Seafood-Focused Como Ceviche Exits the East Village

Eater readers have been asking us to look into the shutter of Como Ceviche, which quietly closed earlier this year after a relatively short three-month tenure in the East Village. The eatery, which offered a fast-casual menu of ceviche variations from all over the globe, opened across from Petco Park last fall and was a joint venture between restaurateur Johan Engman (Breakfast Republic) and William Lopez, owner of Alternative Strategies, a San Diego-based marketing communications firm.

In a statement, both partners say that their plates were too full to devote the attention needed to the project. Engman shared, “Breakfast is very much a part of what I’m committed to at the moment and right now it is wise for me to put most of my eggs in one basket.”; the Rise and Shine Restaurant Group founder is currently focused on building his Breakfast Republic brand, with new locations coming to Carmel Valley and Ocean Beach. Lopez will concentrate on his busy marketing firm, whose clients include The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch and the upcoming Park 101 in Carlsbad, saying, “Although Como Ceviche was my first restaurant venture from an owner’s perspective, the timing wasn’t right, as we are continuing to grow so much as a company, and the demand for our marketing and communications services has never been higher.” Lopez told Eater that he and Engman still believe in the concept and may revive it one day; as of now, no new tenant has been identified for the 1,650-square-foot space at 317 10th Avenue.