Arizona’s J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails Expanding into San Diego

J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails, an upscale Arizona-based restaurant with two locations in its home state, is preparing to enter California for the first time with a site coming to Coronado.

Chef Alex Trujillo, a renowned Chef, family man, entrepreneur, and visionary for the J.T. Bros and J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails, launched the restaurant from Yuma in 2020 before expanding to Scottsdale. Now, he’s getting ready to open the company’s third location in downtown Coronado at 932 Orange Avenue. The new 3,283 square-foot J.T. Prime Kitchen & Cocktails is expected to open in mid-March 2024, according to SanDiegoVille, replacing Primavera Ristorante.

Trujillo is an experienced restaurateur who has spent time studying and working in luxury hospitality and customer service for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts before returning to Arizona in 2009 to be part of the opening team of The Q, an Indian Gaming Casino, as executive chef. After launching Catering by Design, a full-service catering company, in 2012 and opening The Patio Restaurant in 2015, he began to lean into the J.T. brand with his first concept, J.T. Bros Sandwich Shop, opening in 2018. Now, he’s getting ready to expand his well-known brand into San Diego, offering handmade pasta, delicious American fare, and well-made cocktails.

“The decision was heavily influenced by the energy and tight-knit community spirit of Coronado,” Trujillo told Coronado Times last year. “The warm and welcoming nature of everyone we’ve met there really resonated with us. Plus, it’s a wonderful opportunity to continue our passion in such a stunning location. What sets the Coronado location apart is the introduction of the Prime Lunch Hour. We plan to incorporate elements from the J.T. Bros (Sandwich Shop) menu into the lunch offerings at J.T. Prime Coronado, blending the best of both worlds. We’re thrilled about the opportunity to serve and delight the Coronado community in the year ahead.”