Mariscos El Barba Negra may open as soon as this summer in the former Joe's Steakhouse location in Downtown Fresno. Photo illustration by Cecilia Lopez

A prominent Downtown Fresno building has a new occupant — the latest for the restaurant space by the city’s spiral parking garage.

Mariscos El Barba Negra, a Hanford-based Mexican seafood restaurant, has filed for an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license for the restaurant. Signage posted in the window for a new license was verified through the ABC website.

Joe’s Steakhouse had called the location home for 15 years prior to closing in 2021. Another concept, Country Kitchen, was open for eight months before closing in October 2024.

A manager from the Hanford-based restaurant confirmed the new location Friday.

The restaurant is located next to the spiral parking garage in Downtown Fresno at 831 Van Ness Ave. It has struggled to retain a tenant since the closure of Joe’s Steakhouse, with two withdrawn ABC license applications, and one application canceled.

A confirmed opening date was not given, though the manager at the Hanford store said the owner, Juan Carlos Diaz, hopes to open the restaurant as soon as this summer.