Cheers to Banzai Grand Opening

The Midway District just received another reason to cheer and its name is Banzai Bar! Banzai is the new brainchild of the Waterfront family who are known for their beloved San Diego establishments such as Eastbound, Harbor Town Pub, The Hills Local Pub, Club Marina, Werewolf and The Waterfront (the oldest tavern in San Diego). The spicy new restaurant is debuting an exciting menu created by owner Chad Cline’s wife who used inspiration from her Japanese heritage and upbringing to create out-of-the-box recipes. Patrons can expect American classics with an Asian twist, from burgers and burritos to tacos and bowls. For example, their Bahn Mi Sliders with pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno and dojo sauce or their Poke Bowl with pickled carrots, grilled pineapple, edamame, cilantro, wasabi cream and crispy garlic.  Wash it all down with their carefully crafted cocktails! The most popular cocktail is the No. 20 with bullet bourbon, lemon juice, muddled fresh blackberry, angostura bitters, and sugar. My personal favorite was the Kali Mule with Ketel Orange, ginger beer, mint, grapefruit bitters, and lime. 

The most popular item on the menu (for good reason!) is the Crunchy Poke Tacos, a delightful combination of fresh poke, cucumber, pickled carrot, crispy garlic, wasabi cream, and cilantro. Do not miss these spicy, flavorful tacos! 

 

Another example of their fusion cuisine is the Wonton Sliders, two burger sliders with crispy wontons, grilled pineapple, swiss cheese, cilantro, and dojo. The wontons added a perfect crunch to the burgers while the pineapple brought a pop of flavor.

 

There are also great vegetarian options, including Artichoke Tacos with beer-battered artichokes, corn tort, cabbage, pineapple salsa, cilantro sauce, shredded jack, jalapeños, and cilantro.

 

Another menu highlight is their bowls. We sampled the chicken bowl with grilled ginger chicken, rice, cabbage, cucumber pickled carrots, grilled pineapple, edamame, cilantro cream, and house BBQ sauce. The secret is the rice, which is pumped up with flavor.

 

Banzai

3048 Midway Dr
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 501-5458

http://banzaibar.com/