MLB star Adrián González brings Tijuana-style tacos to Chula Vista
Adrián González, a former San Diego Padres star and Major League Baseball standout, is returning to his roots in Chula Vista — this time as a restaurateur.
The binational success story, who grew up in Tijuana and Chula Vista and went on to hit 317 home runs over a 15-year MLB career, has opened Tres Dos Tres, a new restaurant serving Tijuana-style Mexican food.
“We got two Tijuana-style tacos — guacamole, onion, cilantro and salsa,” González said.
The restaurant officially opened with a ribbon-cutting celebration, drawing a crowd of eager customers lining up to build their own tacos, burritos, or bowls. González spent much of the morning greeting fans, taking photos and thanking supporters.
“It means a lot to open up here,” González said. “Our plans to open everywhere in the nation, franchise everywhere, but it’s always good to open the first one in an area that is dear to you.”
The name Tres Dos Tres reflects both his business and baseball roots — a nod to his three business partners and the No. 23 jersey he wore during his career.
The restaurant also earned a meaningful stamp of approval.
“We got approval from all the abuelitas, that’s for sure,” González said.
To mark the grand opening, the first 25 customers received a gift bag and a signed baseball personally handed out by González.
Fans showed up not only for the food but also for the chance to meet the hometown hero.
“I want him to pop quiz me, I know everything about him,” said Romeo Montes. “I’m a big Padres fan. I’ve been loving Padres since I was out of the womb.”
González, who played for both the Padres and Dodgers, also weighed in on a favorite topic — which city has the best tacos?
“For me, it’s Tijuana,” González said. “I don’t really get the San Diego-LA rivalry with tacos because any good taco everybody knows comes from Tijuana, and Tijuana tacos came to San Diego. So if you had to say it’d be San Diego because they have more Tijuana influence.”
Tres Dos Tres is now open at 1924 East Palomar St.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.
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