Rubio's

Rubio's Coastal Grill, founded in 1983 by Ralph Rubio in San Diego, California, is a fast-casual restaurant chain renowned for its Baja-inspired cuisine, particularly its fish tacos.

The inaugural location began as a walk-up stand in Mission Bay, offering French fries, calamari, and fish tacos.

Over the years, Rubio's has expanded its menu to include burritos, quesadillas, and salads, all emphasizing fresh, coastal flavors.

Company Size and Locations

As of January 2025, Rubio's operates, licenses, or franchises 82 restaurants across California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The majority of these locations are in Southern California, with additional presence in Arizona and Nevada.

The chain peaked at 196 restaurants nationwide by the end of 2016.

Financial Challenges

In June 2024, Rubio's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time since 2020, citing over $100 million in debt.

This filing was accompanied by the closure of 48 underperforming locations in California, including 13 in San Diego, due to rising operational costs.

Core Mission and Offerings

Despite these challenges, Rubio's focuses on its core offerings, providing guests with high-quality, coastal-inspired Mexican cuisine.

The company remains committed to delivering fresh, flavorful dishes that honor its Baja roots.

Locations

Rubio's Coastal Grill has locations in California, Arizona, and Nevada, including:

• California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Glendale
• Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson
• Nevada: Las Vegas, Henderson
• Additional location: Los Angeles, CA, USA