Luche Libre Gourmet Taco Shop Heading to North County

Named after the popular style of Mexican wrestling, Lucha Libre has been feeding taco fans for nearly a decade. The eatery opened it first shop on Washington Street in Middletown back in 2008, expanded to University Avenue in North Park in 2015 and also operates an outpost in Petco Park. Now, it enters the ring in North County, where the family-owned restaurant will join the mix at The Shoppes at Carlsbad at 2525 El Camino Real.

Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop will occupy a 1,700-square-foot space on the second level of the complex, which is currently in the final stages of a renovation. Co-owner Jose Luis Rojano tells Eater that the new Carlsbad spot, which should open this November, will feature signature design elements ranging from their pink walls to gold champs booth and collection of lucha libre decor. The eatery is gearing up to run a Cali Smackdown Challenge, offering five new versions of its fan-fave California burrito during the week of September 12, with two of the five burritos ultimately making it onto the main menu.

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The taco shop is just one of the fresh food additions headed into the North County center. By early next year, The Shoppes at Carlsbad will house a large group of new eateries ranging from Wokcano Asian Restaurant & Bar, additional locations from Nekter Juice Bar, Islands, Yard House, The Cheesecake Factory and a Hawaiian-style poke concept called Poke Hut.