Multiple Downtown Fresno restaurants under one roof: Welcome to The GrubPub
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- GrubPub opens in State Center Warehouse, bringing food stalls, a bar and pool tables.
- Owners plan cafe, Mexican counter, pizza, burgers, bar and pool tables.
- Torres expects 40 hires, offers local art displays and plans delivery to offices.
Downtown Fresno workers and residents will be getting a few more dining options when The GrubPub opens in the State Center Warehouse building on R Street.
Business partners James Torres and Josh Valdez are taking over the space formally occupied by the owners of Las Mañanitas, whose lease expired in December.
Torres, who is spearheading the project, gave a Fresno Bee reporter a tour of the 8,000-square-foot space that will soon be home to several different eateries, much like a food court. It will be similar to what was originally there when Bitwise Industries operated it.
Torres is hoping to open by the second week in February. Although he debated giving each space its own name, for now the entire area will be known as GrubPub.
At one end of building will be a bakery and coffee shop that is set up with comfy couches and chairs for working or relaxing.
“I wanted to give it a “Friends” vibe,” Torres said. “I want people to feel comfortable. And just sit down, have a cup coffee, chill out, or do some work.”
Along the walls next to the cafe, Torres plans to feature the work of local artists whose work will be available for purchase.
In the spot where Las Mañanitas used to be, Torres will continue to offer Mexican food, including tacos, burritos and chilaquiles, a favorite at Las Mañanitas.
To add some variety, Torres will also offer loaded baked potatoes and teriyaki bowls.
In the rear of the space there will be a bar serving wine and beer. There will also be a spot serving pizza, burgers, salads and sandwiches. Further in the back is a room for several pool tables.
One of the goals for the new owners is to cater to the surrounding office workers and residents who live nearby. Torres plans to provide food delivery for those in the area.
“We would like to give people somewhere to go and something to do,” Torres said. “They can come over here and have a meal, or relax at the bar with some wine or beer.”
Torres expects to hire about 40 people. He declined to discuss how much money he and his business partner are spending on the project, other than to say “it’s a lot.”
Torres, who has never owned a restaurant, admits he is both excited and nervous about the new venture, but he adds he has lots of family members who are in the restaurant business. And for 20 years, he ran his own construction company.
GrubPub will be open seven days a week and hours for each spot will vary depending on the food being served.
This story was originally published January 17, 2026 at 5:35 AM.
