La Perla del Pacifico, the Pacific-style mariscos restaurant at 5601 E. 22nd St. in Tucson, will permanently close Wednesday, June 11. Co-owner Paul Mendoza announced the news in a video posted to the restaurant’s social media Monday afternoon.
“This Wednesday, June 10th, is the last day that La Perla will be operating,” Mendoza said in the video.
The restaurant will open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. that day, with promotions on food and drinks throughout the day.
A Dream That Didn’t Take Root
Mendoza launched La Perla del Pacifico after purchasing the former Mariscos Mi Mazatlán space, bringing his vision of Pacific-coast Mexican seafood to Tucson’s east side. Before opening the restaurant, he spent a decade as a business consultant helping local stores and eateries.
Still, the business never found the foothold Mendoza had worked toward.
“I tried my best to keep this business afloat, to give it the life that it deserved, and to create it a staple for Tucson,” he said. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that.”
The restaurant offered dishes rooted in the flavors of Nogales, Sonora, including whole red snapper, shrimp ceviche, aguachile, and molcajetes. Mendoza pointed to the red snapper as his signature.
A Call to Come Say Goodbye
In the closing video, Mendoza made a direct appeal to Tucsonans who had not yet visited.
“If you haven’t come to this restaurant, just give us a shot on Wednesday,” he said.
He added that the goal for the final day runs deeper than a farewell.
“I have a lot of food perishables that are going to go to waste,” Mendoza said. “I need to sell as much as I can so I can provide something back for my team for them to be able to have.”
Mendoza acknowledged the toll the closure takes on his staff.
“This decision not only affects me but my team,” he wrote in the social media caption accompanying the video. “Come and support them.”
Karaoke Nights and a Community’s Support
Throughout its run, La Perla del Pacifico built some of its warmest community moments around weekend karaoke nights and its breakfast service. Mendoza reflected on those evenings with gratitude.
“Thank you, Tucson, for the support, for coming and enjoying those Friday night karaoke’s , you know, the chances you gave us with the breakfast,” he said. “I tried a little bit of everything to make this, to make it work.”
Indeed, the restaurant had already weathered one hiatus, reopening in June 2025 with a refreshed menu and renewed energy before ultimately reaching this point.
What’s Next for the Owner
Mendoza did not announce specific plans, but he signaled that Wednesday is not his final chapter in the industry.
“This is not the last time you see pride in this industry,” he said. “It’s a lot of things that are brewing and working on.”
He closed his video with warmth, framing the final day as a celebration.
“I want it to be the biggest day that we sold in the history that I’ve been in the restaurant,” he said. “I appreciate all the support. We hope to see you here this Wednesday.”
Final Day Details
La Perla del Pacifico will hold its final service on Wednesday, June 11, 2026. The restaurant is at 5601 E. 22nd St. Hours on the final day run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Food and drink promotions will run all day.
For readers looking to explore other Tucson mariscos spots, Tucson Foodie has guides to the best Mexican restaurants in southern Tucson and the best fish tacos in Tucson, including a deep dive on Mariscos Chihuahua, one of the city’s longest-running seafood institutions.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
