Key and Cleaver, a burger-focused restaurant known for sourcing local ingredients and offering San Diego-made craft beverages, appears to be expanding to Oceanside at 101 N. Coast Highway.
The company’s second location is expected to replace the former Breakwater Brewing Company, which closed earlier this year. While an exact opening timeline has not been confirmed, What Now reached out to co-owners Jennipher Hager and Christopher Dainty for comment. Hager did not deny the expansion, suggesting Dainty would have more details, though he has not yet responded.
Key and Cleaver first opened at 4727 University Avenue in San Diego. The restaurant has built a following for its minimalist, hospitality-driven approach and commitment to quality sourcing. According to the company’s website, their beef comes from Perennial Pastures Ranch in North County, and the buns are supplied by a bakery based in La Jolla. All 16 beers on tap at the original location are locally brewed.
EatingOceanside, a local Instagram page tracking openings and closures, was the first to note the signage at the new address. The move would bring Key and Cleaver to downtown Oceanside, a neighborhood seeing increased interest from independent restaurant operators and breweries.
The menu at Key and Cleaver features a selection of signature burgers, including the BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger, the Swiss Mushroom Burger, and a rotating Burger of the Month. Other offerings include chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, grilled cheese, wings cooked in beef tallow, and sides like rosemary salted fries and Cobb salads.
