Moving into the space that last housed The New Yorker in downtown San Diego is Juan Tequila, a Baja-style bar and restaurant from the original owners of local Mexican food favorite El Zarape.
From wife-and-husband team Maritza and Daniel Briceño, who have operated San Diego Mexican food staple El Zarape for more than two decades, Juan Tequila aims to open this May at 535 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. The bar and restaurant will offer a modern Mexican menu inspired by the Baja Med culinary movement of Northern Baja California.
Unlike El Zarape, which has the original location on Park Boulevard in University Heights that debuted in 1997 and a newer outpost on Adams Avenue in North Park that opened in 2016 (the El Zarape Taqueria at 3201 Adams Avenue in Normal Heights that opened in 2010 was sold to a separate entity), the menu at Juan Tequila will be more upscale than fast-casual. A beverage program from local mixology consultant Cervantes Magaña (Cloak & Petal) will include tiki-inspired cocktails, tequila, mezcal, and Baja wine and craft beer to round out the offerings.
