CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – One of Concord’s best-known Mexican restaurants appears poised for a comeback.
Canasta Kitchen has updated its official website to say that its Concord restaurant is “coming soon” in a new location. The restaurant has not yet announced the address or an opening date, so it is not clear whether the new space will be downtown or in another part of the city.
The announcement marks a return to Concord rather than a move from a currently operating storefront. Canasta Kitchen previously occupied 2118 Mount Diablo Street, about a block north of Todos Santos Plaza. Isla Restaurant opened in that space in June 2024 after Canasta’s departure.
Chef and owner Ivan Tellez started Canasta as a food truck in 2013, building a following with a menu that went well beyond standard taqueria fare. After the operation grew to multiple trucks, Tellez opened the Concord restaurant in 2016.
Tellez has said he grew up around his family’s restaurants and butcher shops and later developed his skills while working in San Francisco restaurants. That background shaped Canasta’s focus on fresh ingredients and dishes prepared to order.
The restaurant became particularly well known for its Canastaco, a substantial fish taco made with crispy Alaskan cod, melted cheese, avocado, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, cabbage and chipotle aioli. Its menu has also featured birria tacos, ceviche, handmade empanadas, chile relleno, mole dishes, chilaquiles and vegan pastor.
Canasta’s former Concord restaurant also served brunch and cocktails and offered a more complete sit-down experience than the food trucks that launched the business. The restaurant’s official website continues to display a Concord menu, although Canasta has not said whether every item will carry over to the new location.
The new notice will be welcome news for customers who have continued to ask about the restaurant since it left Mount Diablo Street. Canasta was a regular presence in downtown Concord’s dining scene and participated in local food events and the city’s Taco Trail.
For now, however, several important details remain under wraps. Canasta Kitchen has not identified the new building, disclosed whether a lease has been signed or provided a target month for opening. “Coming soon” can cover a wide range of timelines in the restaurant business, particularly when permitting and construction are involved.
Still, the update is the clearest indication yet that Canasta Kitchen plans to serve Concord diners from a permanent restaurant again. Bay Area Telegraph will update this story when the address and opening timeline are announced. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you updated.
