A new burger concept has entered the San Diego food scene with the opening of Grub Burger Bar in Carmel Mountain Ranch, the first of several local outposts for the national brand being developed by the Passion Project Group. With a SoCal flagship that spans a 3,400-square-foot space with a large 1,200-square-foot patio, Grub Burger Bar calls itself a "chef-driven" burger concept; its signature burgers, which are all priced below $10, are built with chuck and brisket patties which are ground in-house every day, while the buns are baked fresh each hour. For those who don't eat red meat, there are turkey, chicken, veggie and wild Alaskan salmon burgers, plus new menu items that include Brussels sprouts with ancho-lime vinaigrette and a kale, quinoa, black bean and corn-filled Ultimate Bowl salad.
The fast-causal concept also sets itself apart with its full bar feature. There's craft beer, wine and signature cocktails, plus a shake station that mixes up everything from kid-friendly, topped-filled milkshakes to boozy adult versions spiked with bourbon and chocolate and cake-flavored vodka. A generous happy hour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close on weekdays, offers $5.50 drinks.
Passion Project Group tells Eater that they plan to build Grub Burger Bars throughout California, and are actively looking everywhere from Mission Valley to North County to plant more local stores .
