Birria El Rey has become something of a neighborhood legend since Vázquez first began selling small Sunday batches of Tijuana-style birria out of a modest setup in Golden Hill. Demand grew so quickly that Sundays turned into weekends, weekends turned into full weeks, and soon long lines and parking-lot tables became a defining scene on 25th Street. His birria tacos, chilaquiles, ramen, quesadillas, and fries earned citywide praise and national-style buzz despite the zero-frills setting.
Now, that loyal following will get a permanent, expanded home just steps away in the former Krakatoa café space. The new restaurant gives Vázquez a full kitchen, additional seating, and room to grow his menu far beyond the constraints of the walk-up stand. He has teased additions like menudo, new proteins including chicken and beef birria, and even beer service once permits are finalized. The expanded hours—eventually planned from morning until late night—will make Birria El Rey a true all-day neighborhood staple.
Vázquez’s path to this moment wasn’t a straight line. Formally trained at Tijuana’s Culinary Art School, he spent years working in hospitality across San Diego, including time at the Marriott Marquis. But when the pandemic shut down the industry, he suddenly found himself unemployed with a chance to take a risk. His small Sunday birria venture quickly exploded, leading to the full-scale operation fans know today. Moving into a full restaurant, he said previously, feels like the dream he never expected would materialize so quickly.
The new location - roughly 1,000 square feet and featuring both indoor tables and an outdoor patio - marks a major upgrade over the scarce sidewalk seating at the original spot. The plan is to maintain the existing walk-up location at 1015 25th Street for now while expanding operations in the new home base. And Vázquez’s ambitions don’t stop here; he has said he hopes to eventually open more birria restaurants farther north and, ultimately, a breakfast spot - his self-professed passion project.
For the Golden Hill community, the move also fills a longstanding vacancy. Krakatoa shuttered in 2022, leaving its coffeehouse space dormant until Birria El Rey secured permits and began its slow transformation of the building. With the soft opening now weeks away, residents are already buzzing about what the upgrade will mean for the neighborhood’s dining landscape.
Birria El Rey’s new restaurant will open at 1128 25th Street in San Diego's Golden Hill. The original walk-up location at 1015 25th Street remains in operation. For more information, visit Birria El Rey on Instagram.
Originally published on November 17, 2025.
