East Village is about to get a serious focaccia fix. Lucca Italian Sandwich Shop is plotting a second San Diego outpost, taking over the ground-floor space at 905 J Street just steps from Petco Park. Owner Sebastian Garcia is aiming for a Summer 2026 debut and plans to bake focaccia on-site to fuel Florence-style panini and other Italian sandwiches. The tiny original Lucca, which opened in 2024 in a below-street-level courtyard at 600 B Street, has already built a loyal lunchtime following for its imported meats and focaccia sandwiches.
The expansion was first teased on the shop’s social account, then confirmed to WhatNow. The outlet reports that the East Village counter is expected to operate Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 7 PM and will pair its sandwich lineup with beer and wine, a setup clearly designed to pull in residents, tourists, and game-day crowds beyond the downtown office regulars.
Menu And Baking On-Site
Fans can expect the same Northern Italian-leaning lineup that turned the original into a downtown favorite. On the board are sandwiches like the Palermo, layered with porchetta, stracciatella, pesto, sun-dried tomato, and arugula, and the Roma, stacked with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, pesto, and semi-dried tomato. SanDiegoVille notes that Lucca leans on imported meats such as prosciutto and bresaola and plans to bake its focaccia at the new location as well.
From Courtyard Counter To Storefront
The original Lucca operates from a compact courtyard counter at 600 B Street, tucked below street level, and has been listed in local directories since its 2024 debut. Those listings, including Eater San Diego, confirm the downtown address and its steady draw among weekday office workers looking for something better than a sad desk lunch.
What It Means For East Village
Lucca is sliding into the space long occupied by Copa Vida at 905 J Street, a move that trades the hidden courtyard vibe for a far more visible, street-level perch near Petco Park and the neighborhood’s event-driven foot traffic. SanDiegoVille has highlighted Copa Vida’s closure and framed Lucca’s arrival as part of a broader reshuffling of East Village storefronts.
During the East Village buildout, Lucca plans to keep its original downtown counter running, so regulars will not have to give up their sandwich routine. The shop says more details, including a firm opening date, will land on its social feed. For now, the Summer 2026 window and announced hours sketch out when fans can expect to grab focaccia sandwiches just a short walk from the ballpark.
