Boundless burgers—and bacon

Smashburger

You know 50 Cent? He has nothing to do with Slater’s 50/50, a burger place with locations in Huntington Beach, Anaheim and, this fall or winter, replacing Point Loma Sports Grill & Pub (2750 Dewey Road, Liberty Station). Featured on the Travel Channel’s Food Paradise, Slater’s 50/50 will be located near the area’s forthcoming Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, slated for a 2012 opening. The brains behind Slater’s 50/50? Former SDSU Aztec Scott Slater, a bacon lover whose 50/50 burger is composed of 50-percent ground beef and 50-percent ground bacon. The menu, in fact, will be full of bacon-y items, including bacon brownies and a maple bacon milkshake. The burgers are fully customizable (3-pounder with anchovies, anyone?) and will cost between $10 and $12. Plus, 80 beers on tap, people. slaters5050.com

Speaking of burgers, a new Burger Lounge opened on July 20 in the Gaslamp Quarter at 528 Fifth Ave. It’s owned by the same men who run the other five San Diego locations. burger lounge.com Nearly keeping up with Burger Lounge’s six locations is Smashburger, which will open its fifth in Rancho Penasquitos (13210 Black Mountain Road, Suite 7) on Aug. 6. Thanks be for good food on Black Mountain Road. That’s also where my fave Indian restaurant,

Surati Farsan (9494 Black Mountain Road) is. A little burger, a little meatless fare. Love it. smash burger.com Also joining the San Diego County restaurant world last week: Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge (1015 Orange Ave. in Coronado). I wrote about its impending opening in the June 29 issue. leroysluckylounge.com

Mezzah opened July 14 at 169 E. Main St. in El Cajon. It’s a Mediterranean restaurant serving falafel and other goodies. Yes, El Cajon is a haul for many, but dessert at Yogurt Mill (935 Broadway) will probably make the trip worth it. By the way, mezzeh is an assortment of bites served before a meal in the Middle East, and Mezzeh is the name of a neighborhood in Damascus, Syria. Don’t know what Mezzah means, though. No website; 619- 966-9373.

Finally, friends, it’s time to pray for a Creole soul. Gulf Coast Grill has closed after 15 years in University Heights. Boo.

Got food news? Write to brookl@sdcitybeat.com.