Meet Mariana Cardenas. She owns The Balboa South in Chula Vista. And the story of why she owns it is all the proof you need that humans are good. The Balboa was a must-stop on our Stone Delicious IPA Tour with @stonebrewing, highlighting the restaurants, people, and dishes that shape San Diego. Mariana was a janitor for the Navy in Chula Vista. Worked her way into the kitchen. Thrived there for 16 years. Even became executive chef of the region. Mid-pandemic, she left and took a job at The Balboa (@thebalboasouth). After four months, the owner called her into his office. He asked her if she wanted The Balboa. “Of course I like working here,” she replied. Did she want to OWN it, he said. “Sure,” she laughed. “But I can’t afford that, I’m on government assistance.” He gave her The Balboa. Flat out gave it to her. She treated the place as she would her own. She was someone to believe in. Mariana went home and told her five kids the news. Then she called the government assistance programs and informed them the Cardenas family no longer needed help. Mariana has done right by The Balboa. Its burgers are as leviathan as ever. Doesn’t matter if you’re not the type to take photos of your food. You’re gonna take a photo. Our picks: -The Centennial: double patty, double bacon, double American cheese, LTO, house-made zesty aioli -The Pastrami Burger: thin cut pastrami, pickle, onion, mozzarella cheese, and mustard Burgers this massive deserve companions that can measure up. And Stone Delicious IPA fits the bill. This is a big beer that doesn’t drink like one. Delicious IPA’s lemony, refreshing notes provide contrast with the intense savoriness of a pastrami-topped burger, so it cleanses your palate just a tad in between bites. The Balboa is hosting our next Insiders Club happy hour. This Wednesday. Bites. Burgers. Beer (Stone Delicious IPA, obviously). The SDM creatives will be on hand, along with Mariana. We’ll also be recording a podcast live with the Stone Brewing team. Stay tuned for its release. Become an Insider with the link in our bio. Unlock exclusive happy hours, discounted tickets to our events, and a year’s subscription to SDM. See you at The Balboa.