I am shocked at the customer service we received at this establishment today. It is unfortunate to have to write this as this has been a long time favorite of ours, but after this experience we will not be going back without a full refund and a change in the staff. We ordered about 25min before closing and were told we had to order to-go (we were willing to work with this as we were hungry and this really was a frequent favorite of our, but also a red flag because if you are open until 9pm you should be fully prepared to serve your customers until 9 and allow them at least 30min to finish after closing time). On top of that they let us order beer as long as we had it inside (which ended up being flat because they had turned off the taps- also fine with us at this point as we were trying to be understanding that it was closing soon). What was NOT fine was that as soon as the clock struck 9pm we were told we had to leave immediately without finishing our beer or food. The food prep was also clearly rushed and we were served burnt corn dogs which we got a refund due to the fact that it was clear they were not going to be bothered to remake them. The final straw of leaving our half glasses of flat beers, and running out with our leftovers was finding the burgers nearly raw inside when we went to finish them later. I am truly disappointed to have to write this as I think I have given it a good review in the past and we have some fun memories here. I don't know why this staff was so bent on getting out of there at 9 instead of serving your customers until 9. The blonde curly haired server was especially rude, but it would be worth looking into as we will be letting our large team that frequent Escondido for competitions that this is a place to avoid from now on. If you truly do not want to be open until 9pm please move it to 8:30pm. The staff was running around and it was stressful and clear they didn't want to be there 1min past 9pm. Clean up should happen AFTER closing and when guests leave. read more

Burger Bench - Poorly cooked burger because they couldn't be bothered at 8:35pm - American Near Me - Escondido, California

The Smoked Burger was delicious. I've ordered a veggie side instead of the fries and it was ok. It needed a little more seasoning. We opted to eat outdoors and it was pleasant. The service was on point. read more

Burger Bench - Smokehouse Burger - American Near Me - Escondido, California

Customer service 5 stars, food 5 star, ambience 5 stars. Food was fresh, customer service was present. Friendly and attentive servers. Music was playing, there was a tv on but it was not loud. Perfect for a little lunch date. I ordered the smokehouse burger and sweet potato fries. It did not disappoint. Unfortunately, I devoured prior to pulling out my camera. :) read more

The onion rings alone are 5/5! The coating is light but super crunchy - and not very oily at all! The Sriracha aioli was delicious, but not very spicy. I also ordered the chorizo diablo burger, but it's also not very spicy. Maybe the jalapenos they used today were just extremely mild. Overall, it was good but I would probably try a different burger if I came back. The staff here are really nice & personable! Service was fast. This is a great place to casually hang out with friends! I would come back if I was in the area. read more

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Mainly encouraged from the already awesome reviews, we decided to come here before seeing a play at the California Center of the Arts in Escondido and it did not disappoint. We got the Bench Burger, Truffle tater tots with garlic aioli sauce, and the Mud Pie shake to split between the 2 of us and it was the perfect amount of food. The Mud Pie shake has actual decaf coffee added to it and it was incredible. Our friends got the California turkey burger and the Inferno Fried Chicken as well as half and half onion rings and fries. The onion rings were too soft, but otherwise everything was scarfed up! We sat outside because it was packed on a Friday night and we didn't want to wait 30 min. It was pretty dark and a bit cold since they didn't have heaters next to the tables, so I'd recommend sitting inside or on the attached patio. We walked from the Center of the Arts in terms of parking which was about .5 miles (~12-15 min walk). We will definitely be visiting again! read more

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Beware, it gets loud in here. But the burgers are dang GOOD! Burgers are my number 1 favorite food so I'm very particular about them. When first moving to Escondido, I was ecstatic we visited Burger Bench. The staff is all so friendly, they really make you feel like a pal. The sunrise burger is my fave with the smokehouse and bench burgers behind close seconds--it's so hard to choose!!! I decided to give the bacon cheese melt a chance and was really bummed I hadn't ordered a tomato soup with it because it really needed it. Now the salads are also fan-flippin-tastic if you want a lighter bite. I think they're the perfect portion. Love the blackened chicken caesar and the arugula apple salad (the crispy goat cheese will change any anti-salad eater minds!!!). Of course, I cannot forget the tots and the fries. Always get the garlic aioli. Magnificent! read more

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Good burger and beer joint. Always busy. When we want a good burger that's where we go. The ambiance is relaxed like long picnic tables so if you go, go early to get a small table. Or be ready to sit closely to others. read more

Food, ambiance, & service was excellent! I tried this while on a work trip & will be coming back the next time I'm in town!

Got a Patty melt that was dripping and soaked in grease. The bread was a lot bigger than the Patty so the proportions were off. The beer was lukewarm. Not sure what that's all about. Was disappointed the food wasn't as good as in the past. Service was great as usual. read more

This local burger joint never disappoints. Since it's opening, the service and the food quality have always been great. The burgers are of course the star of the show, but their sandwiches and salads also really shine here. The onion rings and Parmesan truffle fries dipped in their homemade ranch keep us coming back for more. They make the yummiest fancy shakes too, and have a good beer selection on tap. read more

Second time here, and like many, it wasn't as good as the first. Burgers -as the cashier asked, 'is medium ok?'- were ordered medium but came out rare. Like I don't know that it was even warm in the middle. On the other end of the spectrum, the Chicken bites were almost burnt, hard to chew and the meat was dry. I can't even give it another try. Sliders are amazingly small. Like cut it in half and you have a Costco sample. It was packed and they didn't give my friend a number when she ordered. So when her food came out she flagged the guy down and he didn't believe her. Went behind the counter then came back and quizzed her on what she ordered. :/ For the price, any side of fries or onion rings or tots, etc - a sauce should be included IMo read more

Burger place Breakfast menu until 11:30 Indoor seating Heated outdoor Pets allowed outdoor Downtown Escondido Restrooms inside Street parking Quick service Host will assign table Self order on the counter Big parties outside Known for burgers Beer served Vegetarian options Wheelchair friendly Kid friendly No reservations accepted read more

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I've been several times at Burger Bench and I can confidently say they're getting better with time. EVERYTHING was delicious, we ordered the smokehouse and a sunrise burger, wings and truffle parmesan fries. I must say that I hope that in a near future they bottled and sell that garlic and chipotle aioli, both were amazing and a great addition to the wings and fries. Service was great and every time I come I love the music they're playing. If you haven't come here yet, I HIGHLY Recommend it! read more

Whenever I'm in the area, I have to go! Since my last review I've gone pescatarian, so no more beef, chicken, pork, etc. Burger Bench has got me covered, though! You can request an Impossible or Beyond patty on any of their burgers (including patty melt, which I got last time, YUM), and they have other vegetarian/vegan options too, which is so nice. The staff was friendly and fantastic as always, and I'm so happy to see them thriving--they deserve it! read more

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Came with some friends before we headed to Grand Comedy Club, as this is in easy walking distance. I had come to Burger Bench when they first opened, and I wasn't impressed. Overcooked, underseasoned, etc. I hadn't been back until now. And it was a marked improvement. I love my burgers medium rare. I don't want thin crunchy patties, or thick burgers that are cooked well-done. I ordered a Sunrise burger with bacon, egg, and tots cooked med rare, and they did a great job. Delicious, but watch out for the super runny egg, lol. I also tried some tots with the garlicky dipping sauce (almost a tzatziki), and some of the chicken nuggets. Both were very good. Since this was a Friday, they were very busy. My friends got there ahead of me, and put their name down to get a table. I guess the wait was about 20 minutes, so give yourself extra time for that, and to find a parking place. Definitely worth trying next time you're nearby. They have a lot of options like chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, etc. read more

Burger Bench - Sunrise - American Near Me - Escondido, California

Went to this place twice during my visit back home. My sister recommended it as she said it's hers and the family's favorite place to go. The guy at the counter taking our order was really nice and helpful. He recommend getting the sliders that way you can try different burgers to see which one you like. We also got onion rings and fries. I ordered a beer, which ended up being flat. I didn't go up to the counter to say anything as that's just the kind of person I am. Overall everything was great. On our second I ordered the Swiss mushroom burger. It was absolutely delicious and juice. Not a dry burger at all. We even got a couple of milkshakes for all of us to share and try. The milks shakes were so good too. My son who has never had a s'more loved it. I hope this place sticks around so I can come back again during my next trip home. read more

Burger Bench - S'more Milkshake and Oreo Peppermint Milkshake. - American Near Me - Escondido, California

We ordered take out. The young man was very pleasant and attentive as he took our order. He confirmed our order and was extremely accurate. The burgers were ready in the time promised. I had the chicken club, while the others had cheeseburgers. One burger was the Bench Burger... unique and delicious. The garlic parmesan tater tots were excellent as well. We loved it so much we ordered again a few days later. The turkey burger was as delicious as the beef burger and every bit as moist. The Smokehouse barbecue burger was one of the best around. Finally, the sliders are the way if you want to try several different burgers. The fig jam was the perfect blend of sweet and salty. The mushroom burger was good, but very mellow after the fig jam and the inferno fried chicken sandwich. The Inferno was the perfect heat to add flavor without being so hot you can't enjoy it. Truly excellent food. read more

Great burgers great drinks great vibe you can taste the meat quality will definitely come back here if I have friends in town or just stop by for a quick burger great place great addition to Escondido you can't mess with this place read more

These burgers are delicious and the condiments are great quality and the shakes are out of this world...but it's not light food. It was definitely heavy. Hubby and I each got a burger -- I paid extra for bacon and a very heavy, delish but crumbly gluten free bun -- and we SHARED a decadent shake and SHARED a basket of onion rings/sweet potato fries...and it was still over fifty bucks! As many of the recent reviews stated, there's major road construction going on in front, but it's pretty easy to park behind - even on a Saturday, when we went. There were 6 patio tables and it was pleasant but also felt a little claustrophobic. I like the pet friendly aspect! I couldn't believe there's such a thing as BEER FLOATS, wuuuuut? An interesting place, just seemed a tad pricey. read more

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We walk up to the hostess standing outside taking down names for the waitlist we were told a 15 minute and decided to go ahead and wait. This was not a long wait especially reading a sign outside stating that there could be a 90 min wait. It was 12:30 when we walked up so we got lucky. You walk up and place your order with the cashier. Get your utensils and condiments at the drink station. To go boxes and carry bags are located at the register area. The staff were friendly and helpful and patient with us newcomer's... thank you. Food! Holy Cannoli! I enjoyed my Swiss Mushroom Burger! It was juicy and packed with flavor. I could've eaten another one. I also ordered an arugula apple salad, truffle tater tots and onion rings to share. Everything was delicious. I heard my friend order a burger with gluten free bun. The onion rings and tots were not greasy and held a nice light, crunch. I ordered a sparkling strawberry lemonade which was refreshing. Next time around I hope to try their shakes and desserts! Definitely a place I will return too! read more

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My family loved this place! for starters the service was impeccable! Every interaction that we had with every staff member was top tier! It was a major plus that the food was also dedelicious, fresh made and flavorful. I didnt like the sliders becauae the patties were really dry but each burger would have been delicious full suze. The chili was the star of the show for me and their ginger iced tea. But all of our food was good, fries were crisp and the onion rings were good as well. I can't wait to come back! read more

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BEST burger around!!! I love this place! They have everything! Salads are great, burgers are amazing, they have desserts and for drinks they have ciders, kombucha, beer, lots of choices! They have vegetarian options. They have gluten free buns that are delicious! They also fry tater tots in separate oil if you ask for them gluten free and the crispy tots are amazing!!!! Love this place!!! read more

My wife and I drove up to Escondido to have Mexican food for lunch on Memorial Monday. When we got there I noticed it is closed on Mondays. So we decided to get a burger. We headed over to the Burger Bench to give it a try. Boy are we glad we did! My wife ordered the Classic Burger, and I had the Smokehouse and added an order of onion rings and a couple of Pizza Port beers. She ordered her burger, medium and I asked for mine to be medium rare. Both were cooked perfectly and were amazing! Two of the best burgers we have ever had. The onion rings were light, crispy, hot and tasty. As we sat there we watched as a constant flow of people came in for their meals. There is nothing fancy about the place, just a great burger joint where parents can bring their kids and enjoy a great meal together. We are still talking about our meal and we will be back soon. The staff was friendly, but not very talkative which is fine since it was a busy afternoon. read more

I got the sunrise burger. It came with a beef burger, crunchy tots, egg, bacon and their sauce. It tasted like a heart attack and was oooh soo good. I also got the tater tots that were also very good. One bag of those is definitely enough for two people. My friend got the classic burger and gobbled his up. Definitely one of the better burger joints you'd find around read more

Burger Bench - Sunrise burger - American Near Me - Escondido, California

Sometimes you gotta satisfy the craving for a great burger. This is the place! Food is great and ample selection of beers to try. read more

Place didn't really live up to the hype. Somehow I thought my bacon melt would be a hamburger, bacon, and cheese on bread instead of a grilled cheese with bacon. I was probably confused since the name of the place is Burger Bench, so I expected a burger. Oh well, it was still good, if not overpriced. My main concern was the portion size of the $7 tomato soup was amazingly small, maybe a touch over half a cup. read more

Burger Bench - Could use more soup! - American Near Me - Escondido, California

Thankful to have found this little gem in downtown Escondido. The restaurant was bright, open and had a relaxed atmosphere. The menu was simple, but still had a variety of options. We ordered their bench burger, blackened chicken Caesar salad, fried chicken bites with fries and a side of onion rings. The burger was perfectly cooked. It was juicy and well seasoned. Messy, but delicious. The chicken bites were flavorful and had a good crunch. The fries and onion rings were tasty. The chicken in the salad had a good char, but it was still juicy. The dressing was balanced; it was salty and tangy. The cheese was of good quality. For dessert, we ordered the affogato which was scrumptious. Also, I highly recommend trying their hard ciders. We spent about $140 (with tip) and only because we ordered more than one alcoholic beverage. Next time we are in the area, we will be eating here again. read more

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Awesome! Buns good, meat good, tomato good, lettuce good, source good, everything good. Meat is really beef. It's not Beef. It's the beefest, the most beef. You can see that lettuce is overflowing. Not only lettuce but also everything. It doesn't mean that buns are small. The Burger is composed by great balance of every ingredient. Flies are good too. Overflowing too. A staff recommended me a source for flies. It's really good (but I forgot its name, sorry). Those are salty and good for summer. You must be care for heat shock. You need salt by the way. This restaurant is located good mood street. I feel old America. Many people came to this restaurant when I went but they have many tables. You don't have to warry. I'd like to show my friends this restaurant because if I brought friends there, they would assume me cool. read more

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We ordered takeout from here through their online system which was easy to use. I had the Golden Rooster chicken sandwich and it was delicious. I love the sauce they put on it. It was not spicy but I wasn't sure when I originally ordered it so I asked for it on the side. Next time I'll ask for extra! The burgers were cooked well and everyone was happy with their food! read more

Burger Bench - Golden Rooster - American Near Me - Escondido, California

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Enjoyed the burger I tried here today for lunch. I had the fig and jam burger while my friend had the mushroom burger. We both liked our burgers and would definitely come back. The staff was super nice and helpful. read more

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Burger was really good, I would give it about an 8 out of ten, tater tots were good but nothing special. The shakes the people were drinking next to me looked great and the people said they loved it. 2 pre-teen boys had a hard time drinking it all. The had a great variety of beer to choose from. The guy who took our order and all of the other people were really nice. I will definitely come here again. read more

Good BUT, Don't get the onion rings for 7.60-greasy and awful. Live and learn. Burgers are pretty small. Great place to have a beer and wine and watch the world go by. My salad (no protein-just arugula) is 14.50 now which is alot since you can go to swamis and get a salad with chicken or salmon for 16/17 bucks. With garlic toast. read more

Burger bench is always a great experience for me, it's a go-to and we can always depend on the food being delicious. I love the classic burger, truffle fries, and s'mores milkshake. But anything you get there is a safe bet. Years ago when I got my wisdom teeth taken out all I could eat was soft foods, and burger bench's tomato soup was my FAV. It's great and pairs amazingly with any of their melts. The service is great, they're always pretty speedy and attentive to the guest experience. The (kind of ) new girl at the cashier is great and super nice. Ambiance is friendly, warm, energetic, inviting, and family vibes. Love it. read more

Third time having dinner here, never disappointed! Even great vegetarian options!! Five stars.

Worth a trip if you're craving a burger. Cute little burger joint in the heart of Escondido. Decent amount of seating both indoors and out. When you enter you walk up to the counter to order then seat yourself. They have a good variety of burgers, shakes and sides. The classic burger is good. My favorite is the mushroom swiss. The house garlic aoili is pretty solid. Use it for your fries too. The parmesan truffle fries were nice and had a good flavor. The onion rings weren't my favorite. They have a lot of i different shake flavors. I'm always a fan of the classic strawberry, but my friends love the salted caramel pretzel. Overall, a solid burger place. Not too expensive. read more

My family and I found this spot for lunch while on a quick trip in Escondido (thanks to Yelp of course). I opted for the mini slider set because I couldn't pick just one burger, and while each one was delicious, I left hungry and unsatisfied. Orders are taken and paid for at the register (for to-go or dine-in indoors or outdoors). My family and I sat outside to enjoy the beautiful weather (and also because it was standing-room-only inside - clearly a popular spot.) Service was excellent as they brought out our meals and were even willing to snag drink refills and bring out extra condiments. The tater tots and onion rings were good. It's definitely a gourmet burger spot that's worth a visit when in town, but not necessarily the best place to go looking for a value meal or feast. read more

Burger Bench is king of Grant Street. No better way to experience Escondido Americana than on a Friday night cruise night with a woodie across the street and muscle cars cruising by. We waited in a line, but easily worth it. Tons of Drinks were on tap from more than a dozen local beers to Stubborn Sofas read more

Cute place. Clean and welcoming. Service was friendly and checked on us several times throughout. Decent selection of beers and things to order. Food came out in a timely manner and was delicious! Definitely a place to go back to. Seems kid and dog friendly (outside). read more

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I'm a classic cheeseburger kinda gal, but I was enticed by the Bench Burger. I was in the mood for something decadent and boy did this burger deliver. What stood out to me was the combo of blue cheese, bacon, and grilled mushrooms; a triple whammy of umami. I'd also like to add that I'm not the biggest fan of bbq sauce in a burger, but this was an exception. There wasn't that long of a line when I came for lunch and it was very spacious inside, along with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. You just order at the counter, grab a number, and pick a table. Easy peasy. The staff was very welcoming and obliging throughout my entire dining experience, from the moment I walked through the doors to delivering my food to the table. I thoroughly enjoyed the craft sodas they had available on the fountain, the mixture of the cherry soda with their cola is fantastic. I often crave a good burger, so this is certainly going to be on my list of places to visit when I need to get my fix. read more

Burger Bench - Bench Burger - American Near Me - Escondido, California

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Best burger joint in Escondido! I tried* to go the healthy route. I ordered a Cobb salad with a smokehouse slider. Thinking about this meal has my mouth watering again. It was so good. My fiancé ordered the smokehouse burger and paired it with a pure project beer. They have a lot of local beers on tap. 10/10 would recommend this spot! read more

Burger Bench - Smokehouse slider - American Near Me - Escondido, California

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