Cocina de Barrio, a recently opened Mexican restaurant in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood, was vandalized on the evening of Sunday, February 2, 2025, just before the nationwide “Day Without Immigrants” protest. The incident involved a rock being thrown through a front window, causing significant damage.
The restaurant had displayed notices announcing its closure on Monday, February 3, in support of the protest, which aims to highlight the contributions of immigrants to the community. General Manager Karen Valenzuela expressed concern that the vandalism was a targeted response to their participation in the event.
San Diego police are investigating the incident but have not yet determined a motive. Valenzuela noted that while it’s not confirmed as a hate crime, the circumstances suggest a possible connection to their support for the protest. Despite the setback, she emphasized that the act of vandalism has only strengthened their resolve to support the Latino community. “It’s just going to empower us more. It’s going to give us more fire to continue to support our Latino community,” Valenzuela affirmed.
Cocina de Barrio has four locations throughout San Diego County and ensured that all employees were paid during the closure. The North Park community, known for its diversity, saw several businesses adjust their operations in observance of the protest, with some closing entirely and others reducing hours. Mark West, Executive Director of North Park Main Street, expressed disappointment over the incident, stating, “We embrace diversity here in North Park. It is part of what we do. It’s part of what we say. We want everyone to come here. It’s part of what makes this place great.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant to identify potential suspects.
