Cris Liang and Joon Lee both grew up in Chula Vista. Together they are getting ready to celebrate 10 years of their successful business, Common Theory Public House in the Convoy District. Early next year, they are scheduled to open their second location of Common Theory in Otay Ranch, along with a Korean BBQ establishment next door called Sura KBBQ. Liang, of Chinese heritage, was born in Mexico and grew up in Chula Vista. Joon is of Korean heritage, and he also grew up in Chula Vista. They are longtime friends.
Common Theory co-owner Liang said their friendship began in high school, Liang going to Bonita High School and Lee going to Eastlake High School.
“We both ended up in the same college at USCD,” he said. “That is where we continued our friendship. We were dorm mates, roommates, and hung out together with friends for many years. This all came about through entrepreneurship. I was doing my corporate job. Joon was had opened a small fast food Chinese chain called Rice King. We wanted to do something better in the hospitality industry, create an amazing atmosphere. Out of the love for craft beer and food, we figured that was something to really bring to this neighborhood of Convoy. This is how we created Common Theory number one.”
Jiang said “Common Theory” comes from their combined love of craft beer, food, and a good space bringing both things together. Fast forward, Jiang said Common Theory is having its tenth anniversary in June 2024.
“Chula Vista, with the Otay Ranch opening up, I think what our guests can expect is for us to bring a little bit of Convoy down south,” he said. “We have been successful here in Kearny Mesa. We have made a name for ourselves as a neighborhood bar and our eclectic craft beers on tap whether sourced locally or within the state of California. I think that we have amazing food to complement it. Our hopes when we open Chula Vista, we will keep the same menu with 70-80% being the same. I think it would be great to have some of these Convoy tastes down south, and at the same time, the remaining 20-30%, we can create special flavors and profiles that fit the South Bay, creating menu items that will be welcomed by our folks down south. Maybe some of our Convoy patrons will come down south, and vice versa, some of our South Bay patrons can check out Common Theory up north a little bit.”
Common Theory opened in 2013, and a few years later they started planning to open a speakeasy in the back called Realm of the 52 Remedies. The speakeasy opened in December 2018 after a year of research and development. In October, Common Theory launched a cocktail program that is focused on fun and inviting everyday drinks. Previously, only Realm of the 52 Remedies had served liquor. The main bar now has a drink menu that includes a Moscow Mule, Gin Rickey, Daiquiri, Tommy’s Margarita, Side Car, Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Manhattan – all intended for a friendly neighborhood bar feel. Common Theory features more than 30 beers on draft, as well as bottled beers, ciders, and hard seltzers. The new location will have a similar drink menu. Liang’s and Lee’s beverage director is Chris Lee, who created the 52 Remedies cocktail program, and he now oversees the entire beverage program of Common Theory. He will create the drink menu for the new location in Chula Vista as well.
Liang said Chris Lee comes from the industry and used to work at a bar down the street in Convoy.
“Joon has been a longtime friend of his, so when we were getting ready to open up 52 Remedies, we thought he was an amazing fit to creating the entire cocktail program and be the driving force behind that,” he said.
Liang said Sura BBQ, along with a third partner, they have another restaurant in Convoy that is 5-6 years old, Woomiok. The focus on that is authentic Korean cuisine, with a deep focus on beef and ox bone broth.
Jiang said that Common Theory should open in February 2024 at the latest with Sura KBBQ opening in March or April of next year.
Jiang said coming back to Chula Vista gives him goosebumps.
“My mom still lives down there. A bunch of my brothers still live there and Joon’s parents still live down there,” he said. “In a weird, ironic way, when someone leaves home, it is a full circle back around. We are honored. We are excited. We are excited that the city is excited for us to bring something back home. We hope to make it a great success and bring home something for all Chula Vistans to enjoy and hang out at.”
