L55 Tacos & More, Born from Lola 55’s Success, to Launch at Westfield UTC

San Diego’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand taqueria, Lola 55, will launch an extension of the brand, L55 Tacos & More, set to open at Westfield UTC this summer.

Lola 55 in East Village, which added a Carlsbad outpost in September, is the brainchild of Tijuana-born Frank Vizcarra, a fast-food executive who has logged decades with prominent brands including McDonald’s and Del Taco.

Now CEO of his own venture, he conceived the fast-casual L55 with scalability and growth in mind. He also works alongside his son, Nathan Vizcarra, the company’s chief operating officer.

“With L55, we are distilling the essence of Lola 55 into a more accessible and adaptable format,” the elder Vizcarra said. “Our goal is to build a concept that is well-positioned for future growth, yet unwavering in the high standards our guests have come to expect.”

Daniel Soto, once a sous chef at Enrique Olvera’s Michelin-starred Pujol in Mexico City, will take on shaping L55 as culinary consultant, in an effort to “marry the bold flavors and chef-driven framework that Lola 55 is known for,” officials said in a news release.

They call Westfield UTC an opportunity to “test run” the L55 concept. An expedited buildout is underway, with L55 occupying the former Tocaya Organica space near Din Tai Fung.

The 2,800 square-foot storefront will offer both indoor and patio seating, along with a stand-alone bar and wall-to-wall folding glass doors to create “open-concept appeal.”

The design, with elements that are reminiscent of Lola 55’s aesthetic, will aim for a “playful identity” with bright pops of color and art deco-inspired motifs.

On the menu, the spinoff will diverge from Lola 55’s taco-focus to offer a broader range of fare including burritos, bowls and salads. It will, though, include an array of new tacos developed exclusively for L55.

On the beverage side, there will be seasonal aguas frescas, low-proof cocktails, beer and wine by-the-glass.

Plans are to be open for lunch and dinner daily, with counter ordering and pager system pickup, as well as order-ahead takeout and delivery options.