OC Boy Does Good – Expands Slapfish to Newport Beach

Sustainable Seafood Restaurant, Slapfish, Continues Expansion

I have been tracking the success of Chef Andrew Gruel and his growing Slapfish restaurant fiefdom for the past couple years. After meeting Andrew at the Slapfish sustainable seafood food truck, I knew his concept would go big. Today we are starting to see the benefits of is labors with a fourth restaurant opening in Newport Beach.

Tom with Chef Andrew Gruel and Chef Santo Dispensa

As a I previously reported in past posts, his first restaurant was in Huntington Beach, a second in Dubai, and a third in Laguna Beach. This week just opened their fourth restaurant and second franchise in Newport Beach.

Slapfish Interior Sign

Slapfish Newport Beachis located in a small shopping center is between Newport and Balboa Blvd and neighbors with Jack’s Surf Shop. The Newport Slapfish restaurant is set up in a quick service format, where you order at the counter and ample seating in the dining room to enjoy your meal.

Slapfish Newport Beach is located between Newport and Balboa. Blvd.

Slapfish Newport Beach is located between Newport and Balboa Blvd.

Andrew partnered with Nedal Abdelmuti, of the Abdelmuti Restaurant Group, to open a minimum of six new stores in three years. The Newport Beach location is part of this expansion.This latest expansion involved a partnership with Jack’s Surf Shop, who is located in the same shopping center. Rumor has it they Jack’s may make Slapfish a part of future stores.

Slapfish Newport Beach Exterior

Slapfish Newport Beach Interior

Here are a couple favorites and new items on the Slapfish menu

Mermaid Fries

This dish rocked as fries taste best with “awesome sauce.” Add a sunny side up fried egg for $1 extra. Pop that yolk and mix it up!

Slapfish Mermaid Fries

Chowder Fries

Freshly cooked French fries topped with Slapfish’s New England clam chowder. This dish is a Slapfish classic.

Slapfish Chowder Fries

Fish and Chips

A classic preparation. The fish was moist and the breading was crunchy on the tongue with pointy ridges. Slapfish makes one of my favorite Fish and Chips in Orange County. It is served with scratch made tartar sauce and fries. You can choose grilled fish for this dish, but why would you?

Slapfish Fish and Chips

Slapfish Fish and Chips Cut open

Protein Style Fish Tacos

This fish taco, served in lettuce, is light and good if you want a lighter dish. You pick the fish from the daily fish board.

Slapfish Protein Style Fish Taco

Lobster Roll

Perhaps Slapfish’s most popular dish, made with real lobster claws, tails and knuckles. You can order it with three types of sauces a) Chilled lemon mayo b)Hot with drawn butter c) Chilled with awesome sauce (my favorite).

Slapfish – Lobster Roll

Albacore Tostada

A crispy tortilla shell with cabbage, cilantro, grilled albacore, chili powder and Jersey sauce.

Slapfish Albacore Tostada

Shrimp Taco

Corn tortilla, cabbage avocado puree, awesome sauce, grilled onion, radish and chives.

Slapfish Shrimp Taco

Lobster Grilled Cheese

Your childhood favorite grilled cheese stuffed with lobster meat. This dish is a no brainer, Yes Ma’am!

Slapfish Lobster Grilled Cheese

My Final Thoughts

Slapfish makes some really delicious seafood dishes and since they only use sustainable seafood, you feel good about eating it. Their third Orange County expansion is big news for the local area and is a good fit for the neighborhood. If you have never tried slapfish, then I highly encourage you to give them a try. There are enough locations where you no longer have an excuse. A little bit of gossip, but it looks like Andrew and the Slapfish brand maybe in a reality T.V. series soon. Stay posted for details.