October 3, 2018
Over the summer we announced that entrepreneur, Scott Slater, fresh off the sale of his bacon-burger-beer chain of restaurants, would be returning to San Diego to debut a bar & eatery centered around all things T-B-S (Tacos, Balls, Sliders)! Opening this Sunday, October 7, just in time for the Chargers-Raiders game, TBS Tavern will bring an island-inspired spin to Mission Valley. And that's not all as Slater has plans for more concepts to premier in America's Finest City in the near future.
San Diego State University alum Scott Slater launched his first Slater's 50/50 in Anaheim, CA, in 2009 and quickly garnered a fan base for a menu of bacon-infused burgers and a early-devotion to the now-burgeoning craft beer industry. The company grew to numerous outposts around California with branches in Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Pasadena, San Marcos and San Diego's Liberty Station. In late 2016, not long after closing his S&M Sausage and Meat concept in San Diego's North Park, Scott Slater sold all six Slater’s 50/50 restaurants to Elite Restaurant Group with hopes of a future national expansion. The company opened a Las Vegas branch in June and has plans to continue expanding. Slater remains as the face of the company, although he does not handle day-to-day operations.
Slater now has his eyes on starting a new empire, with his latest endeavor being the 36-seat TBS Tavern, located on the ground floor of the Promenade Apartments connected to the Rio Vista trolly stop in San Diego's Mission Valley. Opening at 10am on Sunday, October 7, the sports bar and restaurant will boast a lounge area, pinball, and several televisions devoted to the day's games. From the bar, expect a handful of taps with local beers, a large menu of canned brews, and an extensive global wine list with more than two dozen options. Developed by Chef Chris Mahon from the popular Shark Pit food truck on Maui, the menu will initially be dynamic, with rotating "Island Inspired" recipes fitting within the TBS theme -Tacos, meatBalls, Bar Bites, Bruschetta, Salads, Sandwiches, etc. TBS Tavern will also offer a RVIP (Rio Vista Important Person) Club, where for $50 a month members will be entitled to one beer or glass of wine per day plus 5% off all food.
"The initial focus of TBS Tavern will be becoming a local watering hole with TVs and an NFL ticket," explained TBS Tavern founder Scott Slater. "In the near future, we will host wine tasting experiences and brewery nights.
Slater and Chef Chris also just signed a lease for a dual fast-casual concept in the UTC area of La Jolla called "Spitfire: North of the Border." Details on this new restaurant are still in the works, but we surmise that it will be a fusion eatery centered around spit-grilled meats cooked on a Mexican Trompo-like cooking machine, anticipated to open by mid-2019. Of course, there will be plenty of beer!
"I'm not sure if I’m ready to announce it yet but all I can say is that I’m putting a lot of resources behind the new brand and looking at multiple locations around San Diego County including downtown SD and Del Mar," continued Slater. "TBS Tavern will be a testing ground for a lot of the recipes we will use in the new concepts."
TBS Tavern is located at 8555 Station Village Way in Mission Valley. For more information, visit tbstavern.com and check out the menu below.
TBS Tavern is located at 8555 Station Village Way in Mission Valley. For more information, visit tbstavern.com and check out the menu below.
