Encinitas-based Death by Tequila Mexican bar & restaurant will soon bring its third and most ambitious San Diego location to the heart of North Park.
In 2018, Death By Tequila was opened in Encinitas by husband-and-wife founders Chad & Jessica Mestler with help from then Executive Chef Angelo Sosa, who was the runner-up on season 7 of Bravo's hit culinary competition Top Chef, a contestant on Top Chef All-Stars, and a participant of the most recent incarnation of Top Chef All Stars LA. In July 2020, San Diego's Empress Capital Investments took over management of Death By Tequila in Encinitas and thereafter converted the company's Carmel Valley-based Madero's Mexican into a second location of the Baja-inspired Death By Tequila.
Empress Capital was founded in 2017 by James Langley with the opening of the first Wokou Ramen & Yakitori in San Diego's Carmel Valley. The hospitality group also previously operated now-defunct California Native within Del Mar Highlands Town Center and had a second Wokou location in the Crown Point area of Pacific Beach, which has since been converted into morning focused The Hen House. The company also owns Crafted Culture in Sabre Springs and Leap Coffee in Escondido. Langley has also been instrumental in the growth of Rise & Shine Restaurant Group's Breakfast Republic chain.
Death By Tequila will soon begin installing in North Park, taking over a 5,400 square-foot, long-vacant space that previously housed a discount store and Hawaiian restaurant. Expect a total renovation of the unit to add lots of glass, high ceilings, a mezzanine dining area and an outdoor patio taking up the entire corner. The 175-seat restaurant will serve a menu of modern Mexican dishes inspired by Baja, including Picadillo empanadas with soyrizo picadillo, corn, Oaxaca cheese, crema salada, citrus slaw and cilantro; tuna aguachile with passionfruit, avocado, radish, hoja santa, lime, and tostadas; short rib asada taco with salsa verde, guacamole, red onion, radish and cilantro; and grilled Spanish octopus with racada negro, fideo seco, avocado crema, mizuna and shishito peppers. There will also be a full liquor license with an ability for the lounge and 75-seat bar to stay open until 2am as a DJ-fueled late night destination.
Death By Tequila will soon begin installing in North Park, taking over a 5,400 square-foot, long-vacant space that previously housed a discount store and Hawaiian restaurant. Expect a total renovation of the unit to add lots of glass, high ceilings, a mezzanine dining area and an outdoor patio taking up the entire corner. The 175-seat restaurant will serve a menu of modern Mexican dishes inspired by Baja, including Picadillo empanadas with soyrizo picadillo, corn, Oaxaca cheese, crema salada, citrus slaw and cilantro; tuna aguachile with passionfruit, avocado, radish, hoja santa, lime, and tostadas; short rib asada taco with salsa verde, guacamole, red onion, radish and cilantro; and grilled Spanish octopus with racada negro, fideo seco, avocado crema, mizuna and shishito peppers. There will also be a full liquor license with an ability for the lounge and 75-seat bar to stay open until 2am as a DJ-fueled late night destination.
The newest location of Death By Tequila aims to open in first quarter 2023 at 3002 University Avenue in San Diego's North Park. For more information, visit deathbytequila.com.
