The sit-down brunch spot, nestled alongside Curiel's existing Mujer Divina coffee shop and Tuetano Taqueria, fulfills a vision Curiel announced last year, though it comes with a significant shift: Tuetano Taqueria has been closed to the public for several months to allow Curiel to focus on this opening and build her catering business.
Curiel, a Tijuana-born chef and Art Institute of San Diego graduate, first gained acclaim with Tuetano Taqueria, which she launched in San Ysidro in 2018. The taqueria, celebrated for its birria and bone marrow tacos, earned a Michelin Guide nod in 2020 and moved through locations in San Ysidro, Old Town, and finally Chula Vista, where it reopened at 216 Third Avenue in October 2024. However, Curiel recently made the difficult decision to close Tuetano Taqueria to walk-in customers, prioritizing her new brunch cafe and catering gigs. This shift reflects her desire for a better work-life balance as a mother of three, allowing her to focus on her family while pursuing her culinary passions.
The Mujer Divina Brunch Cafe, open daily from 8am to 3pm, offers a menu that infuses Curiel’s Mexican heritage with European influences. Popular dishes include chilaquiles, quesadillas de rajas con crema, orange carrot pancakes, and a Mediterranean-inspired lox and toast. The cafe joins the relocated location of Mujer Divina, a grab-and-go spot at 218 Third Avenue that opened in February 2024, known for its Café de Olla cinnamon coffee and Hilera-style burritos filled with slow-cooked meats like machaca and chorizo. The three businesses - spanning coffee, brunch, and tacos - occupy adjacent spaces on Third Avenue, near the historic Vogue Theatre and Curiel’s family restaurant, Talavera Azul, where she honed her craft.
Curiel’s journey has been shaped by her family’s legacy in the restaurant industry, including Talavera Azul in Chula Vista and La Espadaña in Tijuana. Her earlier ventures, like the original Mujer Divina in National City (which closed in summer 2024 after four years), established her as a South Bay culinary force. However, the demands of Tuetano Taqueria took a toll, leading Curiel to prioritize projects that align with her personal and professional fulfillment. The brunch cafe’s early hours allow her to spend more time with her children, a change she has embraced after years of intense focus on her taqueria.
The opening of Mujer Divina Brunch Cafe marks a pivotal moment for Curiel, who has built a loyal following through her authentic, heartfelt cooking. While Tuetano Taqueria remains closed to the public, its catering services continue, hinting at a potential future return. For now, Chula Vista diners can explore Curiel’s latest offerings at the brunch cafe, where her passion for food and family shines through every dish.
Mujer Divina Brunch Cafe is now open at 214 Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista. For more information, follow the concept on Instagram @brunchmujerdivina.
The opening of Mujer Divina Brunch Cafe marks a pivotal moment for Curiel, who has built a loyal following through her authentic, heartfelt cooking. While Tuetano Taqueria remains closed to the public, its catering services continue, hinting at a potential future return. For now, Chula Vista diners can explore Curiel’s latest offerings at the brunch cafe, where her passion for food and family shines through every dish.
Mujer Divina Brunch Cafe is now open at 214 Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista. For more information, follow the concept on Instagram @brunchmujerdivina.
Originally published on April 12, 2025.