Olive Garden is laying the groundwork for a new restaurant in San Ysidro at 4319 Camino De La Plaza, the former Bank of America building on the edge of the San Ysidro Premium Outlets. The move would drop the national chain directly into the busy outlet and border corridor, where weekday shoppers and cross border visitors help keep foot traffic steady. Company filings reviewed by local reporters point to early activity at the site, but an opening date has not been announced.
Filings Point to the Former Bank Site
As reported by What Now, documents submitted to the County's Department of Environmental Health and Quality show Olive Garden preparing the 4319 Camino De La Plaza location for development. The report says the company intends to occupy the former Bank of America space and that filings indicate early progress, although there is still no firm timeline. The same report also lists the chain’s current San Diego County locations, underscoring Olive Garden’s existing local footprint.
Federal Records Confirm the Branch Closure
Federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency records show Bank of America’s Las Americas branch at 4319 Camino De La Plaza filed an advance branch closing notice in July 2024 and that the closure was consummated on November 5, 2024. The OCC filing clarifies how the building became available for redevelopment and why a restaurant operator would be interested in a site with established parking and freeway access.
Owner, Permits and the Plan Check Process
Olive Garden is owned by Darden Restaurants, the Orlando based company that operates more than 2,100 restaurants across North America and lists Olive Garden as one of its largest brands, according to an SEC filing. New restaurants must submit plans and secure a health permit through the County of San Diego’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality, and the department’s guidance lays out the plan submittal and permit steps for new food businesses, a process that can add weeks or months to a project timeline (San Diego County DEHQ).
What Diners and Shoppers Can Expect
If it opens, the San Ysidro Olive Garden would expand the brand’s footprint in San Diego County. What Now notes the chain already has locations in Sports Arena, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Santee, Carmel Mountain, Escondido and Carlsbad. With a spot next to the outlets, the restaurant could lean heavily on carryout and the family style pans and bundles that serve four to six people, offerings that line up with the needs of shoppers and visiting groups looking to feed a crowd.
Timeline and What to Watch
The filings visible so far appear to be early stage, and before the public can walk in for a meal the site will need building permits, plan check sign offs and other county approvals. Until those pieces fall into place, the San Ysidro location remains a work in progress, and any confirmed opening date will depend on how quickly the paperwork moves.
