The founder of Rockin' Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina recently unveiled Baja Rick's Cantina in the 4,500 square-foot Gaslamp Quarter space last occupied by Tin Fish restaurant for more than two decades.
Inspired by road trips to the Baja Norte fishing village of Puerto Nuevo, Rick DiRienzo opened his first Rockin' Baja Lobster restaurant in 1992 at the Oceanside Marina in North San Diego County. Along with his father Joe, the family converted their former grocery into a restaurant with a menu centered around signature Baja buckets filled with fried and seasoned seafood. Over the years, the restaurant concept grew in popularity and eventually led to locations throughout Southern California, as well as in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
This past spring, DiRienzo finalized a lease to take over the mostly al-fresco space that housed Tin Fish restaurant since 1998, located directly across from the San Diego Convention Center in the Gaslamp Quarter. Previously slated to become a new location of Pacific Beach-born Sandbox Pizza & Wings, that deal ultimately fell through for a variety of reasons. DiRienzo took over the Tin Fish space this June and keep it as-is through the summer but recently converted the space to become Baja Rick's Cantina.
At Baja Rick's, expect an approachable menu of Mexico-inspired appetizers, tacos, burritos, seafood platters and entrees. From the outside bar, dubbed Cutwater Corner Patio Bar and operated in partnership with San Diego-based Cutwater spirits, expect a menu of margaritas, craft cocktails, micheladas, beer and wine. There will also be frequent live music on the expansive outdoor patio.
Baja Rick's Cantina is now open at 170 Sixth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit rockinbaja.com/baja-ricks.
Baja Rick's Cantina is now open at 170 Sixth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit rockinbaja.com/baja-ricks.
