Recently renovated We Be OB is more than just a cafe: It’s a business with a social conscience.

Located at Robb Field’s doorstep at 5020 W. Point Loma Blvd., the aptly named establishment actively supports San Diego’s special-needs community.

Restaurant-bar owner-operator Jim Leiner is the former CEO of the MacDougal-Morris Group LLC, a San Diego education and therapeutic services company specializing in services related to autism, a group of developmental disorders that can involve varying degrees of language and social impairments as well as repetitive behaviors.

“I was the founder of the Pioneer Schools in Ocean Beach for kids with autism,” said Leiner who previously renovated the former OB Water Store converting it into Pioneer Learning Center. He added, “Then I bought the smoothie shop and added the food, the beer, and the wine.”

“We do quarterly fundraisers that support programs for individuals with autism,” Leiner said of his maintaining a “fairly deep connection” to the special-needs community. He added, “We provide opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to come here to have vocational experiences. Our main thing is trying to give back.”

On its website at webeob.com, the company commits to “going beyond serving delicious sandwiches, smoothies, beer, and acai bowls; it’s about building entrepreneurial opportunities for adults with autism and creating a welcoming space for everyone.”

Of his location, Leiner noted, “It’s all about the park (Robb Field).” Fortunately, he added, “People are slowly learning that we’re here.”

The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with both indoor and outdoor seating. Its menu includes acai fruit bowls and smoothies, burgers, an assortment of paninis (grilled sandwiches on Italian bread), hoagies, several ice cream treats, salads, and numerous “serious” milkshakes, along with tasty stuffed pretzels and a variety of classic hot dogs. Drinks available include teas and coffees, both hot and cold, along with sodas, juice, bottled water, and coconut water.

“We do eggs and sandwiches all day long,” noted Leiner adding, “Our tagline is simple, practical, and delicious.”

Leiner described We Be OB’s menu as being distinctive. “We invented the panini weenie,” he said noting it is a giant hot dog pressed hot into a French loaf. “We’re all about bread,” he said. “It’s got to come fresh daily. That’s our main thing,”

The restaurant hosts happy hour every day of the week from 5-7 p.m.

The eatery also provides spacious outdoor patio space with TVs and a dart board. The cafe routinely draws a “pretty robust” cornhole crowd for Sunday tournaments onsite.

Regarding his clientele, Leiner pointed out it’s mostly Obecians. But he added the number of folks from elsewhere “grows each year,” because people countywide are drawn to the park at Robb Field for sports tournaments or just to recreate, before “discovering” We Be OB after a day of play.

The establishment is both kid- and dog-friendly. “We try to have stuff for kids to do,” pointed out Leiner about his OB-centric business.

Of the origin of his business name, Leiner recounted, “Years ago I was trying to put together a fundraising event and I was toying with the idea of calling it, ‘We Be OB autism.’ Then it just hit me, ‘Wait, that’s a name for here.’ And that was that.”

Leiner’s business tagline is also reflected in his menu. “The menu is pretty straightforward,” he pointed out. “It’s simple, but it’s good.”

WE BE OB

Where: 5020 W. Point Loma Blvd.

Happy hour: Daily from 5-7 p.m.

Info: webeob.com, 619-929-6736.