As I recently strolled through the once-crowded 8th Street Market, I looked at the empty stalls in confusion. Where was everyone—and what had happened?
So I called Rogelio Cañez, the market’s new owner, to find out his plans for the 11,000-square-foot building. Joel Tubao, who also founded Novo Brazil Brewing Company, initially opened the market in 2021 with a focus on offering food from abroad, including Southeast Asia and Thailand, as well as soul food, pizza and coffee. Cañez’s Mexican restaurant La Central has been a tenant of the market since it opened, but he assumed full ownership of the market from Tubao on July 1, 2024.
Cañez wanted to shift the market’s focus to more affordable, but still high-quality Mexican food. “My goal is to have all the big-name chefs and keep the prices low so we can give the families in the neighborhood – the families who don’t normally go to Little Italy to spend $200 – the same service, the same atmosphere, the same structure, the same type of place for about $30,” he says. “I don’t want anyone to spend more, even for a ribeye steak.”
Ping Yang Thai and Donburi Rice Bowls will remain at their current locations.
New restaurants will be launched on the 8th
- XI-CALI by Chez Loma is a French restaurant based in Coronado that Cañez purchased in 2023 after selling his stake in La Central. It will be the first Mexicali-style Mexican-Chinese restaurant in San Diego and will be helmed by Chef Luis Gomez (Javier Plascencia’s Misión 19, the Mina Group).
- The Parrilla del Che by Chef Dante Ferrero. Cañez calls Ferrero’s Dante Braza y Fuego steakhouse in Mexico City “one of the most important Argentine restaurants in Mexico City,” and its menu includes both classic steakhouse dishes and Argentine specialties such as empanadas with chimichurri.
- Kiko’s Place is the Mariscos Food Truck located on Morena Blvd. and can be seen on Netflix. Taco Chronicles.
- Restaurante Quiroga is run by Chef Darío Villagómez, who opened the first carnitas stand in Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market 27 years ago.
- Coleta serves modern Mexican brunch and is run by Chef Antonio Luiu. Luiu also owns Garbatella in Otay Ranch, several locations of Gianluca Ristorante Pizzeria in Tijuana and Trentino in Valle de Guadalupe.
- Poppy Burgers & Shakeswhich serves burgers, milkshakes and more, is also operated by Luiu.
- Marcellaa Neapolitan-style pizzeria by chef Guillermo Ivan, for whom this will be his first brick-and-mortar business.
- Cafe Alessi is a morning cafe attached to a coffee stand and serves desserts by Diego Márquez (Farmers Table).
- Bar 8 is a newly designed bar area that focuses on margaritas, sangria, wines from the Valle de Guadalupe and California, and specialty cocktails.
There’s also live music on Thursdays and Saturdays, and karaoke and family-friendly events throughout the week. On weekends, expect carnival-like pop-ups with vendors on the terrace selling churros, micheladas and other street food.
Cañez hopes to have all the stores up and running by the first or second week of September. He’s also introducing valet parking and a free shuttle for residents to get to and from Market on 8th quickly without paying for a rideshare. He says such additions, as well as the strategic pricing, are tailored specifically to the hyperlocal community. “National City is kind of the heart of San Diego,” he says, citing its proximity to downtown and the South Bay. “I see the potential.”
Restaurant news and culinary events in San Diego
Coco & Jules cookies reach normal heights
Julie Mussil started her gluten-free bakery, Coco & Jules Cookies, as a small business in her kitchen seven years ago. This September, she’ll open her first brick-and-mortar location at 3415 Adams Avenue. “We’re almost ready,” she promises, adding that she’ll serve her famous cookies, cakes and other baked goods, as well as vegan options and a rotating gelato menu. Everything is gluten-free and non-GMO, and Mussil says they’ll be open six days a week to start with, before opening daily. Coco & Jules will stay open late on weekdays (between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., she estimates) and until 2 a.m. on weekends to accommodate the crowds at nearby bars. Follow @cocojulescookies on Instagram for opening details.
Alba Restaurant Group launches three-restaurant concept in Chula Vista
Farmers Table opened its fourth location in Chula Vista in 2021, but it’s getting company after a recent renovation. Marco Sotomayor, director of operations for Alba Restaurant Group, says the 10,000-square-foot space will see two new concepts coming to the area: Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana and an as-yet-unnamed barbecue concept. Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana is a traditional Italian eatery serving pizza, pasta, desserts, cocktails and more. It will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 10 p.m. on weekends.
Beth’s Bites
- Come for the art and stay for the food at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla. In addition to new dinner service and happy hour, Chef Tim Kolanko’s newest dinner series, “The Study of,” features a five-course, single-ingredient tasting menu that focuses on a specific seasonal ingredient. “The Study of – Corn” launches Thursday, September 12, and reservations are available here.
- 664 TJ Birrieria has already planted its birria flag from Tijuana to National City, El Cajon, Pacific Beach and beyond, but its newest outpost is (drum roll)… Gaslamp District. The 664 TJ Taco Bar concept will look a little different than the others, but if history is any indication, it’ll be just as much of a smash hit.
- Popcorn, candy and … sushi? Cinema food has disappeared Away since I was a kid with months-old Twizzlers and smuggled-in snacks. The Lot La Jolla takes it a step further with Zentrl Kitchen + Bar, offering entirely new breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktail menus. Yes, there’s sushi. No, you don’t have to see a movie to eat there.
- Sura Korean BBQ is open in Chula Vista! I’ve definitely exceeded the standard two-hour time limit on previous meals, but I’ve never heard of a discount on future meals if you finish in under an hour. Challenge accepted.
Do you have breaking news, exciting updates or great stories about new restaurants in San Diego or the city’s dining scene? Send your suggestions to (email protected).
