LA JOLLA – A long-vacant La Jolla corner is set to welcome a new restaurant.
El Pueblo, a locally grown Mexican restaurant group with several locations along the San Diego coast, plans to open at 564 Pearl St., the site of a former Jack in the Box.
The property has been empty since the fast-food chain abruptly closed, with The Bishop’s School purchasing the building in 2021 for $5.5 million.
Since then, the site has been mostly used for school bus parking while the campus explored short-term leasing options and considered possible future academic uses. A prior leasing agreement fell through in 2022, and as recently as mid-2023, the building was still available for tenants.
With El Pueblo moving forward, renovations are now underway to transform the space into a neighborhood dining destination.
El Pueblo started in Cardiff in 2010 as a modest taqueria and has since expanded to Del Mar, Carmel Valley, and Carlsbad.
General manager Nony Funes said the Pearl Street location will offer a “great fast-casual experience,” with menu items including fish tacos, Angus beef, and hormone-free chicken, all prepared using traditional Mexican recipes.
Asked why El Pueblo chose the site, Funes said, “We were approached, loved the location, and signed on.” She added that the restaurant is focused on providing a satisfying dining experience rather than competing with nearby Mexican eateries.
“We don’t feel like anyone else is our competition,” she said. “We know what we are doing and ensure our guests leave full and happy. We can’t focus on any other restaurant, Mexican or otherwise.”
Funes also highlighted the restaurant group’s approach: “El Pueblo Mex provides good food at a great price with the best customer service.”
The Pearl Street location will join other established Mexican restaurants along a two-block stretch, including Taco Stand, La Corriente, and El Pescador.
No official opening date has been announced, but Funes said the announcement will be coming soon.
