Liberty Station A Hotbed Of Restaurant Activity
Liberty Station’s historic neighborhood has become one of the city’s hotbeds for culinary talent. Home to two 2019 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand titleholders, San Diego’s original food hall, and a medley of independent and locally-owned restaurants, Liberty Station has become a go-to destination for San Diegans to enjoy a variety of great dining options.
While not immune to a pandemic-induced lull, the community is slowly picking up momentum and has a lot of noteworthy hospitality updates and forthcoming additions in the queue!
Now Open
‘Eggies’ Walk-Up Window is Now Serving Breakfast Sandwiches and More
Rise & Shine Hospitality Group—the brunch connoisseurs behind Breakfast Republic, Fig Tree Café and Breakfast Company— have recently added Eggies their roster of concepts. A quick-service eatery, Eggies showcases a program of playful and portable breakfast staples.
The walk-up window blueprint, which affords swift transactions and minimal interaction, has been a well-received pivot given the unfolding safety concerns and social distancing regulations. Grab-and-go offerings include the Eggies Classic with an over-medium egg, maple-sage breakfast sausage, applewood bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese on a brioche bun and other convenient bites that range from churros with caramel sauce to jars layered with strawberry French toast or savory potato hash.
Opening This Friday, July 17
San Diego’s Butchering & BBQ Authorities Launching Fluster Cluck Hot Chicken in Liberty Public Market
Jacob Bartlett and Eric Gallerstein—the powerhouse team behind Mastiff Sausage Co. and The Pig’s Gig BBQ—will unveil a re-imagined concept, launching under a fresh moniker: Fluster Cluck Hot Chicken. Fueling the Nashville hot chicken craze, Fluster Cluck’s menu will boast a spread of crispy tender sliders, loaded cheesy chicken fries and, a quintessential Southern-staple, crispy chicken with buttermilk waffles. Guests can gauge their spice-tolerance, choosing from five degrees of heat. Beware, foodie daredevils who opt for ‘Cluckin’ Hot’ will be required to sign a waiver!
Opening Late July 2020
Majority Outdoor Restaurant “The Presley” Will Soon Open in Former Fireside Property
Good Time Design, the hospitality and entertainment group behind The Blind Burro, Moonshine Flats, Moonshine Beach and more, anticipates a fast-approaching launch date for The Presley.
A refreshing, family-friendly addition to their local empire of social haunts and music venues, The Presley is wrapping up renovations at the former Fireside by The Patio venue in Liberty Station’s ARTS District. With over 2,000 square-feet of patio space— showcasing abundant greenery, swinging benches and pup-friendly seating— the restaurant will be a community-driven hub for family outings, happy hour hangouts, weekend brunching and more.
With forthcoming plans to eventually integrate live music and DJs, The Presley will welcome guests for al fresco dining towards the end of the month.
“I’ve always admired the community in Liberty Station. When this opportunity presented itself, it was a no brainer for us. In my opinion, it’s an outstanding location, surrounded by fun and exciting businesses with lots of energy and foot traffic.” – Ty Hauter, CEO of Good Time Design
Opening September 2020
COHN Restaurant Group is Reviving the Beloved Con Pane Bakery
Much to the delight of local carb-lovers and former patrons, Con Pane Rustic Breads & Café is reopening under the Cohn Restaurant Group (CRG) family of restaurants, slated to resume business by late September.
Founded in 1999 by esteemed baker Catherine Perez, the beloved eatery was a longstanding establishment within the Point Loma community before shutting its doors earlier this year. The promising acquisition, facilitated between Perez and CRG co-founder, David Cohn, assures Con Pane will be restored to its heyday, keeping the café’s Liberty Station venue, charming ambiance, and original recipes intact.
Easing the changeover of operations, Perez will remain actively involved as mentor and consultant throughout the remainder of the year. Returning customers and Con Pane novices alike can look forward to signature offerings including Turkey Cobb, Almost Grilled Cheese, Brioche Cinnamon Roll, Butterscotch Latte, Point Loma Sourdough, Gruyere and Chive and Chocolate Bread.
“In the wake of COVID-19, the timing isn’t great, but we love Con Pane, and it’s our goal to preserve what Catherine has built over the last 20 years. We want to continue the good work she’s done in making this bakery a great Liberty Station asset.” – David Cohn, cofounder of Cohn Restaurant Group
Opening in Early Fall
Recent Chopped Winner, Chef Phillip Esteban, To Debut ‘White Rice’ at Liberty Public Market
National City local, Phillip Esteban, who won last week’s episode of Food Network’s Chopped, has signed on as Liberty Public Market’s newest culinary anchor. The market stall will be a brick-and-mortar extension of White Rice, Esteban’s popular meal service that has been operating as a delivery-only concept since March. The menu is an exploration of bold flavors, colors, beauty and diversity of everyday Filipino dishes. While Chef Esteban prepares for an early fall debut at Liberty Public Market, San Diegans can continue to order delivery from 10:00a, to 5:00pm daily.
Opening Fall 2020
Team Behind Fluster Cluck Hot Chicken at Liberty Public Market Will Open Flat Top Fattys
Another changeover helmed by Bartlett and Gallerstein will welcome Flat Top Fattys, a burger and milkshake joint inspired by retro SoCal diners. The menu overhaul will shift its offering to pressed top burgers with a focus on house-ground patties using premium quality chuck and top round. Fattys will also flaunt a program of crave-inducing shakes and malts.
Stay healthy, San Diego!