Slated to open in mid-August, Doc Holliday's is the latest concept from Pietro Busalacchi, who has quickly established himself as creative culinary forces in one of San Diego’s most historic districts. The incoming bar and restaurant is located in the 2,000 square-foot space that previously housed the short-lived Taco Loco, and before that, Bolt Brewery's tasting room and longtime watering hole O’Hungry’s. Doc Holliday’s will transform the prominent corner spot under the Old Town sign into a moody, Western-style tavern and grill with what Busalacchi calls "sexy saloon vibes."
"If Doc Holliday was a bar, this would be the place," said Pietro, who is personally leading the build-out of the space. "Ambiance is my number one priority - dim, warm lights, heavy bar focus, intimate but with a gritty charm."
The concept promises a craft-forward drink menu centered around elevated cocktails and flasks, as well as a food lineup featuring smash burgers, upgraded mac and cheese, inventive appetizers, and weekend breakfasts - with the possibility of expanding to daily breakfast service down the line. Milkshakes and "dirty sodas" are also in the works, adding a playful and nostalgic flair to the beverage offerings.
Though the menu is still being finalized, Doc Holliday's is envisioned as an all-American bar with modern twists, where the atmosphere leads and the food complements the experience. The focus on bold cocktails, eclectic bites, and stylized interior design echoes the signature flair of the Busalacchi family’s other ventures, particularly the opulent El Sueño and the vibrant rooftop energy of Tako Vibrant Sushi.
This will be the Busalacchis’ fourth concept in Old Town in just over few years, further cementing their culinary footprint in the neighborhood. While each project has taken on a distinct identity - from Italian comfort fare to fusion sushi and nightlife dining - Doc Holliday’s appears poised to lean more heavily into the bar scene, giving locals and visitors alike a new destination for drinks and atmosphere-driven dining.
Doc Holliday’s is expected to open in mid-August 2025 at 2547 San Diego Avenue in San Diego's Old Town. For more information, follow @dochollidaysd on Instagram.
"If Doc Holliday was a bar, this would be the place," said Pietro, who is personally leading the build-out of the space. "Ambiance is my number one priority - dim, warm lights, heavy bar focus, intimate but with a gritty charm."
The concept promises a craft-forward drink menu centered around elevated cocktails and flasks, as well as a food lineup featuring smash burgers, upgraded mac and cheese, inventive appetizers, and weekend breakfasts - with the possibility of expanding to daily breakfast service down the line. Milkshakes and "dirty sodas" are also in the works, adding a playful and nostalgic flair to the beverage offerings.
Though the menu is still being finalized, Doc Holliday's is envisioned as an all-American bar with modern twists, where the atmosphere leads and the food complements the experience. The focus on bold cocktails, eclectic bites, and stylized interior design echoes the signature flair of the Busalacchi family’s other ventures, particularly the opulent El Sueño and the vibrant rooftop energy of Tako Vibrant Sushi.
This will be the Busalacchis’ fourth concept in Old Town in just over few years, further cementing their culinary footprint in the neighborhood. While each project has taken on a distinct identity - from Italian comfort fare to fusion sushi and nightlife dining - Doc Holliday’s appears poised to lean more heavily into the bar scene, giving locals and visitors alike a new destination for drinks and atmosphere-driven dining.
Doc Holliday’s is expected to open in mid-August 2025 at 2547 San Diego Avenue in San Diego's Old Town. For more information, follow @dochollidaysd on Instagram.
Originally published on June 15, 2025.