Birria ramen was not on the menu when Mission 19 Taqueria opened in 2021. But a lot has changed at the little corner spot. “We had three people,” owner David Rodas recalls of his initial staff. “I was mopping the floor, doing dishes. Now we have 14 people.” The taqueria sits at the corner of Lighthouse and Hoffman avenues. Although two Mexican restaurants are nearby, it troubled Rodas when he first opened that workers making their way home preferred to stop in Seaside rather than pick up dinner in Monterey. One reason may have been habit. Before he moved in the space was occupied by an Italian restaurant, a deli and a few other establishments— none for any considerable length of time. “I still have people who come in and say, ‘This used to be…’” he says. “We broke the curse, hopefully.” Although a lot on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey remains the same—Gianni’s Pizza is regularly 10 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® EAT + DRINK 2026-2027 Lighthouse Bistro Curry Journey BRIGHT SPOT With places new and old, Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey is a dining destination. By Dave Faries
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