Slater’s 50/50 review

San Diego’s Best Burgers: Slater’s 50/50 Review

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Slater’s 50/50 is a growing high-end hamburger chain with a focus on a custom bacon burger.  However, this only starts to describe the appeal of Slater’s 50/50.  In Fun Diego Family’s quest for the best burger in San Diego, Slater’s 50/50 starts right near the top.  Here is our Slater’s 50/50 review.

WEBSITE:  https://slaters5050.com/

The first Slater’s 50/50 opened in Anaheim Hills in 2009.  We are regulars at both Sam Diego locations, by the airport in Liberty Station and in North County in San Marcos.  There are 7 locations in California, one in Hawaii, 1 in Nevada and 2 in Dallas.

One issue is that the original owner, Scott Slater, ran into some issues with over-expansion.  In late 2017, Slater’s 50/50 was sold to the Elite Restaurant Group.  There are now some major plans to expand the chain and add franchisees.

Our concern is that expansion may mean a decline in quality.  We have visited several times since the acquisition and have not really noticed any major changes.  There is still usually a large crowd waiting at the Liberty Station location.

Slater’s 50/50 review

The focus at Slater’s 50/50 is on bacon.  The 50/50 refers to the core hamburger patty which is 50% ground bacon and 50 50% ground beef.  To be honest, I have tried this and it is not my favorite.  Luckily Slater’s 50/50 has a lot more options.

My son loves Slater’s 50/50 because you get a sheet where you can customize your burger.  You pick your size 1/3 pound, 2/3 pound or a pound.  Then you choose your meat.  Meats include the 50/50 patty, a Black Canyon Beef Patty, Bison ($3 extra), vegetarian Impossible Burger ($5 more), Turkey, chicken breast or a quinoa patty.

Slater’s 50/50 review

The burgers are on the expensive side starting at $12 for a 1/3 pound, adding $4 for a double or $8 for a triple.  This price includes one type of cheese.  Additional cheese is $1.  For an extra $2 you can top your burger with a variety of types of bacons, a bacon jam, 50/50 sloppy joe or even bacon chili.  You can pick from a variety of sauces including bacon ketchup and bacon island.

Slater’s 50/50 review

The burgers come with a choice of French fries, sweet potato fries or a salad.  There is also a large selection of custom burgers.  This includes a burger of the month, some of which have crazy themes.  On the wall by the bathroom you can see past monthly specials.  My favorite was the Roo burger.  This was a 50/50 patty with kangaroo meat and bacon.  It was topped with more bacon, brie, and huckleberry ketchup (no I did not try it).  There is also a super spicy burger that you must sign a waiver before being served.

Slater’s 50/50 review
The wall of monthly burger specials. Would you try a kangaroo burger?

Slater’s 50/50 review

Beyond burgers, there are salads, spaghetti with bacon meatballs, chicken wings, flatbreads, and hot dogs.  There is even Nashville hot chicken.  Appetizers include a bacon flight.  There are milkshakes, including a mint chocolate Guinness shake for the 21+ crowd.

Our most recent visit to Slater’s 50/50 we had to wait for about an hour.  There is a large waiting area, including several full-service bars with a huge number of beers on tap.  You can also walk across the street to Liberty Public Market while you wait.

Slater’s 50/50 review
Many different beers are on tap
Slater’s 50/50 review
Play Jenga while you wait

Slater’s 50/50 review

What impressed me was that I ordered my burger medium and it actually came out medium.  That is a rarity with most places.  Considering how busy they were that really said a lot.

Slater’s 50/50 review

Slater’s 50/50 is a great experience and they make some great burgers.  Hopefully, as they expand under new ownership the quality will remain.  I have hardly made a dent in the menu and hope to try more.  Unfortunately, I only get here once a year or so.  It is on the expensive side, but I can almost really find a good coupon (like $15 off or 20% off).  The main issue is my waistline simply can only afford it as a rare treat.

I just hope Slater’s 50/50 can retain its quality as it expands and becomes more corporate.

UPDATE: Slater’s 50/50 made our list of San Diego’s Top 10 Burgers.

Go here for more of Fun Diego Family’s best burgers in San Diego.

 

 

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