After a series of failed restaurant concepts by Consortium Holdings, Shores American Diner will soon take over the longtime Porter's Pub space on the University of California San Diego campus.
In spring 2017, San Diego's ever-expanding Consortium Holdings hospitality group was approved by the University Centers Advisory Board to take over the lease at the space next to the UCSD Student Center that was occupied by Porter's Pub from 1993 until 2015. The restaurant group's founder Arsalun Tafazoli is actually a UCSD alumni and decided to install a location of his Soda & Swine concept on the campus, a $2 million project that didn't open until fall 2019.
Consortium Holdings rebranded the 14,000 square-foot UCSD space several times during its six years in control. In 2021 after completely abandoning the Soda & Swine brand, CH tested out a new concept called Uncle Italian, serving a menu centered around Detroit-style pizza and East Coast-style Italian comfort food dishes. Then in fall 2022, Consortium Holdings transformed the expansive restaurant into a neon-clad third location of Underbelly Japanese restaurant, another short-lived project that didn't even make it a full school year.
Now the longtime Porter's Pub building has a new tenant in the form of Dirty Bird's restaurant co-founder Adam Jacoby and current operating partner at Dirty Birds UCSD location Paul Cagnina. The duo plan to open a modern take on an American diner restaurant and bar dubbed Shores Diner in the sprawling space.
"As we are currently operating a Dirty Birds Bar and Grill on campus at UCSD we were able to make a bid on the space that was abandoned by Underbelly restaurant," explained Jacoby. "Listening to the students and faculty alike we decided a classic American diner concept would best serve their interest. We are looking forward to utilizing the space to its fullest potential including an outdoor patio area in the back attached to the Stage Room that would be ideal to host an abundance of ideas for events, brunches, game viewing, school club functions, etc."
Shores Diner will offer an all-day menu featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. Expect dishes like omelets, classic griddle options featuring stuffed French toast, hot dogs, burgers, Reuben sandwiches, salads, and meals like homemade meatloaf, meatballs, and chicken Parmesan. The menu will also include diner favorites such as milkshakes and banana splits, as well as a beer and wine license.
Shores Diner is anticipated to open by late March/early April at 105 Eucalyptus Grove Lane on the University of California San Diego campus in La Jolla. For more information, follow Shores Diner on Instagram.
"As we are currently operating a Dirty Birds Bar and Grill on campus at UCSD we were able to make a bid on the space that was abandoned by Underbelly restaurant," explained Jacoby. "Listening to the students and faculty alike we decided a classic American diner concept would best serve their interest. We are looking forward to utilizing the space to its fullest potential including an outdoor patio area in the back attached to the Stage Room that would be ideal to host an abundance of ideas for events, brunches, game viewing, school club functions, etc."
Shores Diner will offer an all-day menu featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. Expect dishes like omelets, classic griddle options featuring stuffed French toast, hot dogs, burgers, Reuben sandwiches, salads, and meals like homemade meatloaf, meatballs, and chicken Parmesan. The menu will also include diner favorites such as milkshakes and banana splits, as well as a beer and wine license.
Shores Diner is anticipated to open by late March/early April at 105 Eucalyptus Grove Lane on the University of California San Diego campus in La Jolla. For more information, follow Shores Diner on Instagram.
