King & Queen Cantina, a Mexican bar and restaurant located in San Diego’s Little Italy, has closed its doors permanently, a notice taped to the front window confirms. The shutdown comes after years of regulatory challenges and follows a tumultuous stretch for its affiliated concept, Mr. Tempo Cantina, which recently shuttered in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter amid licensing suspensions, legal disputes, an onsite and operational problems.
King & Queen Cantina opened in the fall of 2017, taking over the bi-level Little Italy space at 1490 Kettner Boulevard that had previously housed Bracero Cocina and then an offshoot of Bonita’s Romesco Mexican restaurant. The concept was launched by restaurateur Jorge Cueva, better known in local hospitality circles as Mr. Tempo, a veteran operator with decades of experience in restaurant development.
Originally described as offering a menu similar to Cueva’s Tempo Urban Kitchen concepts, with tacos, flatbreads, burgers, and shareable bar plates, King & Queen quickly became a Little Italy nightlife destination, blending casual dining with a lively bar scene. Despite early popularity, the restaurant ran into community friction. In November 2023, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued a 25-day suspension of its liquor license following multiple excessive noise complaints from neighbors, marking the second disciplinary action for the same issue. Enforcement stemmed from amplified music on the patio, which was contrary to conditions tied to the restaurant’s license…