A new brunch-focused Mexican restaurant from Rafael Barragan Rodriguez, owner of Cazadores Mexican Food and Cotija’s Taco Shop, is getting ready to open in La Jolla at 1109 Wall Street.
The company’s newest concept is set to move into the former home of Comedor Nishi, according to a recent liquor license application. Owner Rafael Rodriguez tells What Now San Diego that while the name has not yet been finalized, the project will be led by him and his two children, making them third-generation restaurateurs. He adds that this will not be another Cazadores or Cotija’s location, but rather a new, standalone concept focused on affordability and community access.
The upcoming restaurant will offer traditional Mexican breakfast and lunch staples, with a rotating brunch menu that transitions into more casual offerings throughout the day. Rodriguez says the restaurant is being designed for both tourists and local workers, noting that there are few affordable options in the immediate area. While there is no official opening date, the team is aiming for a March 2026 debut, depending on construction and permitting timelines.
Public filings for the location show a liquor license application under Cazadores Mexican Grill Inc., but Rodriguez confirmed this is only a technical step in the process and not the restaurant’s official name. He also clarified that a recent report online have misidentified the concept as another Cazadores location.
Guests can expect a menu featuring dishes such as tacos, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and a full coffee program. Rodriguez says the team is committed to offering a wide range of drinks, stating, “We want to do good coffee, any coffee you want.”
Rodriguez brings decades of industry experience to the project and is passing leadership to his children for this next chapter. The concept will mark a new direction for the family while maintaining the values of accessibility, tradition, and hospitality that have defined their other restaurants.
