Following a three month hiatus in order to retool the concept, Buona Forchetta restaurant group has abandoned the Texas-style barbecue idea and reopened Carbón as a rustic-style grill concept in San Diego's South Park.
It took more than four years in development for San Diego's Buona Forchetta restaurant group to open its barbecue house and beer bar Carbón in South Park. News broke in fall 2018 that Buona Forchetta restaurant founder Matteo Cattaneo was opening a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in San Diego's South Park. Following a four year build out and concept development, Carbón BBQ finally opened last November with a kitchen helmed by Executive Chef Hanis Cavin, who previously founded the Carnitas Snack Shack brand and opened Pioneer BBQ before leaving San Diego for Spokane, WA for a brief period.
Carbón initially offered a menu of smoked meat platters, burgers and sandwiches that quickly stirred controversy with the owner of nearby Grand Ole BBQ, which is located less than a mile away, accusing Carbón of ripping off his menu. Chef Hanis ended up leaving the company this past June and the restaurant closed last August, with owner Matteo Cattaneo stating it would only be for "less than a month."
Three months later, Carbón has reinvented itself to become a rustic-style grill concept. Highlights from the new menu include roasted bone marrow served with grilled sourdough bread and truffle butter; a pork belly slider with Manchego cheese and homemade pear; Jidori chicken with marinated rosemary tarragon parsnip puree and organic seasonal veggies; and a double double burger with caramelized onion, cheddar and aioli. The restaurant will also offer a handful of salads and grilled meats, as well as a beer and wine options.
Carbón is now open at 2314 30th Street in San Diego's South Park. For more information, visit buonaforchettasd.com/carbon and check out the new menu below.
