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    Classics Malt Shop

    4.8 (1.7k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Classics Malt Shop Photos

    Business Info

    CLASSICS MALT SHOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Classics Malt Shop

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    Hamburger
    Amanda N.

    Came here on a weekday evening with friends. We ordered the: Mushroom burger, bacon burger, regular burger, frings, and a strawberry milkshake. I really enjoyed my mushroom burger. Juicy and large portion. Although I didn't taste the other burgers, I also received high praise from my friends regarding these items. For the frings, I thought the fries were average, but I really enjoyed the onion rings. They were fresh and had the perfect crunch. My friends got the milkshake and thought it was standard. Even though I thought the food was solid, I was truly impressed by the service. The person behind the counter was so busy but he took the time to explain the menu to me and was extremely friendly. He also didn't try to rush us or kick us out after the diner closed (we ordered pretty close to closing time). I noticed that he even took orders from people who came slightly after closing too. Other great things: easy parking and awesome looking decor. Come if you want to experience a meal in a diner setting. Overall, the food was pretty good but the outstanding service is why I'm giving this five stars. Please check it out!

    Explosive Burger
    Mia Y.

    Omg the vanilla ice cream in the root beer float is so thick and creamy. We loved the fries and chili cheese fries! One thing about Malt Shop, they're going to make a saucy chili cheese. Maybe too much.. The burgers taste homemade which is the best part about it. The explosive boom burger is classic w/ jalapeños but I was missing the kick of spice. Patties could have been a bit juicier We appreciate the friendly service, classic diner ambiance and can't wait to come back to try more

    Caliente Burger w/ Double Patty
    Michael H.

    I ordered the Caliente Burger, and the burger was delicious! I wasn't sure if one patty was enough meat, so I added an extra patty. The burger came out and was incredibly juicy, stacked high, and smothered in melted pepper jack cheese. There was some heat to the burger, but it wasn't as spicy as I would have liked it to be. The burger was cooked to perfection as ordered! The service was friendly, attentive, and that made the whole dining experience easy and enjoyable. When I say great service, the staff goes above and beyond to make sure you have what you need during your visit! The restaurant was clean, comfortable, and had nice, relaxed vibes, which made it a great place to sit and actually enjoy the meal. If you like a flavorful burger with some heat and solid quality all around, this one's a must. I will definitely coming back to try more when I am back in the area.

    Black cherry ice cream coke
    Holly P.

    Fun spot! Service is friendly and quick. Food is made fresh right in front. The malts are great. Would definitely return.

    Jalapeño burger
    Andrew P.

    LOCAL CLASSIC BURGER JOINT: The burger was solid and I could definitely see myself coming back. You can feel how much locals love this place. The enthusiasm in the room is real and it reminded me of a similar spot back home. Inside, it feels like a 50s diner that hasn't been updated in a couple decades, which adds to the charm rather than taking away from it. The owners have a reputation for feeding homeless folks who come in, which tells you a lot about the kind of people running the place. Good people, good food, and a spot the community clearly cares about.

    Búfalo sandwich. Cheese steak sandwich  and fries
    Gerisa A.

    Lived here my whole life and today was my first time eating here! Pleasantly surprised. Small and busy but decent amount of seating. Vintage diner feel for sure. This has got to be the best malt shop in San Diego. Had the chocolate malt, cheese steak sandwich and fries. Everything was delicious! Their home made ranch and chipotle dip is amazing! Customer service was a breath of fresh air. Friendly staff and the cook gave us a run down of their sauces, which was awesome. Will definitely be back!

    Order counter
    Steve Y.

    First time here at Midway Classic Malt Shop. We love these old, nostalgic malt shops. Popularity place. People wait patiently to place their order. I ordered the Reuben on Rye and my wife wanted the Classic Cheeseburger. Added Frings (onion rings and French fries), a Diet Coke for the wife and we shared another float. Couldn't wait to drink the root beer float. Generous scoop of vanilla ice cream - yasss! Wifey loved the cheeseburger. I really enjoyed the melted cheese on my Reuben on Rye. And, the Frings made our day with Thousand Island and Ranch dips! The 20-minute wait was worth it! The all-man crew was awesome!

    A closeup of my black and white malt.
    Paul K.

    My sister really wanted a malt and even asked the In N Out drive through guy if they offered them (No). But that guy recommended Classics Malt Shop down in the Midway district so we went there the next day. The man taking orders (owner? manager?) was so nice and friendly. He really was enthusiastic and helpful. He even threw in a free order of Frings (fries and onion rings) when he found out this was our first time there and that we came in on a recommendation. The four of us in our party each had a malt (one vanilla and three classic Black and White) and man, they were tasty. I even saw they use the old school Carnation Malted Milk power that our family used when I was a kid. That rocks! We had lunch there also with my wife having a mushroom burger and myself having a Classic Cheeseburger. Others in our party had Classic regular burger and the Chicken Strips meal. We added an order of sweet potato fries and the aforementioned complimentary order of Frings and we were ready for a nap! I don't think I ate for a day after that meal. Super filling. Can't do this every day but when I want this sort of food, I'm coming here! Thank you and great job guys!

    Inside
    Yanet H.

    The food was really good and tasty. Nice local spot that is a must try if in the area. The service was very friendly. There was someone that would clean the tables right away and would take the stuff from tables when done. Ambiance inside was family friendly, the had sports playing in TVs. There is indoor and outdoor seating and parking is not a problem. A must try for sure

    Veggie Burger with fried egg
    Andrew G.

    We came in on a Saturday evening it was busy but not too crowded. We ordered and were able to find a seat. We enjoyed our food. The fries were just ok but the burgers and the zucchini sticks were very good. They toasted my bun pretty crispy which I really enjoyed. It also helped to give my veggie burger some structure. I also got my son a chocolate milkshake he was pretty excited for. There seemed to be a lot of regulars which gave the place a nice vibe. The service was very good everyone working was very friendly and charismatic.

    Patty Melt, Fries, Chocolate Malt
    Jennifer B.

    Cute place! Friendly and fast service. Good portions and it's delicious! I had the Patty Melt, Fries and a Chocolate Malt.

    The Chicago Dog
    Matthew S.

    Staff is friendly and interact with guests getting to know them. If you listen you can tell they've gotten to know and bond with their regulars. They're very knowledgeable about their menu and offer suggestions based on taste and size. They don't worry about payment until you finish eating and are satisfied by their service. Food was great. The caliente burger was nice and spicy. The veggies provided the fresh crisp and peppers the spiciness. The zucchini sticks were delicious. First time seeing zucchini fried like this. Usually they're sliced lengths wise or in circles but I never seen them cut into sticks and fried. Nice fired batter and soft zucchini insides when eaten fresh. Coke drinks. Had the vanilla sprite float. It was refreshing on the hot day I came in. Inside is nice. 50's diner style. Booths, counter seats, and classic milkshake mixers in the back.

    Hamburger reminded me of my home town !! Very good! No fancy sauce just old fashioned hamburger!! Employees are very friendly and knowledgeable!! Definitely will be coming back here !! Anyone who likes classic like feeling restaurant this the place to be. Being here is like going back in time ! Love it!!! Nothing better than remembering old times!!! Great Ambiance!!!

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    10 days ago

    Amazing food... best burgers in town plus they have a good philly cheesesteak! Also the service here is absolutely amazing!

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    11 days ago

    Friendly people serving fresh made sandwiches and malts and other drinks. Great fries and onion rings!

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    6 months ago

    Had the basic burger and onion rings but was underwhelmed. I wouldn't go out of my way to return

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    Classics Malt Shop Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Classics Malt Shop

    Are they still open because the past two times we called to order, nobody picked up?

    I never called but I have gone past there and they are open and have been during Covid.

    Does grub hub or anyone deliver your food?

    Postmates

    Do they use local meat?

    You want meat from San Diego? I want mine from as far away as possible .. somewhere out in the country where happy cows live 😊

    Are you open today?

    Yes they are open today. They are closed on Sunday's

    Do they always serve the shakes in plastic cups?

    I've only seen plastic.

    View All 8 Questions

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    Pappalecco

    Pappalecco

    4.3(3.1k reviews)
    3.5 miLittle Italy
    $

    Absolutely amazing! That was the first thought that came to mind after my first bite of the…read morecroissant and my first spoonful of gelato. Alex helped me choose my gelato flavors, and she was so patient, friendly, and kind. There were so many different gelato and sorbet flavors to choose from that it was honestly hard to pick! The moment I tasted them, I felt like I was back in Italy. The flavors were rich, layered, and complex--you could actually taste the different ingredients, rather than just tasting sugar like you sometimes do at other places. Everything was so delicious and thoughtfully made. Definitely a place I'd love to come back to!

    A cute authentic Italian neighborhood cafe in Little Italy serving coffee, treats, gelato, and…read morepaninis. My friends and I were just looking to get a coffee in Little Italy, but when we walked in and saw all the delicious treats we had to try something else as well. I ordered a latte and neglected to tell them it was for here so I was given a paper cup, but they give real cups if you ask. The latte was good, and my friend bought a kitchen sink type cookie with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts. It was warm and gooey good! Another friend tried the gelato and said it was very good. There are a few tables inside and tables out in front outside. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather. The decor and tables definitely gives you an old school Italian neighborhood vibe with Italian markets right next door. If I am in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back here to try the gelato and/or a piece of an excellent looking lemon pie bar I spotted.

    Photos
    Pappalecco - Inside

    Inside

    Pappalecco - Soup Tomato.

    Soup Tomato.

    Pappalecco - Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

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    Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

    Extraordinary Desserts - Road trip with the girls. Gorgeous stuff here.

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0(9.3k reviews)
    3.6 miLittle Italy
    $$$

    This place is properly named extraordinary dessert for a reason. They are known for their desserts…read moreboth in taste and in aesthetics. Desserts: 5/5 We got a blood orange scone and a strawberry danish. The scone was warm and delicious. The orange essence was well infused. The danish was crispy and creamy. Everything was so picturesque. Food: 3/5 Unfortunately, the food was not the best. We got the smoked salmon sandwich which was not very flavorful. The salmon was also slimy. The pesto spread was good though. It was creamy and the artisan bread it was served had great variety. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is such super cute. When you walk in, the desserts all look super appetizing. The seating areas are super cute and the floral decor are stunning. Service: 5/5 It is an order then sit down establishment. There is great attention to their dessert. I saw them heat up a knife just to cleanly cut the cake. The food service however did take some time to come out.

    We stopped by here after being downtown for Comicon…read more Things must have changed over the years since I felt the establishment has changed a bit. We used to come visit here when we come to San Diego. On this summer day - the restaurant doesn't bave any AC on so it made it a bit uncomfortable to enjoy our desert when it is a bit cooler to sit outside. The other thing that got to me was that the men's restroom was out of service so they did not announce it or anything but the women's bathroom was to be used by both genders but it was crowded so a bit uncomfortable. Service wise we got our deserts and the deserts are still very delicious. We were a larger party and they were able to accommodate and get all of our orders correctly. Noise level was normal and gave us time to sit down and relax our feet. Over all - food was good but things were a bit worn down from a building perspective

    Photos
    Extraordinary Desserts - Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Extraordinary Desserts - One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

    One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

    Extraordinary Desserts - Chocolate lemon bon bon

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    Chocolate lemon bon bon

    Chocolate SD - Gelato

    Chocolate SD

    3.8(1.8k reviews)
    4.3 miGaslamp
    $

    Simply delicious coffee!…read more It's always a relief when you find a hidden gem. This establishment was so cute they even had cows hanging upside down! Such a fun and unique atmosphere. They also sell gelato, although we didn't get a chance to try it this time. The service was great, and the cashier was very helpful and friendly. I ordered an iced vanilla latte, and it was perfect. They also offer a great selection of coffee from Hawaii. The place was clean, welcoming, and had a very friendly vibe. Next time, I'll definitely have to indulge in some desserts! ts.

    This is a cute breakfast and dessert cafe that's actually open till midnight (or later on the…read moreweekends). The decor and setting is cute and quirky, including cow sculptures hanging upside down from the ceiling. There were only a couple other visitors when we arrived, as it was near opening time. Our dishes took a whopping 35 minutes to be ready, and service was not very friendly nor helpful. Luckily, the music playing through the speakers added a nice vibe to the place, songs like Our House by Madness and Can't Fight This Feeling. We ordered the brunch pizza (with eggs cooked overeasy) and the breakfast flatbread which looked almost identical when served, as well as an iced mocha. The quality of the pizza was pretty average, and the eggs were slightly overcooked. The drink was really good, made fresh, with a smooth taste and a nice sweetness to it, the plastic cup coated in chocolate sauce. It tasted more like chocolate milk with a hint of coffee, which I personally enjoyed. They typically serve gelato here, but it would not be ready till almost two hours after opening time. So no milkshakes or cold desserts were available in the morning this past Sunday (no worries, Ghirardelli is just a block away). I appreciate the variety of menu items offered here. But they really should communicate online that their gelato's not ready till two hours into the day. If there's one thing that irks me about an establishment, it's failure to communicate appropriately. Even though our recent visit was somewhat disappointing, I still gave 3 stars, assuming this was an off day for them.

    Photos
    Chocolate SD
    Chocolate SD - A pop of zest!

    A pop of zest!

    Chocolate SD

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    Cali Cream - Pumpkin Caramel Pecan Praline with Butter Pecan in a waffle cone

    Cali Cream

    4.7(777 reviews)
    4.3 miGaslamp
    $$

    So. Many. Choices! Cali Cream really makes it hard to pick and choose which flavor or flavors you…read morewant to eat right away! And not only do they have so many flavors but so many ways to consume your ice cream!! We stopped in after dinner before a concert at Petco Park and it was so toasty out ice cream was our pick to cool down. We have a wonderful employee helping us decide what we wanted to enjoy, and appreciated she allowed us to try the flavors we were debating between. My husband opted for a shake and I went with a regular cup! The portion sizes are massive! Come hungry or bring friends to share! If I wasn't full from dinner I absolutely would have ordered their flight so I could try more flavors. Absolute must get is their ube matcha pairing 2 of my favorite flavors together. Neither flavor overpowered the other and worked well in a tandem. Will definitely be back to try more!

    First, I have to say that this is probably one of the only places I've found recently to have…read morebubble gum ice cream with the right bubble gum in it and everything, so it gets major credit right off the bat. I would recommend having menu stands outside so that when there is a long line, people can already review and be ready upon approaching the counter. The line can get long but it goes fairly quickly. Customer service was great and the portions were wonderful - much appreciated. Loved the idea of the Orange Whoopie pie, but it was dry. The rice krispy treat was also a bit dry, sadly. But we loved it and will be back.

    Photos
    Cali Cream - Ube matcha

    Ube matcha

    Cali Cream - Photo prop

    Photo prop

    Cali Cream - Bourbon Butter Pecan single scoop in a cone

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    Bourbon Butter Pecan single scoop in a cone

    Extraordinary Desserts - Dame Chocolate

    Extraordinary Desserts

    3.8(3.9k reviews)
    3.4 miBanker's Hill
    $$

    This is a rare 5 star review from me! A local restaurant that is far enough away from the tourist…read moreareas or downtown that you want to go for a nice sit down without a long wait or huge menu. The most impressive thing is the works of art that are deserts in the showcase. Knowing that the draw is the sweets I was pleasantly surprised that they have food, beer and wine to set up a nice full meal. Our order was so complete that we had to take home th desert that we camefor in togo boxes. if you are a soup or tomato love I highly suggest getting there cup of tomatoes soup and salad. my eyes popped out of my head when they brought me salad that seemed big enough for two people. With a side of smoked salmon I couldn't fit everything in. My partner had a sandwich that was bigger than the size of her head and a crazy nice strawberry spritzer. The cheesecake smob that I am I took home something that I took a a chance on because I am trying not to be a creature of habits. A lemon strudel cheesecake out of the refrigerator the next day is probably better freshly made. When I go back I will defiantly make space for everything. This is a hidden gem that I hope stays local and a tour bus dosen't stop at the front door.

    The desserts at both locations are indeed extraordinary. Every dessert is lush and decadent and…read moredefinitely a treat. This location is much smaller than the other and just as popular so it can feel hectic when busy. Highly recommend the Le Bette Noir, Black Velvet and The Viking cakes. You can't go wrong with anything you try here!

    Photos
    Extraordinary Desserts - La Bete Noir, Dame Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookie

    La Bete Noir, Dame Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookie

    Extraordinary Desserts - Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie

    Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie

    Extraordinary Desserts - Counter

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    Counter

    Milk & Cookies - Neon sign inside the suite

    Milk & Cookies

    4.2(80 reviews)
    4.6 miEast Village
    Outdoor seating
    Kid friendly

    We loved the cookie and scoop combo here ($6.50). We sampled a few flavors and settled for the…read morebrown butter toffee with the cookies and cream cookie. It was such a sweet treat and makes me super tempted to come back again for this visit! The Royal Hawaiian cookie is calling out to me! The shop was clean and nice, not much seating though. The service was pleasant while we sampled and the portions were generous.

    Hiya B.UM.S., If you…read moreever find yourself wandering through Downtown San Diego with a sudden craving for fresh cookies or ice cream, I have a place you simply need to check out: Milk & Cookies. We stopped by recently and got incredibly lucky--there was no line in sight, so we walked right up to order! The Cookies: Gooey, Crisp, & Perfectly Balanced My wife decided to try a trio of cookies, picking out Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter Reese's, and classic Chocolate Chip. They completely nailed the texture. Every single cookie hit that golden sweet spot--warm and gooey in the middle with just the right amount of crisp edge. What really stood out was the balance of ingredients. Chocolate Chip: Perfectly measured so you get sweet chocolate in every bite without feeling overwhelmed by chips. Peanut Butter Reese's: An absolute dream ratio of rich peanut butter to chocolate peanut butter cups. Snickerdoodle: Perfectly spiced, striking just the right "snicker-to-doodle" balance! Of course, we couldn't leave without trying the ice cream. I ordered a combination of Cookie Monster and Campfire in a single scoop. The portion size was remarkably generous--it completely filled up the small cup and delivered a fantastic mix of flavors. My wife went with a scoop combining Espresso Oreo and Mint & Chip, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, these were easily some of the best desserts we've had in a very long time. Whether you're a local or just exploring the downtown area, Milk & Cookies is well worth a visit.

    Photos
    Milk & Cookies
    Milk & Cookies - Cookies & Cream (Jumbo)

    Cookies & Cream (Jumbo)

    Milk & Cookies

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    Classics Malt Shop - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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