Windmill Food Hall Bringing Burgers and Belgian Eats to Carlsbad

Windmill Food Hall is nearing the finish line in Carlsbad, where it will take up residence in the iconic former Pea Soup Andersen building just off the I-5. The 12,000-square-foot space, with a design inspired by the 1930s and 1940s, will feature plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and interactive games. It’s currently scheduled to launch in September.

The latest additions to the food lineup include the first brick-and-mortar opportunities for two popular farmer’s market/event vendors and two eateries that already have an established presence in North County. Belgium Delights, a regular at the Hillcrest, Vista, and Poway farmer’s markets, specializes in twice-fried freshly-cut Belgian fries and yeasted Liege-style waffles that are sweetened with caramelized sugar pearls. Its aioli-based ‘super sauces’ are also retailed at local markets including Cardiff’s Seaside Market. Bread & Cheese Eatery, a fixture at breweries and festivals, completed a successful Kickstarter campaign for its debut storefront, which will serve its menu of grilled cheese sandwiches that includes the Burn-a-Nator, which melts pepper jack with spicy capicola, and enchilada aioli on jalapeno-cheddar sourdough.

Launched in 2012, Carlsbad’s Notorious Burgers will also have an outpost in the food hall. Known for its mob-themed burgers and sandwiches, the menu includes a lamb burger dubbed Gambino’s Broken Leg of Lamb, made with pasture-raised Colorado lamb, feta, arugula, local tomatoes, cucumber, and garlic aioli and a fried chicken sandwich called The Snitch that features bacon waffles, maple syrup, agave mayo. Windmill Food Hall will also give Lobster West its third location, joining branches in Encinitas and Coronado, that will offer an express-style menu of East Coast seafood favorites.

Local restaurateur James Markham, who is developing the food hall, will run three of its eateries — Crackheads, a full-service, standalone spot for breakfast sandwiches and coffee, Doughballs Pizza, which will bake up customizable pies, and a build-your-own rolled sushi burrito stand called Rolled Up. And the roster is completed by Taco Lady gourmet street Tacos, Thai Style Kitchen, and two trendy transplants from Convoy Street, Cross Street Chicken & Beer and Bing Haus.