I visited Outcast Grill in UTC with a friend after hearing good things about it, especially the hummus and pita. Overall, I'd personally rate my experience about 3 1/2, the overall meal was solid and my friend really enjoyed her entrée! We started with the hummus and pita, and I can absolutely see why it's so highly rated. The hummus was smooth, flavorful, and well-seasoned, but the real standout was the pita bread. It was incredibly fluffy, warm, garlicky, and easily my favorite thing we ordered. I'd happily come back just for that appetizer. For my entrée, I ordered the fish and chips after seeing several people recommend it. The fish itself was cooked well with a nice crispy coating, and the fries were perfectly fine--nothing wrong with them, but nothing particularly memorable either. My only real complaint was the tartar sauce, which I found much sweeter than I prefer. It just wasn't the flavor profile I was expecting. Overall, it was a decent fish and chips plate, but it didn't really wow me. My friend ordered the lamb dinner (not pictured) and thought it was excellent. I trust her judgment, and it definitely seemed like one of the stronger dishes on the menu. We finished by sharing the chocolate dessert since the only other option was a lemon dessert, which neither of us was in the mood for. It was interesting because it was much more mousse-like than traditional cake. Honestly, I'm still not sure whether to call it a cake or a cheesecake, but either way it was rich, smooth, and delicious. My favorite part was the chocolate graham cracker crust, which really brought the whole dessert together. The restaurant itself had a relaxed atmosphere, and service was friendly throughout our visit. While my entrée wasn't a standout, the appetizer, dessert, and my friend's excellent meal made for an enjoyable lunch overall. I'd definitely come back, though next time I'd be more inclined to try one of the other entrées instead of the fish and chips. read more

See all

Outcast Grill is a local University City restaurants that's been hanging around for years. It's surprisingly good food for a local haunt, and they have a nice beer selection on tap too. I've been here at least 5 times over the past 6-7 years, but came recently with my brother and had a great time. We ordered hummus and pita, a couple of Hazy IPAs, and some water and sat at the bar. The hummus and pita was honestly delicious. It was super fresh, and the bread was incredible fluffy and well-made. The hummus was creamy, flavorful, and the portion was on point. I'll need to come back sometime soon to review more menu items, but I've started taking this spot seriously. It's really good. read more

See all

Great beer selection and very friendly service. I was looking for a simple BLT, and that is exactly what I got. Nothing fancy, nothing exotic, just decent food at a fair price that was well prepared and came out on time. read more

Unfortunately the food has gone very downhill since Covid and the prices have gone way up. It is still a great location but we can't justify the cost/quality ratio anymore, especially compared to places like Chicago Fire or kebab shop. Here's hoping more kid-friendly dining options show up in South university city! read more

Friends who live near here introduced us to Outcast Grill for lunch recently. This is a small, casual neighborhood restaurant in University City. The menu is an eclectic mix of Mexican, Mediterranean and American dishes .. plus pizzas. For example, I had Chilaquiles (4/5 $18), and my wife had a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich (3/5 $15). And our table shared the Hummus & Lamb appetizer (5/5 $20) ... outstanding! The dining room is small, and we sat outsise on the patio (which has much more space). Service was very good, and the owner stopped by our table to check on us. I always like this touch. Shared parking lot is small. read more

Outcast Grill - Exterior - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Good food. Locally owned little gem. They have a good breakfast burrito. Variety of items on the menu. Has parking

It really pains me to give these guys a low rating, but it must be done. The good used to be great and reasonably priced. Then there was a very obvious drop in food quality two or three years ago, which was accompanied by price hikes. Taking two adults and a kid there is easily a $100 endeavor after tip, and the food is just...mediocre. It has that Sysco restaurant flavor to everything. The salad dressing is weirdly gelatinous, the chicken tastes almost like lunch meat that's been fried, the burger patty is tiny and flavorless and weirdly too circular in shape -- this is a far cry from the place I first visited 6 years ago that served a real burger and made their own salmon shakshuka. It's a shame, but after the last visit I just cannot justify eating here anymore. They need to drastically shrink their menu and go back to cooking real, fresh food with some amount of love and care. The current menu is just plain bad and the only reason this persists is the lack of competition in the neighborhood. I really want these guys to do well, but they are falling short. And it's expensive as hell to boot. read more

This is a regular place to visit when we are in San Diego. Open the menu, close your eyes, and point to an entree. It doesn't matter what it is you are going to be overwhelmed with the taste explosion you are going to experience. It is mostly outdoors which we love and so clean. The staff is always friendly yet professional. If you've never been, TREAT YOURSELF! Go! read more

Outcast grill is a quiet little spot for brunch. It seems like one of those places that you wouldn't know about unless you lived in the neighborhood. It is located between Clairemont and La Jolla. My friend and I were seated right away. Our server was friendly and attentive and the food came out quick. The chilaquiles were pretty good and my friend enjoyed her burger. read more

Outcast Grill - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

The food is great, lots for vegetarians! Great ambience outside on the patio (heated as needed). The people who work there are very cool, service is just fine read more

We had family in town and our local favorite spot truly outdid themselves. We had the incredible Steven as our waiter and he was super friendly, attentive, and patient as all 7 of us figured out what we wanted. We had a variety of food including the chicken shawarma wrap (absolutely huge), fish and chips (with a super light batter - loved it!), and the lamb platter which honestly could feed two people. Kids had the usual mac and cheese, and as always, they were happy. This place is consistent when it comes to the quality of food, restaurant cleanliness, and the super amazing staff. Oh! And if you want a place for non-spicy but super flavorful wings, try the Outcast wings. Who knew that the best wings were right at my finger tips? I'm officially noting this as a regular hangout because we visit at least 2-3 times a month. Can't go wrong with a good thing! read more

Great brunch and friendly vibes :) I came here with a group of 9 friends and we got seated out on the patio. I love the ambiance, lots of fresh plants around. The employees were super friendly and I can tell this place is well-loved with their regulars. Everything on their menu looked so good, it was hard to choose! I got the breakfast burrito combo for $16. It was very tasty and filling! It came with a nice side of fruit. My friends ordered french toast, chilaquiles, bacon & cheese scramble, spinach scramble, bacon benedict and #2 combo. All of our food looked delish and had great portions. read more

See all

I've lived and worked in this location, for 4 decades. many businesses, have changed hands here. I've tried to support them, as I felt invested in the community. in fact, I just moved back, after a few years on the Central Coast. my buddy is the same. he has brought many people into the fold, to this location. He is the quintessential local you want to keep, a generous, gregarious tipper, who makes your establishment shine, who makes an establishment feel larger, feel welcoming, the place you want to come back to. on this dark, gray day, it turned black. ownership has changed. He was guilty of proffering a gift card, for the simple crime of a few happy hour beers.... Current ownership, former employees, would not except it. He was distraught. VERY large gift card. A VERY loyal customer. I sat, I watchec, the gentlemanly manner, in which he expressed his dissatisfaction. I have previously had to use California law, in similar situations. General California Gift Card Rules No Expiration: Most gift cards sold in California cannot have an expiration date and remain valid until they are redeemed or replaced. Cash Redemption: If the balance on a gift card is less than $10, California law requires the merchant to redeem it for cash upon request. (Note: This threshold is set to increase to $15 on April 1, 2026). Liability of Previous Owner: If a new owner is not legally obligated to honor your card, your legal claim is technically against the previous owner who originally took your money. Next Steps for Consumers Ask the New Owner: Many new owners will honor old gift cards as a gesture of goodwill to retain local customers and protect the brand's reputation. Verify the Business Entity: You can check the California Secretary of State's business search to see if the legal entity behind the restaurant name has changed. Contact the Previous Owner: If the current management refuses the card, you may need to seek a refund from the individual or company that originally sold it to you. Would you like help looking up the current business registration for a specific restaurant to see if the legal entity has changed? Big mistake, new owner. This is sport, for me. We will be back, but you wont be our first choice, anymore. We are pillars of the community. This will cost you a lot more, than your black and white interpretation, which, I will be looking into you transfer, don't think I it was chapter 7. I commend you on your bravery, on sticking to your soulless business acumen, and knowledge of what it takes, to provide customer service, rewarding loyalty, in these times of diminishing returns. I certainly will be back rarely. Wow. Seriously, that's how you run this business? Maybe, a business manager, an etiquette course? I did customer relations for a bank, a chain of appliance stores, USPS, just take my fee, out of the gift card. Update Asset vs. Stock Sale: If it is an "asset purchase" (buying equipment/name, not the corporate entity), the buyer typically inherits no liabilities unless agreed upon. Gift Cards: The new owner is not legally required to honor old gift cards unless they agreed to, or they are deemed a "continuation" of the old business, according to a discussion on Facebook. Successor Liability: California courts might impose liability if the new company is just a sham to avoid debt. Best Practice: The buyer should request a list of outstanding gift cards and demand the seller transfer cash to cover them to prevent loss of goodwill. If a new owner refuses to honor a gift card, consumers can complain to the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Sir, did you practice best practice? I'll let you know what the Department says read more

The service was great the food, not so much. Everything seemed to be frozen except for the Calzone. The Cajun pasta sauce was pretty thin and flavorless as was the chicken in the dish. The burger patties seemed frozen and everything was slipping out of the bun. I'd say the highlight of the meal was the French fries and the Calzone. We probably won't go back. Prizing is pretty high for the quality of food. read more

This is my "go to" for sports, great food and great beer! Their rotating taps are the best in town! Their burgers are amazing! I love the shawarma too. The servers are excellent. You can't go wrong here. read more

The new ownership of Outcast have really brought it to a new level! The food is great quality and well priced. I love the shawarma, my kids love the pizza, and all of the Mexican food on the menu I have tried is also delicious (enchiladas, gorditas, tacos). The brunch is also awesome! The service is prompt, friendly and so accommodating. It has a little chalkboard area our kids enjoy using. Overall, this is just a great family-friendly restaurant. read more

Stumbled across this great restaurant in the UTC area. Outdoor patio with heaters helped in this weather. There is indoor seating but I like the outdoor. Good variety menu. Ordered the Hummus with mushrooms/ onions and pita bread. Deliciously good. Grilled salmon with veggies entree was equally good. The server was polite and attentive, thank you. read more

Sometimes good, sometimes just okay. We keep trying them every so often. I WANT to love it because it's so convenient, but that's the best thing about it. read more

We did take out from this place so my main review will be about the food. The person on the phone was friendly and helpful with our food selection and our food was ready when they said it would be. So the take out experience itself was good. The place looks like a mini bar type restaurant. Small restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered the Shawarma, Grilled Lamb Lollipops, Margherita Pizza, and Greek Salad. All the food tasted great. The chicken in the Shawarma was so tender and the blend of the food in that dish was tasty. The lamb was cooked well. The salad and pizza were very good. Next time, I would like the dine in. read more

Our server was utmost knowledgeable, positive, energetic, kind, and a beer aficionado. We really enjoyed the pizza, the fish and chips, and the food...they has this really really delicious IPA too. Must try if you're in the area, definitely somewhere I would be a regular at. read more

Outcast Grill - Patio - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Granddaughter suggested lunch here. First time for us, excellent place. Menu was interesting and had several different options you normally don't see. Servings were large, well prepared and very tasty. Service was great, young man was quick to take our order and checked to make sure everything was ok. Patio area made for a pleasant lunch setting. Prices are very reasonable! read more

Had a group of 8 people, sat outside at dusk and it was lovely. Staff were wonderful, food delicious! Beers were on point! Thursdays is all day happy hour with $2 off beers. We were celebrating my aunties birthday. Server kept the "Birthday Girl" vibes going throughout the entire visit. Thank you for that!! Can't stop dreaming about the pita and hummus. Specifically the pita. Holy moly!! Looking forward to going monthly on a double date with my parents! read more

We just discovered Outcast Grill after driving by for years. Tried their special of the day - chicken parm. It was served with spaghetti and garlic bread. My chicken was dry and overcooked but my husband's was perfectly done, moist and juicy. Portions were generous and the server Zach was helpful and attentive. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the cool evening breeze. My rating is 3.5 stars. read more

I absolutely love Outcast. Everything is always great from the service to the food to the outside area. The chilaquiles are my usual go to here, but they have so many options. On Sundays they only do brunch and they are closed on Mondays. I've tried almost every item on the menu and I have so many favorites. Sometimes it's too hard to decide what I like best. Definitely try out their burgers and hummus plates. They have cute outside area full of plants and lots of seating. The staff is amazing and super helpful. 10/10 love it read more

See all

GREAT local spot in University City! Outcast is under new management as of 2025, with a new brunch and lunch menu that is truly excellent. The tacos/gorditas/sopes for lunch are particularly good (ask for some of their hot sauces if you want to juice it up)! The cabbage salad with serrano pepper that came on the side was shockingly delicious as well. If you go for dinner, try the shawarma. It's big, but super tasty. And their breakfast is awesome on the weekend. Love that this place has kicked it up a notch this year! read more

Kids chicken nuggets were terrible store bought and very dry. Could have gone to McDonald's for better nuggets. Fries were great though. Greek salad was OK, Salad had lots of lettuce but really no olives, cheese or cucumbers. Chicken tasted a bit like cook in same oil as fish. read more

Lovely neighborhood restaurant. We usually do happy hour there or dinner with friends and last week we also enjoyed Sunday brunch. Great food, super friendly service, laid back atmosphere, that's all that is needed to make you happy! read more

We have driven by here numerous times coming home from Costco, and every time we say, "We should check that place out!" From the street it looks like an adorable place to eat, because the lights make it look so festive. We finally went to check it out, and I can confirm, it is adorable--lots of plants inside and heat lamps and lights outside make this joint great anytime of the year. I was a little afraid of sitting outside since we've had quite the cold snap in San Diego, but I was perfectly warm outside next to the heat lamps. The servers were very knowledgeable and friendly! I think their customer service is definitely a step up from many other restaurants because their employees obviously take pride in the food that they serve. The food was really great, the chicken wings were awesome, the burger was delicious, but the hummus and pita were particularly fantastic. All in all, Outcast Grill was fantastic! I think the prices were a little bit high for the food and the ambience, but prices of food have gone up, so I know they need to make a living too! read more

Outcast Grill - Chicken Outcast Wings - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

What happened? This place used to be so good. I heard the ownership has changed. I got the most bland under cooked under seasoned inedible shawarma today. Service was fine. Truthfully I hope I don't get sick from the few bites I ate. It was a $23 meal. I asked the server was it undercooked and he agreed said he had the same issue last week.... Sad and disappointed. I LOVED this place read more

Outcast Grill - Shawarma - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Do Not do Taco Tuesday!!! The tacos were terrible. I had the grilled mahi mahi tacos and my daughter had the chicken. Both were bad. I picked the crappy fish out of the sea of white onions and ate it. Had a few bites of the canned refried beans along with the store bought green salsa. The chicken tacos were even worse. Absolutely no flavor. The whole meal fell out of a Sysco Truck!!! Nothing house made. Along with the service where the server couldn't remember us. Had to ask for drinks ...again and repeat what we had ordered. Didn't remember where we were sitting??? Never came by through the meal to ask how we were doing??? Just all and all BAD! But it was a nice day and we got to sit outside ;P read more

Great local spot. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the food. My husband and I ride our bikes there. We had fish and chips which were divine. I had carne asada tacos that were decent. Service was good. It's definitely a casual environment. Will be back again. read more

Went to UTC mall and we wanted to try something different, so we ended up at Outcast Grill on a Sunday. We arrived around 12pm PST and the restaurant was empty. We were subsequently seated immediately. The cafe is cute and has a nice outdoor eating around that circles around a tree. Since it was Sunday we got to order from the brunch menu. I ordered the Salmon Benedict (my usual go to) and my partner ordered the Piggy Bank Sammy -- pictures of both included. The bread was absolutely gigantic on the sandwich and I received quite a lot of salmon on my benedict. We were happy and we both enjoyed our meals, no complaints. Would I go back? Yes, and I would probably go back around the same time again. It was quiet, there wasn't music blaring and we could have a nice conversation while enjoying our food. read more

See all

We went to this cute neighborhood restaurant in UTC area for our Sunday brunch. Our friend recommended this place so we went there. It has a very cute outdoor seating area, very nice to enjoy the sunny weekend. The store carries two types of menu, one is the regular menu and another is Sunday brunch menu (only serve on Sunday 11-2pm). The service are great here, waiters are nice and friendly. The food overall is just O.K, our avocado is not very fresh but overall taste is fine. The price is a little too high here, burrito costs $17 with just potatoes and eggs inside with little bacon pieces. Overall I would give the seating area 5/5 and food 3/5, so in total I rate 4/5. read more

See all

Great food and menu. Reasonable prices. I throughly enjoyed mine and tasting of friends food too.

4-4.5/5 The food was good. Service was great. Ambiance is cute. We got the burger and some wings. I like a bit more salt in my burger, but it was cooked perfectly. I'd suggest more sauce or something to make the burger yummier. Wings were solid! parking is okay, might be hard to find a spot if it's busy, we got there later in the evening. read more

See all

I've been wanting to try Outcast for a while. It's tucked away on the corner of Regents and Governor in a small complex. Very inviting and nicely lit up with outdoor string lights and have heard locals chatting about it. We went on a Friday night and they had a fair clip of business but staff seemed to keep up just fine. There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as a few bar seats. The menu seemed a bit all over the place...some Greek, some Italian, burgers. Anyway. We settled on sharing a pizza and buffalo wings. The buffalo wings were ok...a bit overcooked and while we ordered with sauce on, they just weren't saucy, or spicy, enough for me. The pizza (we ordered the bbq chicken) was very tasty, however for a thin crust pizza I'd like the crust crispier. I ended up having to fork it for the inside bites of the pizza slice. Beer selection was decent. Staff was very friendly. After we ordered a plate of fajitas went by which apparently is the Friday special and it smelled incredible so I'm thinking we will return and give them a try again for fajitas and perhaps order the pizza slightly well done? read more

Absolutely the BEST homemade veggie burgers in town! Now I crave them. Thank you! Thank you!

I love this place! My family loves this place! My dad and brother live nearby and eat here very often and are VERY well taken care of! I eat here when I visit my dad (I live in San Francisco) and I always feel like my blood pressure drops 20 points when I arrive due to the charming island vibe and anticipation of yummy food and beverage options. The food is always fresh and lovely, the rotating beer options are fun, and service is GREAT! The soups are very good, pizza dough is hand stretched to order, blue cheese burger is YUMMY, kebab meat is so delish. The lovely staff always bring out a cushion or two for my 85 year old father's boney bootie if he ends up on a non-padded chair. So thoughtful!!! read more

Love this place. Cool little restaurant tucked away in the UC neighborhood. Good beer, good food and atmosphere.

I love this place for dinner on weeknights or Sunday brunch. The food is great, the wine is great, and the servers are fast and lovely.