Press
Restaurant Group Looks to Stand Out, Blend In

For Brendan Huffman, the purpose of all Social Syndicate restaurant group’s properties is simple:
provide genuine, good old-fashioned hospitality...

Social Syndicate
Bootlegger
The Local Pacific Beach
The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole
The Rabbit Hole
Skip the Research - Top Burgers Across the U.S.

Known for their upscale pub food and trendy setting, Rabbit Hole features a rock wall and an open-air game area (burgers AND games? We’re sold).
The ‘Ground Chuck Norris’ features a beef chuck patty, choice of cheese, and is smothered in house Louie dressing - all topped with a bacon wrapped and smoked chicken stuffed jalapeno. Guests have the choice to add bacon, avocado, grilled onion, onion strings, fried egg, mushrooms, and/or seasonal peppers for $1 each...
Wonderland Ocean Beach
Mexican Cantina Brings Family Recipes and Fresh Cocktails to Ocean Beach

A sought-after spot in Ocean Beach — the sixty-year-old Bacon Street landmark Nati’s Mexican Restaurant — is starting this decade as a brand new Mexican eatery and cocktail bar from a team that’s familiar to the local community. Ownership includes Brendan Huffman and Hoffman Leung from Social Syndicate, which runs Wonderland Ocean Pub and OB Surf Lodge, and Matt and Judd Braun, the brothers behind Blue Water Seafood who partnered with the hospitality group last year to open an OB outpost.
— Candice Woo
Sweeping Oceanview Restaurant Brings Beach House Vibes to Del Mar

Perched atop Del Mar Plaza, Monarch Ocean Pub is the first North County venue for local hospitality group Social Syndicate, which runs a slew of restaurants throughout the county including OB Surf Lodge and Blue Water Seafood in Ocean Beach, The Rabbit Hole and Rosie O’Grady’s in North Park and East County’s Grand Ole BBQ.
It’s the second eatery the group has opened during the pandemic, following the October debut of La Doña, but director of operations Andrew Vick said that under the circumstances, they’ve been fortunate that both restaurants have so much open space. With a casual, weathered beach house design by Tecture, Monarch boasts 180 degree ocean views; three-quarters of the seating at the 5,800-square-foot restaurant is located outside.
Grand Ole BBQ
Grand Ole BBQ Sets Grand Opening in East County

At long last, Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs is scheduled to open to the public this Wednesday, January 30. Eater got an early look at East County’s new barbecue palace last fall; take a tour of the 15,000-square-foot dining and entertainment venue.
A partnership between local hospitality group Social Syndicate (The Local, Wonderland Ocean Pub, The Rabbit Hole) and restaurateur Andy Harris, it’s an extension of Harris’ original Grande Ole BBQ y Asado in North Park. A pitmaster with considerable skills, Harris is known for Central Texas barbecue ranging from house specialty brisket and pulled pork to smoked turkey breast and hot links available by the pound or in a sandwich...
Peek Inside East County’s New Barbecue Wonderland

A barbecue-based dining and entertainment venue of epic proportions is gearing up for a mid-September debut in East County. Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego in the Flinn Springs community of El Cajon, North Park’s popular Grand Ole BBQ has a new 15,000-square-foot domain. With the backing of hospitality group Social Syndicate (The Local, Wonderland Ocean Pub, The Rabbit Hole), local pitmaster Andy Harris, who founded the original Grand Ole BBQ y Asado, has built his dream come true, transforming a former biker bar into a family-friendly space to showcase his Central Texas barbecue, which ranges from the house specialty brisket to smoked turkey breast and hot links...
Peek Inside East County’s New Barbecue Wonderland

A barbecue-based dining and entertainment venue of epic proportions is gearing up for a mid-September debut in East County. Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego in the Flinn Springs community of El Cajon, North Park’s popular Grand Ole BBQ has a new 15,000-square-foot domain. With the backing of hospitality group Social Syndicate (The Local, Wonderland Ocean Pub, The Rabbit Hole), local pitmaster Andy Harris, who founded the original Grand Ole BBQ y Asado, has built his dream come true, transforming a former biker bar into a family-friendly space to showcase his Central Texas barbecue, which ranges from the house specialty brisket to smoked turkey breast and hot links...