A coffee roaster with roots in Tempe, Arizona, is angling to open its first San Diego County café in Encinitas, and the target address is one longtime sandwich lovers already know well: 190 N. Coast Highway 101, currently home to Moto Deli. Cartel Roasting Co. has applied for an on-sale beer and wine license under the business name Cartel Coffee at that address, signaling the space could soon change hands.
According to sandiegoville.com, Cartel has already been issued a four-month temporary permit effective Sept. 14. The outlet reports the license is structured as a transfer from Moto Deli's existing permit, which is how the application appears to have moved quickly through the pipeline.
Neither a closing date for Moto Deli nor an opening date for Cartel has been announced, and as of the report, Moto Deli was still advertising its regular operations at the Coast Highway 101 address and running an active website and ordering system, per the same account. That leaves the exact handoff between the two businesses an open question for now.
Cartel's Arizona Presence
Cartel has an Arizona presence, including an Old Town Scottsdale location. An Encinitas location would mark the brand's first apparent foothold in San Diego County.
The company describes itself on its website as a community-owned business built around connection, quality, and shared growth, and says it is committed to driving sustainability and creating real community impact. The company website also describes its coffee sourcing and roasting.
What Beer and Wine Would Add to the Cafe Concept
The pending Encinitas license would introduce beer and wine service at the proposed location. Cartel's website provides information about the company.
For now, the Encinitas plans remain in a holding pattern: the license is pending, the permit is temporary, and both the old tenant and the incoming one have stayed quiet on dates. Encinitas coffee drinkers curious about the changeover will have to wait for either business to make the next move official.
