San Diego donut specialist Barrio Donas and local art-inspired cafe Por Vida have both signed on to open branches within Old Town Urban Market, the 7,000 square-foot Mexican food hall unveiling next month.
Taking over the longtime Miranda's Courtyard space in the heart of San Diego's historic Old Town neighborhood, Old Town Urban Market will be a combined retail area, event space and dining destination. Anticipated to open as early as December 1, the modern food hall will include a variety of curated boutiques, food vendors, and an onsite wine & beer bar. The outdoor area has been designed to include several large scale murals, including a portrait of Frida Kahlo painted by Guillermo "Memuco" Munro on the wall enclosing the space. Already signed on to open in the market is several concepts from Chef Priscilla Curiel, including her Michelin-honored birria house Tuetano Taqueria, her Mexican coffee spot and traditional burrito shop Mujer Divina coffee house, and a new Mexican mariscos eatery specializing in Baja-style seafood, dubbed Mar Rustica.
Barrio Donas, which has been operating in San Diego's Clairemont neighborhood since May 2018, has recently signed on to open a donut hole-centric stand at the Old Town Urban Market. Operated by fourth generation baker Jonathan Garcia and his wife Janet Martinez, the new Barrio Donas: The Missing Hole will offer a wide selection of donut holes, as well as other Mexican pastries like conchas and orejas, as well as Oaxacan-style tamales and savory empanadas. Barrio Donas founder Jonathan Garcia learned how to make donuts from his grandmother, who operated a donut business in her hometown of Ixtenco, Mexico, and Martinez is a Tijuana native certified in culinary arts. The duo is also working on a new location to open in National City.
Another recent addition to the incoming food hall is Por Vida, an artsy cafe & galería founded in Barrio Logan in 2015 by husband and wife Carolina & Milo Lorenzana. Like the original outpost, the new Por Vida will serve locally roasted, fair trade and organic coffee with a Mexican twist.
Old Town Urban Market aims to open on December 1 at 2548 Congress Street in San Diego's Old Town. For more information, visit oturbanmarket.com.
