Big news for food hall fans: The upcoming Miramar Food Hall in San Clemente, slated to open this fall, has revealed 13 of 17 food and drink vendors that will be part of its launch.
Set inside the historic Miramar Theatre, a building that dates back to 1938 and once served as a movie theater and bowling alley, the food hall’s inaugural tenants will feature eateries with roots in Southern California. Some of its culinary names include San Diego County’s Cosmos Burger, Ricebunn and Immersion Coffee Co.
Other notable additions include Hen Haus, a new concept from Thyda Sieng, the founder of Long Beach’s now-shuttered Fire Bird Nashville Hot Chicken. Making its first venture outside of its home state will be Seattle native Moto Pizza, which specializes in Detroit-style pizza with characteristically lacy, cheesy crust. (Not to be confused with San Diego-based Mr. Moto Pizza, which, coincidentally, is poised to open in Costa Mesa later this year.)
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“For us, having local vendors was really important to us,” said Jim Krieger, Tiger Hospitality’s Chief Operating Officer, in a phone interview. “People that are part of the community and part of Southern California. It’s great for both the guests and the businesses.” He added that being in a historic building presented some challenges, as the goal was to “live up to the remodel while representing the historic value” of the property.
The current roster is listed below:
● Cosmos Burger: Burger joint known for its Spicy Jam Burger and Monkey Fries, with established locations in Oceanside and Carlsbad.
● El Puerto Street Tacos: Mexican street tacos, burritos and quesadillas, with two locations in Carlsbad.
● Graciously Thai: Billed as a home-style Thai food eatery, with a location in Temecula.
● Hen Haus: A brand new female- and family-owned concept from Thyda Sieng of Long Beach’s Fire Bird Nashville Hot Chicken, which closed in 2021.
● Immersion Coffee Co.: A coffee pitstop, formerly Manivela Coffee Truck, with locations in San Diego’s Little Italy and La Jolla neighborhoods.
● It’s Allll Rice: The first brick-and-mortar location for this fried rice concept.
● La Vida: Featuring such healthy fare as salads, sandwiches, wraps, toasts and smoothies, with a location in Carlsbad.
● Lobster Lab: Carlsbad lobster roll spot that includes a lobster grilled cheese dish. Let’s hope they bring their lobster bisque and tuna melt to San Clemente.
● Moto Pizza: The first out-of-state outpost for the acclaimed Seattle-based pizza chain known for its unique pizza that reportedly combines Detroit, New York and Roman pie styles with Filipino influences. In 2023, Eater Seattle (RIP) reported how “impossible” the prized pizza was to order due to its popularity.
● Ricebunn: This Irvine spot is billed as a fresh take on Japanese onigiri, the handmade rice balls.
● RolledUp Sushi: Sushi rolls, burritos and bowls, with a location in Carlsbad,
● Sidelines Sandwiches: Sandwich spot that started out as a pop-up at Del Mar’s Surf Sports Park.
● The Pita: From the husband-wife duo behind San Clemente’s Rocket Fizz, this Middle Eastern concept will offer shawarmas, gyros, pitas, hummus and more.
In addition to food vendors, the Miramar Food Hall will feature two bars. Two final two food tenants are expected to be announced at a later date.
The Miramar Theater and former bowling alley were purchased in 2020 by developers Tiger Hospitality, the team behind the Windmill Food Hall in San Diego. In a 2021 report by Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register, “since the early ’90s, it’s been empty, sitting stagnant and falling apart, its insides charred from a fire in 2005.”
Tiger Hospitality, Krieger pointed out, will also open a food hall in San Diego’s Little Italy later this or early next year.