Cowboy Star was founded in 2008 by partners Jon Weber, Angie Weber, and chef Victor Jimenez, a trio that has quietly built one of the city’s most durable restaurant operations without franchising, private equity backing, or aggressive multi-unit expansion. In an industry often defined by fast rollouts and short lifespans, Cowboy Star has remained independently owned and operated, weathering economic downturns, shifting dining trends, and a changing East Village landscape while maintaining a tightly controlled brand and operational footprint. Outside of a single Colorado Springs outpost launched in 2015, the group has largely resisted opportunities to grow - until now.
The new project, She Rode West, represents both an expansion and an evolution for the ownership group. The restaurant will open in the ground floor of the Park Summit residential tower at Fifth Avenue and Upas Street in Bankers Hill, introducing a more casual, everyday dining concept designed to serve a residential neighborhood rather than function as a destination steakhouse. The project also formally brings longtime operations leader Andrea Thurston into the ownership group, marking the first time Cowboy Star’s leadership has expanded beyond its original partnership structure.
The new project, She Rode West, represents both an expansion and an evolution for the ownership group. The restaurant will open in the ground floor of the Park Summit residential tower at Fifth Avenue and Upas Street in Bankers Hill, introducing a more casual, everyday dining concept designed to serve a residential neighborhood rather than function as a destination steakhouse. The project also formally brings longtime operations leader Andrea Thurston into the ownership group, marking the first time Cowboy Star’s leadership has expanded beyond its original partnership structure.
Unlike Cowboy Star, which centers on high-end dry-aged beef and special-occasion dining, She Rode West is being positioned as a more flexible, seasonally driven restaurant with shareable plates, curated steak offerings, and an approachable bar program. The concept reflects a broader shift in strategy by the group, one that prioritizes frequency and neighborhood integration over exclusivity. By locating the restaurant within a mixed-use residential development, the owners are betting on daily foot traffic, repeat local guests, and long-term stability rather than the volatility of tourism or event-driven dining.
She Rode West is scheduled to open with the completion of Park Summit, a 21-story mixed-use tower developed by San Diego-based Floit Properties and designed by JWDA Architects. For the Cowboy Star ownership group, the project represents a carefully calculated next step - not a departure from their philosophy, but an expansion of it - signaling that after nearly 20 years of disciplined independence, the team is ready to grow on its own terms.
She Rode West is expected to open in mid-summer 2026 at 6th Avenue & Upas Street in San Diego's Banker’s Hill. For more information, visit cowboystar.com.
She Rode West is scheduled to open with the completion of Park Summit, a 21-story mixed-use tower developed by San Diego-based Floit Properties and designed by JWDA Architects. For the Cowboy Star ownership group, the project represents a carefully calculated next step - not a departure from their philosophy, but an expansion of it - signaling that after nearly 20 years of disciplined independence, the team is ready to grow on its own terms.
Originally published on December 19, 2025. Information first reported by Beth Demmon of San Diego Magazine.
