Slater’s 50/50 Founder To Introduce Two New Restaurant Concepts To La Jolla’s UTC Area This Month

November 1, 2019

The creator of Slater's 50/50 will debut two new fast-casual concepts side-by-side in the University City area of La Jolla later this month. Spitfire Tacos will feature unique inauthentic taco options like pastrami and Kalbi pork belly while Head Lettuce will offer healthy salads and bowls. Both restaurants will be completely cash-free, instead utilizing order kiosks for credit and debit purchases.

After starting and selling a successful hot dog stand business, San Diego State University alum Scott Slater launched his first Slater's 50/50 in Anaheim in 2009 and gained an immediate following for a menu of bacon-infused burgers and a devotion to the burgeoning craft beer industry. The company grew to numerous locations in California with restaurants in Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Pasadena, San Marcos and San Diego's Liberty Station. In late 2016, not long after shutterinng his S&M Sausage and Meat restaurant in San Diego's North Park, Scott Slater sold all six Slater’s 50/50 restaurants to Elite Restaurant Group with hopes of national expansion. Slater returned to the San Diego restaurant industry last year with the opening of TBS Tavern in Mission Valley. Slater will also operate the central cocktail bar called Noblesse Oblige on the base floor of Del Mar's incoming The Sky Deck restaurant food hall. 

Slater will open Spitfire Tacos and Head Lettuce on November 9 in the complex that houses Regent's Pizza in La Jolla. Spitfire Tacos will feature seven vertical spits slowly rotating hand-stacked meats like traditional Al Pastor along with unique options like pastrami and Kalbi pork belly. The spit- roasted meats will be available as creative tacos, burritos and sides. Expect savory "authentically made, inauthentic tacos" with headliners such as the Boeuf Dip, made up of spit-roasted Angus steak, Montreal marinade, horseradish slaw, crispy shoestring potatoes, a flour tortilla and hot French onion au jus dip. Another highlight is Castro’s Last Stand with roasted pork carnitas, shaved ham, creamy mustard sauce, and a pickle spear wrapped in a Swiss quesadilla.

"I’ve always loved the idea of unusual tacos and utilizing multiple spits for different meats is something I’ve always wanted to try out," Slater said. "It makes for crunchy, bubbly, fatty, tasty tacos - every time."

There will be several ways to enjoy Spitfire’s spit-roasted and marinated meats. The fast-casual spot will offer Pastrami, Philly Cheese and Carne Asada "Totchos," or tater tot/nachos as well as its "Street Corn Named Desire." To round out the unique options, there will also be fresh-made stuffed churros in flavors like Horchata Crema and Nutella Banana.

Head Lettuce offers a healthy and fulfilling experience with salads that Slater describes as equally "craveable." Similar to Spitfire Tacos, Head Lettuce’s menu isn’t something you’ll recognize from other salad slingers. With housemade toppings like crispy creole chickpeas, chili lime corn nuts, pickled red onion and olive tapenade, plus fresh dressings ranging from wildflower honey vinaigrette to charred jalapeno yogurt ranch, Head Lettuce’s "Design Your Salad" option allows patrons to create their perfect salad. There will also be signature options like the Muffuletta Chop salad, the Ramen Crunch salad and the Country Bowl filled with red quinoa and power greens. Head Lettuce will also offer salads, bowls and soups all imagined by Slater.

"I just wanted to do something for this neighborhood, something that’s quick and healthy," Slater explained of his decision to bring this concept to the UTC area. "A lot of the other salad places are 'too healthy.' I still wanted to bring the healthy concept, but something that’s a little more craveable and fulfilling, so after you eat a salad you’ll be full."

Both Head Lettuce and Spitfire Tacos will utilize cutting-edge technology for efficient, cash-free ordering and a mobile application for the restaurants will debut soon to offer customers rewards incentives, quick and easy online ordering and more. The restaurants share a wall in the Regents Marketplace on Regents Park Row and will open for business at 10:30am on November 9.

For more information on Spitfire Tacos and Head Lettuce, including opening day information, visit spitfiretacos.com and theheadlettuce.com.