The legend himself, Mr. Anthony Bourdain, once said "good food is very often, even most often, simple food." In this case, The Friendly deserves its recognition as a no nonsense establishment that embodies Bourdain's wisdom. Let's get into it. Cuisine: 5/5. The Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger and any of their pizzas by the slice merit waiting in a short line. Who would have thought that a medium size smash burger could pack in the flavor without breaking the bank? It's simple. It's flavorful. And it's affordable. You can enjoy the burger while your pie is being prepared. I've tried a few of the pizzas and they're all solid, and still better than Lou Malnati's in Chicago. Look, when you're jaded from overpaying for whack burgers in L.A. (Wally's & Marvito come to mind), it's easy to be shocked back into reality by good food at reasonable prices. Beverages: 4/5. Beer. Sodas. $1 off if you shotgun the beer. Say less. Service: 5/5. No frills. No performative friendliness. Just a direct style of communication and the efficiency of the staff. Thank you! Buen provecho read more

The Friendly - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

The Friendly North Park is a great place for a delicious burger and a beer. And you simply cannot sleep on the fries and onion rings either. This place is a rough diamond for certain, and I hope they never try to polish it up. My usual order is the Shitkicker burger, onion rings, and something on tap, though I've select a can now and again. The flavor of the burger never fails to satisfy, with perfect patties, melts cheese, and bbq sauce. So many burger joints do crumb crusted onion rings, so the Friendly's battered beauties are a treat of an alternative and always golden brown and crispy. I enjoy the patio setting, even in the summer heat, because there are usually enough shady seats to go around, and the family and dog-friendliness is a plus. Should I add the prices can't be beat? Enjoy the Friendly. Everything you want, nothing you don't. read more

Good, Fast and Reasonably Priced. The staff and environment screams hole in the wall but they make it a welcoming experience with loud music that really creates the experience! Its almost always busy but they staff is always helpful and patient! Their flattop burger is a great bite for the price and their slices are amazing, I almost always get a different slice every time I go! If you're a beer drinker, I recommend shotgunning a beer for the vibes! read more

The Friendly - Flattop Burger and Slices, DC - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

Smash burger!! Parking: challenging streer pay parking Restroom: 1 gender neutral restroom Seating: small indoor and outdoor patio. This is mostly for quick bites type of place. We got: Dirty Flat top read more

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How can you not like the friendly? hot, fast, cheap and easy. I would have given 5 stars if they allowed modifications but as someone who previously worked in a kitchen I get it. Easily one of top 3 smash burgers in SD. Onion rings and customer service are great too read more

For $8 flat, you get two patties, cheese, grilled onions! The burger was so juicy+ Pizza by the slice is cheap as well. Great deal! read more

Not too friendly. Food was greasy and too rich. My son has a disease where he can't eat onions and cheese why can't they just take it off....? Nope, no exceptions. read more

This place is perfect. Just your everyday casual solid people and vibe place. Urban... it's dope!! Loud music and good food! Show up in sweats kinda place... The food!!!!! So good.. it's simple. The burger is a must don't change it, how it comes is perfect and they ain't kidding it needs nothing! The pizza by the slice is good too. Not sure what a whole pie is like but the other stuff is good.. I can't rate it 5star only cause it's simply not the best pizza I've ever had... but it's still up there in quality don't hesitate on it. The service is fast and the people are friendly.. read more

The Friendly - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

This spot HITS. The workers are chill and the have a pretty straight forward menu - pizza, burgers, and bevies. The Pizza is pretty solid - thin, crispy, and the toppings are tasty. I've gotten the mushroom ricotta slice and the cheeseburger and boy is it's greasy and scrumptious all in one. A nice spot to stop by for a quiet bite and you don't have to wait too long. Definitely a spot to check out for a beer and slice. read more

The Friendly - OG Dirty Flat Top burger - madd good - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great smash burgers and beer selection. It's all outdoors and pretty chill. Will definitely be going back read more

The Friendly - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

I believe the friendly is known for their pizza, but I come for the burgers. I went one day, immediately craving again, and came again the next. They are smash burgers, with all the fixings. Super flavorful and tasty. Services rather quick for the burgers, as they made multiple at once, and have them ready. There is loud music playing inside, and during the summertime I can feel hot and stuffy inside. Little tables outside, but I think that adds to the retro, quirky vibe. read more

Walking into The Friendly for the first time feels like stepping into a clubhouse where everyone already knows the rules except you. I made the rookie mistake of asking for ketchup with my burger and the entire staff reacted like I had just asked for a fork at a sushi bar. Heads turned. Fingers pointed. Laughter broke out. It was like I had revealed myself as an outsider in a single syllable. Apparently ketchup is contraband here. Who knew. But once you get past the inside baseball energy, the burger itself is a revelation. Monumental. A sandwich that does not need ketchup because the garlic aioli they use is doing the heavy lifting of an entire condiment department. It transforms the whole thing into something beyond a standard burger. This is not your backyard grill moment. This is its own category. A sandwich with swagger. The weirdest part is that they do not offer sides and they do not allow modifications. You get what they make and that is the end of the conversation. Normally that kind of rigidity would annoy me but here it almost works. It is like they are saying trust us we know exactly what this is supposed to be. And annoyingly they are right. The Friendly is chaotic, loud, a little smug, and absolutely worth it. Even if they roast you for asking for ketchup, you will walk out thinking about that burger long after the embarrassment fades. read more

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Great service, good food,good music. simple shop great stop. No modifications makes the food come out quick and hot make sure you are aware of this if you don't like onions. read more

I came here around 6 pm and they only have street parking so I parked for free two blocks down. I walked over and there was a short line. I think they only sell one burger and that is the flat burger? So that is what I ordered. It was $8 and really delicious. Very greasy, beefy, and cheesy, so I enjoyed it a lot. It was not very big though, especially compared to the other pictures I saw online. I sat outside because the weather is nice and the music was too loud inside. read more

The Friendly - Flat burger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

So I've been to the Friendly in Kearny Mesa. Wanted to try the others. This place has pizza, that was really good, and a smash burger. I got both. Burger was ok, looked like some stuck their thumb in a day old bun. Then I ask for ketchup. Because it's a burger. No ketchup. I guess it's too cool for ketchup. I was so pissed off. And hipster dude was kind of a dick, not surprising. And music was so loud and so bad and distasteful. Families were trying to eat there. Overall, I'd never go back to this hole in the wall location. I guess if I was a local I'd get pizza there but fuck this place and their no ketchup is how I'll finish the review. Maybe I'll try the Tavern but one douche bag comment or look and I'm going to freak out. read more

Here for the one and only Dirty Flat Top Burger before leaving San Diego, and thankfully it didn't just meet expectations--it exceeded them. The vibe at The Friendly is as laid-back as it gets: chill atmosphere, staff blasting great music, and everyone clearly having fun while turning out killer food. Sometimes simple is the hardest thing to get right, but they absolutely nail it here. The $8 cheeseburger is an insane value--juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cooked exactly how a flat-top burger should be. Nothing fancy, no gimmicks, just flawless execution that somehow tastes totally unique. Huge kudos to the crew for doing something so simple so well. If you're in San Diego and don't stop here, you're doing it wrong. read more

The Friendly - Dirty flat top cheeseburger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

Honestly, when we're in the mood for late night pizza and burgers this is the spottttt. Nice big slices of pizza, had the pepperoni last time and my friend had the mushroom one I think idr but it was overall tasty for a late night munch. read more

Get the burger. Thank me later. Additional word for the limit. Limits are dumb. What do they do this.

My friend told me about this spot--she called it a pizza place with good burgers. Funny enough, it's actually more of a burger joint, but this is the only location that also serves pizzas. AMBIANCE: Parking: It's in the North Park/University Heights area, so parking can be tricky. Best bets are metered spots, 2-hour parking, or nearby street parking. Seating: Indoor booths and counter space, enough for 20-30 people. Vibes: On the quieter, southern strip of North Park--close to houses and plenty of other eateries. Inside, it's casual and no-frills: simple signage, a few photos on the wall, and a laid-back diner feel. Great for chilling or grabbing food to go. FOOD/DRINKS: Dirty Flattop Burger (Recommend): Ooooii! Classic double smashburger done right--melty cheese, grilled onions, and buttered buns. Flavor bomb. Mushroom Ricotta Pizza (Recommend): Crisp crust, generous cheese, and a savory umami kick from mushrooms + ricotta. Hits the spot. Drinks are straightforward--think sodas, beer, and a few basics. CUSTOMER SERVICE: John was awesome! He even mentioned he's the only one who can whip up a heart-shaped pizza. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Good prices, simple menu, delicious bites, and a chill experience. Nothing too flashy, which makes it easy to decide and enjoy. I'll definitely be back. TIPS: *OG spot! *This spot also is the only one that serves pizza. read more

The Friendly - Woooo! - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

I finally tried this place after hearing all the hype!! We visited on a Tuesday night. The parking lot is TINYYYY so be careful or park elsewhere! There were 4 of us and we sat at the counter. For 2 regular cheeseburgers and 1 fry it came out to $25 so a bit pricey. They don't offer free water so be aware! The shop is small and a little dirty, tables weren't wiped. The burgers came out quickly. They were very crispy and fresh! I loved the thin fries. I wish there were vegetables in them to cut the fat, but overall good burger. Their ranch is SOOOO good though! read more

The Friendly - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was pretty good. I really liked the pizza and they had a lot of varieties. The burger was good too but it was a little greasy for me. The staff was very friendly and nice. The inside was pretty cool too. read more

The Friendly - Pepperoni Pizza - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

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Such a great local spot! $8 super large double patty smash burgers, $3.50 large pizza slices (over 15 options). The best deal though is all beer is sold in a can and if you get it shot gun it's $1 off making takate's ($4) normally just $3!! Year round not happy hour all the time pricing! The food was excellent though! Nice heavy greedy burger. No modifications aloud, made with beef, cheese, onions and garlic aloi. Service was super fast and friendly but more New York friendly quick and to the point to get the food as fast as possible. Awesome atmosphere they were blasting music, it's an open kitchen so you can see the chefs cooking, tall bar seating and a few small tables indoor and outdoor. A lot of Togo customers too. read more

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The best smash burger I've had in SD! The meat is high quality, flavorful, and tender. The burger comes with two patties, garlic mayo, grilled onions, and melted cheese. It's all cooked to perfection. This burger does tend to be on the oilier side, but not a big deal for an occasional "cheat meal." There are no modifications allowed, so if you have any preferences or allergies, this may not be the spot for you. The pizza is solid, though I wouldn't necessarily come for the pizza. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because each time I've come the burger tastes slightly different, so there's a little bit of inconsistency, but it's still good every time. The service is also lacking sometimes, and it can feel like they just want to get you out of there as fast as possible, but I understand as it does get busy. Expect a wait and there's very limited seating, so we take our food to-go. All worth it for how flavorful their burgers are though! read more

The Friendly - Pepperoni pizza - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

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Second time stopping in this unicorn, and yet again it exceeded all Expectations!! The staff is amazing, $1 off beers if you shotgun them, and the dirty flat top burger for $8 is a guilty pleasure that I can't wait to indulge in again!! Next time you're in, buy a cold Tecate for the chef and he may shotgun one with you! Such a Vibe!! read more

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Had the Dirty Flattop Cheeseburger, a slice of cheese pizza and a slice of pepperoni pizza. The burger? The best smash burger in town. Simple yet delicious. My surprise was the pizza. The crust was lite and thin. Sauce to cheese ratio was equal which makes this pizza almost perfect. Welcoming staff. This location (1 if 2) is located of 30th. You will need to find parking around the establishment. Only 4 tables and roughly 6 stools for inside seating. This is now one of my "go to" spots for sure. If you have not been here before, it's a must try! read more

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Gorgeous greasy burger, open until midnight. Perfect to end a semi drunken night. Very lively atmosphere, no nonsense.

They only have one burger but it's amazing and their pizza is really bomb. Great service and a bit small with no ac so get it to go. It will always be packed at night since it's basically a in n out line Over all 9/10 place, you also get a beer half off if you shotgun so that's always fun read more

Came into town on Wednesday and my buddy Jimmy kept talking up this place Friendly and about their burgers. Well I should say 1 burger that they have available. The dirty flattop smash burger. They also have pizza by the slice or whole pizza. But back to the smash burger, on the bottom of the menu it say No Modifications. I'm not an onion person. And so I had to have it with onions. This burger was good I could even taste the onions. Next time I'm ordering 2. This will be a go to stop whenever I'm I'm town read more

Top 5 burgers all time. Very rugged place. They know they're great and don't need your business, so service kinda short and direct. No modifications allowed, but don't need em. If there's no line, GO. Even if there's a line go! read more

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Classic smash burger. Super greasy and hits the spot after a couple drinks. They also have pizza but and cheesy bread. A couple of seats and beers. Next door is a brewery place if seating its rough that allows yea to bring food over. Staff is pretty friendly. read more

The Friendly - Classic smash burger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

A long awaited visit to The Friendly! Didn't realize how quaint the original location is, and enjoyed its homey-divey atmosphere with just a few tables to sit and eat. We took our burgers to go, and they were incredible!!! Definitely lived up to the hype. The garlic aioli, the American cheese, the perfect smash-- phenomenal hangover food hahah. Didn't realize this location only sells their classic burger, so if you want an array of burger options you'll need to visit their location on University Ave :) Trying their pizza for sure next time! read more

The Friendly - Dirty flat top burger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for lunch while I was visiting from out of town. Got the flat top burger and slices of pepperoni pizza. The burger was soo good! It is a smash burger with patty, bun, and cheese. Simply yet so rich and delicious! The burger was kinda small but enough to fill me up. I had a bite of the pepperoni pizza but I was already full from the burger! 8$ for a flat top burger and $2.50 for slices of pizza. Pretty decent prices. Definitely a gem in SD! read more

The Friendly - Pepperoni pizza (by the slice) - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came here twice. That's how good their smash burger is. Their menu is pretty small they only have the burger and pizza. But man is this burger delicious. The melted cheese with the cooked onions seasoned to perfection. It is messy but so worth it! read more

The Friendly - Burger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

I heard so many great things about the Friendly, so I've been dying to check it out. This place has limited seating, so it appears that it is more common to order/pick up your food and take it to go. We ordered a pizza slice and an OG dirty flattop. They both came out very quickly. The pizza was delicious. It was greasy and your standard pizza. The burger was also quite tasty. It was buttery, greasy, and juicy. The patty also had crispy edges. It was probably one of the better burgers I have had in San Diego. Overall, both food items were delicious and straightforward. I would certainly return and try new items off of their menu! read more

The Friendly - OG dirty flattop - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

I love the food here but each time I've gotten a burger at this location I've gotten really bad food poisoning. Twice in a row I have gotten severely sick from their burgers (about a year apart.) This last time will be my final attempt, and I will not be returning. read more

Cool little chill spot with amazing smash burgers and the closest to a NY slice I've ever had, prices are very affordable highly recommend. read more

The Friendly - Double smash cheese burger and a Hamm's beer - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

The Friendly is a small pizza place in North Park but they are most famous for their Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger. It constantly ranks as one of the best burgers in San Diego and you won't disappoint. It's a simple smash burger with melted American cheese and grilled onion. The seasoning and the flavour of the pattie is strong and amazing. There are not many seatings inside. The staff are down-to-earth guys. Try this place when you crave for burgers. read more

The Friendly - Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California

Your friendly neighborhood dining spot. The space is not huge and they specialize really in only two things: burgers and pizza. I hear and heard a lot about their burgers from friends who live in the area as well as out of towners alike, but when I was in town on this particular trip, I was really just in the mood for some slices of pizza and some cheap beer. And boy did they deliver. When I walked in, I was able to sit at the counter pretty much right away. It was created by the friendliest people ever. Just really chill folks and chill vibe to this place. I ended up ordering two slices and a Modelo. The slices of pizza really hit the spot and the overall cost was a little over $10. What a deal! I'm not sure if it was their goal to be a New York style pizza shop, but the feel of it is definitely a pizza spot that you might find in New York. I am 100% coming back and getting a burger on my next trip. I was able to find street parking about a block away. This area seems like it could get tight in terms of parking. read more

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One of the best cheeseburgers that I've tried! Grilled onion, buttery sauce, melted cheese with that juicy burger patty. Thinking about it just makes my mouth watery. The portion is on the smaller side I could've ordered my second one. It's a quick in and out restaurant, straightforward, menu with one burger and pizza options . read more

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The best smash burgers in town!!!! The way the cheese melts on them is just delicious. The pizza is also great! Love me a pepperoni jalapeño. The ambiance in there is also very welcoming and chill. read more

The Friendly - Smash burger - Pizza Near Me - San Diego, California