Following almost three years in development, skateboard legend Tony Hawk's highly-anticipated Chick & Hawk restaurant is nowhere near complete in San Diego's North County, so what's going on?
In September 2021, we broke the news that longtime San Diego chef Andrew Bachelier had announced he would be opening a new restaurant in partnership with the most famous skateboarder in the world Tony "Birdman" Hawk. Chef Bachelier was previously integral in the launch of dining destinations Campfire and Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad before parting ways with the company in summer 2020. Dubbed as a "fast-fine" restaurant and bar concept, Chick & Hawk was originally anticipated to open in San Diego's Encinitas community in summer 2022 but has allegedly been plagued by bureaucratic delays.
Last September, Chick & Hawk ownership announced they had finally been cleared to begin construction on the restaurant, but the building now looks nearly abandoned with no sign of any progress. Although ownership is chalking up the substantial to permit issues, we have received word that the Chick & Hawk team is reportedly waiting on a last round of funding in order to finish the restaurant's build out. Although they hope to open by year's end, it seems unlikely it will debut in 2024. Chick & Hawk's website still has "Coming Soon 2022" listed.
Chick & Hawk is set to install in the 1,421 square-foot space that long housed Fulano's Restaurant in the Leucadia area of Encinitas. Local design firm Starch Creative Studios and CLVT were slated to spearhead the design and renovation, respectively, with the final product planned to offer indoor and outdoor dining with a design inspired by 90s surf and skateboard culture combined with a chicken motif. The incoming restaurant will purportedly integrate facets of fast-casual and fine-dining, offering a menu centered around elevated fried chicken sandwiches made with locally sourced poultry, as well as oysters, seafood, and approachable versions of Bachelier's globally-driven Southern California cuisine. The restaurant is also expected to have a full bar with craft beer, wine and cocktails.
With the impending opening of Chick & Hawk, San Diego native Tony Hawk is expanding his growing restaurant portfolio. In 2019, the iconic skateboarder teamed up with Playboy Playmate Nicole Dahm Kelly (one of the famous Dahm Triplets) to open GuacAmigos Mexican restaurant on Coast Highway in Newport Beach, CA. Nicole Dahm Kelly previously operated Lucky Bastard Saloon in San Diego's Gaslamp from 2013 until the bar shuttered in 2016. Hawk is also teaming up with San Diego's former "Top Chef" contestant Claudette Zepeda to launch San Diego Airport Terminal One's signature restaurant named Novecientos Grados, which is Spanish for "900 degrees", Hawk's signature skateboard trick. Once completed, the 4,700 square-foot space will have a full bar, a modern Mexican food menu and an outdoor terrace with a bay view.
Chick & Hawk is anticipated to open at 145 Leucadia Boulevard in San Diego's North County city of Encinitas. For more information, visit chickandhawk.com and follow the concept on Instagram.
With the impending opening of Chick & Hawk, San Diego native Tony Hawk is expanding his growing restaurant portfolio. In 2019, the iconic skateboarder teamed up with Playboy Playmate Nicole Dahm Kelly (one of the famous Dahm Triplets) to open GuacAmigos Mexican restaurant on Coast Highway in Newport Beach, CA. Nicole Dahm Kelly previously operated Lucky Bastard Saloon in San Diego's Gaslamp from 2013 until the bar shuttered in 2016. Hawk is also teaming up with San Diego's former "Top Chef" contestant Claudette Zepeda to launch San Diego Airport Terminal One's signature restaurant named Novecientos Grados, which is Spanish for "900 degrees", Hawk's signature skateboard trick. Once completed, the 4,700 square-foot space will have a full bar, a modern Mexican food menu and an outdoor terrace with a bay view.
Chick & Hawk is anticipated to open at 145 Leucadia Boulevard in San Diego's North County city of Encinitas. For more information, visit chickandhawk.com and follow the concept on Instagram.
