A California burger chain known for letting customers build their own meal has planted its third San Diego flag in Mission Valley, opening inside the newly reimagined Valley mall across from AMC Theatres. The Stand celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 8, bringing burgers, bowls, salads and a full bar to a shopping center that has spent the past year shedding its old identity as an enclosed mall.
The chain now operates 23 locations, according to Times of San Diego, though an earlier report from whatnow.com had put the count at 21 California restaurants before the Mission Valley debut. Founder Murray Wishengrad, who started The Stand in Encino in 2003, told Times of San Diego the brand hopes to reach 50 locations in the next few years. He described the drive behind the expansion simply: he needed something to do after retirement and, in his words, failed at retirement.
A Family Operation Behind the Counter
The Stand remains a family-run business, with Wishengrad's sons Jason and Zachary working daily alongside their father to shape the dining experience for customers, per Times of San Diego's reporting. The Mission Valley location itself is built for volume and variety, with indoor and outdoor dining that accommodates 200 guests and a full bar near the entrance serving handcrafted cocktails.
Outdoor seating comes shaded by umbrellas, according to Linda Vista Update, which also reported that the restaurant actually opened its doors on Sept. 28, ahead of the grand-opening celebration. The address is 1640 Camino del Rio North, directly across from the theater complex that anchors this stretch of the shopping center.
What's on the Menu
The Stand bills itself as serving American classics done in its own way, incorporating modern flavors and techniques, according to the company's own site. Diners can customize burgers with beef, turkey, vegetarian or chicken patties and choose from five bun options, including a gluten-free one. Current specials include an apple cheddar burger topped with double cheddar, apple julienne, grilled onions, bacon tomato jam and spicy honey mustard on a pretzel bun, alongside a big shrimp bowl built around grilled shrimp, a house-made glaze, avocado, cucumber salad, sesame-pickled carrots, edamame, crispy wontons and steamed rice.
Beyond burgers and bowls, the menu stretches into salads such as seared ahi tuna, Chinese chicken and chimichurri steak, plus wraps, hot dogs and a dedicated kids' menu. Linda Vista Update's rundown of the Mission Valley opening confirmed the same broad lineup, noting sandwiches, sides and desserts round out the offerings. To drink, The Stand pours craft beer and wine alongside hand-spun milkshakes, lemonade, agua frescas and floats, catering to everything from a quick lunch to a family dinner, a date night or a larger gathering.
Hours, Parking and Happy Hour
The Mission Valley location runs Sundays through Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free parking is available on site. Linda Vista Update's report also noted weekday happy-hour pricing runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Part of a Bigger Mall Makeover
The Stand's arrival is one piece of a larger overhaul at the shopping center, which was renamed The Valley after dropping its old Mission Valley Mall identity and undergoing a full remodel that has added new businesses and restaurants. The 1.1 million-square-foot property is shifting away from its traditional enclosed-mall layout toward an open-air destination centered on art, food, culture and recreation, Linda Vista Update reported. New apartment units have gone up on former parking areas to blend daily living with retail and dining, and the transformation was still underway as of late August, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, with renovations expected to continue into 2027.
The redevelopment is gradually adding restaurants, entertainment, local businesses, public spaces, events and larger attractions, according to lifeinmissionvalley.com's coverage of the mall's grand reopening push. The Stand also positions itself as a community partner wherever it opens, supporting schools, youth teams, nonprofits and other community organizations through fundraising events, sponsorships and in-kind donations, per Times of San Diego. More information on the chain and its full menu is available at www.thestand.com, and the company posts updates through its Instagram account, @thestandrestaurants.
