The Pearl Street building has remained unoccupied since the Jack in the Box abruptly closed and the property was purchased in September 2021 by The Bishop’s School for approximately $5.5 million. Since the acquisition, the site has been fenced off and used primarily for school bus parking while the school explored short-term leasing options and evaluated long-term academic uses for the parcel.
El Pueblo’s La Jolla outpost will join existing locations in Cardiff, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, and Carlsbad, continuing the brand’s steady expansion along the San Diego coastline. The concept first launched in Cardiff in 2012, beginning as a small, no-frills taqueria that quickly built a following around affordable, approachable Mexican food. Over time, El Pueblo expanded its footprint while maintaining its original positioning as a value-driven neighborhood restaurant.
The brand became particularly well known for its low-cost fish tacos, a staple that helped fuel early growth and establish customer loyalty. While pricing has gradually adjusted over the years, affordability has remained central to the concept as it has grown into a multi-location operation.
For The Bishop’s School, securing a tenant marks a shift after several years of uncertainty for the Pearl Street site. A prior leasing deal reportedly fell through in 2022, prompting the school to resume its search. As recently as mid-2023, the property was still being marketed for lease, with no firm timeline for conversion to school use. With El Pueblo now moving forward, improvements to the building are underway in preparation for the restaurant’s opening.
The arrival of El Pueblo will reactivate a prominent corner along Pearl Street, returning a food-and-beverage use to a site that had long been a fast-food fixture in La Jolla. Once open, the restaurant will bring additional casual dining options to the village core while placing a familiar local brand into one of La Jolla’s most visible commercial corridors.
El Pueblo is expected to open in April at 564 Pearl Street in La Jolla. For more information, visit elpueblomex.com.
Originally published on January 23, 2026.
