According to posts shared on social media by Bread & Cheese Eatery and its co-located concepts And Breakfast Burritos, the fire began at approximately 6pm on December 23. The businesses said the cause of the fire is not yet known and described the situation as heartbreaking, apologizing to customers while pledging to reopen as soon as possible.
The Oceanside Fire Department confirmed that crews were dispatched to the restaurant at 1904 South Coast Highway around 6:10pm. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and limited visibility upon arrival and quickly advanced hose lines inside the building while additional crews performed roof ventilation to reduce heat and smoke.
Officials said the seat of the fire was located in the rear portion of the restaurant. The blaze was brought under control within approximately 40 minutes, and firefighters successfully prevented it from spreading to neighboring businesses in the strip mall. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Oceanside location brought together multiple concepts under one roof, including gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, loaded breakfast burritos, and Pineapple Crush smoothies served in hollowed pineapples. The restaurant opened in the former Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli space and marked a significant milestone for the brand.
Bread & Cheese Eatery was founded in 2017 by lifelong friends Devin Gneiting and Justin Frank as a pop-up and catering operation that built a following at breweries and farmers markets across San Diego County. The business later operated at Carlsbad’s Windmill Food Hall and inside Ale Tales in San Diego’s East Village before expanding into a standalone Oceanside storefront.
In their statements, the owners said the restaurant will remain closed for the foreseeable future as they assess the damage and work toward reopening. Further updates are expected to be shared through the businesses’ social media channels as more information becomes available.
Originally published on December 23, 2025.
