CAROLINA BEACH — It was announced last fall that a California Baja-inspired restaurant, popular to many Wilmingtonians, would be launching over Snow’s Cut Bridge by the first quarter of 2025. K-38 has now opened its doors.
READ MORE: 3 local restaurants announced for Proximity, community pool memberships also on deck
Operating in the luxury mixed-use complex, Proximity, the restaurant group Live.Eat.Surf — with five K-38 locations in southeastern North Carolina and two elsewhere in the state — will host a grand opening of their newest eatery all day on Saturday, May 3.
Founded by Josh Vach in 1993, K-38 has always embraced a surfer’s lifestyle, offering laid-back vibes and simple, yet satisfying Baja fare, which includes a fusion of Mexican cuisine blending California freshness. The menu includes enchiladas (don’t sleep on the shrimp, pineapple, and bacon), tostadas, tacos, fajitas, rolls and more, not to mention top-shelf margs, ice-cold beer and homemade salsa and chips.
K-38 was sold to Raleigh-based Hargett Hunter, a hospitality industry investment group following Vach’s passing. This came just shy of a year before the Covid-19 pandemic shuttered restaurants for months as well.
K-38 spokesperson Amanda Robinson told PCD last fall the company’s goal was to stabilize after the pandemic and focus getting back on track for growth.
“K38 CB will be our third new location since 2023, including K38 Independence and Tower 7 Morehead City,” she said.
The company also announced a location outside of the coast, to come to Seaboard Station food hall in Raleigh.
K-38 has a 1,000-square-foot outdoor patio for diners to take in the salt breeze. The outdoor seating also includes a bar with windows opening to access service from inside, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space.
Saturday’s grand opening will include live music, a custom surfboard giveaway, dog caricatures, and free queso with all orders.
The new CB restaurant is this first to open in the Proximity complex, soon to be joined by two other local brands, Drift and Boombalatti’s. A new Connecticut pizza franchise, Riko’s Pizza, will open there as well.
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