Mediterranean street food has always been known as tasty. But by combining well-loved flavors with an upbeat vibe, Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant has garnered a loyal following of local patrons, which continues to grow well beyond the Pacific Beach community.
“It’s fun, colorful and different, with great happy hours,” said Aidan Brennan-Law, who owns the restaurant with his sister, Shealin Brennan-Law, and her boyfriend, Chris Burnthon.
The Pacific Beach location of Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant is owned by Shealin Brennan-Law, Aidan Brennan-Law and Chris Burnthon. They are holding their award for “Best New Business in PB” presented by Discover PB in 2025. (Courtesy of Spitz Mediterranean)
The Spitz empire is a family tradition, with the Brennan-Laws’ uncle starting the franchise in 2006 in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles.
“Our uncle, Robert Wicklund, and his friend, Bryce Rademan, started the business about 20 years ago, based on a lot of fast casual street cart food they saw while traveling across Europe, especially in Germany,” Shealin Brennan-Law said.
The chain now has more than 30 locations across the U.S.
About 10 years ago, the siblings said their father opened a franchise in Minnesota, where they both worked while growing up.
“I’ve been working at Spitz in Minnesota for quite some time, since I was 16. I started in the kitchen and got to know the food and menu very well,” Aiden Brennan-Law said. “I serve the food with a whole lot of pride.”
Meanwhile, Shealin Brennan-Law had worked at a couple of different restaurants before becoming the bartender at the family restaurant when she turned 18.
“Even when I moved out to go to college, I worked at Spitz during school breaks,” she said.
A variety of colorful dishes at the Pacific Beach location of Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant vibe with the playful, colorful interior of the eatery. (Courtesy of Spitz Mediterranean)
Burnthon, who is from San Diego, said he’s been working in the food service industry since he was 15, with roles ranging from casual and bartending to fine dining.
The trio came together after Shealin Brennan-Law moved to San Diego to attend college and met Burnthon.
“The opportunity came up for us to open a franchise here,” she said. “We jumped at the chance to bring Spitz to Pacific Beach. It’s awesome that the business is now part of our family.”
Since opening Spitz in September 2025, the three said they work together quite well.
“It’s nice to have a couple of people around you that you trust and are comfortable being around all day,” Aiden Brennan-Law said.
With a myriad of wraps, gyros and salads on the menu, everyone has a favorite.
The owners note that all the sauces are made in-house, the veggies are cut fresh daily and all the breads and meats are sourced from top-quality producers.
Doquitos are co-owner’s Aiden Brennan-Law’s favorite Spitz dish. Often described as a “Mediterranean twist on a taquito,” doquitos consist of lavash bread rolled with zesty feta, onion, garlic aioli and a choice of meat which is fried, and then served with more toppings. (Courtesy of Spitz Mediterranean)
Aiden Brennan-Law’s favorite dish is the doquitos. Often described as a “Mediterranean twist on a taquito,” doquitos consist of lavash bread rolled with zesty feta, onion, garlic aioli and a choice of meat which is fried, and then served with more toppings.
Shealin Brennan-Law’s favorite is the Berliner Bowl.
“It comes with a choice of beef, lamb, chicken or falafel, as well as a choice of rice or quinoa, a bunch of veggies, slaw, roasted corn, lemon-herb tahini and our Berliner sauce. It’s super delicious,” she said.
Spitz salads are served in colorful bowls, and nearly all come with a choice of proteins. In addition to the Berliner bowl, diners can choose from doner, remix and Medi options.
The Berliner bowl at Spitz is a favorite of Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant co-owner Shealin Brennan-Law. (Courtesy of Spitz Mediterranean)
Quinoa and Greek salads are also offered.
Burnthon said he prefers the OG gyro.
“It’s a fresh pillowy pita filled with the protein of your choice, topped with fresh veggies. It’s light and flavorful, and satisfies your craving without leaving you feeling too full,” he said.
In addition to the OG gyro, there is a gyro with feta spread, Berliner sauce, tzatziki, onion, tomato and fries inside, as well as a gyro combo, with features the gyro plus a side drink. All are wrapped in a pillowy pita.
Several doner wraps feature on the menu, with “doner” referring to the style of cooking the meat, which is similar to a vertical rotisserie. The meat slowly cooks as it spins and is shaved off in thin strips.
The wraps include the street cart, Berliner, Mediterranean and zesty feta doners, all made with a choice of proteins. Wrap combos come with a side drink.
Some of the house favorite dishes include the street cart fries, featuring fries topped with garlic aioli, feta, onion, green pepper, tomato, olives and pepperoncinis. The doner basket, another house fave, features a salad and fries topped with a choice of proteins, tzatziki, feta, pepperoncinis, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, olives, crispy garbanzo, a falafel ball, hummus and a fried pita.
Thin cut and sweet potato waffle fries are popular side dishes, and can be ordered as a combo of the two. Fried pita strips with hummus, falafel balls and extra portions of meat are also available.
“Nearly anything on the menu can be made vegan or gluten free, except the wraps and gyros,” Burnthon said.
For those with a sweet tooth, cinnamon sugar pita chips and unicorn baklava nut rolls are offered as desserts.
Fountain drinks and takeout cocktails, beer, Sangria and wine round out the menu.
Patrons can order delivery or takeout online; there is also a loyalty program. Spitz also offers catering services.
As a way to show their support for the local community, Spitz runs several menu specials throughout the week, from date nights to happy hours, which they post on their Instagram page.
“We want people to be able to enjoy our food without breaking the bank,” Aiden Brennan-Law said.
Following the family tradition, the trio said they hope to open more Spitz locations In the future. In the meantime, they are thankful for the regulars that have been with them since they opened.
“We all live here in PB,” Burnthon said. “It’s awesome to have a business in a community we love.”
Want to visit?
Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant
Address: 967 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
Hours: they change seasonally. Currently Spitz is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Website: spitz-restaurant.com
Phone: 858-321-7388
Good to know: The full menu is available all hours.
Learn about Spitz Mediterranean Restaurant’s secret menu item, the modified street cart doner at PBMonthly.net. (Courtesy of Spitz Mediterranean)
Secret menu item: Modified Street Cart Doner
Patrons wanting their own recipe for a secret menu item can order a modified street cart doner wrap, according to Spitz co-owner Aiden Brennan-Law.
A spicy style street cart doner wrap features a choice of proteins, garlic aioli, fried lavash chips, tzatziki and a variety of vegetables.
He said the wrap pictured has beef and lamb gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, garlic aioli, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, green pepper, lettuce and cabbage, with added fries inside.