Rockfire Grill is revamping how we define a burger. “People have been eating meat between two pieces of bread for centuries,” said general manager Jai Syal, “but it really wasn’t until the invention of a bun that a burger became a burger.” So Isla Vista’s newest burger joint is ditching the classic bun in favor of flatbread, bridging the gap between “old-world cuisine and a staple American food.”
Their original location in Huntington Beach found great success with the retired community. But the family who owns the business felt it was time to expand their burgers and brews to the true connoisseurs of late-night fast food and alcohol: college students. There’s only one goal in mind. “We want the messaging to be clear,” said Syal. “We offer great food, a great experience, for great prices.”
The menu features a variety of flatbread burgers, pizzas, and wings, but even after only being open since December 2018, there are already some clear fan favorites. Best sellers include the OMG Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, Pepper Jack cheese, house spread, grilled onions, onion rings, mushrooms, roasted garlic cloves, garlic aioli, and jalapeños; and the Chipotle Burger, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, Pepper Jack cheese, house spread, fire-roasted peppers, guacamole, and chipotle ranch. Their wing section is expanding, and Syal said that the seasoned fries are so delicious that they enjoy a “cult following.” With pizza on the menu, there’s a little something for everyone — even our vegetarian friends.