Heading into The Shoppes at Carlsbad as part of the retail destination's multi-phase renovation is the third outpost of popular San Diego Mexican eatery Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop, which first opened in Mission Hills in 2008.
A family run business from the start, the Rojano-Garcia family debuted their pro-wrestling-themed Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop on the base of Washington Street in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood in 2008 and quickly gained fanfare due to the funky design and well-executed Mexican taco shop delicacies. Owned by brothers Jose Luis, Maurilio, and Diego Rojano-Garcia, who grew up in Mexico idolizing wrestling stars, Lucha Libre became a San Diego destination after entering national stardom through a feature on Travel Channel's Man vs. Food in 2010. The popularity resulted in the expansion of the eatery into Petco Park in 2014, followed by the opening of another location in North Park in 2015.
Like the other branches, expect the design at the new 1,759 square-foot Lucha Libre outpost in Carlsbad to include the signature pink walls pasted with lucha libre memorabilia, a reservation-only gold Champion's Booth, Anchorman trash cans, and televisions playing old wrestling matches. There will also be a patio that seats around 20 diners. The menu will be similar to the other eateries with items like burritos, tacos, TJ hotdogs, and other Mexican taqueria staples like enchiladas, smothered fries, Mexican-style elotes corn, quesadillas, as well as beer, Micheladas and wine. As for new items, the crew at Lucha is always working on variations of their famed Surfin' California surf & turf burritos, which make up around 25% of their sales. Of course, there will also be a salsa bar with at least 8 varieties of house made salsas prepped fresh using Mama B Rojano-Garcia's classic recipes.
As part of the redevelopment of The Shoppes at Carlsbad, Lucha Libre is joining other new dining & drinking tenants like The Pizza Press, Dave and Buster’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Yard House, Islands Restaurant, and Wokcano Asian Restaurant & Bar. This multi-phase interior and exterior renovation is slated for completion by the end of 2017/early 2018.
Lucha Libre will be located in Suice 218C at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, located at 2525 El Camino Real in San Diego's North County, and is anticipated to open in January 2018. For more information on Lucha Libre, visit tacosmackdown.com.
