I stopped by here on a Sunday evening after watching the football game. Ordering is easy--you walk up to the counter and place your order on a screen. You can either sit outside and enjoy your meal or take it to go. I ordered the cheeseburger, and it was ready in under five minutes. The meat was crispy with great flavor. A really solid smashburger done right. Overall, this is a quick and easy spot to grab food. Delicious burger. I definitely recommend it. read more

Solid burger and fries. Service was fast and efficient, and the burger was juicy with cheese that stayed perfectly gooey the whole time. I just wish the patty had a bit more crisp on the edges. The fries gave McDonald's vibes, but upgraded. No indoor dining, just a few metal tables outside, so don't expect to get too comfortable. read more

My partner and I were doing the second installment of our burger crawl, and For The Win was our first stop. I'd been wanting to try this spot for a while, but all of their locations were previously outside of San Diego County. Once they finally opened one closer to us, my partner reminded me, and it ended up being our starting spot. The shop itself is small with outdoor seating only, which works well for a quick burger stop. We ordered a single cheeseburger and added jalapeños. Overall, the burger was decent, but I wish the patty had a bit more seasoning. The pickles were okay, though not really my favorite, and the sauce was solid but didn't stand out. The highlight for me was the potato bun nicely toasted and well buttered. While it didn't completely blow me away, I'd still be willing to give it another try. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's a small shop but they are serving up some damn good burgers. The cashier was friendly and our food was ready in less than 10 minutes. I got the double cheeseburger and added jalapenos. I really enjoyed the flavors and the texture of the burger. It's one of those burgers where it does the little things right. The loaded fries were really tasty and are similar to animal-style fries since it has grilled onions, fry sauce, and cheese. The consitency was a lot more loose and smooth which I really liked. All in all For the Win is a great burger spot and worth checking out! read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Always on a smash burger hunt and happy this one came from LA. SERVICE - You order from a screen and either take it to go or sit outside. This is not a traditional restaurant setting. It feels more like a visible kitchen where the focus is entirely on the food, which I actually loved. FOOD Cheeseburger - The edges were crisp and even though it was smashed, it was not dry at all. The burger held together perfectly with the meat, cheese, and onions in every bite. Simple and done right. Fries - Perfectly crisp and perfectly salted. I am honestly drooling just thinking about them. Sweet Potato Fries - I only like sweet potato fries when they are done well, and these absolutely were. Just as crisp as the regular fries, which is rare. I love how simple the menu is. You can tell they have perfected what they do. Easily a top three smash burger for me. Highly recommend. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came here for the first time the other day. I was about to order off the big screen because the worker was stocking the drink fridge but then he said he would take my order. I got a double cheeseburger & sweet potato fries with a side of fry sauce. It was about $23. It was made fresh to order and ready within 5 minutes. The worker was really nice. I would highly recommend! read more

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Double Cheeseburger ($13.40) - This was a solid smashburger and each component was well-executed. I've tried multiple burger spots recently and this one didn't stand out, but it's still worth trying. read more

For The Win - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

One of the best burgers in town, which I already knew, but today saw they were doing a ribeye steak sandwich special and had to go try. Blown away, was really really good! Jair behind the register making sure everything was perfect like always! read more

It goes without saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however the level of disrespect in the reviews is outrageous. Put some respect on FTW!! I'm not even a smash burger fan, but this burger, and their fries, are straight up delicious! I've had it twice, and both times it was fire. Pricey for the portions, but fire. Let me first speak to some of the criticism from the lightweight Negative Nelson's and Nancy's that have entered the discussion. No surprise, it's PB and the parking sucks, but it's not nearly as bad as places that are closer to the beach. Admire the sunshine and beautiful breeze while you stroll from your parking spot. Okay, they charge a 4% surcharge, but seemingly, who doesn't these days??? Do I think it's cool, hells nah. Surcharges are bogus, but it doesn't justify a one star review. On top of their already higher prices, I totally agree it's a bit over priced, hence the 4 stars. The bun itself is intentionally small, but it's a really good bun-pillowy soft with the tiniest hint of sweetness. The patties are thin (hello smash burger), but extend far beyond the circumference of the bun, providing that perfect "Meat Hang" (you heard it here first-ain't that right Joy?). For those of you keeping score and bringing my former bosses into the equation, these patties are 3oz. each, making them 1.5 times the weight of an In-N-Out patty. It's a small walk-up establishment, like many other awesome PB spots (Big Jim's and Square Pizza I see you!), so yeah, the seating situation isn't ideal, especially for big groups. I guess you'll just have to take it back to your place, and hope all 5 of your roommates aren't already sitting on the couch...lolol. I'm just having fun here folks, so I hope you're not triggered, in your feelings, etc. For a smash burger, I thought it was really good, from the sauce, to the fries, to the beef and the bun. Please send me a compliment with your favorite smash burger spot, and I'll put it on my list. Please just don't mention that spot down the street that won't even let you order a burger without cheese...lol. Enjoy. Thanks to the crew at FTW! read more

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For The Win has a tiny storefront.  There are a few tables on the sidewalk.  I like eating outside except for the car fumes and flies.  I ordered a double hamburger with bacon.  The beef pattie was the thinnest I've seen.  A good part of it was crunchy with zero moisture.  I've eaten thicker potato chips. The rest was well done.  Lettuce and tomato were fresh and crisp.  Bacon was crunchy with a nice smoky flavor.  This is not the kinda burger I like.  I prefer thick juicy beef patties. Staff was nice and my burger came out quick. read more

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I am always looking out for another burger spot to go to. I was in PB and walking down Garnet and Cako pulled me over to FTW. She smelled something good! LOL! It is a small store front and there's a kiosk to order from. No alcohol, just soft drinks. Ordered a double smash with bacon, fries and a soda. There are two tables in front that seat four people each. We just waited and someone brought out our bag. The smashburger was delicious! I like how it was really smashed and the edges were crispy. I also liked the crispy fries! I would have to say, the burger here challenges other places like Hayes and The Friendly. It was great to sit out front and watch people. PB has changed a lot. Lots of places have come and gone. It's good to know there's a new place in town that's very good...and open till 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. I was surprised about the 4% kitchen service charge. Cako approves! read more

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My husband really wanted to try this place bc he saw it online. We were able to come on a Monday late afternoon. We found street parking right up front. It's a quick and walk up type of establishment. Seating is outside and it was not busy so there were empty tables. The man who took our order was welcoming and nice. We ordered the original cheeseburgers, a single and double with the loaded fries. Burgers were really good and flavorful. It was messy to eat. They were smash burgers. This place is out of the way, but if we're in the area I would come back. read more

For The Win - Cheeseburger (single & double) + Loaded Fries - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Well After a nice Easter on Sunday we were Looking for some where to eat . So As usual I always like a good burger and we look on Yelp and of course For The Win comes up and I look at the Pictures and it got my taste buds going . So Off we went . We get here and Parking can be a pain because you have to park on the side streets and pay the meter . But we got lucky and there was a spot of front and we parked . Next we walk in and you have to order on the big Touchscreen pad and the worker will bring your food out to you . We did not have to wait long . There are a couple of tables in front of the restaurant and chairs but no tables inside . Well we got our burgers and we ordered the cheese burger and fries it was a reasonable price and as I took my first bite boy it was delicious nice a soft and burger was juicy as for the fries it was good also . I do recommend you give For The Win a try and see for yourself how good it is . I surely can see myself coming here more often for sure !! read more

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Heard about this place from TikTok. The famous smash burger spot from LA has finally hit San Diego. Went here on a Monday afternoon around 5PM. It's just a quick walk-up and order spot, nothing fancy. No ambience since it's all outdoor quick dining. I can see how it can appeal to drunken nights in PB. I ordered the double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, and the loaded fries. My wife got the single cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and jalapeño. Add two bottles of water and it ended up being around $42. The service was about standard. The burger was pretty damn good. I would easily come back. read more

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These burgers are definitely not aesthetically pleasing, but they're pretty tasty. Definitely greasy, but satisfied my craving for a burger. Would prob be a fantastic drunk meal, to be honest. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Awesome smash burger with great fries to match! They are a quick service best for to go. They only have 2 tables with 4 seats each out front if you opt to eat your food there. We were lucky enough to get a table to enjoy our food there. Food was served piping hot. Love that their shoestring fries have a slight coating on them to make them crisp. Would definitely come back during non busy times because of the street parking and limited tables. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Visited For the Win since it was voted LA's #1 smashburger and recently made its way down to San Diego. Honestly, I didn't find anything too amazing here. The food was good but definitely mid and not worth all the hype, so it did not justify the high prices. They even charge $0.50 just to add lettuce, and if you want lettuce and tomato it's $1 extra. I don't remember what the other add ons cost. I will say the bacon was cooked perfectly, and the meat patties were smashed & cooked well so you get crispy edges Food did come out in decent time, 10 mins after placing order, but the seating situation is rough. There are only 4 small tables, two are pushed together to fit four people. But there's no space between tables so if you end up sharing with strangers it gets pretty uncomfortable trying not to bump elbows. The tables are low and the seats are only enough for legroom, making it an awkward eating position overall. Overall, quick service but overpriced for what you get and not a comfortable spot to dine in. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was so looking forward to trying For the Win since it came to San Diego so I made the somewhat short journey to PB. I would consider myself somewhat of a conossieur of smash burgers and I've had a lot of good ones here in San Diego. I got a double smash cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce and jalapenos. I won't say the burger was bad because it wasn't. I just didn't get the true taste of the beef because I think the tomato, lettuce, and sauce overpowered the beef flavor. Also, there is no inside seating. There are a total of 4 small tables with 4 seats each just outside the shop on the sidewalk. It was a windy day and I had to be strategic with my water bottle, brussel sprouts box and burger box to weigh down the paper bag and napkins from blowing away. The burger was very messy so I had to use a lot of napkins. As far as the brussel sprouts, they were just alright. They were a little soggy and not as crispy as I wanted them. When I come back, I will get a burger without the tomato and lettuce and give it another shot. read more

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For The Win has entered the SD smashburger market by taking over a narrow suite comprised of a service window and kitchen in the heart of PB. The space has been the home of a BBQ joint and multiple taco spots over the past decade, all of whom could not sustain consistent business. This LA-based vendor has lots of competition on Garnet Ave as several burger places have opened over the past couple of years. The hamburgers and cheeseburgers were available as single, double, or triple patties. Each patty was less than 0.2 lb so we're talking a thin layer of beef that was smashed with grilled onions and served on a toasted Martin's potato bun. Pickles and fry sauce were the toppings. At a surcharge, add-ons could be selected to modify the burger. The five choices were bacon, pickled jalapeños, lettuce wrap, lettuce & tomato, and a gluten-free bun. The listed sides were regular fries, sweet potato fries, brussels sprouts, and loaded fries. Soft drinks and shakes rounded out the menu. I picked a Regular (single) Cheeseburger for my to-go order. After paying the cashier, I sat on a stool and waited about 15 minutes for my burger. There was a small countertop and two tables on the sidewalk for on-site dining, but this was definitely a takeout business. The cheeseburger was slightly larger than a slider. The meat was cooked well with crispy edges, but nine dollars was pricey for the serving size. You can get twice the amount of beef for $0.50 more at a well-known local corner pub in the southern part of this neighborhood. I could not award more than three stars for my experience at For The Win. read more

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I was in the area and I stopped by to grab an order since I've seen so much videos on social media. I believe this is a chain from LA. There were only one option and you can add more patty or less + cheese. The fries can be plain or cheesed up. There were options for sodas and extra sauce too. This is more of a to go order kind of place and there were one or two chairs with a table outside you can sit on to eat/while you wait. Even though we took ours home, it was still amazing! Although it is a little heavy so be prepared to be in a food coma after you eat I would def come here if I wanted a hearty meal or a fat burger after the bar since it is right by Parking is not that great, it's mostly street parking unless you pay for ace parking read more

For The Win finally made it to San Diego, in the Pacific Beach area, perfect spot among all the action for beach vibes. The smash burger is their claim of fame. Street parking might be a challenge. It's a micro restaurant, basically a stand between another competitor burger shop and a tattoo parlor.No indoor, only limited outdoor seating. After ordering I can see the kitchen and the staffers at work. The staffers wore gloves while preparing food. Didn't like seeing the floor full of food and trash debris both in the kitchen and around the seating areas, which should have been maintained more frequently to attract potential customers and not deter current ones. Order, pay and pick up at the counter...service staff were nice, friendly and helpful. First time I tried it was at the Venice Beach location. I liked it but since the burger Patties were so flat, I would suggest getting 3 patties with all the toppings to enjoy the full splurge effect. I ordered three Patties one slice of cheese, grilled onions and extra pickles. The final product looked kinda gnarly with its crispy edges which runneth over the buns...but it did taste good, even my pup liked it, sans onions of course. Turns out beef tallow fat fries are good for you, so get that and don't forget to get the sweet treat of the soft serve/milkshake yummy. Indulge and just go For The Win! Recommend. read more

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Was in San Diego so we got try this legit LA burger legend. Hole in the wall- very little seating, no sign and best of all no lines. Seems not too many people knew who they were yet. Food was great- tasty, and yummy and single cheeseburger ( added tomato) was snack size and the sweet potatoes were fire. So addictive. Nice touch was the option of a gf bun for the hubby. Good value for the money $$ read more

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Wasn't a fan. Maybe smash burgers aren't for me but the patty was ridiculously thin even for a smash burger, GF bun was average, and the shredded lettuce just all came together for an average burger. Dingy little tables outside to eat on a busy PB street. I was excited bc this place was so hyped up. Also it was so expensive!!! Not worth read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tasty burgers, high price (around $12 I think for a double cheeseburger). The smashed patties and average size bun mean this isn't a burger that will fill you up on its own. The flavor was delicious and soft bun was enjoyable. The fries were good but nothing special. It's unfortunate that sauces (other than ketchup) cost extra as those would elevate the fries. We ordered the burgers & fries to go and they forgot our second burger. Luckily. We noticed before we left the business, but this would have been a tragic error! The small location in PB is best for takeout. There is limited outdoor seating and a tiny indoor space that isn't suitable for groups waiting. I'd love to have these yummy burgers again, but the restaurant environment and price aren't competitive in San Diego's burger scene. read more

For The Win - Double cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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TLDR: For the Win offers a tasty smashburger and solid sides in a small, takeaway-focused space. While the food is well-executed, the burger portions are small, and prices are high for what you get. Good, but not a standout for the cost. Overview: For the Win, a micro burger chain based out of Los Angeles, is a compact burger shop in Pacific Beach serving up classic smashburgers, fries, and a few sides. The menu is tight and focused, and the burger is clearly the centerpiece. Execution is solid overall, and the food held up well even after a ten-minute walk, which matters since the setup is primarily geared toward takeaway. The interior is minimal, with just a handful of stools and no self-serve condiments or drink stations. It functions more like a walk-up counter than a traditional dine-in restaurant, so if you're expecting a full-service experience, it's worth adjusting your expectations. Food: The burger is the standout. The thin 2.8 oz smash patties (I asked the woman working the counter) have a well-developed Maillard crust and stay juicy. The toasted potato bun is fluffy and holds everything together without getting soggy. The house sauce adds a subtle spicy kick that complements the meat without overwhelming it. While the flavor and texture are satisfying, the portion size is where it falls short. A double burger doesn't even amount to half a pound of meat, and at $12.50, it feels a bit underwhelming for the price, especially considering the limited dine-in experience. The fries were good as well. They're thin-cut, well-seasoned, and served in a generous portion. They have a slight crispiness but don't reach the level of texture and contrast found at more standout burger spots. Still, they hold up well and pair nicely with the house fry sauce. The crispy Brussels sprouts were another solid side. They're not too oily, have a nice crunch, and are dressed with a tangy balsamic vinegar. The sauce could be distributed more evenly, but overall, the flavor was satisfying. The portion size on the sprouts was also reasonable, especially when compared to the burger. As for the sauces, the fry sauce adds a bit of heat and complements both the fries and burger, though it's not particularly unique and resembles a standard burger sauce. The ranch was the least impressive: bland and lacking depth. Given that you must purchase portions of these sauces, I was expecting more. Final Thoughts: For the Win serves a well-made burger with attention to detail and a couple of solid sides. If you're nearby and looking for a quick smashburger, it gets the job done. However, when you consider the price, small burger portions, limited seating, and the added 4 percent surcharge, it starts to feel a bit expensive for what is ultimately a takeaway-focused experience. It's also worth noting that San Diego Eater described this place as having a "low price point," which doesn't really reflect the experience. While the fries and Brussels sprouts offer decent value, the burger itself feels undersized, and the lack of dine-in comforts makes the pricing harder to justify. Overall, this is a solid spot that covers the basics well, but it doesn't do quite enough to set itself apart. If you're nearby, you might consider giving it a try, but with Rocky's just a few minutes away offering a better value and a sit-down experience, that might be the better call if you're in the mood for a great burger. read more

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The burger is a bit much lots over-priced for what you get. I thought it didnt have lettuce, apparently it does but hard to tell at times. Thinner than an in n out burger. Only way I see myself stopping by again is late late night, no other options (almost impossible) or tired of rigoberto's, daves hot chicken, theo's hot pizza...... read more

For The Win - A bit overpriced burger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped by here twice inbetween tattoo sessions next door, really really good burgers for super good prices. I will absolutely be back

This place was awesome! Not busy, super quick and the double smash burger was sooooo good! Bun was perfect, patty was juicy with xtra crispy edges also the sauce and cheese brought it all together for a tangy, salty, umami flavor! Honestly a runner up to the friendly! read more

This place is not winning at anything. Sorry not sorry. Very disappointed with my order. Both of my bacon cheeseburgers came without bacon. On top of that, I paid an extra $1.50 for lettuce and tomato, and the portion was so tiny it felt like a joke. To make it worse, some of the fries were completely uncooked, even though I specifically requested them well done. This place is a sad knockoff--terrible quality all around. Honestly, just save your money and go to In-N-Out instead. I ordered through Uber Eats and regret wasting both the time and money on this spot. Idk how this place has good reviews. I think the TikTok reviews they are paying for are hyping this place up when it's not worth it. read more

For The Win - Sad "bacon cheeseburgers" without bacon. - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Does it taste the same as LA? Hmm... not quite. I thought the food was a bit too salty, but maybe that's just a new cook or the spot still getting into the groove. Service was good though, and while there isn't a ton of seating, it's more of a grab-and-go type of place anyway. Overall, still solid and worth checking out. read more

For The Win - Double bacon with everything - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Man, what a depressing place. Walked in, the three workers there just walking through the motions looking depressed as can be. I never got acknowledged, stood for 5 minutes. Randomly and without reason one of them walks up to me and says phone order and hands me a bag, never asked for my name. I paid and left. Food was just barely decent and forgettable. They need an owner-operator or a well paid manager ASAP before it's too late and they close their doors. read more

If you are in PB and want a good burger and loaded fries...look no more. Double Smash with onions and pickles was on point. Also got the loaded fries with bacon, I'm not sure if it was because I was hungry but those were delicious. For sure a stop that won't disappoint. Super small though. Not a lot of seating. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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On a day that I was craving a burger, For the Win popped up on my local search and did not disappoint. I ordered the smash burger to go - the size of burger was appropriate for price and the flavors were delicious. Highly recommend giving them a try if you're looking for a solid burger! read more

3.5 stars....for the win? Not even 2nd place! Good smash burger but nothing special! They can go back to LA and it wouldn't be missed imo. read more

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Service was really good and food was pretty fireee. Joey the cashier/food runner was incredibly helpful and very sweet. We will definitely be back. Thank you Joey! read more

For The Win - Fire food - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Good burgers but price point is a bit high. Seating is extremely limited and parking is even worse. Big shoes to fill in the San Diego market when it comes to smash burgers. I wish them the best of luck, I'll stick to my tried and true burger joint. read more

For The Win - Double patty smash and sweet potato fries - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a hole in the wall with two crammed tables outside and five stools. The person at the counter asked me to order but then completely ignored me, so I ordered on the tablet. It's $13.5 for a double cheeseburger and $1 for jalapeños on the side, and they forgot the source on the side I ordered. Order came quickly and the burger was on the small side. The bun was soft but the taste was nothing special. Overall, bad service, limited seating, and high prices won't have me return here. Maybe the LA location is better. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

It's in the name!! My hubby's exact words once we were done eating. Burgers are deeeeeelicious!! Not greasy or heavy and fry sauce is fire!! Service was amazing as well! The spot is super small with 2 tables for "dine-in". Also, no sign yet so we almost missed it (it's next door to the cheesesteak place). Not a fan of the location but it's definitely worth driving in circles for parking! . read more

For The Win - Hamburger & Dbl cheeseburger, fries w/fry sauce - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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The combo of the sauce and the bun they use is so good! It's a great spot for anyone needing a burger quick because they serve fast. Not too many seating areas and is mainly a takeout place, but highly recommend coming if you want a good smash burger! read more

I don't want to be petty, but I was so disappointed in the value of this place that I felt it warranted sharing. First off, the burger was great--because I love super duper thin and crispy burgers. (It's like a smash burger that's been re-smashed!) The sauce is too spicy for me, but I imagine most people would like it okay. But when I was handed my order (a single cheeseburger with added bacon and nothing else, since it didn't come with fries, or even a piece of lettuce, for goodness sake!) I literally looked inside the bag to make sure there was something in it. I was intrigued because just last night I had one of the best burgers I've had in a long time (more on that to come) and I couldn't believe this one was considered a competitor. In size it's between a slider and an In-N-Out. But even then it seemed too light to be believed, so what did I do to satisfy my morbid curiosity? I took it home and put it on a scale! An herb scale. Here are the results, you can decide for yourself if you think $12.24 before tip is a reasonable exchange. Meanwhile, be sure to try Home and Away in Old Town. For $16 last night I had a phenomenal life-sized hamburger of char broiled-flavored, hand formed patty on a sticky toasted bun with great fries, and all the fixings you could want--gratis! read more

For The Win - 1.8 Oz - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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