San Diego's Michelin-recognized LOLA 55 Tacos + Cocktails is on the brink of revealing its highly anticipated second location, as it sets its sights on even more ambitious expansion endeavors in the near future.
LOLA 55 was founded by Tijuana-born Frank Vizcarra, who followed a career as a professional soccer player with gigs as a longtime executive at McDonald's and then as an investor/advisor for Tender Greens. LOLA 55 is a family-run, fast-casual bar & restaurant named after Vizcarra's mother. After more than three years of development, the flagship 3,200-square-foot LOLA 55 opened within the new IDEA1 Apartments in San Diego's East Village in August 2018 with a kitchen helmed by then-executive chef and partner Andrew Bent.
LOLA 55 was founded by Tijuana-born Frank Vizcarra, who followed a career as a professional soccer player with gigs as a longtime executive at McDonald's and then as an investor/advisor for Tender Greens. LOLA 55 is a family-run, fast-casual bar & restaurant named after Vizcarra's mother. After more than three years of development, the flagship 3,200-square-foot LOLA 55 opened within the new IDEA1 Apartments in San Diego's East Village in August 2018 with a kitchen helmed by then-executive chef and partner Andrew Bent.
Over its five year tenure, LOLA 55 has won the hearts of local food lovers and critics alike, earning the highly coveted Bib Gourmand distinction from California’s Michelin Guide and being named as one of "The Best Mexican Restaurants in San Diego in MICHELIN Guide California." Lola 55's former Executive Chef Drew Bent also competed on an episode of Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay" during his tenure working for the restaurant, where he conquered the celebrity chef in a fish taco competition.
It's been no secret that LOLA 55 ownership intends to expand the popular Mexican eatery with more locations to open around San Diego County and beyond. We reported in 2019 a possibility of two new San Diego outlets, but those spaces fell through during the pandemic. Last year, the company secured a space to finally open its second location, within The Beacon La Costa shopping center in Carlsbad. LOLA 55 also submitted a proposal to open a location inside the San Diego Airport as part of the $3.4 billion redevelopment of Terminal 1 but was ultimately unsuccessful.
It's been no secret that LOLA 55 ownership intends to expand the popular Mexican eatery with more locations to open around San Diego County and beyond. We reported in 2019 a possibility of two new San Diego outlets, but those spaces fell through during the pandemic. Last year, the company secured a space to finally open its second location, within The Beacon La Costa shopping center in Carlsbad. LOLA 55 also submitted a proposal to open a location inside the San Diego Airport as part of the $3.4 billion redevelopment of Terminal 1 but was ultimately unsuccessful.
LOLA 55's new Carlsbad location has a 3,365 square-foot interior with a 800 square-foot patio. Inspired by Oaxacan and Mexico City-style cuisine, where mesquite is used to jointly prepare and season food, LOLA 55 grills most of its meats and vegetables on a custom, Santa Maria wood grill. The menu offers "inspired food at affordable prices", with most of the items priced between $3-10. Tacos are made with housemade tortillas and ingredients sourced from area farms and purveyors. The menu also includes a large list of vegan options, including numerous plant-based tacos. The restaurant also serves a full list of craft cocktails, local & Mexican craft beer, an array of side dishes like elote and aguachile, market-driven entrees and soft beverages like agua frescas and horchatas.
Formerly La Costa Towne Center, the The Beacon La Costa shopping center recently underwent a $10 million renovation and has attracted several multi-million-dollar tenants, including a location of Shake Shack, a branch of Los Angeles-based Sweetgreen salad chain, Ohio-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and the second location of San Diego-based Trust Restaurant Group's The Wise Ox Butcher & Eatery.
LOLA 55 is anticipated to open on September 6 at 7720 El Camino Real in San Diego's North County community of Carlsbad. For more information, visit lola55.com.
