DIEGO, CA: April 12, 2017 | Meggon Wise prepares food in the kitchen at the new Urge Gastropub and Common House that features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Jason De La Torre head brewer of the Oceanside location of Mason Ale Works, prepares kegs for cleaning at the Mason Ale Works brewery, part of the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos featuring 21,000-square-feet of space which also houses a restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, other games and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | The new Urge Gastropub and Common House features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Dan Cooper bowls at the 8-lane bowling alley inside the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos that features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Kathleen Barlow of Barlow of Escondido bowls at the 8-lane bowling alley inside the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos that features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Dustin Barlow of Escondido, left, and his wife, Kathleen Barlow, right, play a game of bocce ball right off the patio at the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos that features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, 8-lane bowling alley and large patio table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Interior of Urge Gastropub And Whiskey Bar on Thursday in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Interior of Urge Gastropub And Whiskey Bar on Thursday in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Exterior of Mason Ale Works and Urge Gastropub And Whiskey Bar on Thursday in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Exterior of Mason Ale Works and Urge Gastropub And Whiskey Bar on Thursday in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | The new Urge Gastropub and Common House features 21,000-square-feet of space which houses a Mason Ale Works brewery, restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Director of brewery operations, Matt Webster works in the brewery on Thursday at Mason Ale Works in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Director of brewery operations, Matt Webster works in the brewery on Thursday at Mason Ale Works in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA March 7th, 2017 | Mason Ale Works Willy Time beer for Peter Rowe for his beer column in San Diego, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Director of brewery operations, Matt Webster works in the brewery on Thursday at Mason Ale Works in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN MARCOS, CA: April 12, 2017 | Ben “Shaggy” Blaney prepares the canning machine for run at the Mason Ale Works brewery, part of the new Urge Gastropub and Common House near Cal State University San Marcos featuring 21,000-square-feet of space which also houses a restaurant, three bars, an 8-lane bowling alley and a large patio with bocce ball courts, other games and oversize table games. | Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Director of brewery operations, Matt Webster works in the brewery on Thursday at Mason Ale Works in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA December 29th, 2016 | Speak easy behind Mason Ale Works and Urge Gastropub And Whiskey Bar on Thursday in Oceanside, California. | (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
(Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA., Nov, 19, 2016 -- 101 Proof is a 600-square-foot speakeasy at Urge Gastropub in Oceanside. - for Pacific San Diego Magazine - Photo by K.C. Alfred
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA., Nov, 19, 2016 -- 101 Proof is a 600-square-foot speakeasy at Urge Gastropub in Oceanside. - for Pacific San Diego Magazine - Photo by K.C. Alfred
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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SAN DIEGO, CA., Nov, 19, 2016 -- Dale Hersey is a bartender at 101 Proof, a 600-square-foot speakeasy at Urge Gastropub in Oceanside. - for Pacific San Diego Magazine bartender of the month - Photo by K.C. Alfred
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Bartender Laura Leon, right, serves up The Interview, a custom cocktail at the newly opened 101 Proof speakeasy at Urge Gastropub and Whiskey Bank in Oceanside.
(Devin_Castaneda / Devin Castañeda)
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An old bank vault door and antique spirits bottles decorate the newly opened 101 Proof speakeasy at Urge Gastropub and Whiskey Bank in Oceanside.
(Devin Castañeda)
In the fourth episode of Kiss My Glass, here’s what Tondro shared with host Edwin Real of Eating and Drinking in San Diego:
- New projects coming soon
- Trailblazing restaurant industry in Rancho Bernardo
- Where the name “Urge” came from
- Opened burger and ale house at a time when there were only 37 breweries
- Growing the business as cousin locations that all have their own identity
- The movement of “why not us?” when it comes to expanding to South Bay or East County
- What does the future hold? “We’re long on ideas, short on cash”
- Making “the kind of beers we want to drink”
- Taking Mason across the border
- A shout out to Poway Unified School district class of ‘96
- Possible exit plans for the future
Dish It Up is a collaboration between PACIFIC and Facebook group Eating and Drinking in San Diego.
Listen and subscribe to Dish It Up and sister podcast Kiss My Glass on Apple iTunes and Soundcloud.
Keep up
Urge Gastropub
Rancho Bernardo: 16761 Bernardo Center Dr., 858.673.8743, rb.urgegastropub.com, @urgegastropub; Oceanside: 2002 S. Coast Hwy., 760.429.7424, oceanside.urgegastropub.com, @urgeoside; San Marcos: 255 Redel Rd., 760.798.8822, sm.urgegastropub.com, @urgecommonhouse
101 Proof
2002 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 101proofoceanside.com
Mason Ale Works
Oceanside: 2002 S. Coast Hwy.; San Marcos: 255 Redel Rd., masonaleworks.com, @masonaleworks
Mason Coffee Works
16471 Bernardo Center Dr., Rancho Bernardo, 858.850.2767, masoncoffeeworks.com, @masoncoffeeworks
Mason Tasting Room & Kitchen (coming soon)
5550 Carmel Mountain Rd., Carmel Valley
Barrel Room
Rancho Bernardo: 16765 Bernardo Center Dr., 858.673.7512; Carmel Valley (coming soon): 5550 Carmel Mountain Rd., @thebarrelroomsd
Oso Cimarron (coming soon)
Larroque 271, Empleados Federales, 22010, Tijuana, Baja California Sur, Mexico 22010, osocimarron.com, @osocimarron
More...
North County gets new, massive Urge restaurant/brewery complex
Living proof: 101 reasons to visit O’side’s new speakeasy
Meet your brewer: Matt Webster of Mason Ale Works
One million barrels: How San Diego breweries hit this milestone
