“I learned the restaurant business from my father, who has been actively in the restaurant business since 1961 in San Diego,” recalls Cecelia Moreno, who bought the Crest Café with her father, Luis, in 1985 from the original owners.

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Crest Café serves a full menu until midnight. “We pride ourselves on homemade, fresh, fast and approachable comfort food that maintains quality and a consistency that our guests find unique yet comforting. We have many loyal customers who know they can always count on us to be open and here to serve them from 7 a.m. to midnight daily,” Moreno says.

Born and raised in San Diego, Moreno, who is married and “pushing 50” enjoys reading, her dogs and staying active. She is a board member of the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association, the San Diego Restaurant Association, a member of the Friends of San Diego no on 301 campaign, a volunteer with the Hillcrest Centennial Committee, a member of the National Resource Defense Council, a member of the United States Humane Society and was chair of the 2006 Hillcrest Book and Literacy Fair.

“The Hillcrest community is unique, diverse and has a welcoming spirit that sets it apart from any other neighborhood in San Diego,” Moreno says. “It is gratifying to see folks from all walks of life enjoy coming to our neighborhoods from all parts of the country and the world. Every day we hear from our customers how glad they are that they discovered Hillcrest, and it is so important when you see them visit time and time again. Hillcrest has managed to stay so relevant and dynamic for its first 100 years – it can only get better and better because of the folks who live, work and play here.”