Saska's No More | Historic San Diego Steakhouse To Become New Concept Called Moe’s

January 29, 2022

It was previously reported that San Diego-based restaurant company OMG Hospitality Group (Union Kitchen, PB Alehouse) had purchased the historic Saska's Steakhouse in Mission Beach and would be reviving the restaurant, but we have learned that the company will be rebranding the space to become a new concept called Moe's.

After 69 years in business, Saska's restaurant in San Diego's Mission Beach shuttered in spring 2020. Known as San Diego's longest running steakhouse, Saska's was owned by the Saska family since 1951 before selling to Gina Champion-Cain's The Patio Group in 2015. Champion-Cain also converted part the neighboring Saska's sushi concept into a Surf Rider Pizza location. Both spaces sold after news broke that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had filed a complaint against Gina Champion-Cain for allegedly operating a "multi-year, $300 million scheme that defrauded approximately 50 retail investors. After pleading guilty to criminal charges, Cain was sentenced to the maximum term of 15 years in prison last March.

In 2020, Saska's and Surf Rider Pizza in Mission Beach were purchased by OMG Hospitality Group, a San Diego-based restaurant collective founded in 2008 by CEO Eric Leitstein. OMG operates such San Diego bars and restaurants as Pacific Beach Alehouse, Backyard Kitchen & Tap, Waterbar, Sandbar, Encinitas Fish Shop, Pacific Beach Fish Shop, and Union Kitchen & Tap locations in downtown San Diego and Encinitas. OMG originally planned to resuscitate the Saska's brand as a classic steakhouse, as well as reopen Surf Rider Pizza and its second tier rooftop, but they are now rebranding both locations. 

The 2,500 square-foot former Saska's will continue on as a steakhouse concept, but under the new name Moe's (which is the name of Leitstein's grandfather, no relation to MO's in Hillcrest). Moe's will be designed by local firm Tecture Design and Fabrication (Nolita Hall, Kettner Exchange) with an old school Italian steakhouse feel and a menu of classic steakhouse offerings, a full bar, and even private liquor cabinets. The neighboring bi-level space that was last Surf Rider Pizza will become a new restaurant named Molly's, a healthy bowl restaurant. OMG will hold a hiring fair February 1-3 for Moe's. 

Moe's is anticipated to open this March at 3768 Mission Boulevard in San Diego's Mission Beach neighborhood. For more information about OMG Hospitality Group and its concepts, visit omghospitalitygroup.com.