The former El Jardín and Go Go Amigo space in Liberty Station is getting a new lease on life. And the man behind it is City Tacos founder Gerry Torres.
With eight restaurants under his belt—six City Tacos locations, Fonda del Barrio in Barrio Logan, and Tour de Tapas in La Mesa—Torres is bringing his greatest hits to the 8,800-square-foot space with El Punto, opening Monday, November 9.
The menu ranges from signature City Tacos to the tostaditas de pibil from Tostadas in North Park, plus traditional tortilla soup, aguachile, ceviche, and entrees like pollo con mole. “We’re going to be very traditional in the rest of the menu, while very playful on the City Tacos side of the menu, so people can have a bit of both worlds,” says executive chef Eduardo Baeza.
Despite its size, El Punto’s ambiance is meant to be inviting and comfortable, “like a beautiful outdoor patio at your home,” Torres says. His wife and daughter are behind the design, bringing in natural shades of terra cotta, peachy pink, and sand, with cheerful striped awnings over a huge patio with seats for around 130 people. There’s also a dedicated kid’s area with giant games and an enclosed off-leash dog area.
El Punto means “the spot” in Spanish—that elusive chase of a perfect wave in surfer lingo. Inspired by Torres’ years surfing and stopping for roadside bites along the Baja coast, that familiar comfort mixed with a sense of discovery is precisely what he hopes to bring to El Punto.
Dinner service begins November 9, with lunch and brunch to follow.
