El Punto is the new establishment, being set up as a real community hub for the area, a lively, family- and pet-friendly place. It's due to open in October 2026 and will have a very broad coastal Mexican menu from a highly skilled team of chefs. It's going to be a high-energy place, the sort of place you'd go to as a member of the community, but with the quality of food of a more upmarket Mexican restaurant.
Taking over a property the size of Liberty Station is no easy feat, and Gerry Torres is in a strong position to do it. He's been in the taco game since 2014 and has built a brand that has now expanded to several locations. He's also recently launched a couple of other successful concepts (Fonda del Barrio being the most notable). He has a real understanding of the local palate and the kind of restaurant people want in the area, so he's very well placed to take on this huge site.
As the opening date draws near, the buzz in the San Diego dining world is definitely building. It's not clear whether that mix of top-notch coastal cuisine and excellent management is the right one to actually establish a successful restaurant on that very difficult-to-get-to waterfront site. That said, the locals are already keen to get a table at El Punto this fall.