According to management, a nearly $500 order placed through Grubhub was fulfilled and ready for pickup when a scammer called the platform pretending to be the restaurant. Claiming the shop was closing and unable to prepare the food, the caller convinced Grubhub to issue a full refund to the customer "on behalf of the restaurant."
That same person then attempted to collect the food, essentially walking away with both the order and a refund. The Food Box team quickly flagged the problem and Grubhub agreed to cover the payout, but the restaurant says the incident could have easily resulted in a significant loss.
The operators stressed how difficult it is to monitor platform emails in real time, especially while running a busy business. They believe the case highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards from delivery platforms to prevent fraudsters from exploiting restaurants. Now, as scams and thefts increasingly affect local restaurants, the ordeal at The Food Box underscores the vulnerability of operators relying on third-party platforms.
"I think this deserves attention - not only so restaurants can protect themselves, but also so delivery platforms take action and strengthen their security," said a representative from The Food Box. "I hope we can help many local restaurants prevent this scam."
This is not the first time The Food Box has faced such challenges. In January 2024, the Garnet Avenue eatery was vandalized after suspects attempted to steal food. The incident ended with a broken window, damaged equipment, and police reports filed. Despite these setbacks, the Pacific Beach restaurant - the only U.S. location of the popular Mexico-based burger chain founded by Juan Ángel Martínez - has continued to thrive since opening in 2022, drawing on the brand’s reputation and large social media following.
This is not the first time The Food Box has faced such challenges. In January 2024, the Garnet Avenue eatery was vandalized after suspects attempted to steal food. The incident ended with a broken window, damaged equipment, and police reports filed. Despite these setbacks, the Pacific Beach restaurant - the only U.S. location of the popular Mexico-based burger chain founded by Juan Ángel Martínez - has continued to thrive since opening in 2022, drawing on the brand’s reputation and large social media following.
San DiegoVille invites any restaurant owners or staff who have faced similar situations to contact us at Info@SanDiegoVille.com so that we can continue reporting on these critical issues impacting our local dining community.
The Food Box is located at 978 Garnet Avenue in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, visit tfbburgers.com.
Originally published on September 15, 2025.