Carter's restaurant on Fifth Avenue has been a neighborhood mainstay since 1991, known for its warm welcome, hearty breakfasts, and authentic Mexican fare. A third-generation Californian, Carter grew up in Hillcrest and originally launched the café as an American eatery before merging the menu with Mexican specialties inspired by his childhood. Over time, the spot became a local institution, loved as much for its food as for the community spirit Carter infused into it.
Carter reportedly died on Saturday, August 16. Tributes poured in across social media following the news. Artist and former employee Neftali Lopez wrote:
"Jimmy was such an amazing human being. Not only did he let me turn his restaurant into my art gallery, he was also my biggest cheerleader. When Kyle and I got married, he closed down the restaurant on a Saturday night so ALL of the staff could attend. That’s the kind of person he was."
Others recalled Carter as a kind, supportive friend who made his restaurant feel like a second home. The Instagram account @hillcrestsandiego remembered him as the heart behind a "legendary" café. Dozens of customers and colleagues echoed that sentiment, describing Carter as generous, warm, and deeply woven into the fabric of San Diego’s dining scene.
For more than three decades, Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café has been part of the everyday life of Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. Beyond serving meals, Carter gave back to the community, supported local artists, and was known for chatting with regulars while working the daily crossword in his Hawaiian shirt.
His leadership also extended to moments of public responsibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter was one of the first restaurant owners in San Diego to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, calling it a "moral obligation" to keep employees and patrons safe.
Like many small business owners, Carter’s long career was not without challenges. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it had recovered unpaid overtime wages for workers at his café. Carter admitted fault at the time and said he was committed to keeping the restaurant running.
Despite setbacks, Carter’s Mexican Café remained a beloved gathering place, praised for its food, hospitality, and the sense of neighborhood it created. For countless San Diegans, Jimmy Carter’s name will be remembered not just on the marquee of his café, but in the community he nurtured around it. As of now, there has been no word on what will come of the restaurant following his passing.
"Jimmy was such an amazing human being. Not only did he let me turn his restaurant into my art gallery, he was also my biggest cheerleader. When Kyle and I got married, he closed down the restaurant on a Saturday night so ALL of the staff could attend. That’s the kind of person he was."
Others recalled Carter as a kind, supportive friend who made his restaurant feel like a second home. The Instagram account @hillcrestsandiego remembered him as the heart behind a "legendary" café. Dozens of customers and colleagues echoed that sentiment, describing Carter as generous, warm, and deeply woven into the fabric of San Diego’s dining scene.
For more than three decades, Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café has been part of the everyday life of Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. Beyond serving meals, Carter gave back to the community, supported local artists, and was known for chatting with regulars while working the daily crossword in his Hawaiian shirt.
His leadership also extended to moments of public responsibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter was one of the first restaurant owners in San Diego to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, calling it a "moral obligation" to keep employees and patrons safe.
Like many small business owners, Carter’s long career was not without challenges. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it had recovered unpaid overtime wages for workers at his café. Carter admitted fault at the time and said he was committed to keeping the restaurant running.
Despite setbacks, Carter’s Mexican Café remained a beloved gathering place, praised for its food, hospitality, and the sense of neighborhood it created. For countless San Diegans, Jimmy Carter’s name will be remembered not just on the marquee of his café, but in the community he nurtured around it. As of now, there has been no word on what will come of the restaurant following his passing.
Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café remains open at 3172 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Bankers Hill community. For more information, visit jimmycartersmexicancafe.com.
Originally published on August 17, 2025.
