Cohn Restaurant Group Taking Interim Charge of Four Patio Group Properties

In a major announcement today, local hospitality heavy-hitters Cohn Restaurant Group (CRG) revealed it will temporarily be taking over operations of four established American National Investments (ANI) restaurants — The Patio on Lamont in Pacific Beach, Surf Rider Pizza locations in La Mesa and Ocean Beach, and Saska’s in Mission Beach — due to a court appointed order starting September 30.

The move comes as well-known San Diego business executive and owner of The Patio Group, owner Gina Champion-Cain, is under investigation for allegedly defrauding investors, as reported by NBC San Diego.

Cohn Restaurant Group founder and president, David Cohn shared this statement via a press release: “We understand this is a challenging situation, but we believe The Patio on Lamont, Surf Rider (OB and La Mesa) and Saska’s are great restaurants that guests will continue to enjoy into the future. We look forward to working with the teams at each location so they can continue to provide great food, ambiance and hospitality.”

All of ANI’s other retail and free-standing restaurant locations will be closing. The Patio on Goldfinch in Mission Hills and Fireside by the Patio in Liberty Station are set to close on or around September 30, the day after San Diego Restaurant Week wraps up.