SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A new food hall and beer garden is planned for National City with hopes of reinvigorating the neighborhood.
Market on 8th is currently under construction at 41 E 8th Street. The 9,000-square-foot location will include at least eight eateries and retail locations, according to founding partner Joel Tubao.
"My family has been in the community here since 1968," Tubao said, who owns other properties in the area. "There’s a huge need for it."
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Tubao confirmed a number of eateries are already planned for the food hall:
- Moe Coffee: Cafe and roaster that brews up a variety of coffee drinks using micro-roasted, organic beans.
- La Central Urban Grill: Taqueria and grill serving steaks and tacos, as well as sides like carne asada fries, nachos, and ceviche.
- Wicked Maine Lobster: Food hall favorite serving lobster rolls, lobster mac n' cheese, New England Clam Chowder, lobster tacos, and more.
- Smitty's Taste of the Bayou: Another notable food hall stop packing Cajun-creole favorites, BBQ ribs, chicken wings, and their famous Louisiana Dog.
- Pacific Poke Co: Poway poke bowl eatery featuring a variety of delicious sauces, fresh vegetables, and fish.
- Serbesa: A new Filipino cuisine concept featuring traditional dishes.
- Ping Yang: A new Thai cuisine concept.
- Yeti's: A new dessert cafe concept.
Novo Brazil Brewing, which Tubao co-founded, will also have a spot at the location offering craft beer on tap.
Tubao says he hopes the project helps create more opportunities for National City residents to dine and meet close to home.
The hall's location sits steps from Southwestern Community College, Kimball Park, several mom-and-pop shops, and future residential development. Next door, neighborhood favorite Niederfrank's Ice Cream will continue to scoop up soft serve without interruption, Tubao added.
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"There’s a lot of people living in the South Bay that have to go somewhere else for food and craft beer," Tubao said. "We want walkability in National City. We want to add to what’s currently and hopefully a stepping stone for more of that."
The food hall is tentatively scheduled to debut in the first quarter of 2020, according to Tubao.
"We believe it’s going to transform the area," Tubao added. "I think it's going to be a place for people to go to."
Check out a before and (proposed) after look at the location below:
