Restauranteur says ‘out of this world’ tacos coming to La Jolla Shores

La Jolla restauranteur George Hauer of George’s at the Cove is embarking on a new venture. He plans to launch Galaxy Tacos in June from the Kellogg Building at La Jolla Shores Drive and Avenida de la Playa. He presented his concept at the La Jolla Shores Association meeting March 11.

Having a business partner “obsessed with Mexican street food,” Hauer said he wanted to explore the concept of offering inexpensive tacos in a casual, beach-friendly environment. Galaxy Tacos will have indoor and outdoor seating.

“Our market will be families, locals, hotel visitors and beachgoers wearing tank tops and flip-flops,” he told the group. “Tacos are going to be the centerpiece but we will also have roasted chicken, steak and more. We are not looking to make a design statement with this space; it’s just going to be a comfortable place.”

To appease neighborhood concerns, Hauer said the south side of the building will contain the kitchen and be completely closed off to minimize noise. An exhaust pipe from the kitchen will extend “as high up as possible” to release smoke and fumes and minimize kitchen smells.

Employees will park in a nearby private lot to leave adjacent parking spaces for patrons, and delivery trucks will be required to supply produce and meats from the parking lot instead of idling on the street or in alleys.

Building owner Bill Kellogg said the design allows for some of the kayak storage trucks that typically park on the street, taking up public parking spaces, to park in a storage area on the property.

Hauer said alcohol would be served until 10 p.m. on the outside patio and 11 p.m. at the inside bar. “We are going to (stop selling alcohol) earlier than the other nearby restaurants,” he pointed out. “We do not intend to be a late-night venue, so no live music inside or broadcast music outside.”

Kellogg said the building formerly housed a market, but has sat vacant for three years. despite efforts to find a replacement market. “That led us in a different direction that will be a positive change for that end of the street,” he said. “The building will be upgraded and look a lot nicer. It’s going to bring more business to our little area.”

Galaxy Tacos would occupy about half the building space with the remaining space taken over by Everyday California for retail apparel and open a juice bar.

“The juice bar idea is one my partner and I have been kicking around for years,” said Everyday California owner Chris Lynch. “We’re going to call it Woholle Juices, which is the Native American term for La Jolla, and we hired a nutritionist to develop a menu.”

Lynch said he expects the juice bar to be operational in the fall.