The latest expansion will bring Chula Tacos to 6334 El Cajon Boulevard, where owner Rigo Muñoz plans to operate a delivery-only kitchen serving customers through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. The location will not feature a traditional dining room, instead focusing exclusively on fulfilling online orders.
According to an October 27 report from What Now San Diego, Muñoz has already secured equipment and staffing for the new operation and is awaiting final permitting. He anticipates opening within one to three weeks, although the timeline remains dependent on regulatory approval.
The expansion represents another chapter in the unusually turbulent growth of Chula Tacos, which began as a modest food truck operation before establishing a brick-and-mortar presence at 1719 Palm Avenue in San Diego's Nestor neighborhood, near the Imperial Beach border.
The company subsequently opened a restaurant at 689 H Street in Chula Vista, taking over a building previously occupied by Tacos El Gordo and Taqueria El Prieto. That location was expected to become a major destination for the growing brand, but its momentum came to an abrupt halt on February 14, 2026.
A fire erupted in the building's attic during a busy Valentine's Day dinner service, forcing customers and employees to evacuate. One employee was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and subsequently released, while the family estimated property damage at approximately $500,000.
More than eight months later, the Chula Vista restaurant remains closed. Muñoz now says he intends to reopen the location as the company's flagship, complete with a drive-thru, two kitchens and a charcoal cooking setup.
The company's history also includes regulatory setbacks. In September 2025, San Diego County health officials ordered Chula Tacos' Market Street operation closed, with records identifying ventilation and lighting violations. SanDiegoVille previously reported that the business was ordered to remain closed following a September 26 reinspection.
Earlier that year, another Chula Tacos facility at 9341 Ruffin Court was ordered closed by county health officials following violations involving hot and cold water and equipment storage and use.
Despite those challenges, Muñoz has continued expanding. Chula Tacos opened an Ocean Beach restaurant at 4994 Newport Avenue, occupying a storefront previously home to Doughboy's Grill, while its original Market Street operation has reportedly resumed business with two food trucks.
The company is known for its carne asada and adobada tacos, handmade tortillas, oversized cheese-filled kekas and gringas. Muñoz credits much of the brand's success to its sauces and consistency, with salsas, marinated meats and vegetables prepared at a central commissary kitchen before being distributed to individual locations.
The rapid expansion has also transformed the company's workforce. According to Muñoz, Chula Tacos has grown from three employees operating a single food truck approximately 26 months ago to more than 60 workers today.
Still, the five-location figure comes with an important distinction. The Chula Vista restaurant has not reopened following February's fire, and the El Cajon Boulevard delivery kitchen remains in development. The total includes operating locations, a temporarily shuttered restaurant and a planned kitchen rather than five currently functioning restaurants.
Muñoz told What Now San Diego that he intends to pause additional expansion for approximately 90 days after the new location opens, allowing the company to concentrate on staffing, logistics and operational consistency.
Beyond that, he is already considering additional locations along San Diego's coastline, as well as Mission Valley and the city of El Cajon. Future properties would need sufficient customer traffic and convenient freeway access.
For a company that has navigated repeated closures, a major fire and the challenges of transforming a food truck into a regional restaurant operation, the next test will be whether its rapid expansion can translate into sustainable long-term success in San Diego's fiercely competitive taco market.
For more information, visit eatchulatacos.com.
Originally published on October 27, 2026. Information first reported by Daniela Velez of WhatNow.
