Nationally, there are over 62,000 bars and about 860 of those are right here in San Diego. With our population, there is a bar for every 1,600 people! That’s a lot of bars. And with a night out at a bar comes a desperate need for some filling food. It’s no secret that a night of drinking makes you hungry, hence what we call the munchies, or in the bar world – the drunchies. While a popular drunk snack in San Diego is from a street hot dog cart, some choose a more elevated dish for those late nights.
Since the dawn of man, we have relied on some variation of bar food to carry us through the night and into the early hours of the morning. This has been anything from a measly slice of toast to a family basket of wings. But the trademark of traditional bar food is its mediocrity. Bars know that their food is bought to serve a purpose, and usually, patrons aren’t in the mindset to be full-blown food critics at 2 am in the back of a bar. Because of this, the standard isn’t high. But not long ago, even the drunkest of drunks realized that they deserved better.
The Roots of Traditional Bar Food
Some things never change. One of those things being bar food staples, those dishes that exist in every dive bar in every corner of the country. And for good reason, too, they’re classics. These are the wings, fries, burgers and nachos we can devour at any high-top and every booth. The purpose? These dishes debuted at bars to supplement the drink. They are known to be easily affordable and pair well with beers and mixed drinks. As the sommelier’s vintage Tuscan wine compliments the plate of veal osso buco, the bar patron’s draft beer compliments his wings.
The Shift: Influences Leading to Elevated Bar Food
Maybe it was the age of craft beer, the rise of the Chelsea boot or the epidemic of the handlebar mustache. Or maybe it was an unspoken collective realization that maybe we weren’t satisfied with stale popcorn, soggy fries or complimentary peanuts. No matter what it was, the 2010s brought a wave of revolution where bar enthusiasts and foodies alike decided to put up their pickets and stand up for what they believed in – good bar food. It spread like wildfire. The hipster tumbler era had undeniable influences nationally and globally.
San Diego quickly caught on. With a locational advantage, chefs were able to enhance worn out flavors with the rich spices and untapped recipes of Mexico. A fusion took place, where the most traditional American bar food underwent a metamorphosis and came out as an upscale and gourmet meal that would even start to be called ‘a dish’.
Defining Elevated Bar Food
What is elevated bar food? Can’t anyone just slap a title in front of something and reap the benefits while scamming their patrons? Yes, and many do. But elevated bar food exists in its own realm with some unspoken rules that only the most skilled chefs recognize.
1. Fresh Ingredients
While dive bars may opt for frozen fries reheated or nachos with curiously unrefridgerated ‘cheese’, those who value high quality flavor prioritize high quality ingredients. At Shed Kitchen, we source each ingredient and pick only the best suppliers. Our foods are simple but delicious. And the only way to guarantee this is by using fresh and flavorful ingredients.
2. Creative Twists
With a type of food that can be found at every pub, bar or tavern in every corner of the country, a fresh take on an old classic is needed to claim the title of ‘elevated bar food’. We’re not in the business of beating a dead horse. Anyone can slap some store bought BBQ sauce on wings and serve them up. We take the classics and reinvent them with fresh ingredients and revolutionary flavors. Take our Duck and Go chicken sandwich and try and name another bar that sous vides their chicken in duck fat for maximum depth of flavor.
How the Shed Kitchen is Changing the Game in Bar Food
So now that we’ve leaked our secrets to making the most overdone dishes into a delicacy, we can show you how we are doing it different. It isn’t easy reinventing the wheel, but it’s worth it. Just like your grandma’s homemade chocolate chip cookies are made with a whole lotta love, our food is made with a deep passion for the culinary arts.
Looking to be part of this bar food revolution? Stop by The Shed.
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