SoCal Import Slapfish Details Big Area Expansion Plans

Modern seafood shack Slapfish is about to anchor down in the D.C. area in a big way, with plans to open up to five fast-casual locations over the next two years.

This week Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Slapfish announced plans to pop up in Loudoun County at 44727 Thorndike Street in early June 2018, and chef/owner Andrew Gruel tells Eater about aggressive plans to sprinkle its seafaring lineup of New England clam chowder, lobster taquitos, and citrus shrimp salads across the area.

There are also inked leases for Rockville’s Montrose Crossing and the incoming Ballston Quarter project with openings slated for 2018. More deals are in the works for D.C. and Northern Virginia, he says, which could have five locales by 2022.

Photo: Andrew Gruel

While bounty like rockfish from Pacific Beach waters lands at its West Coast locations, the New Jersey native plans to source Mid-Atlantic seafood for its first-ever East Coast ones. The seven-year-old company already has franchises in more than five states and abroad.

While the locations will serve lunch and dinner, expect some of its “crazy breakfast menu” items like lobster breakfast burrito to make appearances.