Casa Borinqueña, a beloved Puerto Rican restaurant located in San Francisco’s Saluhall food hall, announced its permanent closure, effective January 1, 2026. The decision comes after the restaurant faced ongoing challenges related to its location, as shared in a recent post on its official Instagram account.
Challenges Lead to Closure
Founded by Chef Lulu, Casa Borinqueña has been celebrated for its vibrant Puerto Rican cuisine, featuring dishes crafted from fresh, vegan-friendly ingredients. The menu has included popular items such as Mofongo Cups, Coquito Tres Leches, Relleno De Papa, and Loaded Tostones. Despite the restaurant’s innovative offerings and support from the community, it has struggled with location-related issues that hindered its operations.
In their Instagram post, the restaurant expressed gratitude towards its patrons, stating, “Our time at Saluhall San Francisco is coming to an end.” The message indicated that January 1, 2026, would mark the final day of service, and the team thanked guests for their support over the past two years: “We just wanted to thank everyone who helped us make our dreams come true.”
A Fond Farewell
The announcement of Casa Borinqueña’s closure spurred an outpouring of appreciation from fans on social media. One follower wrote, “It’s not goodbye; it’s blessings, and many more blessings. You’re a beautiful spirit inside and out. May goodness flow to you.” This reflects the strong connection the restaurant has fostered within its community.
Chef Lulu, who grew up in a Puerto Rican neighborhood in Brooklyn, established Casa Borinqueña to share the flavors of her childhood with a broader audience. Despite the restaurant’s challenges, she emphasized in the social media post that the experience has been invaluable. “Many of you know that we fought an uphill battle with the location and being able to make changes, but the lessons we learned have taken us to places we thought unimaginable,” she noted.
While the restaurant is closing its doors at Saluhall, Chef Lulu hinted at future endeavors, assuring patrons that this is not the end. “This is not goodbye; we will be back with something new,” she stated, leaving the door open for future possibilities.
The closure of Casa Borinqueña marks the end of a two-year chapter in San Francisco’s culinary landscape. As the restaurant prepares to conclude its operations, the impact it has made on its community will surely be remembered.
