The project will transform the long-troubled Pacific Beach property into what Grind & Prosper Hospitality founder Pete Cich describes as the flagship expression of a broader concept he calls the “Coco Universe,” a collection of hospitality spaces designed to function as all-day community hubs that transition naturally from daytime café culture into evening social energy. The concept builds on the DNA established by the group’s other restaurants, including Miss B's Coconut Club in Mission Beach, Coco Maya in Little Italy, and Louisiana Purchase in North Park.
Unlike many Pacific Beach venues that lean more toward late-night crowds, Coco Fuego is designed to activate the space from morning onward. According to materials shared with SanDiegoVille, the restaurant will begin the day with coffee, matcha, and patio café service before shifting into lunch offerings built around bowls and handheld dishes. As afternoon moves toward sunset, the focus transitions into spritz cocktails, share plates, and patio dining before DJs and a rec-room-style social atmosphere take over later in the evening.
The concept is structured around what Cich describes as “one continuous current,” meaning the space evolves throughout the day without dramatically changing its identity. Rather than operating as separate daytime and nightlife concepts stitched together, Coco Fuego is designed to maintain a consistent atmosphere while gradually shifting its energy and menu offerings as the day progresses.
Cich said the goal is to create a place that locals can return to repeatedly throughout the week rather than a one-time nightlife destination.
“The idea is pretty simple,” Cich told SanDiegoVille. “All-day coastal spots that feel like community hubs. Coffee in the morning, lunch hangs, sunset cocktails, dinner, music, good energy. Something locals can use all day.”
For Pacific Beach specifically, the concept is also aimed at bridging the gap between casual chain-style restaurants and higher-end dining.
“For PB we are really leaning into premium value,” Cich explained. “Better food and vibe than the typical chain casual stuff, but still super approachable and built for everyday use. Nothing too complicated. Just good food, strong drinks, great design, and the kind of place people want to hang.”
Coco Fuego will occupy the large building at 832 Garnet Avenue, a high-profile property that has cycled through multiple concepts over the past two decades. The space long housed Moondoggies and later Backyard Kitchen & Tap before briefly operating as a very short-lived version of Union Kitchen & Tap. A planned expansion of the Los Angeles nightlife brand American Junkie was once expected to take over the property but never materialized.
The project also reflects the continued expansion of Grind & Prosper Hospitality, which has quietly assembled a respectable San Diego County restaurant portfolio over the years. In addition to Miss B’s Coconut Club and Coco Maya, the group operates Pacific Beach Shore Club, Haole Shack, Park 101 in Carlsbad, Louisiana Purchase in North Park, and two concepts inside Oceanside’s Brick Hotel. A new North Park restaurant currently named Austin NoLa is expected to open later this year.
Coco Fuego is being positioned internally as the flagship concept that helps define the next stage of the group’s brand identity, emphasizing all-day usability, patio-driven social spaces, and design that encourages repeat visits rather than one-off nightlife crowds.
The restaurant’s brand materials describe Coco Fuego as “where café culture meets entertainment,” emphasizing daytime hospitality as much as nighttime energy. The design is expected to incorporate a bright coastal aesthetic with patio-first dining areas, social seating arrangements, and a layout meant to support both relaxed daytime gatherings and high-energy evening crowds.
Coco Fuego is currently targeting a July 2026 opening at 832 Garnet Avenue in San Diego’s Pacific Beach. Additional details about the design, menu direction, and programming are expected to be released as construction progresses.
Originally published on March 18, 2026.
