Slapfish Founder Launches Calico Fish House
Celebrity Chef Andrew Gruel, known for the award-winning food truck turned international sensation Slapfish, has returned his focus to seafood dining with the opening of his newest full-service restaurant brand, Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach.
“Calico is our family restaurant and our four children helped in developing the concept. We believe food should be simple if you have ingredients you love and a mission that speaks beyond salt and pepper,” said Andrew Gruel. “Calico hits all the notes when it comes to crave-worthy cuisine. We can't wait to grow this venture and have our kids take it to the next level one day. This is our American Dream - where the ocean meets your plate. “
Inspired by the beauty, deliciousness, and resilience of the Calico Bass that is native to Southern California waters, Calico Fish House is a seafood chophouse that represents the best of sustainable, economically viable and clean dining.
At Calico, which Gruel developed along with his wife Lauren, diners can enjoy the ultimate take on local and responsibly sourced seafood, a freshly stocked raw bar, small farm meats, seasonal vegetables from Melissa’s Produce, and a full bar with refreshingly inventive cocktails. As part of their mission to encourage Americans to eat more healthy seafood and locally sourced meats while avoiding trans fats and seed oils, the Gruel’s work directly with fishermen and farmers to source the best possible products available and support local economies.
The Calico entrée menu is centered around simply grilled a la carte proteins including carefully prepared fish, meat, and poultry, served with 10 different scratch-made sauces and sides that change daily. Sharable plates and must-haves include House-baked rolls with Sweet Lobster Butter, Lobster Corndogs, Angry Lobster Pockets, and Pretzel Crusted Crab tots. A daily Crudo option complements the curated raw bar.
A section of ‘handhelds’ includes sandwiches, burgers, and burritos such as the Two-Handed Fish Sandwich with Tiger Sauce, Lobster Dog, and Jersey Burger with Taylor Ham, a nod to Gruel’s home state of New Jersey.
The menu also includes a selection of fresh organic salads and tasty sides that will change with the seasons.
The Gruels are also known for their advocacy work supporting veteran and displaced restaurant industry employees during the pandemic. As a partner with Save the Brave, a nonprofit that works to prevent veteran suicide, Calico will donate a portion of every check to this effort and all veterans receive a 50% discount on their meals at Calico. As a continuing effort of the non-profit, the Gruels founded during the pandemic, 86 Restaurant Struggle, restaurant employees in need can receive free meals at Calico.
Open 12 to 8 p.m. Wed, Thurs. Sun.; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
16600 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. 562.357.4012.
