As Frontwave Arena approaches its opening in Oceanside this month, the venue is rolling out its local food and beverage partners with a focus on what it calls “a taste of North County.”
The new multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, which opens Monday, Sept. 16, announced its locally based food vendors this week — Cardiff Seaside Market, Gelati & Peccati of Encinitas, Tanner’s Prime Burgers of Oceanside and new concept Baja Tacos from Brandt Beef.
The announcement comes as Frontwave Arena prepares to offer its inaugural events, including Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Fred Richard in The Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour on Sept. 16 and 17, and the band Cake for its grand opening concert on Oct. 5.
In April, Frontwave Arena announced the selection of hospitality firm Levy to develop the venue’s food and beverage options. The venue also brought Liquid Sportsgroup on board to curate the selection of local partners.
“Food and beverage is such a large part of the fan experience, so we’re thrilled to have these topnotch North County-based partners on board,” Josh Elias, Frontwave Arena co-founder and CEO, said in a Sept. 3 news release. “Frontwave is a venue by San Diegans for San Diegans and we’re really reinforcing that by pulling in quality vendors who can provide that local flavor.”
Liquid Sportsgroup CEO and founder Scott Marshall is the former chief hospitality officer for the San Diego Padres and helped develop the hospitality offerings at Petco Park, according to Frontwave’s news release.
“We are incredibly excited to collaborate with Phil Salvagio, Josh Elias, and the outstanding team at Levy to introduce an absolute world-class culinary program at the brand new Frontwave Arena,” Marshall said in the news release. “This partnership, blending our impressive local partner lineup with Levy’s exceptional hospitality and visionary approach, promises to deliver an unparalleled North County San Diego experience.”
Cardiff Seaside Market will offer its “Cardiff Crack” Tri-Tip Nachos, which are popular at Petco Park, as well as a tri-tip sandwich and California burrito. Gelati & Picatti will offer pizza by the slice in flavors including Margherita, four-cheese and meat-lovers, as well as an Italian Burrata Sandwich with rotating fillings. Several flavors of its small-batch artisanal gelato will also be available.
Tanner’s Prime Burgers, a fast-casual burger eatery from Michelin-starred chef Brandon Rogers and Brandt Beef’s Eric Brandt, brings a second Oceanside location to Frontwave Arena. Burgers are made with 100% USDA prime-grade beef supplied from Brandt’s family ranch located in the Imperial Valley and operating since 1945. The menu is slated to include a double burger, Tanner’s Dirty Fries and a Bradt Beef all-beef hot dog that will also be a general concessions item.
Frontwave Arena will also be the debut location for Brandt Beef’s new concept, Baja Tacos, which started as a pop-up at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack in 2022.
Frontwave Arena is located at 3475 Hero Drive in Oceanside. Information about upcoming shows and sporting events can be found at frontwavearena.com.