According to an announcement shared by Mastiff Kitchen, the final day of service at the North Park taproom will be Sunday, May 3. In the post, the team wrote, “After 10 incredible years in North Park, we’re saddened to share that Mastiff Kitchen at North Park Beer Co. will be closing,” adding, “While this decision was not ours, we’re proud of what we built here.” The statement also thanked staff and the community, noting “North Park has meant so much to us.”
The closure comes shortly after North Park Beer Co. revealed plans to begin operating its own kitchen at the flagship location later this spring. The brewery said it is “excited to bring our beverage and food programs more closely together,” signaling a shift toward a fully integrated, in-house model.
Based on the timing and Mastiff’s statement that the decision “was not ours,” it appears the longtime food partner is being pushed out as North Park Beer transitions to handling its own culinary program, a structure the company already employs at its Bankers Hill and Crown Point locations, where food and beer are developed under one unified vision.
Founded in 2013 by Jacob Bartlett and Chef Eric Gallerstein, Mastiff Sausage Company began as a food truck before becoming a staple of San Diego’s brewery circuit. In 2016, the team partnered with North Park Beer Co. to operate its in-house kitchen, helping set a new standard for elevated food inside local taprooms. That same year, Mastiff also became an original vendor at Liberty Public Market in Point Loma, where it expanded into multiple concepts over time.
Mastiff ownership continues to oversee Fluster Cluck Chicken, Rad Burger, and The Pig's Gig BBQ within Liberty Public Market. The company’s flagship location is its standalone Mastiff Kitchen restaurant in La Mesa, which opened in 2023 and continues to serve its signature lineup of sausages, smash burgers, Detroit pizzas, and beer-friendly comfort fare.
For North Park Beer Co., the move to bring food operations in-house reflects a broader trend among breweries seeking tighter control over the guest experience. By aligning kitchen and brewing teams, operators can more directly pair menus with beer releases and maintain consistency across locations.
For Mastiff, the departure closes a significant chapter in its history, one that saw it grow alongside North Park Beer Co. into a cornerstone of San Diego’s craft beer culture. The company says it is actively seeking a new location, signaling that another chapter may soon follow.
Mastiff Kitchen will serve its final meals at North Park Beer Co. on May 3. Its La Mesa location at 4253 Palm Avenue remains open. For more information, visit mastiffkitchen.com.
Originally published on April 10, 2026.
