Carnitas' Snack Shack Opens Second Location in Del Mar

August 21, 2014

San Diego’s original fast-casual porkhouse opens in Del Mar Highlands Town Center August 21, 2014.

Carnitas' Snack Shack Del Mar

Carnitas’ Snack Shack Restaurant is proud to announce the official opening of its second location in the Del Mar / Carmel Valley area of San Diego.

On Thursday, August 21, 2014, at 3pm, executive chef/owner Hanis Cavin and owner/operator Sara Stroud will open Carnitas’ Snack Shack Del Mar, their second joint venture, with development firm Sweet One Hundred in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, located at 12873 El Camino Real, Suite M4, San Diego, CA 92130.

“The SnackShack,” as it’s affectionately called by locals, is San Diego’s original fast-casual porkhouse concept that serves slow food-inspired, pork-centric American cuisine, snacks and local craft beers. It is named after the couple’s pet pig, Carnitas Speck.

The Del Mar restaurant was designed in partnership with Hatch Design Group. Although there is no pig on the roof like at the North Park location, there is a major pig wall, with millwork by Hospitality Wood Products, a new pig mural by Jesus “Chuey” Montes, custom pig-themed wallpapers by Thrive Arts & Impact Visual Arts, and metalwork by Dave Berzansky. Remodeling and buildout was by Richard & Richard Construction.

The new restaurant seats 93, with shaded patio seating in the front, accented by an herb garden by Urban Plantations. Takeout orders may be picked up from a newly installed walk-up window.

Executive chef Hanis Cavin, culinary consigliere Max Bonacci and chef de cuisine Eric Duell (formerly of Brabant Bar & Cafe) will serve an expanded menu which includes many of their standard classics like the Pork Belly App, Triple Threat Pork Sandwich, SnackShack Burger, SnackShack Steak Sandwich and Carnitas Tacos. New items on the menu include:

• Ahi Nicoise Salad – with seared local ahi, green beans, fingerling potatoes, egg, greens, kalamata olive vinaigrette

• Pork Burger – house-ground pork, with candied bacon and gorgonzola

• Veggie Burger – zucchini, artichoke, panko, garlic, parmesan, with shack aioli on a honey oat bun

• Daily Chopped Salad – farmers market selection/ creamy garlic vinaigrette

Pastry chef Daniela Martinez (formerly with Tom Ham’s Lighthouse) will offer new desserts such as Chocolate Roulade, Caramel-Apple Panna Cotta, SnackShack Cinnamon Rolls, and a housemade doughnut. This month’s doughnut is “The Elvis” – peanut butter glaze, chocolate chips, candied bacon and topped with a fried plantain chip. Also on the dessert menu will be the ever-popular Bacon Whisky and Salted Caramel Truffles from chef Andrea Davis of Andrea’s Truffles.

Beverage program manager Brandon Zanavich (Craft Pizza) will offer a wide selection of local San Diego craft beers on tap and in bottles. Planned on tap for opening day are Aztec Hibiscus Wheat, Ballast Point Sculpin, Belching Beaver Damned, Hess Umbris, Manzanita Chaotic Double and Societe Harlot.

Gluten-free, cane-sugar fountain sodas by Batch Soda will be served, including Shirley Temple and Snozzberry, along with Horchata and Orange Bang!

The restaurant will officially open at 3pm on Thursday, August 21, 2014.

ADDRESS:

Carnitas’ Snack Shack Del Mar
Tail Waggin’ Good! Local Farm-Fresh Food, Drink and Snacks
12873 El Camino Real, Suite M-4
San Diego, CA 92130
Call 858-350-PORK (7675)
Open Daily 11a.m. – 11p.m.