Pacific Beach's 8-year-old barbecue destination Iron Pig Alehouse has shuttered and reopen next week as Salsa & Smoke, a new bar & restaurant specializing in "smoked meats and Mexican eats."
In fall 2014, Louise Kelly, Kenny Casciato and Brigette O'Donovan opened Iron Pig Alehouse in the heart of San Diego's Pacific Beach, offering a menu of Texas-style barbecue dishes and a devotion to local craft beer. In late July 2022, the restaurant shuttered citing the need to perform a remodel of the space.
In actuality, the Iron Pig Alehouse concept is being rebranded to become a new concept dubbed Salsa & Smoke, which will have alfresco dining, live music, craft cocktails, and 40 drafts on tap. Opening to the public next week, expect a menu of Iron Pig Alehouse favorites combined with a contemporary spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
"The restaurant industry has changed tremendously in the last decade, and even more so over the past two years," explained co-owner Louise Kelly. "We understand that people want to go somewhere to really be taken care of. We invite our guests to set aside the chaos of their day, pull up a chair and connect with family and friends and enjoy a drink and a great meal with us. We're eager to open and share Salsa & Smoke."
Highlights from the Salsa & Smoke menu include smoked bacon wrapped jalapeño rellenos; smoked chicken wings with sauce options like adobada, El Pastor, roasted garlic and chili de Arbol buffalo; and chicken chicharon mac & cheese. The restaurant will also now boast a full bar with a devotion to margarita cocktails and a lengthy list of agave spirits, local craft beers, hard seltzers & kombucha, wine and more.
Salsa & Smoke will open at 1520 Garnet Avenue in San Diego's Pacific Beach on Wednesday, August 10 at 4pm. For more information, visit salsaandsmoke.com.
