What Puesto does

Puesto is a privately held, family-owned Mexican restaurant group founded in 2012 by first-generation Mexican Americans Eric Adler and the Lombrozo brothers. The company operates eight full-service restaurants across California — four in San Diego (La Jolla, The Headquarters at Seaport Village, Mission Valley, and Puesto Taco Bar in Sorrento Valley), three in Orange County (Los Olivos Irvine, Park Place Irvine, Anaheim), and two in the Bay Area (Santa Clara, Concord at The Veranda) — plus concession stands at Petco Park, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and Levi's Stadium, with a Nashville location at Nashville Yards announced. The core product is tacos built on handmade organic, non-GMO blue corn tortillas (sourced exclusively from Masienda and hand-pressed in-house by tortilleras) wrapped in a signature Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese technique, supported by a craft margarita program and an on-site brewery (Puesto Cervecería, launched 2020 at Mission Valley) producing Mexican-style lagers led by Master Brewer Doug Hasker.

The business generates revenue through multiple streams: dine-in service at 8 restaurants, takeaway orders via ToastTab, delivery through DoorDash, on-site and drop-off catering managed through Tripleseat, private dining and group event bookings (16 to 500+ guests), gift cards, and newly launched off-premise beer retail (six-pack to-go). Stadium venue concessions provide an event-driven volume layer, and weekly promotions (Taco Tuesday half-off, Happy Hour 3–5PM) and seasonal menu drops drive repeat traffic. Pricing ranges from promotional happy-hour items ($5–$10) to private event minimums of $30–$65 per person and full buyouts at $2,500–$7,000.

The technology stack is purpose-built restaurant operations infrastructure rather than proprietary IP: OpenTable for reservations, Tripleseat for event bookings, BentoBox for the website and online ordering, ToastTab for gift cards, and DoorDash for delivery. The company's most defensible technical assets are the craft production processes — hand-pressed blue corn tortillas and the in-house Cervecería brewery — supported by award credentials including a GABF Gold Medal (Puesto Negra), Michelin Guide recognition, and Food & Wine features.

Name

Puesto

Legal name

Puesto

Website

https://eatpuesto.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Puesto is a family-owned California Mexican restaurant group operating 8 dine-in locations across San Diego, Orange County, and the Bay Area, plus stadium concessions at Petco Park, Indian Wells, and Levi's Stadium. The brand is built around handmade blue corn tortillas, signature crispy melted cheese tacos, an on-site craft brewery, and a premium margarita program, with a Nashville location coming soon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casual Dining Mexican Restaurants

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Mexican & Tex-Mex Fast Casual (THAFABAC)

Keywords

• Mexican restaurant
• Craft brewery beer
• Catering services
• Private event dining
• Taco menu

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dine-In Restaurant Sales: Core revenue from sit-down dining at 8 California restaurant locations. Guests order from full food and beverage menus featuring tacos, enchiladas, burritos, ceviches, margaritas, and Puesto's own craft beers. Average party size drives ticket size; 18% gratuity auto-added for parties of 10+.
2. Takeaway and Delivery: Takeaway orders placed via website (ToastTab) and DoorDash for both delivery and in-store pickup. A dedicated take-away menu features burritos, tacos, guacamole, ceviches, and snacks for off-premise consumption.
3. Third-Party Delivery Partnerships: Partnership with DoorDash for delivery orders. National promotions such as National Burrito Day BOGO are redeemed exclusively through DoorDash. Commission-based arrangement with DoorDash for delivery orders.
4. Catering: Full-service on-site catering and drop-off/setup catering for corporate events, weddings, and private parties. Catering is available from all California locations with region-specific menus (San Diego, Orange County, Bay Area). Revenue from catering includes per-person minimums and menu customization.
5. Private Dining and Event Hosting: Revenue from private and semi-private event bookings at all locations. Each venue has defined minimums (per-person or total spend) for exclusive use of spaces such as the Tequila Cellar, Main Patio, Full Buy-Out, etc. Catering menus and beverage packages are bundled into event pricing.
6. On-Site Brewery and Beer Sales: Puesto Cervecería produces craft beers for in-restaurant consumption and to-go sale (six-packs now available). Beer is distributed to all 8 Puesto California locations. Puesto Clara, Puesto Negra (GABF Gold Medalist), Puesto Amber, Puesto IPA, Puesto Pilsner, and seasonal varieties are available on draft and in cans.
7. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold online and at all restaurant locations (excluding venues and Puesto Taco Bar). Gift cards drive upfront revenue and encourage repeat visits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Puesto operates a chef-driven Mexican restaurant group serving Mexico City-style tacos on handmade organic blue corn tortillas, paired with craft margaritas and proprietary lagers brewed on-site at Puesto Cervecería. The group sells sit-down dining, takeaway, and delivery across eight California locations (plus stadium concession stands and a Nashville outpost coming soon), and generates additional revenue through catering, private dining and event hosting, and gift cards.

Product overview

Puesto is a California-based, family-owned Mexican restaurant group operating eight locations across San Diego, Orange County, and the Bay Area, with a Nashville location coming soon. The core offering centers on award-winning Mexico City-style tacos made on handmade organic blue corn tortillas with signature crispy melted cheese, paired with craft margaritas and a proprietary beer program from Puesto Cervecería. The group sells tickets/dine-in access to its restaurant locations and generates revenue through multiple service lines: dine-in service, an extensive take-away menu (burritos, enchiladas, bowls, ceviches, snacks), a full catering program, private dining and group event bookings across dedicated event spaces, and gift cards. Seasonal limited-time offerings (Fall/Holiday Menu) and brand collaborations (Puesto x An's Gelato) extend the product portfolio. The on-site brewery at Mission Valley produces hand-crafted Mexican lagers (Puesto Clara, Amber, Negra GABF Gold Medalist, IPA, Pilsner, Hefeweizen) distributed across all locations. Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday promotions provide add-on revenue programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Puesto Taco Bar: A venue concept located in San Diego serving tacos, margaritas, nachos, and burritos, designed for full buyouts and events.

Products and services

• Taco Menu

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2,000,000 donated to community charities since 2012
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• An's GelatominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuesto collaborated with An's Gelato (recently crowned nation's best independent ice cream shop by USA Today) to create four exclusive gelato flavors inspired by Puesto dishes: Rebozo (Fresas con Crema), Sarape (Double Mexican Mint Chocolate Chip), Huipil (Mango with Passion Fruit Jam), and Morral (ChocoFlan). Puesto Executive Chef Erik Aronow worked closely with An's team on flavor development. Flavors are sold exclusively at Puesto San Diego locations and at An's Gelato's North Park and Del Mar outposts. A blue corn waffle cone inspired by Puesto's non-GMO blue corn tortillas accompanies the gelato. Available starting October 26th at San Diego locations.
• MasiendacoreOthersPuesto sources its heirloom blue corn exclusively from Masienda, a supplier known for high-quality Mexican ingredients. The partnership honors both the cosmopolitan palate of Mexico City and the generations of taqueros before Puesto. Masienda's blue corn is organic and non-GMO, sourced as part of Puesto's commitment to authentic, pre-Columbian ingredients.
• Wayne FarmscoreOthersPuesto sources chicken and other proteins from Wayne Farms, described as 'responsible farmers.' Wayne Farms is referenced alongside Salmon Creek Farms as key supply chain partners for responsibly sourced ingredients.
• Salmon Creek FarmscoreOthersPuesto sources pork and other proteins from Salmon Creek Farms, described as 'responsible ranchers.' Salmon Creek Farms is referenced alongside Wayne Farms as key supply chain partners for responsibly sourced ingredients. Used for traditionally braised pork in carnitas and other dishes.
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDoorDash is the exclusive third-party delivery platform for Puesto. The National Burrito Day 2026 Burrito BoGo promotion (April 2–5, 2026) is redeemed exclusively through DoorDash. The partnership covers delivery and pickup orders across San Diego, Orange County, and the Bay Area. The BOGO deal is automatically applied at checkout for DoorDash orders.
• Scripps Cancer CareminorOthersIn 2023 and 2024, a portion of proceeds from all San Diego Puesto locations benefited Scripps Cancer Care, a regional leader in personalized lymphoma and cancer treatment. Puesto also honored Scripps staff and caregivers by catering lunches at two research centers as a thank-you for their work.
• UCI Anti-Cancer ChallengeminorOthersPuesto is a proud supporter of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge, a community movement raising funds for research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. A portion of proceeds from Orange County locations supported these efforts. Puesto also catered and spoke at their largest cancer research event of the year.
• Stanford HealthminorOthersIn 2023 and 2024, proceeds from Puesto's Santa Clara and Concord locations supported Stanford Health Care and their work providing compassionate patient care for those diagnosed with lymphoma.
• La Jolla Youth BaseballminorOthersPuesto has been a proud sponsor of La Jolla Youth Baseball since the first Puesto opened in La Jolla. La Jolla holds special significance as the location of Puesto's inaugural restaurant.
• Tecolote Youth BaseballminorOthersPuesto has extended its youth sports sponsorship to Tecolote Youth Baseball as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting local youth athletics and community building.
• Presidio Little LeagueminorOthersPuesto sponsors Presidio Little League as part of its broader community investment in youth sports programs, helping young athletes build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills both on and off the field.
• OpenTablecoreTechnology or IntegrationPuesto uses OpenTable as its primary reservation booking platform across all California locations. Reservations for San Diego, Orange County, Bay Area, and Nashville (when open) are managed through OpenTable links embedded on the Puesto website.
• TripleseatcoreTechnology or IntegrationPuesto uses Tripleseat as its private event inquiry and management software. Catering orders across San Diego, Orange County, and Bay Area are managed through Tripleseat booking portals. The private dining inquiry form on Puesto's website is powered by Tripleseat.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rubio's Coastal Grill: California-based Mexican coastal grill chain operating primarily in California with a focus on tacos, burritos, and coastal-Mexican fare. Most directly comparable peer in geography, cuisine category, and casual Mexican dining positioning, though positioned at a lower price point than Puesto.
• Tocaya Organica: California-based modern Mexican concept emphasizing organic, responsibly sourced ingredients, hand-made tortillas, and a customizable bowl/taco format. Closest competitor on brand positioning (premium, ingredient-forward Mexican) and California footprint, and a comparable upscale fast-casual operating model.
• Bartaco: Upscale Mexican-inspired fast-casual concept with a coastal, craft-margarita-and-taco menu, full bar program, and design-forward interiors. Comparable in premium positioning, hand-crafted beverage program, and elevated casual dining experience.
• Gracias Madre: West Hollywood-based upscale Mexican plant-based restaurant with strong craft cocktail program. Comparable in California location, elevated Mexican positioning, design-forward interiors, and craft beverage focus.
• Rosa Mexicano: Upscale Mexican restaurant group known for upscale interiors, tableside guacamole preparation, and premium tequila/margarita programs. Comparable in elevated Mexican positioning, premium pricing, and full-service experiential dining model.

Broad incumbents

• Chipotle Mexican Grill: The largest fast-casual Mexican chain in the U.S. with a national footprint and standardized assembly-line operating model. Comparable as the broad incumbent defining the fast-casual Mexican category, though positioned at a much lower price point and lacking Puesto's premium/beverage-program depth.
• Taco Bell: Mass-market Mexican QSR brand and the volume leader in the Mexican food category. Comparable as a broad incumbent defining the affordable Mexican category; useful for unit-volume benchmarking but not directly competitive on price point or dining experience.
• El Torito Restaurant: Long-standing California-based sit-down Mexican restaurant chain with full bar, margarita focus, and banquet/event capabilities. Comparable in California heritage, full-service Mexican sit-down model, and event/private dining revenue mix.

Others

• Sweetgreen: National premium fast-casual chain emphasizing responsibly sourced ingredients, a differentiated supply chain, and tech-forward operations. Comparable as a reference business model for premium fast-casual unit economics, ingredient-led brand storytelling, and national expansion playbook — though not a Mexican concept.
• CAVA: Premium Mediterranean fast-casual chain built around scratch cooking, chef-driven menu development, and beverage programs. Comparable as a reference premium fast-casual operating model with a similar craft-beverage-and-hand-prepared-food positioning, though not a Mexican concept.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/eatpuesto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/puesto-mexican-street-food
• Instagraminstagram.com/eatpuesto
• TikToktiktok.com/@eatpuesto
• Xx.com/eatpuesto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Puesto