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Recommended Reviews - The Friendly Tavern
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Great customer service. Plenty of burger options, sides, beers, and non alcoholic beverages. Reasonably priced. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Handful of table and chairs with outdoor seating. Would def give this place a try!
Tried the shitkicker and og dirty flattop. Solid burgers and good pricing. A little on the greasy side, but they packed flavor. Fries were salted well! Went on a Wednesday evening, it wasn't too busy. The cashier was very patient while we were looking at the menu. Seating was outdoors and there were a lot of flies.
I was eager to try this restaurant given its reputation as one of San Diego's premier burger destinations, but the experience proved decidedly underwhelming. Parking is a major inconvenience, and the food itself failed to justify the hassle. The Og Dirty Flat Top burger lacked adequate seasoning and was altogether unremarkable. While the onion rings were acceptable, they were not enough to salvage the meal. The jalapeño-topped Hamburguesa burger was decent, though the overall ambiance and menu offerings seem far better suited to a college crowd. Ultimately, it is a disappointment and not worth a special trip.
Hands down the best smash burger is all of SD! Not sure what it is about the patty and aioli but my goodness is it delicious. If it weren't for the fries, I'd could probably scarf down 2 burgers. The onion rings are also a good choice to pair with the burger. Only weird thing are the cups you get if you're getting water - they're like little snow cone cups. They sort of fit in the holes of the table. But hey, worth a visit for the food!
The service was friendly and welcoming! Plenty of outdoor seating and lots of space to spread out. As a bonus, we spotted a little mouse and what appeared to be his brother hanging out in the bushes....hey free wildlife entertainment included!! Lol The food was okay. Nothing really wowed me, but the prices were fair and I definitely enjoyed the onion rings and fries. Parking can be a bit of an adventure depending on the day, so plan accordingly. Overall, not a bad spot. If I'm back in the area, I'd stop by again.
This is a San Diego staple smash burger restaurant in the heart of North Park! The atmosphere is a backyard cookout vibe which is a great place to casually enjoy an American smash burger with your friends. There is plenty of seating at the outside bar top & the many picnic tables to enjoy your meal. You order at the register & wait for your order to be called, which comes out pretty timely. The burgers here are VERY greasy, so I like to come back every once & a while, but it is absolutely worth the try. * Hamburgesa - 8.5/10 (the patty has a great char to it & the big jalapeño slices adds the perfect kick of spice. the American cheese is melted completely on the patty with the grilled onions exuding a mouthwatering aroma. but beware that the buns are soaked, & dripping in grease) * Bacon Mushroom Swiss - 8.7/10 (again, the patty is charred to a nice crisp. the bacon bits are also cooked well & adds another layer to the smash burger. i also love the combination of mushrooms & Swiss cheese. this is my go-to order here, but i can only take it down once every few months ) * Fries - 8/10 (very crispy & addicting fries. you NEED to get the garlic aioli dipping with these)
Well got to say that this place is a "hole in the wall" of great smash burgers. If you are not paying any attention you can easily miss this location and finding parking is a bit challenging for the old folks like me. However...it was totally worth it going here. Their burgers are excellent and you only get to choose what's on their short menu "no substitutions" . The pricing was very reasonably worth every dollar. It is just outside ordering and seating and very quick with the food. My grandson who is stationed here in the Navy took me here and Definitely would like to return when in the area again.
Coming to the Friendly in SD has become the norm. However we don't come to this location. Both places are equally as good when you're going to have just the "OG Dirty Flat Top" cheese burger. This location offers a few other burger options as well as fries and onion rings. No pizza at this location. The other location offers only "OG Dirty Flat Top" cheese burger and Pizza. So if you want pizza the other location with limited seating. If you want more burger options and more space to sit, then it's this location. Food is always great. Never miss on any trip down here.
I've came here so many times it's that one go to place that I go to when I know it's not gonna disappoint and they NEVER DO. This location specifically, don't get me wrong that other location is good too, but this one there's just something about it. I don't know what it is, but the burgers just slap so much harder.! My go to is the OG DIRTY FLAT TOP! Can't go wrong with it honestly I've also tried the mushroom Swiss, but nothing has topped the OG so far ! Give it a try if you love a good smash burger
Delicious smash burgers and a cute back patio. This place is dog friendly, has decent seating, and is a hidden gem down University Ave away from the main busy 30th street. I love the simplicity of the menu. They focus on making a top notch, greasy, cheese smothered burger and it's exactly what we wanted. I highly recommend the OG Dirty Flat Top. The second favorite of our group was Meat Cheese Bun. Everyone loved their burgers and all of us are now huge fans of Donna's Pickle Beer. You gotta love a dive to appreciate this place. You order at the counter and they'll shout your name from a tiny windows to get your food. The bathroom....skip it if you can. Next time we're back, we're gonna shotgun our beers for $1.
Great smashburger. Good onion rings. Only outdoor seating. Lot of flies around which made eating there uncomfortable
The Friendly gets 5 stars because it always hits the spot. It's consistent and delicious every single time. I have a go-to burger: The Hamburguesa. IMO it's the best burger because the jalapeño adds the perfect kick. It's the comfort food I crave often, so I will continually come back. Highly recommend if you just want fast food. This specific location has an outdoor seating area which is different from than the 30th St location. Fair warning: If you aren't a fan of messy or greasy food, this isn't for you.
Went to get a burger before my work meeting. Service was AWFUL. At 11 am the bartender was already drunk. I walked up I asked for a menu. He pointed up and just stared. Snappy when I asked questions. They all looked hungover and hating life. They were not welcoming at all. The guy behind the counter was the BIGGEST ASSHOLE. I will never be back.
Really good smash burgers, highly recommend if you are craving! Not too greasy and great flavor. Food came out quickly and everything was delicious. My favorite was the shit kicker burger LOL. Lots of good food options in San Diego, and this is definitely top on my list. read more
26 days ago
This place is mediocre at best. Parking around the area sucks, so be aware of that. A friend kept recommending the place, but apparently he's never had a hamburger in his life before. Anyway, we walked in and were greeted by Oscar the Grouch. The dude was not friendly, as the burger joint suggests. I really wanted to turn around and leave, but I was hungry and walked three blocks in the sun, so I was going to eat. I guess I would be pissed too, though, if I was 50 and still working at a hamburger joint. Unless he's the owner--kudos to him for keeping the place open for so long with that attitude. Anyway, back to the hamburger... No adding raw onions, no making any changes to any burger, no tomato, no lettuce--just a smash burger with a sprinkle of caramelized onion and cheese, also on basic bread. I will say the fries were good, almost like In-N-Out fries, if you like those kinds of fries. Also, let's not forget the price. Way overpriced for that below-par hamburger. People must like it, though. It's been around for a bit, so try it if you love looking for parking and shitty service and a poor over priced burger. read more
1 month ago
Great customer service. Plenty of burger options, sides, beers, and non alcoholic beverages. Reasonably priced. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Handful of table and chairs with outdoor seating. Would def give this place a try! read more
Tried the shitkicker and og dirty flattop. Solid burgers and good pricing. A little on the greasy side, but they packed flavor. Fries were salted well! Went on a Wednesday evening, it wasn't too busy. The cashier was very patient while we were looking at the menu. Seating was outdoors and there were a lot of flies. read more
I was eager to try this restaurant given its reputation as one of San Diego's premier burger destinations, but the experience proved decidedly underwhelming. Parking is a major inconvenience, and the food itself failed to justify the hassle. The Og Dirty Flat Top burger lacked adequate seasoning and was altogether unremarkable. While the onion rings were acceptable, they were not enough to salvage the meal. The jalapeño-topped Hamburguesa burger was decent, though the overall ambiance and menu offerings seem far better suited to a college crowd. Ultimately, it is a disappointment and not worth a special trip. read more
Hands down the best smash burger is all of SD! Not sure what it is about the patty and aioli but my goodness is it delicious. If it weren't for the fries, I'd could probably scarf down 2 burgers. The onion rings are also a good choice to pair with the burger. Only weird thing are the cups you get if you're getting water - they're like little snow cone cups. They sort of fit in the holes of the table. But hey, worth a visit for the food! read more
The service was friendly and welcoming! Plenty of outdoor seating and lots of space to spread out. As a bonus, we spotted a little mouse and what appeared to be his brother hanging out in the bushes....hey free wildlife entertainment included!! Lol The food was okay. Nothing really wowed me, but the prices were fair and I definitely enjoyed the onion rings and fries. Parking can be a bit of an adventure depending on the day, so plan accordingly. Overall, not a bad spot. If I'm back in the area, I'd stop by again. read more
6 months ago
This is a San Diego staple smash burger restaurant in the heart of North Park! The atmosphere is a backyard cookout vibe which is a great place to casually enjoy an American smash burger with your friends. There is plenty of seating at the outside bar top & the many picnic tables to enjoy your meal. You order at the register & wait for your order to be called, which comes out pretty timely. The burgers here are VERY greasy, so I like to come back every once & a while, but it is absolutely worth the try. * Hamburgesa - 8.5/10 (the patty has a great char to it & the big jalapeño slices adds the perfect kick of spice. the American cheese is melted completely on the patty with the grilled onions exuding a mouthwatering aroma. but beware that the buns are soaked, & dripping in grease) * Bacon Mushroom Swiss - 8.7/10 (again, the patty is charred to a nice crisp. the bacon bits are also cooked well & adds another layer to the smash burger. i also love the combination of mushrooms & Swiss cheese. this is my go-to order here, but i can only take it down once every few months ) * Fries - 8/10 (very crispy & addicting fries. you NEED to get the garlic aioli dipping with these) read more
2 months ago
Well got to say that this place is a "hole in the wall" of great smash burgers. If you are not paying any attention you can easily miss this location and finding parking is a bit challenging for the old folks like me. However...it was totally worth it going here. Their burgers are excellent and you only get to choose what's on their short menu "no substitutions" . The pricing was very reasonably worth every dollar. It is just outside ordering and seating and very quick with the food. My grandson who is stationed here in the Navy took me here and Definitely would like to return when in the area again. read more
Coming to the Friendly in SD has become the norm. However we don't come to this location. Both places are equally as good when you're going to have just the "OG Dirty Flat Top" cheese burger. This location offers a few other burger options as well as fries and onion rings. No pizza at this location. The other location offers only "OG Dirty Flat Top" cheese burger and Pizza. So if you want pizza the other location with limited seating. If you want more burger options and more space to sit, then it's this location. Food is always great. Never miss on any trip down here. read more
I've came here so many times it's that one go to place that I go to when I know it's not gonna disappoint and they NEVER DO. This location specifically, don't get me wrong that other location is good too, but this one there's just something about it. I don't know what it is, but the burgers just slap so much harder.! My go to is the OG DIRTY FLAT TOP! Can't go wrong with it honestly I've also tried the mushroom Swiss, but nothing has topped the OG so far ! Give it a try if you love a good smash burger read more
1 year ago
Delicious smash burgers and a cute back patio. This place is dog friendly, has decent seating, and is a hidden gem down University Ave away from the main busy 30th street. I love the simplicity of the menu. They focus on making a top notch, greasy, cheese smothered burger and it's exactly what we wanted. I highly recommend the OG Dirty Flat Top. The second favorite of our group was Meat Cheese Bun. Everyone loved their burgers and all of us are now huge fans of Donna's Pickle Beer. You gotta love a dive to appreciate this place. You order at the counter and they'll shout your name from a tiny windows to get your food. The bathroom....skip it if you can. Next time we're back, we're gonna shotgun our beers for $1. read more
The Friendly gets 5 stars because it always hits the spot. It's consistent and delicious every single time. I have a go-to burger: The Hamburguesa. IMO it's the best burger because the jalapeño adds the perfect kick. It's the comfort food I crave often, so I will continually come back. Highly recommend if you just want fast food. This specific location has an outdoor seating area which is different from than the 30th St location. Fair warning: If you aren't a fan of messy or greasy food, this isn't for you. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
Went to get a burger before my work meeting. Service was AWFUL. At 11 am the bartender was already drunk. I walked up I asked for a menu. He pointed up and just stared. Snappy when I asked questions. They all looked hungover and hating life. They were not welcoming at all. The guy behind the counter was the BIGGEST ASSHOLE. I will never be back. read more
The Friendly Tavern was recommended to me by my San Diego native friends and we had a great time! It is very San Diego-core, with a little wooden shack where you place your order and lots of outdoor seating. There is nice lighting and decorative graffiti. We got our food after ten minutes, and this is a true smashburger. It was greasy, heavy, and messy. Personally, it's not my type of burger, but if you are craving a late night munch, this would be perfect! read more
If you're looking for a juicy burger this is your place! I ordered the shit kicker and although it was a little on the greasier side it was flavorful! I like my meat well done and it was yummy with a crispy edge. The BBQ sauce and onion rings really paired well. Their ranch is house made and SO FLAVORFUL. One of my favorite ranches to date. Their onion rings are crunchy and still have the onion in tack haha. They have outdoor seating some with and without shade. They're really fast on taking your order and getting it right to you! Definitely give this place a try if you're looking for a good smash burger! read more
This is a Reddit recommendation when I looked up best burger in SD. I got the OG Dirty Flat Top (Their most popular item). The smash burger is very tasty and juicy, I really enjoyed it. My cousin got the Bacon Mushroom Swiss. And I had a bite, and it's also really good. I can definitely taste the mushroom! This location in North Park is perfect for carb-loading before bar hopping! read more
5 months ago
Where to start. I had never had a smash burger before The Friendly when I was introduced by a friend. I went and got the OG burger. It changed my life. I had it once every two weeks for probably three months straight. The flavor of the patty is amazing, the bun is buttery and fluffy, cheese is melty. Overall one of the best burgers i've ever had. I've had their pizza a had full of times, which is also very good. The burger is what will always bring me back though. They frequently have chef collaborations that they post on their instagram that I keep up with. i believe the collaboration in the picture was a lobster mac and cheese croquette with gouda on their OG burger. Very good. We ate it at the University Ave location and they have plenty of outdoor seating at picnic benches. All of their collaborations i've had are delicious and out of the ordinary! always something to look forward to. read more
1 year ago
Highly recommended!!! Whenever someone comes to San Diego I take them to the friendly Tavern. There is only outside seating, not much shade, but that's usually not an issue. It seems the menu is set, meaning you can't really do substitutions. The good thing is there are several different burger styles so you will probably find what you want. The burger is cooked perfectly and smashed to perfection. The picture does not do it justice as it is extremely tasty. The fries were crispy and had the right amount of salt. This will become your favorite smashed burger spot. read more
The Friendly Tavern looks really good however if you have a disability such as HS they refuse to work with you on food modifications, I was really excited about this place and had been on my list for months I show up and they say you can get a plain hamburger and I was immediately disappointed I understand it's an efficiency thing but I think it's inconvenient that I can't get a burger entirely the same with just no cheese so that I don't get a flare up of my condition Anyways back to the food review the burger was really greasy and dry, the flavor was alright, it was very crispy more crispy than others I've had, however the fries were phenomenal and I would order these 100x if I could read more
30 days ago
5 months ago
Heard so much about this place that I had to try it. While looking for it I ended up at The Friendly off 30th which is more of a pizzeria. They gave us directions to the tavern. The outside of this place is unassuming but as soon you walk in there's plenty of outdoor seating with picnic tables and benches. We walked up to the register to order, they were short staffed so it took a minute but it was definitely worth the wait. We ordered OGs with fries and everything was scrumptious. Love smash burgers. Will definitely be back! read more
1 month ago
4 months ago
So happy we found this place, they make the perfect smashburger! My crew tried the OG, the Shitkicker, and the mushroom Swiss and all of them were amazing. The dining patio is such a cute spot and we had a blast hanging out here. It's such a small storefront, blink and you'll miss it, but it brought the perfect laid back vibes and brag-worthy burgers. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
5 months ago
Such a vibe to go at night, it literally looks like someone's backyard. Quality good freaking burgers, can't go wrong with any burger on the menu. Service is fairly quick for how busy they get. read more
The place to go to suit your cravings and get a greasy, no frills smash burger with crispy fries and the best aioli sauce. Finish that off with a crisp beer, and you're set. Friendly service here at The Friendly Tavern, I love the dog-friendly open air seating, and such a good place to just chill and vibe. read more
2 years ago
The name of this place is so accurate! It definitely felt like a modern day tavern for those traversing North Park. Nestled in University Avenue, you can't miss the mint green sticker bombed building with a pig on the roof, lol! Walking around the building, you will see a pickup window, bar to order, and picnic tables in the outdoor seating area. Love the open casual vibe. Food 5/5! I will say the smashburger is scrumptiousss. Perfectly crispy on the edges. Really hits the spot for a good, greasy burger! I ordered the Hamburguesa and it is perfect. It has 2 patties, jalapeños, butter braised onions, and soyrizo aioli. The jalapeños are the perfect acidic bite to cut through the richness. And also got fries on the side! Yum yum yum. Wait Times 3/5. On a Saturday, the line can get quite long. And after ordering, the wait times for food is actually longer than you expect. Prices are more expensive than a fast food joint, ($7-9 for a burger, $4 for fries), but I think it's worth the price. read more
4 months ago
Enjoyed the great customer service here and the outdoor community vibe too. We saw this place on an Instagram Reel for the #1 top 5 burgers places in San Diego. Parking was a challenge on a Sunday afternoon. It was a 20min parking trip and a good block walk to the Friendly. This was a well needed and enjoyable walk. There were 4 parties seated in the courtyard dining area. When we arrived, a party of 6 was leaving. We ordered and it was a smooth process: 1 OG Flat Top Burger, 1 Shit Kicker Burger, 1 order of fries to share, 2 drinks. The food was ready in about 10mins and it was perfect temperature. The presentation of the food was good. We enjoyed our burgers and fries. We will come back as this was a nice place to sit, eat, and enjoy a good burger. Parking again is challenging but a nice walk is needed as the burger is a good one. read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
7 months ago
Love that they have more options at this location and tons of outdoor seating. Always great vibes here and the staff is awesome. Food is delicious. Best smashed burger in San Diego! read more
1 year ago
I'm glad I finally made time to eat here! I got the OG Dirty Flat Top, and especially loved the butter braised onions inside. I also got the onion rings, which would have been great by themselves but I found the combo with the burger leaving me feeling a bit greasy, potentially due to the extra butter with the onions. The staff were efficient and quick. Be aware that (as stated clearly on their menu) there are no modifications made to the menu items, so those who are gluten free or with other dietary restrictions may have a difficult time finding something to eat here. read more
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More info about The Friendly Tavern
2632 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
North Park
Directions
(619) 294-7675
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Ask the Community - The Friendly Tavern
Just swung by this place on a Saturday at 5:20pm and it was closed. Gate shut and no one inside from what I could see. Do they have a social media account or something that posts when they're open?
Does anyone know if they have high chairs?
Are the flies really bad during the hot days?
It wasn't even hot today and there were tons of flies. Felt like we were eating in a garbage dumpster.
Do they have any vegetarian options?
They have fries and onion rings but all burgers for now are not vegetarian and they don't do any modifications.
I know they don't allow modifications. At their other location you can NOT get a burger without mayo. I was wondering if they have any non-mayo options?
No modifications here either but they sell their aioli on the sides. They do have a burger with just meat and cheese. Assuming no mayo because their is also an option for the OG flat top. Hope this helps!
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