Sabor Piri Piri, a Mozambican-inspired restaurant known for its spicy grilled chicken and vegan curries, has temporarily closed its National City storefront at 804 B Avenue for remodeling and a menu overhaul.
The company’s first brick-and-mortar location, which opened earlier this year, is situated within the Parco development, located near Market on 8th. Owner Candido Gadaga tells Eater San Diego that the remodel aims to simplify operations and tailor the menu to local preferences. The updated concept will spotlight grilled piri piri chicken and hot chicken sandwiches, with a planned reopening in early November.
Gadaga launched Sabor Piri Piri as a vendor on the San Diego farmers’ market circuit, building a loyal following with dishes like chicken peanut curry, broccoli sweet potato curry, and vegan samosas. The restaurant marks a key milestone for the brand, offering a permanent location for fans of its unique Southeast African cuisine. While the restaurant is on pause, Gadaga continues to serve at farmers’ markets in Pacific Beach, North Park, and Oceanside.
The 480-square-foot space is part of Parco, a mixed-use residential and retail project that opened in 2022 as part of Downtown National City’s broader revitalization efforts. The development combines micro-units and co-living spaces with ground-floor dining and retail, creating opportunities for small businesses to grow. Sabor Piri Piri was among the early food and beverage tenants selected to join the project.
Sabor Piri Piri’s revamped menu will maintain some of its Mozambican roots while focusing on fast-casual favorites. Gadaga says curries and other vegan dishes will remain available at markets and through catering, but the restaurant itself will prioritize piri piri chicken as its signature offering.
“We need to remodel and simplify the menu so we give the community what they want to eat,” Gadaga tells Eater. “We’re focusing on hot chicken sandwiches and grilled piri piri chicken.”
