Originally launched in summer 2020, Swagyu Burger’s Imperial Beach branch had been closed since mid-2023. Its reopening coincides with a period of significant growth and reinvention for the brand. Earlier this year, Swagyu Burger introduced a temporary pop-up bar at the 4,000+ square-foot former R Place Sports Bar & Grill near Petco Park, catering to Padres fans. The pop-up will relaunch in early 2025 with an expanded menu, including wagyu-inspired dishes such as short rib fried rice and bolognese ravioli.
Chef Brown's Swagyu journey began with the Imperial Beach flagship and quickly expanded to locations in Poway and Pacific Beach. However, the Pacific Beach outpost closed in 2023 before its planned transformation into the Beach Bum Burger Bar. Efforts to establish locations in Encinitas and South Oceanside also fell through, with the latter facing a legal dispute over the lease. Despite these challenges, Brown has pushed forward, opening new locations in La Mesa, Little Italy, and Westfield UTC. Another Pacific Beach branch is also in the works. There are also Swagyu Burger locations in Newport Beach and Garden Grove.
Swagyu Burger is once again serving its signature smash burgers made with high-quality beef at 1002 Palm Avenue in San Diego's South County city of Imperial Beach. For more information, visit swagyuburger.com.
Originally published on December 7, 2024.
