The fried chicken joint and bar, created in collaboration with celebrated chef Andrew Bachelier, hosted its invite-only friends and family night on Monday and is now preparing to open its doors for soft hours this week. For longtime fans who’ve been waiting since the pandemic-era, the Birdman’s new roost is no longer just a promise - it’s about to be reality.
The timing couldn’t be more ironic - or more Tony Hawk. Just as Chick & Hawk is firing up its fryers in North County, Hawk is simultaneously debuting his second San Diego restaurant, Novecientos Grados, inside the brand-new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport on September 23. In true skate legend fashion, the man is landing two massive culinary projects within days of each other.
At the heart of Chick & Hawk's menu is its soon-to-be signature "Birdman" fried chicken sandwich, a Nashville hot-inspired beast loaded with slaw, pickles, and kimchi comeback sauce on a soft potato brioche bun. It’s a dish designed to feel as bold and unapologetic as the 900 spin Hawk made famous. The full menu, led by Bachelier and his crew, riffs on family-style buckets, playful sides, and creative flavors meant to appeal to both foodies and fans of old-school comfort food.
At the heart of Chick & Hawk's menu is its soon-to-be signature "Birdman" fried chicken sandwich, a Nashville hot-inspired beast loaded with slaw, pickles, and kimchi comeback sauce on a soft potato brioche bun. It’s a dish designed to feel as bold and unapologetic as the 900 spin Hawk made famous. The full menu, led by Bachelier and his crew, riffs on family-style buckets, playful sides, and creative flavors meant to appeal to both foodies and fans of old-school comfort food.
Chick & Hawk’s road to opening has been anything but smooth. First announced in September 2021, the restaurant was originally expected to launch in the 1,421-square-foot space that once housed Fulano’s Mexican Café in Leucadia by summer 2022 but was quickly bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles and permit delays. By late 2023, the team had finally secured clearance to begin construction, but the building sat dormant for months as funding challenges and inspections dragged on. For years, the building looked half-finished and nearly abandoned, with "Coming Soon 2022" still lingering on Chick & Hawk’s website as recently as last year. Now, with the remodel finally completed, the project is flipping the page from endless delays to long-awaited reality.
While Hawk’s name may draw the headlines, it’s Andrew Bachelier steering the kitchen. The Rancho Peñasquitos native cut his teeth at fine-dining spots like Blanca and the now–three Michelin-starred Addison before teaming up with John Resnick to launch Carlsbad’s Campfire in 2016 and Jeune et Jolie in 2019. But it’s worth noting that Jeune et Jolie - and Resnick’s group overall - only truly rose to international acclaim after Bachelier’s departure, eventually earning a Michelin star and spinning off concepts like Lilo in Carlsbad, which picked up its own star earlier this year. The success story of those restaurants seems to have hit its stride once Bachelier left the picture, raising eyebrows about where the real magic was happening.
But this place isn’t just about what’s coming out of the kitchen - it’s about the vibe. Designed by CLTVT, the restaurant feels like a living tribute to the glory days of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The patio is built out with working ramps and grind rails, the walls are splashed with graffiti-style murals, and the color scheme pops with neon pink and yellow metal grating, teal blue, and orange accents that scream 1990s skate park. Concrete surfaces, neon nostalgia, and a private parking lot seal the deal: Chick & Hawk is part eatery, part immersive skate shrine.
But this place isn’t just about what’s coming out of the kitchen - it’s about the vibe. Designed by CLTVT, the restaurant feels like a living tribute to the glory days of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The patio is built out with working ramps and grind rails, the walls are splashed with graffiti-style murals, and the color scheme pops with neon pink and yellow metal grating, teal blue, and orange accents that scream 1990s skate park. Concrete surfaces, neon nostalgia, and a private parking lot seal the deal: Chick & Hawk is part eatery, part immersive skate shrine.
The concept has always aimed to blend "fast-fine" sensibilities with skate culture, offering elevated fried chicken sandwiches alongside oysters, seafood, and a full bar with craft beer, cocktails, and wine. The restaurant’s design - originally envisioned by Starch Creative Studios and executed by CLTVT - integrates skate and surf motifs into both the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Soft opening hours are expected to be announced any day, with a full grand opening likely hitting by the end of September or early October. Whether you roll in for the Birdman sandwich, the scene, or the chance to say you ate fried chicken in a skatepark-style restaurant designed by Tony Hawk, Chick & Hawk looks primed to carve out a spot in San Diego’s dining landscape.
Chick & Hawk is located at 145 Leucadia Boulevard in the Leucadia neighborhood of Encinitas. Expect soft opening hours this week, with the grand opening anticipated by early October. For more information, visit chickandhawk.com.
Soft opening hours are expected to be announced any day, with a full grand opening likely hitting by the end of September or early October. Whether you roll in for the Birdman sandwich, the scene, or the chance to say you ate fried chicken in a skatepark-style restaurant designed by Tony Hawk, Chick & Hawk looks primed to carve out a spot in San Diego’s dining landscape.
Chick & Hawk is located at 145 Leucadia Boulevard in the Leucadia neighborhood of Encinitas. Expect soft opening hours this week, with the grand opening anticipated by early October. For more information, visit chickandhawk.com.
Originally published on September 16, 2025.
