Slapfish Review – A Modern Seafood Shack
Once in a great while, someone comes up with a concept that no one else has thought of. They look at the current culinary scene and find a niche that has yet to be filled and take it to a whole other level. This is exactly what Chef Andrew Gruel and Jethro Naude have done with Slapfish, A Modern Seafood Shack. With 7 locations currently thriving (including one in Dubai), Slapfish has become a success by bringing real American seafood with simple yet elegant flavors to the masses.
The restaurants are described as being in a fast-casual setting with a “boat to plate” mentality. Their mission is to work with responsible suppliers who make it their goal to use “sustainability” when obtaining their seafood, which is defined as a balancing act between supply and demand. Partnerships with the Aquarium of the Pacific and Seafood of the Future allow Slapfish to source the highest quality seafood while staying within guidelines.
To become a master of a craft, one must start from the bottom and create a solid foundation. Chef Andrew Gruel and Jethro Naude started with aspirations in the food truck business. A risky endeavor with the market being saturated with trucks on every street corner, true success can only be accomplished with a unique idea and hard work. Gruel knew that if his venture was to stand out, he needed to bring the restaurant to the people. By obtaining high quality seafood with prices comparable to fast food, Gruel was able to transition his success with food trucks and create his first restaurant in Huntington Beach. Additional locations have since come about, including restaurants in Baltimore, Dubai, Irvine, Newport and LAX.
I happened to be spending the weekend in Laguna Beach, and had heard from an uncle about a new seafood joint that is becoming very popular with the locals. Located across the street from the main beach, Slapfish has a site that many other restaurants would covet. There is plenty of outdoor seating available which takes advantage of the amazing weather Laguna Beach has year round. Customers are greeted with eager to please employees who are very knowledgeable about the corporate mission and goals. By looking at the menu, there are options that will please anyone. Popular and often ordered menu items include Fish Tacos and Chowder Fries, fries that are smothered in Clam Chowder and Bacon. They also offer seasonal items, this seasons offering including a Fried Po’Boy and a Surf and Turf sandwich.
The hero of the menu is clearly the Lobster Roll, and I was determined not to let the market price scare me from making this selection. I was politely told that the market price for a Lobster Roll combo as a lofty $21.00 plus tax. Without hesitation, I willingly ordered the aforementioned combo and took my order number and had a seat outside. Within 5 minutes, I was presented with a culinary masterpiece. The Lobster Roll combo includes natural cut fries, a sliced pickle, a lemon wedge and a side of what is known as “Awesome sauce”. We must start with the Lobster Roll.
The Lobster Roll is a beauty. I didn’t start eating right away because I had the feeling that I was going to be annihilating a piece of art. With 100% Lobster tossed in hot butter then mixed with a dash of lemon mayo and sprinkled with chives, the meat is placed on a split-top buttered roll. The roll is perfectly toasted and has enough substance to hold the ample amount of lobster meat that is included. From first to last bite, you realize you are in the presence of greatness. A squeeze of lemon adds a vibrant citrus twist to the tender and succulent lobster meat. By the time I finished, I wish I had ordered a second helping.
Often overshadowed but never forgotten are the natural cut fries. They were fried with precision and paired with “Awesome Sauce”, a creamy chile sauce that might supplant ketchup as my favorite condiment. The spice of the Awesome Sauce provided the perfect amount of kick and tang when combined with the natural cut fries. For the time I was eating this meal, there wasn’t a happier soul in Laguna Beach. I would occasionally make eye contact with other customers who had ordered the Lobster Roll, knowing that just nod of approval was all I needed to let them know that they were not alone in this experience. The world must know about the Lobster Roll at Slapfish, especially in a lovely city as Laguna Beach.
Slapfish: A Modern Seafood Shack
211 Broadway St.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-0464
[…] Click Here for a Review of One of the Best Lobster Rolls in Orange County. […]