Mediterranean Street Food & Modern Beer Garden for Hillcrest

Several kind Eater readers notified us of a new eatery taking shape on the stretch of 5th Avenue between Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. Opening a block south of Nunu's, in the space that was formerly the Dog House Bar and Grill, is Spitz, a SoCal-based concept centered around Mediterranean street food — kebabs (beer and lamb, chicken, mixed meat, falafel and vegetables) in various configurations.

College classmates Robert Wicklund and Bryce Rademan founded the first Spitz 10 years ago, inspired by the street food they'd encountered in Europe; there are now several Spitz locations in the Los Angeles area and an offshoot in Salt Lake City. Their first San Diego outpost should open by the end of the month and they plan to serve lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. There will be a full bar, offering cocktails, housemade sangria and craft beer; another big attraction will be a 2,000-square-foot backyard beer garden, which is currently being stocked with picnic tables and outdoor games.