A storied location in San Diego's Mission Gorge is set to continue its legacy of serving Mexican cuisine but under a new banner. The space that formerly housed Tio Leo's, a Mexican restaurant closed in late 2023 after over 40 years of operation, will now become home to La Familia Restaurant and Bar. The site's transformation is being led by siblings Vincent Becerra and Angelina Luna, who are no strangers to the local culinary scene, having earned their stripes working alongside their father, Ernie Becerra, at the esteemed ¡Salud! Tacos.
The San Diego Taco Company founder's children are poised to open La Familia by October this year, as reported by Eater San Diego. Looking to marinate diners with traditional, homestyle dishes such as mole and guisados, the Becerra siblings also intend to serve tacos, some of which might be familiar to patrons of ¡Salud!. As the Mission Gorge community eagerly anticipates the opening, the new restaurant promises to fill the void left by the beloved Tio Leo's with its own familial warmth and flavorful dishes.
While taking a backseat in this new venture, Ernie Becerra continues his involvement in the food industry through his catering business and leaves the reins of La Familia firmly in the hands of his progeny. Following the closure of ¡Salud! Tacos in Barrio Logan and its other branches, including the one in Las Vegas, the sibling duo is determined to inject a fresh gust of life into the historic premises at 6333 Mission Gorge Road. According to SanDiegoVille, the property will serve Mexican street food and feature handcrafted drinks and local craft beers.
The erstwhile Salud Tacos location in Barrio Logan has already undergone its transformation, being taken over by Todo Pa' La Cruda restaurant earlier this month. Patrons walking into the new eatery can expect a hearty all-day menu, replete with traditional fare ranging from menudo to scratch-made pozole verde. As the Becerra family embarks on their new gastronomic journey with La Familia, locals who have followed the highs and lows of the family's business ventures can look forward to a lounge and bar area that will offer an atmosphere reminiscent of La Bamba Room, previously honored by Eater in 2023 as the best new bar.
