Chef Steve Brown is launching a temporary Swagyu Burger Bar at the former R Place Sports Bar & Grill on 10th Avenue, just in time for the Padres' Wild Card Playoff series. The pop-up will feature Swagyu’s signature Japanese wagyu smash burgers, including popular variations like the El Swagador, topped with pork belly and smoked onions, as well as wagyu tallow fries and a full cocktail menu.
Chef Brown's journey with Swagyu Chop Shop began in summer 2020 with the opening of his first location in Imperial Beach, followed soon after by a second in Poway. In 2021, he took over Isabel's Cantina in Pacific Beach for another Swagyu location, but by mid-2023, that branch had closed, despite earlier plans to convert it into a new concept called Beach Bum Burger Bar - a move that never came to fruition.
Chef Brown's journey with Swagyu Chop Shop began in summer 2020 with the opening of his first location in Imperial Beach, followed soon after by a second in Poway. In 2021, he took over Isabel's Cantina in Pacific Beach for another Swagyu location, but by mid-2023, that branch had closed, despite earlier plans to convert it into a new concept called Beach Bum Burger Bar - a move that never came to fruition.
Other expansion efforts have also faltered, with planned Swagyu branches in Encinitas and South Oceanside falling through. In Oceanside, Brown faced a breach of contract complaint regarding the lease for the space, which now houses Tanner's Prime Burgers. Despite these setbacks, Brown has continued to press forward with new ventures.
In early 2023, Brown took over a small space in Little Italy, formerly home to Grab N Go Subs and Blue Box Butcher, where he launched Butcher Shop by Swagyu Cattle Company. April also saw the opening of a fast-casual Swagyu Burger Bar in La Mesa, occupying the space that previously housed Izakaya Maíze. In May, he launched a branch within the Westfield UTC food court.
In early 2023, Brown took over a small space in Little Italy, formerly home to Grab N Go Subs and Blue Box Butcher, where he launched Butcher Shop by Swagyu Cattle Company. April also saw the opening of a fast-casual Swagyu Burger Bar in La Mesa, occupying the space that previously housed Izakaya Maíze. In May, he launched a branch within the Westfield UTC food court.
 |
| Artistic rendering of the East Village Swagyu after renovation |
The pop-up near Petco Park, opening for the Padres game on October 1, will run through the playoffs, but Brown has bigger plans for the 4,000+ square-foot East Village space. After the baseball season ends, he intends to close the venue for a complete remodel, with intentions to reopen early next year with an expanded menu featuring dishes like wagyu bolognese ravioli, wagyu short rib fried rice, and skewers of all varieties.
While some locations have closed, Brown continues to expand his Swagyu empire. In September 2023, he opened a Swagyu Burger branch in Costa Mesa at a CloudKitchens space, adding to his growing portfolio. Meanwhile, his Imperial Beach flagship has been closed since August 2023, though Brown insists the closure is temporary. With the Petco Park pop-up and an upcoming location planned for Pacific Beach, Swagyu's future remains unpredictable but ambitious.
Swagyu Burger Bar Pop Up is opening on Tuesday, October 1, at 315 10th Avenue in San Diego's East Village. For more information, visit swagyuburger.com and check out the menu below.
Originally published on September 30, 2024.