Opened in August 2024 in the longtime home of Coffee Cup Café on Wall Street in the heart of La Jolla Village, Comedor Nishi was the latest project from Shōwa Hospitality, the group behind The Taco Stand and other popular local eateries. The concept promised an inventive daytime menu blending Japanese techniques with Mexican flavors, led by Chef Pancho Ibáñez, a veteran of Mexico City’s Michelin-starred Pujol, alongside pastry chef Daniela. Dishes like chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, cochinita pibil tortas, duck carnitas, conchas, and seasonal pies quickly made the restaurant a fresh destination for La Jolla brunch and lunch crowds.
Despite early excitement, sources close to the property suggest that the business is in the process of being sold, with negotiations reportedly underway for the owner of Cotijas and Cazadores, two well-known Mexican restaurants in San Diego, to take over the prized space. For nearly three decades the unit was home to Coffee Cup, a breakfast staple beloved by locals, and the location remains one of La Jolla Village’s most visible and coveted corners.
Neither Shōwa Hospitality nor representatives for Cotijas/Cazadores have confirmed the potential change, but chatter of the sale has intensified in recent days. If completed, it would mark another quick transition for a space that has seen only two operators in nearly thirty years, underscoring how competitive and volatile San Diego’s dining market has become. For now, Comedor Nishi remains open and continues serving its menu, but regulars may want to get in soon, as the future of the concept looks uncertain.
Comedor Nishi is located at 1109 Wall Street in San Diego's La Jolla. For more information, visit comedornishi.com.
Originally published on September 13, 2025.
