Chronic Smoothies Blazin Grill in North Pacific Beach is marking its 10th anniversary with, among other things, a festive mural painted on the side of the building.
The business at 865 Turquoise St. started out small. It has since transformed under owner Chris Swiec into a full-on hybrid restaurant.
“The first six months was just smoothies,” said Swiec of the early days. “When I came on, we brought in sandwiches. We did that for about eight years, and then we started doing everything: pizzas, burgers, soups, salads and breakfast.”
Swiec never intended to be a restaurateur. He had a friend in the deli business who needed some help years ago. So he pitched in.
“I had like four jobs including busboy, valeting cars and my own landscape business at the time,” Swiec said. “I was their first employee. I bought it from one of the partners.”
Why the name chronic?
“Chronic is slang for the best,” noted Swiec. “It’s also just consistent. We try to make sure that everything is the best – and consistent.”
Besides consistency, you’ll also find diversity at Chronic Smoothies. The menu is a rich and eclectic mix of different items that go well together. 
Swiec said Chronic’s pride and joy is their Philly cheesesteak.
“We make it with New York steak, chop it up,” he said. “It’s definitely gourmet.”
At Chronic, pleasing the customer comes first.
“You want it custom?” Swiec asked. “We’re all about making custom stuff around here. However you like it.”
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Swiec said the clientele at Chronic is “mostly locals.” But he has loyal customers who come in from all over the county.
Chronic breakfasts include a host of omelets, breakfast sandwiches and burritos. You can order breakfast all day too. 
“We’re known for our acai bowls,” pointed out Swiec. “We’re the ones that made it popular. Other places have been trying to copy us ever since. Ours are the biggest, best-tasting and cheapest around.”
Lunch features an array of hot sandwiches, like buffalo chicken. The half-pound burgers are top-notch. “In our deli sandwiches, we use only boar’s head, the best meat you can use,” Swiec said.
Swiec described restaurant work as fulfilling. “Serving people coming in to get really good food. It gives you a really good feeling inside,” he said.
Chronic Smoothies also does catering. Chronic Smoothies Blazin Grill
Where: 865 Turquoise St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Info: 858-488-2529, [email protected], chronicsmoothies.com.