Heritage BBQ, previously operating under the Heritage Craft Barbecue name, has closed its Oceanside location and is preparing to reopen later this month as Hill Street BBQ & Brew at 2002 South Coast Highway.
The restaurant is expected to relaunch with a new identity and concept under local restaurateur Travis Lester, according to SanDiegoVille. What Now San Diego has reached out to Travis Lester, but has yet to receive a confirmation from him. The rebrand follows over a year of public confusion about the restaurant’s affiliation with Chef Daniel Castillo’s Michelin-recognized Heritage Craft Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. An official announcement is expected to be made by Lester in the near future.
While the Oceanside location launched initially in early 2023 as an expansion of the acclaimed barbecue brand, the affiliation reportedly ended in early 2024. However, the restaurant continued using the Heritage name until its recent closure for rebranding. Online statements attributed to the original Heritage BBQ team confirm they have not been involved with the Oceanside location for over a year, and that the name change had been planned for some time.
Lester, whose local portfolio includes Piña in Encinitas and the forthcoming concept 1888 in Oceanside, is expected to independently steer the new Hill Street BBQ & Brew. He also co-founded Broseph’s Restaurant Group, with projects across Southern California and Mexico. During the transition, the restaurant has undergone cosmetic changes, with paint crews removing all Heritage signage from the exterior.
Although details about the updated menu have not been confirmed, Hill Street BBQ & Brew is expected to retain a barbecue-forward approach while establishing a new brand direction. The original concept once included a full bar, an on-site brewing system, and a themed speakeasy space. With the anticipated opening set for late August, Hill Street BBQ & Brew aims to reintroduce itself to the North County dining scene and establish a distinct identity moving forward.
