Slater's 50/50 – OC Hotspot Opens in Liberty Station

Peanut butter and jealousy burger

December 29, 2011

Burger-centric eateries are abundant in the city of San Diego, but there is only one where you can get a 50% beef / 50% bacon patty and choose from over 100 beers on tap – hail Slater’s 50/50.

Slater’s 50/50 started in Anaheim in 2008 and quickly gained popularity due to its more than ample beer selection, large portions of bacon covered comfort food, and the half beef/half bacon burger patties.  Now with three So-Cal locations, the newest recently opened in Point Loma’s Liberty Station and is sure to be a hit in this beer and burger-loving city.

Pioneered by 29 year old owner, Scott Slater, Slater’s 50/50 is the result of a bad economy.  When the 2008 market crash occurred, Slater saw it hit the construction business and substantially slow down traffic to his over 30 hot dog stands situated outside various Home Depot locations around the country.  Scott decided to leave the hot dog business and open up a full-scale restaurant/bar in Anaheim Hills.  His namesake restaurant started strong and now has quite the following with daily lines lasting up to an estimated 2 hours at the original location.   

The new Liberty Station site is marked by a giant bronze burger out front in the restaurant’s expansive open-air patio.  The interior could be described as a “man cave,” with mounted animal heads above the bar, wood throughout, pool tables, and flat screens everywhere (including the bathrooms).  And with a 111 beers on tap, Slater’s boasts that it “has the most craft beers on tap in all of San Diego,” which is pretty impressive in our craft beer community.  If beer isn’t your thing, don’t fret, Slater’s has a full bar and offers cocktails and wine by the glass or bottle.  

Although burgers are the bulk of the menu at Slater’s 50/50, Scott doesn’t classify his restaurants as merely another burger spot.  “It is a full restaurant that serves burgers, not just a burger restaurant,” explained Slater.  While Slater may attempt to distinguish himself from the likes of other burger joints, his restaurant certainly focuses on America’s favorite sandwich. 

The “Peanut Butter and Jealousy” burger ($10.45) is what drew me to Slater’s, after I was fortunate enough to get a taste at the 2011 San Diego Brewer’s Guild Festival.  This burger may sound strange, but the combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet strawberry jelly, thick, smoky bacon, and “Sterling Silver” ground beef on a honey wheat bun is something magical.  If it’s too adventurous for you, give one of their many other burger designs a try, or feel free to customize your own from the endless options of patties, breads, sauces, cheeses and toppings available.  The combination possibilities are endless, ensuring that there is something for everyone, even the vegetarians.  Note:  the weights of the patties are for after the burger is cooked, unlike most places that quote the weights before grilling.

Burgers come a la carte, so be sure to load up on sides -- the more you get, the cheaper they are.  We went with a combination plate of three appetizers ($6.95).  The fried dill pickles chips with honey Dijon mustard sauce were thick and tasty but lacked the crispiness I crave from fried foods.  The panko fried mac & cheese came with a chili infused ranch and were crisp on the outside and creamy inside making for a successful indulgence.  The sweet potato fries were also nice and crispy but soft inside, and paired with a sweet pumpkin dipping sauce, they were a perfect accompaniment to the fall season.  The vampire dip ($8.95) is a favorite appetizer at Slater’s, consisting of a bread bowl filled with garlicky, artichoke, three cheese dip.  While the fried pita chips may be too thick and hard, the rich decadence of the dip could make anything tasty.  Ask for bread instead.

In addition to burgers and sandwiches, Slater’s offers comfort food specialties like fried chicken and pancakes ($10.95).  This not-so-short stack consists of two pancakes layered with juicy fried chicken breast, two strips of thick-cut bacon, fried eggs, and a smothering of house-made bacon-infused country gravy, then topped with another pancake and covered in maple syrup.  My only complaint with this dish is the plate was too small for the massive amount of food present, but besides that, it was wonderful and made me very, very happy.

If you still have room, Slater’s offers a few desserts, including a variety of milkshakes ($4.95) and their famous bacon brownie ($8.95).  I opted for the cocorama ($7.95), and although I could only manage one bite of the ice cream covered cookie, the combination of coconut, caramel, chocolate, and shortbread was like an upscale Samoa Girl Scout cookie. If you don’t know what that is, find out immediately. 

Slater’s is open 7 days a week until 2 a.m., serves its full menu until 1:30am, and offers happy hour everyday but Saturday, so get on it before the word spreads and the people start lining up.

SLATER’S 50/50

2750 Dewey Road, Liberty Station, Point Loma (next to Ace Hardware)

(619) 398-2600

Slaters5050.com

Hours:

Daily 11am – 2am

Food served until 1:30am