The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has suspended the liquor license of a San Diego restaurant after concluding employees served a minor who lost his life in a car crash after leaving the establishment.
California ABC has issued a 30-day suspension of the liquor license for Las Tres Catrinas, located at 555 Broadway, Suite 1084, in San Diego's South County of Chula Vista, after an investigation found the business served alcohol to a 20-year-old patron on January 16, 2022. After leaving the restaurant, the patron lost his life in a single-vehicle car crash.
ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation immediately after the incident to determine the source of the alcohol that was illegally served. ABC agents determined that two Las Tres Catrinas servers, overseen by a manager, repeatedly served alcohol to 20-year-old Jonathan Ortiz Zaragoza without ever checking his ID.
ABC filed disciplinary action against La Tres Catrinas’ alcoholic beverage license for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor resulting in death. La Tres Catrinas settled the action and agreed to a 30-day suspension of their liquor license, with a one-year revocation stayed. The business cannot sell alcohol for the next 30 days, and if any other violations occur within the one-year stayed period, ABC has authority to revoke the license permanently.
Earlier this year, San Diego's GBOD Hospitality Group took over operations of Las Tres Catrinas but had no ownership of the restaurant when the violation occurred. GBOD also owns and operates Mezé Greek Fusion, El Chingon, Prohibition Lounge, and Havana 1920 in downtown San Diego, as well as Little Italy-based sister concepts Monello and Bencotto. GBOD has put in their notice to terminate their management agreement with Las Tres Catrinas, and the official end date will be June 9, 2023.ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation immediately after the incident to determine the source of the alcohol that was illegally served. ABC agents determined that two Las Tres Catrinas servers, overseen by a manager, repeatedly served alcohol to 20-year-old Jonathan Ortiz Zaragoza without ever checking his ID.
ABC filed disciplinary action against La Tres Catrinas’ alcoholic beverage license for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor resulting in death. La Tres Catrinas settled the action and agreed to a 30-day suspension of their liquor license, with a one-year revocation stayed. The business cannot sell alcohol for the next 30 days, and if any other violations occur within the one-year stayed period, ABC has authority to revoke the license permanently.
Las Tres Catrinas is located at 555 Broadway, Suite 1019, in San Diego's South County city of Chula Vista. For more information, visit lastrescatrinas.com.
