Seafood-Based Fast-Casual Slapfish Swimming Into San Diego

Starting as a food truck that has grown to established restaurant brand with seven brick-and-mortar locations around Southern California, Slapfish is a casual eatery dedicated to sustainable seafood which features a menu that ranges from Baja-inspired fish tacos and shrimp ceviche to East Coast favorites including New England clam chowder and lobster rolls and oft-Instagrammed signatures such as the Clobster grilled cheese with crab and lobster and the Surf N Turf burger which tops a beef patty with lobster, caramelized onions, and cheese.

Founder Andrew Gruel, who was just named one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ industry power players for 2017, has a signed an agreement with a local franchisee who will be bringing Slapfish to San Diego. According to a release, there will be five locations opening in the area, with the first outpost launching by this summer. Gruel told Eater that no specific leases have been signed, but Location Matters is helping the company look at an array of neighborhoods including Mission Valley, La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad.

Lauren Gruel