At the heart of Smash and Stack is Chef Joel Bautista, who might just be San Diego's most unconventional burger visionary. A trained chef with a Michelin-starred background, Bautista studied at the Culinary Institute of Barcelona and sharpened his skills in kitchens both abroad and in New York-ranging from one- to three-starred Michelin restaurants. But after returning to San Diego, he made a sharp and deliberate pivot away from the world of fine dining. Instead, he chose to pour his energy into something far more personal: the humble burger.
Bautista believes in the philosophy that you don’t need expensive ingredients and crazy techniques to have a great experience and great-tasting food. On April 29, 2025, Bautista competed on an episode of Food Network’s Chopped, showcasing his skills on a national stage just as Smash and Stack prepares for its next evolution in Pacific Beach.
Smash and Stack’s menu keeps things tight but satisfying. Diners can expect a classic beef smashburger - griddled thin and crispy - topped with cheddar, bread and butter pickles, and a signature "stack sauce" (a blend of mayo, ketchup, and mustard), all served on a fluffy brioche bun from local favorite California Baking Company. A vegan patty is also on offer, along with fries, loaded fries topped with cheese and sauce, and an in-house dessert lineup that includes salted brown-butter cookies, homemade vanilla ice cream, and a flaky peach pie inspired by the fast-food apple hand pies of Bautista's youth.
The Pacific Beach shop follows the success of the original food truck, which found a permanent parking spot at 5202 Bonita Road with its own casual patio setup. The new Garnet Avenue location will bring Smash and Stack’s nostalgic energy and high-low culinary chops to the heart of PB’s dining and nightlife corridor - adding a fresh layer of flavor to the local burger scene.
Smash and Stack is expected to open as early as this summer at 956 Garnet Avenue in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, follow @smashandstack on Instagram.
Originally published on April 30, 2025.
