Vaquera Honors Dads with Bold BBQ Flavors This Father’s Day at River Street Marketplace from Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer
This Father’s Day, Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer is turning up the heat in San Juan Capistrano.
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Vaquera Restaurant & Bar at the River Street Marketplace invites families to gather and celebrate Dad with a lineup of Chef Zimmer’s favorite barbecue-inspired specials—crafted with care for fathers and designed to please everyone at the table.
A new and energetic addition to the San Juan Capistrano dining scene, Vaquera has quickly built a reputation for marrying the primal appeal of wood-fired cooking with California’s abundance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Set within the lively River Street Marketplace, the restaurant is a welcoming space for celebrations big and small, offering both a spacious patio for al fresco meals and an airy, inviting dining room for a more traditional sit-down experience.
This year’s Father’s Day celebration is a perfect reflection of what Vaquera stands for—community, flavor, and the joy of gathering over fire-kissed food.
Chef Aaron Zimmer, whose style leans heavily on authenticity and layered, rustic flavors, has developed a handful of barbecue-forward dishes that speak directly to the heart of Father’s Day traditions.
“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.”
In addition to these Father’s Day specials, Vaquera will offer its full à la carte menus for both brunch and dinner. Guests can expect some of the restaurant’s signature dishes—think wood-grilled vegetables, house-cured meats, and inventive takes on regional classics—to be available alongside Chef Zimmer’s limited-time offerings.
To accommodate the holiday, Vaquera is extending brunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., making it easy for families to plan a leisurely midday meal.
Dinner will follow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring the same celebratory specials for those who prefer to toast Dad over an evening feast.
Whether sipping a smoky mezcal cocktail on the patio or sharing plates in the glow of the open kitchen, guests are encouraged to book their spots early via RESY.
The specific Father’s Day specials—designed with dads in mind—will be available during both brunch and dinner services.
These dishes showcase Chef Zimmer’s signature style, blending technique and heart, and are a tribute to the flavors that evoke backyard gatherings and summer grills.
With its blend of tradition, innovation, and a strong sense of place, Vaquera is positioning itself as a go-to destination not just for special occasions, but for anyone who appreciates thoughtful cooking and warm hospitality. Father’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to experience what the restaurant does best—bringing people together with great food and even better memories.
Full brunch, lunch, and dinner menus are available for preview online, and reservations are strongly recommended for Father’s Day. Whether you’re toasting a grandfather, a new dad, or the father figure who made a difference, Vaquera’s Father’s Day celebration promises to be flavorful, festive, and filled with love.
