González, a Chula Vista native who grew up between San Diego and Tijuana, built a decorated 15-year Major League Baseball career that included 317 home runs, five All-Star selections, and multiple Gold Glove Awards. He played for the Padres from 2006 to 2010, where he emerged as one of the league’s premier power hitters and became a fan favorite at Petco Park before later stints with the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. Known by the nickname “El Titán,” González remains one of the most successful players to come out of the San Diego-Tijuana region.
Now shifting his focus to hospitality, González has officially opened Tres Dos Tres in Chula Vista, bringing a menu rooted in Tijuana-style street food to a community that closely mirrors his own upbringing. The concept reflects his cross-border identity, emphasizing simple, high-quality ingredients and customizable dishes including tacos, burritos, bowls, and loaded baked potatoes. Signature offerings include adobada and carne asada tacos topped with guacamole, onion, cilantro, and salsa, alongside a range of house-made salsas and traditional sides like rice, beans, and chips with guacamole.
The name Tres Dos Tres carries layered meaning, referencing both González’s No. 23 jersey during his playing career and the three partners behind the concept. However, the branding has already sparked debate online, with some commenters questioning whether “323”, widely recognized as a Los Angeles area code, is an odd fit for a San Diego-based restaurant. Others took issue more broadly with González’s Dodgers tenure, with remarks ranging from “323 as in… LA area code??” to “Get that 323 out of here. This is 619 territory,” reflecting a lingering regional rivalry that continues to follow the former Padre years after his departure.
At the same time, the response has not been uniformly negative. Many supporters have welcomed González back to the South Bay, pointing to his local roots and expressing enthusiasm for the concept, particularly in Chula Vista where his ties run deepest. The split reaction underscores both his enduring visibility in the region and the complicated relationship some fans maintain with players who crossed the Padres–Dodgers divide.
González's newfound culinary career also includes Slizeria, a pizza-by-the-slice concept in West Los Angeles that he co-owns alongside the original branch of Tres Dos Tres. Slizeria focuses on accessible, scratch-made pies with a community-driven approach, signaling González’s broader ambitions in the food industry beyond his baseball legacy.
The opening of Tres Dos Tres in San Diego's South Bay represents more than just another restaurant launch. It places González back in the community that shaped his career, with a concept that directly reflects the culinary influence of Tijuana on San Diego’s dining scene. González has emphasized that the flavors and style behind the restaurant are deeply personal, rooted in the street food culture he grew up with and continues to champion.
Early response to the opening has drawn strong turnout from both baseball fans and local residents, with González present at launch events greeting guests and celebrating the debut of his latest venture. The restaurant also signals potential for broader growth, with González expressing interest in expanding the brand nationally through franchising.
Tres Dos Tres is now open at 1924 E Palomar Street, Unit 101, in San Diego’s South Bay city of Chula Vista. For more information, visit eat323.com.
The opening of Tres Dos Tres in San Diego's South Bay represents more than just another restaurant launch. It places González back in the community that shaped his career, with a concept that directly reflects the culinary influence of Tijuana on San Diego’s dining scene. González has emphasized that the flavors and style behind the restaurant are deeply personal, rooted in the street food culture he grew up with and continues to champion.
Early response to the opening has drawn strong turnout from both baseball fans and local residents, with González present at launch events greeting guests and celebrating the debut of his latest venture. The restaurant also signals potential for broader growth, with González expressing interest in expanding the brand nationally through franchising.
Tres Dos Tres is now open at 1924 E Palomar Street, Unit 101, in San Diego’s South Bay city of Chula Vista. For more information, visit eat323.com.
Originally published on March 31, 2026.
