I've been wanting to try this spot and thoroughly enjoyed my visit! They were pretty bustling on a Friday around 5PM, we were seated quickly but parking was difficult so we parked on the street. Service was quick and friendly, and they checked on us often. Happy hour was a great deal, $6 each item up until 6PM! I'm a cocktail girlie so I got the blue hawaiian, which was yummy. I would come back for their food or HH! Chicken Katsu Sando w/ Fries (4/5): it felt more like a chicken sandwich than a true katsu sando, but it was still good! I would've liked the chicken to be crunchier, but it came with a nice coleslaw which gave it a crunch. Fries were thin and crispy Buffalo Cauliflower (4.5/5): delicious! They were nicely battered and not overly buffalo-y. Plus the ranch was SCRUMPTIOUS Pretzel Balls (3.5/5): I wasn't a huge fan of the cheese dip. The balls were chewy and tasted like pretzels. Maybe I would've liked them more if they were crunchy? read more

Common Theory - Blue Hawaiian ($6 HH) - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

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We stopped by Friday at noon for lunch. It was not crowded. They validate parking for 3 hrs. The host was really helpful getting us situated on the patio- he set up the umbrellas for us. Things went downhill from there. We saw our waitress 2 times. 1st time to tell us she was really busy & instructed us to use the QR to scan menu & put in our orders 2nd time, she dropped off water. Food was average. We had the beef rice bowl dish, chicken katsu & the cheesesteak. Best dish was the appetizer Thai Brussel sprouts. They were delicious We needed salt & pepper, we went & asked the bartender We needed extra napkins, we went & asked the bartender It was warm on the patio & we'd like more ice for water. We had to ask the bartender. We were there 2 hrs & not once did anyone waitress check on us. I had to go & flag down someone to give me a to-go box Dirty tables/dishes around us didn't get bussed for over an hour++ If the place was swamped, I'd understand the complete lack of service, but they weren't. Just overall horrible service read more

Common Theory was the OG Asian gastropub that opened well over a decade ago in the Convoy District. I believe the owners tried to branch out with another location in the South Bay area, but that venture did not last long. Parking at the Convoy Ronson Plaza has always been difficult as there just aren't enough spaces for all of the neighboring businesses. Between the speakeasy (Realm of the 52 Remedies) located inside along with the indoor and outdoor seating, it's easily the largest tenant in the plaza. The food menu has been updated multiple times since I first visited. A separate sheet listing their tacos was provided to me along with the main menu. Shareables, salads, sweets, sides, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees were condensed across one page. Unsurprisingly, all of the prices have increased over the years. For my recent dinner, I ordered a Bulgogi Rice Bowl. The ingredients were Korean-style marinated beef, spinach, mushrooms, scallion, shredded carrot, and sesame over a base of white rice. A cup of gochujang sauce was provided on the side. The serving size was about medium as the contents weren't heaping nor skimpy for $19. The beef was seasoned well, however it was the gochujang that tied it all together with its mildly spicy flavor. The only things missing to make it a true bibimbap were a fried egg and bean sprouts. For the price and quality of the rice bowl, I gave a 3.5 star rating for my meal at Common Theory. read more

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A popular spot for craft beer and casual gatherings! I've been to Common Theory several times now and have always enjoyed my time there. It can get busy so if you have a large party, I'd recommend making a reservation! - PARKING - This lot can get pretty full depending on the time of day, but at least there are adjacent streets where you can also find additional parking. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - You seat yourself and they'll bring out a few physical menus, although they also have QR codes for the taplist if you don't want to go up to the bar. After ordering, our drinks came almost immediately, and we only had to wait 10 minutes for our food. - FOOD - Fish Sandwich ($6.00 during HH): They've got great happy hour deals, including this fish sandwich! We had plans to eat dinner later so we just wanted something to snack on. The fish was crispy and juicy, and the slaw was pretty good too! - OVERALL - I only remember the last time I had food here (probably 2 years ago) it wasn't too impressive, but after trying this new item, I'm definitely open to coming back for more of the menu! read more

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The fish and chips are amazing here, so flavorful and crispy. The food portions are plentiful. They have a vast selection of beers and their happy hour prices are worth checking out. read more

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Went to grab lunch on a Sunday and this was the perfect place! We got sat right away, the server was kind and fast. Food was delicious! They have lots of seating and lots of TVs, would be a great place to watch the games. They have a parking lot making parking much easier than some of the neighboring restaurants read more

Common Theory - Caesar Salad - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

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The food was super good even though they were just chicken tenders . The server was very nice and kept coming back to make sure we were doing good . It was good lighting and good ac because it was really hot. read more

Tonight we tried Common Theory's $6 before 6pm Happy Hour. It's every day which is awesome. Especially for the people who can't make Happy Hour during the week. We tried the Smash Burger with added Fries for additional $4. Buffalo Cauliflower, Three Chicken Wings, Fried Fish Sando and Banana Milk Pudding. Each was $6. Our wine and beer was apart of the $6 Happy Hour. Everything was so delicious, except the Three Chicken Wings. They were Salt n Pepper flavor wings and the Salt left its presence. If it wasn't for it being so salty, they would have been perfect because they were juicy and crispy. Common Theory is pretty huge. Lots of seating inside with different types of seating. They also have a patio for outdoor seating. There is also a Speakeasy which is on our list of places to try. Our waiter was very nice and kept checking in on us which was very good. read more

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Hmmm, I'm quite surprised I haven't reviewed this place yet considering the amount of times I have been here. The most recent visit was happy hour with coworkers. I do like their 6 until 6pm happy hour menu. Most places have crappy food for happy hour. But not here at Common Theory. Lets start off with the front of the restaurant. Upon arriival, we were greeted immeidately. There was plenty of seating. The space here has always have that woodsy outdoor vibe. We were seated in a booth and our server (whom I forgot her name) was amazing. We started off with beers, pretzel balls, cheesy fries, and buffalo cauliflower. Our server was gracious enough to check on us before happy hour ended. We pretty much just filled up on beer the entire time. The atomisphere was great and so we did put ourselves on the waiting list for the Speakeasy. I have always enjoyed common theory. Overall fun place to hang after work. read more

Unfortunately service was slow, and the place was empty. But they didn't have good food options anyways. I decided to order something just to try out the place, the Brussel sprouts were a big fail!! They came out cold and not good, the flavor was bad. I won't be returning but glad I tried it. read more

Common Theory - Fried Brussel Sprouts - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have come here since it's opened. The decor and interior is lovely. I really like how it looks and how they have it decorated. It's always clean and stylish. Sort of a hipster esque vibe. This used to be a gastro pub but I'd say it leans more Asian fusion now. Lots of craft beer choices and their own drink catalog and menu. This visit we got happy hour deals, which are great! 6 dollars for a appetizer or small entree is hard to beat. We got a katsu sando, pretzel balls, chicken tendie salad, and the smash burger. The problem I run into everytime here is the mediocrity of the food. My katsu sando what more a chicken sandwich... It was katsu chicken but just on a bun. My pretzel balls were good but the cheese sauce had little flavor. My fiancees salad was really good but her burger was not a smash burger and she said the flavor was off and I agree. The service is also mediocre here, having to flag down our server and ask for refills. For dessert we got the churro bread pudding and a banana milk pudding. My bread pudding was more like a dry breadstick? I'm not really sure how to explain it. It wasn't a bread pudding nor was it churro flavored? My fiancees banana milk pudding was great though! Really fresh whipped cream. Overall a fun vibe, but mediocre food. If your coming for a drink though, I can see this being a fun place to go. We wanted food and left a little unsatisfied. read more

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Tldr: the bar service was excellent. The drinks were swell. The Bulgogi fries were epic and massive, definitely shareable among three to four people. The wait, being forgotten, and having no server sucked. Came here for drinks after kbbq in Convoy. The parking lot had plenty of free spaces. We were told the wait for a table was about 25 minutes, so we put our name and phone number down. We waited outside for about 10 minutes and then our group decided to order drinks at the bar while we waited for the table. After a couple rounds of drinks, we went ahead and placed an order for food. I think we were there about 30 minutes already and I decided to ask the hostess how much longer it would be. She said she couldn't find the name. I told her the name and it was a party of seven. Then she said that maybe he didn't respond to the text, and they assumed we left. I replied, no, he never got a text. But then, she found the name (?) and said they would figure it out for us... We got our table, however, we got no server. We had to keep getting up to order at the bar. The bartenders said that we should've had a server, but no one ever came to our table. Also, the toilet in one of the bathroom stalls was not flushing. I lifted the lid to pull the chain to the flapper valve, but I was grossed out by the grime on the lid and tank. I left it as is and warned others that it wasn't working. read more

Common Theory - This was a good stout - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

A late night opportunity for food, drinks and excellent service by Dylan was the perfect remedy for Saturday night enjoyment. The opportunity to try some of 30 different beers and some mixed drinks when my son arrived from Ohio was awesome. The seating is available for a large group or seating a family with young children. The noise level was medium and overall an excellent late night dining. read more

Common Theory - Beer Battered Fish & Chips - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

First things first comment theory seems to be the spot in convoy area for some great draft beer. Great place to gather with your friends or coworkers to grab a beer or two and hang out the Staff and bartenders are awesome. As for eating here? It's all right. I would consider this bar food with all the other choices around in convoy to eat. It wouldn't be my first choice. We tried the sisig rice bowl and the Bulgogi cheesesteak. I probably ate here twice but I don't really remember. I just know the recent food I ate was just all right. I couldn't even finish it. I took half of it home. But if you're hungry after drinking, I guess I would suggest getting some of the fries? I would consider this place a good spot for bar food. With a big space. But the main showstopper of this place? Would probably be the 52 realms speak easy make sure you make reservations in advance. read more

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Stopped in on a Sunday evening after flying in. It's a neighborhood spot for locals which I liked though it wasn't busy at all. The parking is paid unless you get it validated. They had the game on and it was relaxing to just hang out. The service was fast and the waitress stopped by often. I was able to taste a couple of beers before deciding though I did feel a little rushed to order. I ended up getting a saison and it was decent. I didn't care for the other two I tried. My coworker and I ordered burgers. She added a salad to hers. We also tried a pretzel to start. The cheese with the pretzel was really good. Our burgers were good but a little undercooked, so greasy and very messy. I ended up using knife and fork for mine and the bun basically turned to mush. Fries were excellent!! read more

Common Theory - C.t. Classic cheeseburger - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

Always a great time here with friends. Food is good and so are the drinks. The staff are welcoming, and I like the music that they play inside read more

I've been here before but this is my first time giving a review. I went for the happy hour where items were 6 dollars until 6 pm. The food item choices were really good. I chose the fried Buffalo Califlower, wings, smash burger, fried fish, and to top it off with a delicious banana pudding. The beer draft selections were "ok" but not strong enough for my taste but the other selections outside the 6 for 6 were good to choose from. The service was fast and the food came out fast and hot. The vibe of common theory can be great for gatherings, indoor and outdoor seating. TVs in all directions with the current games going on. Will come again! read more

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The happy hour menu is great! $6 for food and alcohol is definitely slept on! I also went for the Monday trivia night and it was very fun! I usually hear that the service is not good (I heard they usually are slow) but I had a good time and my server came by often to check on us! I loved the vibe and definitely coming back again for Monday trivia night! read more

Common Theory - Chicken katsu - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

You can't tell by the exterior how cool this spot is! The decor really created a great ambiance. Three moms, toddler and infant had lunch on Monday. We sat in a spacious booth! We had the fish and chips, Caesar Salad and the CT Burger. My burger was perfectly cooked medium, very juicy, accompaniments and bun were not your typical burger options. Wish there was two more fish pieces, fries were seasoned and crispy. Our server was friendly and attentive. He was great with our toddler, made sure he had a cup with a lid and crayons with coloring menu. Wish they have more vegetarian options and a veggie burger. Definitely a chill spot to gather with friends with the abundance of space. We didn't partaking in any of the brew options but I am sure there is something for everyone. Bonus the validate parking! read more

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I really wanted to love this place! I've heard some good things and we were excited to try this out. My husband and I really loved the atmosphere, validating parking was easy, the menu and happy hour options looked great! Great seltzer and cider options as well. Honestly seemed like a it would be a hit. Unfortunately, the excitement was quickly gone. Maybe the staff was overwhelmed by the one large party there, but we were barely acknowledged and didn't receive a welcome or smile from any employee. The service was really underwhelming... We ordered the Thai Brussels to start and were very surprised when they were delivered and were very, very cold. We asked the bartender if they were supposed to be cold and he said "yep" and walked away. This was surprising given that the menu described them as "oven roasted" and it was never mentioned that they are a chilled item. I feel like it's only fair to your customers to let them know if a dish is served cold or warm. I don't recall ever ordering "oven roasted" Brussels sprouts that come almost frozen. The bartender didn't seem concerned that we didn't eat any of them and didn't ask if we wanted anything else. We paid full price and left. I should have said something, but honestly didn't get the vibe that he cared at all about our experience or whether we returned. Sadly we have many other places to go where we know we can receive great service and probably won't return to Common Theory. I hope others have a better experience than we did! read more

Came here with a group and had a great time! A good selection of beers with a realllly good hard kombucha (8% ABV... and delicious) and everyone enjoyed their food. Brussel sprouts had golden raisins and a delicious sweet sauce that paired beautifully with the char on the sprouts-- would order that again! The pizza/flatbread was also good, a lot of sauce & a nice thin crust. I recommend the furikake Mac salad and the bulgogi fries the most though -- they each were super flavorful and perfectly sauced!! Our waiter and the bartenders were on it too. Would definitely come back. Great for bigger groups or work happy hours :) read more

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We've been wanting to check out Common Theory for a while. As you enter, we were greeted by one of the employees. A quick hello and we were instructed to sit anywhere. While the inside was inviting, we opted to sit outside!! Our waiter was cordial. We both ordered the Wagyu burger without the bun. The burger was very tasty! Caramelized onions, crispy applewood bacon, blue cheese, crunchy pickle slice, and ample fresh lettuce as a wrap!! The condiments were on the side so you can put as much or little as you'd like. The fries were cooked to perfection! Crispy outside and moist on the inside with a hint of salt! The coleslaw is a different story!! It was very bland with something too spicy! Not the kind of spicy you'd enjoy in your food like a flavorful hot sauce. It was like cayenne pepper hit the back of your throat! The couple at the next table said the same thing! I hate to say it, but whoever made it must not have tasted it before serving it to the public. Maybe it was an off day?!?! Their appetizer menu items seem to be similar price points as a meal so we just stuck to the meals this time. Overall, a wonderful place to have a meal and drinks. The interior seems a little dark but very well decorated. The outside patio area is very inviting. The employees were very friendly. The new parking regulations is for the entire shared parking lot of all businesses. It's two hours free parking and then $4 an hour after that. You'll have to scan the QR code in the restaurant/table and enter your license plate and information. We will be back and try other menu items. read more

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Food: baked pork belly mac & cheese (8/10) - it's filling, flavorful, creamy, and kept hot since it's in a stone pot. the pork belly was a nice protein addition to it as well. thai chicken salad (9/10) - it was flavorful, crunchy, and a good portion Service: There is decent service with nice workers Ambiance: I love how it's open late and there'll still be people coming to grab drinks or eat food. It's a very cozy and spacious vibe! read more

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Stopped by Common Theory and ordered the cheesesteak. Overall, the sandwich itself was pretty good, and the roll they used was excellent. My only real critique is that I wish there had been a little bit more meat on the sandwich to balance it out. That being said, the flavor was definitely there and it's a solid spot. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu! read more

Common Theory - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

Great spot to grab drinks, late night food, or to watch a game! I'm a big fan of their fries which are beer battered and crispy!! read more

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Came here right when they opened on a Saturday afternoon! Food was delicious and loved that they had happy hour for a few cocktails and beers! The Bulgogi rice bowl and chicken katsu plate is a must for me, they were both delicious and packed with flavor! You can skip on the loco moco! Service was great, the waitress checked on us every so often. It was a very pleasant time eating here. read more

Common Theory - Fries / House Chips, Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, Bulgogi Rice Bowl - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

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The bar itself was nice! The bartenders were funny and attentive while the drinks were nice and strong. I didn't try the food but it looked like they had a big selection of various appetizers and entrees. read more

I will give Common Theory another chance because I've heard good things, but not right away. The parking lot is a little narrow and can be tricky, it's also shared with other businesses so gets full pretty quickly. The food was good, but the drinks and service were not the best. They were out of several different beers on tap and one round of drinks was completely forgotten for our table despite reminding our waiter and another who came to check on us. Overall, the vibes are very cool and they have a speakeasy that sounds fun, but given the first experience may take a while to come back. read more

I came in craving a flatbread, and it just so happened that the day we went in-they were out of flatbreads? So that wasn't an option ;( I opted for the buffalo chicken fries, which were pretty good, they just weren't my first choice. My friend ordered the bulgogi fries and said they were pretty good. The service was good, and the vibe seemed like it's a place for everyone-from sports watchers to couples for date night. I'll come back again-I just really hope they have flatbreads next time! read more

Common Theory - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

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Met colleagues for happy hour. Parking now needs to be validated. First two hours free and $4 thereafter. The restaurant has a QR code to start the metering and advised me of the parking when I asked for a table. But they didn't tell the rest of my party when they arrived. Well there were plenty of parking spots in the lot but no street parking. Not sure if a good thing. I left my party when my two hours were up as I was the first to arrive. Service was attentive, polite, and quick. We ordered off the happy hour menu. Fried Brussels were interesting with the pickled golden raisins but tasty. The Pretzel Balls were yummy and the HH Cheese Fries had either shredded bacon or pork but we ate it. Good food, drinks, and service. read more

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Went here on a Friday night and the ambiance was great. There was a dj playing at the restaurant and I thought that was a nice touch for a Friday night. The food was also great, I tried the Szechuan fried chicken and it was pretty good. The seasoning was light and not overpowering read more

I visited this location on a weeknight. The parking lot was pretty full for a random weekday, ~8pm, but common theory itself wasn't that busy. Parking was validated (QR code inside) so don't pay outside. The interior is super spacious with a variety of seating options for all party sizes, from large tables with benches to bar seating (obviously it IS a brewery). We had the buffalo cauliflower, chipotle chicken sando with cole slaw, and pork sisig rice bowl. Overall pretty good brewery/bar food. Everything generally had pretty strong flavors that pairs well with beer, but not intensely greasy. The fusion twist made the food more lively than sterotypical amerian style brewery food. The buffalo cauliflower was super well seasoned with no remnant of veg icks. The sando was a toastie type of sandwich. I think the firm toasted bread was a good vessel for a wet-ish sandwich, and good contrast with the wet slaw. I didn't try much of the pork sisig rice bowl, but seemed like a solid option. Drink wise, many many options but it is a brewery, so I had one of rotating beers on tap. I think I'd visit again to check out the speakeasy situation (online reservations!) read more

They have an extensive menu for drinks on tap as well as a few sours and ciders. They also have a full bar and offer food. I've never eaten here but we have been here a few times to have a couple of beers. The vibe is always great and this place is always busy. It's a fun place to hang out. The service is hit or miss, depending on your bartender. We've had great service and we have also been ignored while sitting in the corner at the bar. You do have to pay for parking if you park in their parking lot so try to find something on the street if you don't want to pay for parking. They also have an amazing speakeasy inside of here. You can grab a drink at the bar while you wait to be called into the speakeasy read more

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Located in Convoy across the street from a Hyundai Genesis dealership. Lots of relaxing warm lights. Most recent trip was during happy hour. Staff was very friendly. Service was really good. Food came out very fast. Their birria tacos were great with the consomme and came with delicious beans on the side. Duck fries were good but the fries do get soft fast from the duck goodness. Brussels were a tasty treat. read more

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Sticky, gross, damp, rude service all describe this place. Better places down the street

It was Saturday night, and we definitely weren't ready to call it quits--so off we went on a mission to check out Common Theory's hidden gem, Realm of the 52 Remedies. We fully understood that showing up without a reservation on a weekend was a bold (read: mildly reckless) move. Worst-case scenario? We'd just end up closing down Common Theory, and honestly, that wouldn't be the worst way to spend the night. I was immediately seduced by the Oaxacan Old Fashioned probably not the wisest choice to start mixing liquors, but hey, the heart wants what it wants. The open, laid-back vibe of Common Theory made it easy to just chill, sip, and keep the conversation flowing like we were all old friends in someone's very stylish living room. Just as we were ordering round two, the universe smiled on us our name was called. We were in! Off to Realm 52. What we really appreciate about this spot is that it's a true local gem you can hang out without feeling like a sardine in sequins, which is often the vibe downtown. There's plenty of space to breathe, with cozy booths and large communal tables that are perfect for both intimate hangs and mini celebrations. It's got the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile... preferably with a cocktail in hand. read more

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This water is great. Notably, the water is cold but lightly cold, in the way that you have to chug the water in order to ensure that it doesn't get warm soon. Ideal cup size. We requested it from the bartender and received it promptly. Overall, pleasant. read more

Common Theory - Water - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California

"Fun times at the Ames Velasco family reunion! We had such a wonderful time at Common Theory -- everything was so well organized, the food and drinks were on point, and the staff was incredibly friendly. Cheers to good vibes and great company! read more

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Have you ever hyped up a place you've been to several times? Ever take someone to one of your favorite spots and then have the worst service imaginable? Has it ever been so bad you had ti laugh because otherwise it just feels like being treated like garbage? That was my experience a couple days ago. I've been to common theory many times but it's been a while so I recommend we visit. I wish what you're about to read was fake. Starting right at the door...hostess seemed irritated I asked for a menu to place a to go order. I had to ask twice. At the bar there is no clear area for to-go orders so we try to get a bartender's attention. Three times, THREE TIMES, this one girl looked directly at us, made eye contact, then spun around in place to look at the wall of liquor. Walked around and made a point to ignore the raised hand and eye contact leaving us standing there for almost 10 minutes. It wasn't even that busy. Finally the other bartender noticed us and helps us place an order. Tells us to wait and they'll bring it to us. 10 minutes... 20 minutes... almost 30 minutes after we ordered the food comes out after we go back to ask what's going on. We get our food. It's cold. They forgot about us. I don't know what happened because the service used to be great. But when it's multiple people in a short period giving this level of terrible, makes me question ever recommending it in the first place. read more

Enjoyed the pre visit at common theory before our reservation at the speakeasy. Great service! Rustic interior or patio seating available. Room for large groups for game night or bar area for a nice flight. Easy parking right in front along a row of other shops and pool hall. Clean, organized and great atmosphere for a fun time. Would definitely return! read more

Common Theory - Gastropubs Near Me - San Diego, California