Another taco shop in San Diego, big deal. But Lola 55 might be. Chef Drew Bent briefly studied under Mexican great Luis Arellano, and cooked on Noma’s world-famous staff during their pop-up south of the border. It’s a good-food-ethics joint, using fresh, top-notch ingredients for their nine signature tacos (rib-eye carne asada, smoked fish, two vegetarian options, etc.). Their indoor-outdoor space at the IDEA1 mixed-use building serves tequila and mezcal craft cocktails.
But the owner may be the real story. Tijuana native Frank Vizcarra played for the San Diego Sockers in 1983. The following year he was a manager at Pizza Hut, which he parlayed into a career as one of the restaurant industry’s top business minds. And with Lola, East Village gets his next big idea.
1290 F Street, East Village lola55_sandiego
Photo by Justin McChesney-Wachs