Slapfish founder chef Andrew Gruel has come a long way since the brand’s origins as a food truck in 2011. The following year, Slapfish flipped to the brick-and-mortar scene and established their flagship location in Huntington Beach. The sustainable seafood restaurant, known as the “Chipotle of seafood,” has since gone national with franchising opportunities, while Andrew and wife Lauren have since sold their shares of Slapfish Restaurant Group, according to Voice of OC.
In recent years, the husband-and-wife restaurateurs have continued opening new concepts such as New Jersey-style pizza joint Big Parm and Two Birds, a fried chicken sandwich spot in Irvine. Next up is a seafood chophouse called Calico Fish House, which will take over the former Fish Camp at 16600 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.
Andrew will return to doing what he’s best known for, which is creating amazing dishes out of sustainable seafood, while taking the menu to the next level with steaks, sandwiches, burgers and brunch service. An opening is anticipated for November at the latest.
Until then, Calico Fish House is hosting a recipe contest, in which entrants are invited to submit a recipe that will be included on the menu for a year. The winning recipe will be named after the winner, who will also get to have that dish for free every time they visit the restaurant.
For more information, check out @calicofishhouse on Instagram.
