Upscale Mexican restaurant Red O La Jolla LLC plans to lay off 91 employees, according to a WARN report filed with the state of California. The layoffs come as the restaurant permanently closes its La Jolla Village Drive location. The company has not shared a reason for the closure.
Red O La Jolla Files WARN Notice
Operated by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, Red O La Jolla is preparing to permanently close its doors after almost nine years of service.
Red O La Jolla LLC submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice on February 16. The report states that 91 employees will be affected at its location at 4340 La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego.
The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on April 20, 2026. The filing indicates the layoffs are expected to be permanent. Additional information about the closure and employee transition has not been provided.
What is a WARN Filing
The WARN notice was filed with the California Employment Development Department. Under the state law, employers with 75 + employees are required to provide advance notice when planning mass layoffs, relocations, or business closures. This is required when 50 or more workers are expected to be affected.
This notice allows employees and local workforce agencies time to prepare for job losses and access support services.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to give at least 60 days’ notice before a mass layoff, plant closure or relocation. The notice must be sent to affected employees, as well as to state and local government representatives.
Legacy of Red O La Jolla Restaurant
Red O, which opened in La Jolla in May 2017, is an upscale, authentic, resort-style Mexican restaurant. The 9,000-square-foot space features multiple patios, fire pits, a large tequila bar with more than 200 selections, and a dramatic chandelier in the main dining room.
Chef Rick Bayless, known for his Chicago restaurants, including Frontera Grill, served as culinary director.
The restaurant is known for its guacamole, carne asada, enchiladas, seafood dishes, and a wide range of tacos. Recommended items on the menu include Duck Taquitos, Goat Cheese Tamales, Short Rib Enchiladas, and Queso Fundido, among other Mexican dishes. Its large space made it suitable for private parties and corporate dinners, cementing its role in La Jolla’s hospitality landscape.
The closure of the La Jolla branch marks the end of Red O’s presence in San Diego’s vibrant dining scene. The restaurant had operated on La Jolla Village Drive since opening and was one of the brand’s Southern California locations.
