The Stand opens in Valley Mall with 23 locations
The restaurant, which serves modified American dishes, opened on Oct. 8 and offers seating for 200 guests.
By Mariam Saleh ·
The Stand opened its doors in Mission Valley on Oct. 8.
The new location is the 23rd outlet for the chain. It is the third restaurant in San Diego. The establishment occupies space in the Valley Mall, which recently completed a full remodel. The mall changed its name from Mission Valley Mall as part of that update.
Murray Wishengrad founded the concept in 2003 from Encino. He described the origin of the business in a statement. "I failed at retirement. I couldn’t just sit on the couch after I retired; I needed something to do," Wishengrad said. The company operates under family management. His sons, Jason and Zachary, work daily with him. The chain aims to reach 50 locations in the coming years.
The Valley Mall site provides indoor and outdoor seating for 200 people. A full bar serves handcrafted cocktails. The menu features items like the Apple Cheddar Burger. That dish includes a beef patty, double cheddar, apple julienne, grilled onions, bacon tomato jam, and spicy honey mustard on a pretzel bun. Another special is the Big Shrimp Bowl. It contains grilled shrimp in a house-made glaze, avocado, cucumber salad, sesame-pickled carrots, edamame, crispy wontons, green onions, sesame seeds, and steamed rice.
Guests can build their own burgers using beef, turkey, vegetarian, or chicken patties. Five bun options are available, including one gluten-free choice. Toppings include onion strings and bacon tomato jam. Salads on the menu include Seared Ahi Tuna, Chinese Chicken, and Chimichurri Steak. The kitchen also prepares wraps, hot dogs, and a kids' menu. Beverage options include craft beer, wine, hand-spun milkshakes, lemonade, agua frescas, and floats.
The restaurant is located across from the AMC Theaters. It operates from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Wednesdays. On Thursdays through Saturdays, it stays open until 11 p.m. Parking is free for customers. The company engages with local schools, youth teams, and nonprofits through fundraising and sponsorships.
