Chef-Backed Chicken Restaurant Premieres in Carlsbad - Eater San Diego

"A brand new eatery with a menu based on all things chicken will launch this Saturday, September 21 at The Shoppes in Carlsbad. Pluck is the latest project from chef Sam Marvin, who spent five years at Las Vegas classic Piero’s Italian Cuisine before moving to Los Angeles to open Modada on Melrose and downtown’s landmark Bottega Louie; he currently runs Echo & Rig Butcher and Steakhouse in Las Vegas and Sacramento. Pluck is Marvin’s first foray into the fast-casual market, where he joins San Diego’s own Richard Blais (The Crack Shack) and Flavortown’s Guy Fieri (Chicken Guy!) in the business of chef-backed chicken concepts. Pluck’s grand aim is to disrupt the commercial chicken industry and poultry production practices by spotlighting pasture-raised birds and offering the premium chicken at accessible prices. Its menu features fried chicken served by the piece, a chicken burger, a sandwiches ranging from a banh mi-riff filled with rotisserie chicken, pickled vegetables, and pate to a twist on a traditional Italian pork sandwich made with a pounded chicken paillard, garlic sauce, broccoli rabe, and provolone. There’s also house bone broth and a host of sides that include roasted farmer’s market vegetables, fried chicken skins, and slaw with buttermilk-chive dressing. Dessert is soft-serve Greek frozen yogurt, in flavors like salted caramel and milk chocolate with sea salt. Situated at the southern end of the mall near Yard House. Pluck at The Shoppes at Carlsbad will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the team is reportedly planning on a rapid expansion following this debut and is actively looking for additional locations." - Candice Woo