The Saddest Restaurant Closures to Know in San Diego, May 2025
In today's dining landscape, San Diego restaurants face challenges like the rising cost of goods , labor shortages , and evolving customer expectations. Everything from longtime city institutions to newer spots unable to find their footing can succumb to a combination of obstacles, although San Diego restaurateurs and chefs remain resilient — just check out Eater's hot new restaurants map for proof. This biweekly column keeps track of all the closings you may have missed.
North Park — Red Fox Room and Steakhouse suddenly shuttered its doors on May 12 due to financial challenges. The classic steak-and-potatoes pub with a piano bar has Tudor paneling and a fireplace that dates back to 1642, thanks to Hollywood icon Marion Davis. She had an old inn in Surrey, England, disassembled and shipped to the U.S., and some rooms were installed in Red Fox in 1959. Owner Jim Demos hopes to reopen in September, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Del Mar — After 15 years on the 101 in the beachside town, Zel's Del Mar has closed its doors. The local American bistro drew locals and visitors in with its live music. Coral Del Mar has already opened in its space, showcasing Southeast Asian, Hawaiian, and Baja-style dishes.
Pacific Beach — Oscar's Mexican Seafood closed its North Pacific Beach location on Turquoise Street after its landlord allegedly refused to renew its lease. Since 2011, the family-run business has been operating on Turquoise Street, close to La Jolla. Named after one of their first chefs, Oscar Valenzuela, Oscar's Mexican Seafood currently has two locations, including a newly remodeled shop on Emerald Street in Pacific Beach, only five minutes away from the former Turquoise Street location. The building's landlord, who, somewhat ironically, shares the same first name as Valenzuela, allegedly plans to open another taqueria named after himself, according to Valentina Montes De Oca, daughter of owner Juan Montezuca. She tells Eater that the taco restaurant replacing theirs on Turquoise Street has no connection to Oscar's Mexican Seafood, and the family hopes to open a new location in Bird Rock or La Jolla within the next year.
Little Italy — After operating for two years on the edge of Little Italy, Fisher's Seafood House has shuttered. The first U.S. location of the upscale seafood restaurant empire, headquartered in Mexico City, specialized in mariscos, ceviche, raw oysters, and other lip-puckering seafood dishes.
Gaslamp Quarter — Restaurant and bar Henry's Pub closed after operating for 25 years in the busy nightlife district. On its closing night, a Henry's Pub employee was filmed shouting and overturning a hot dog cart, belonging to a vendor who was selling street snacks to late-night patrons in the public area. Henry's Pub already had plans to close prior to the incident, which was reported by KSDY 50 news on May 18.
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