According to the Chula Vista Fire Department, crews were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire at the popular taqueria shortly before 8:30pm on Saturday, February 14. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered flames burning in the attic of the standalone restaurant. The fire was extinguished around 8:39pm, preventing further spread throughout the building.
Authorities confirmed that one individual was transported to a nearby hospital. The extent of their injuries has not yet been disclosed. No additional details have been released regarding the cause of the fire, and it remains unclear how much structural damage the attic sustained or whether the restaurant will face an extended closure.
When it opened in late 2025, the H Street outpost marked a significant expansion for Chula Tacos, the South Bay-born brand founded by Rigo Muñoz Jr. The 2,870-square-foot building at 689 H Street previously housed Taqueria by El Prieto and, before that, a branch of Tacos El Gordo. Unlike the brand’s National City flagship, the Chula Vista location features a drive-thru and was positioned as a major growth step for the social media-fueled taqueria.
Chula Tacos built its following through pop-ups and its Palm Avenue brick-and-mortar in National City, becoming known for its oversized “Kekas,” hand-pressed tortillas, and Tijuana-style street tacos. The expansion to H Street was viewed as a strategic move into one of South County’s busiest dining corridors.
The fire represents another hurdle for a brand that has experienced both rapid growth and operational setbacks in recent years, including short-lived pop-ups and a Mission Beach location that closed after roughly a year in operation. Still, the H Street property had been seen as a long-term play for the popular social media darling taqueria, given its high visibility and drive-thru format.
As of publication, Chula Tacos has not publicly announced when or if the H Street location will reopen. SanDiegoVille has reached out to ownership for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
Chula Tacos’ original location at 1719 Palm Avenue in National City remains open. The H Street restaurant is located at 689 H Street in Chula Vista. For updates, visit eatchulatacos.com.
Originally published on February 15, 2026.