In today’s dining landscape, San Diego restaurants face challenges like the rising cost of goods, labor shortages, and evolving customer expectations. Everything from longtime city institutions to newer spots unable to find their footing can succumb to a combination of obstacles, although San Diego restaurateurs and chefs remain resilient — just check out Eater’s hot new restaurants map for proof. This column keeps track of all the closings you may have missed.
Carmel Valley— On October 19, Harland Brewing vacated its One Paseo location, although its lease ran until the end of the year. The owners opted to focus on a full-service Harland Brewing restaurant in 4S Ranch that will open in the near future and offer a full menu. While Harland continues to operate its tasting room, Bay Park and Scripps Ranch (with a newly added food truck), the South Park location has an all-day kitchen for casual fare, such as breakfast burrito, smash hash sandwich, burgers, chicken curry pita, and pretzel board.
4S Ranch— This past month, one of the locations for Miguel’s Cocina closed in the 4S Commons Town Center. In October 2023, an outbreak of E. coli infected 35 people, sending 10 people to the hospital, according to Fox 5 San Diego. The other outposts in Coronado, Old Town, and Carlsbad remain open. Landing in its place is Mark Wahlberg’s first Mexican restaurant in San Diego, Flecha Cantina, which is currently in an early opening phase; the chain already has locations in Huntington Beach, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Wahlberg’s Mexican menu offers mole enchiladas, braised short ribs, and sea bass with grapefruit chimichurri.
Oceanside— In North County, the second location of the Taiwanese hot pot restaurant, Tasty Pot, has closed its doors. The Tasty Pot outpost in Mira Mesa remains open, going strong. The two locations have different owners. Lin (who requested not to use his full name for privacy reasons) says he didn’t know why the Oceanside branch closed and has no plans to take over the Oceanside Tasty Pot location. Lin also operates Sizzling House and Noodles in the Convoy District.
4S Ranch— One of several outposts for Joyee’s Dumpling has closed its doors in North County. The fast-casual Chinese restaurant offers dumplings, as well as popular dishes such as soup dumplings, orange chicken, and green beans. Other locations on Poway Road, Torrey Highlands, Vista, Oceanside, and the newest one near San Diego State University remain open. On December 5, Nick the Greek will open in the former Joyee’s space at 10550 Craftsman Way, Suite 185, offering gyros and souvlaki.
Oceanside— The Victorian at Hill Street has temporarily closed. According to its press representative, they’re “pausing to restructure the restaurant.” The California-Mediterranean restaurant, which opened in August, lives in an Oceanside landmark. Built in 1888, the Queen Anne-style yellow house with a charming wraparound porch is known as the historic Wetzel House, named after the original family who built the home. Oceanside locals Emily and David Rassel, who run two popular local bars, Frankie’s and Pour House, took over the historic building and transformed the space into a restaurant, tapping Staci Miller (now closed Miller’s Table) as its culinary director. No reopening date has been announced.