The long-awaited venture by skateboarder Tony Hawk and chef Andrew Bachelier has just opened its doors in Encinitas, Leucadia. This project has been in the making for a long time – since 2020, to be exact. As with most projects around that time, it got interrupted by the pandemic. But, here we are today: on Chick & Hawk’s official opening day.
The story
A Michelin-rated chef and the world’s greatest skater walk into a bar… or better yet, they open one together.
Renowned chef Andrew Bachelier (Campfire, Jeune et Jolie*, Atelier Manna) and skate legend Tony Hawk have teamed up to launch Chick & Hawk – a new spot blending top-notch food with skate and surf culture. Why Hawk would be interested in such a spot is obvious. What you may not know is that chef Chef Bachelier also grew up skating! And so, he always wanted to incorporate this part of his story into the ‘main one’ – the food.
What started as a chance meeting in 2020 turned into a friendship built on a shared love of food, community, and creativity. After years of dreaming, delays, and pop-ups across North County, Chick & Hawk has finally opened in Leucadia’s historic Fulano’s building.
Inspired by ’90s vibes and the raw energy of skate culture, Chick & Hawk will serve up bold flavors and creative dishes, all in celebration of Encinitas’ vibrant spirit.
What’s on the menu at Chick & Hawk?
The menu is small, so you won’t have any indecision anxiety. Go with a classic:
- ‘The Birdman’ is their signature Nashville spicy sandwich, with hot fried chicken, tangy slaw and kimchi ‘comeback’ sauce. There’s a crazy hot version of it, for the brave ones.
- ‘The seabird’, on the other hands, comes with crispy or blackened market fish, smashed avocado, crispy shallot, and a tartare sauce.
There are also sharable bowls, local tuna tataki, and even a caviar service, if you’re feeling extra fancy,
Wash everything down with a signature cocktail. Choose between the ‘street’ and the ‘vert’ selection. We feel like you can’t go wrong with a ‘Dying to live’: it’s got vodka, watermelon, sesame, smoked chili, and lime. From the ‘vert’ side of the menu, ‘Spirit quest’ got our attention, with Japanese whisky, shochu, toasted milk, and banana.
As you can see, whatever you choose, you’re in for a unique trip for your taste buds. Mocktails are also available.
The space
Larah Bachelier was the restaurant’s lead designer. The restaurant will feel nostalgic to most visitors, with many influences from the skateboarding culture that proudly calls SoCal home. You’ll find kitsch items typical of the ’80s-’90s, like suspended screen TV sets or old-school video cameras. Don’t miss the impressive murals and artwork by Mark Gonzales, Shepard Fairey, and Dave Persue! On the outdoor patio, you’ll spot an actual skate pool – though, for decoration only.
According to the restaurant’s Instagram, “Chick & Hawk pays homage to both Chef Bachelier and Tony Hawk’s childhoods filled with punk rock and skate culture.”
Chick & Hawk opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, November 12, in Encinitas. Recently, we’ve also seen Leucadia’s Leu Leu in the news, as Resy named it ‘one of the top 100 restaurants defining dining today’. It seems like a foodie hot-spot is truly in the making up there!