Copper Kings burgers is an absolute staple, their smash burgers are so good. Service is always great, they've got really good beer, house-made quality sauces, and a really fun menu to choose from. I always get the classic, and I've never been let down here. The only con is that it is a little bit pricey in my opinion, but I have found it to be worth it. Another pro is I love that they have outdoor seating, and I can bring my dog. They also have TVs for sporting events that they show. It's also kind of a bonus that it's across from the bowling alley! Solid place, always recommend. read more

Really disappointing experience, especially as a San Marcos native. I've lived in San Marcos for years, long before Copper Kings Burgers was here, and unfortunately I've consistently gotten poor service whenever I've given this place another chance. Today was the last straw. Our order was handed to us incorrectly, and when I pointed out that we had all been given the same thing, an employee named Hudson immediately responded with, "Do we have a problem?" Completely unnecessary and incredibly unprofessional. I told him to chill because the attitude was obvious. Instead of simply fixing the order, we were met with arrogance and hostility over a mistake that wasn't even ours. What makes it worse is that this attitude seems to come from the top. In my experiences here, the owner has also come across as cocky, dismissive, and like he has a chip on his shoulder. When ownership carries itself that way, it's not surprising when the staff starts treating customers the same way. As someone who actually grew up in San Marcos, it's disappointing to walk into a local business in my own hometown and be treated like I'm inconveniencing them by being there. I support local businesses and want to see San Marcos spots succeed, but basic respect and customer service should not be too much to ask. Wrong order, unnecessary confrontation, terrible attitude, and an overall hostile experience. I won't be coming back. read more

Came here for Happy Hour and it did not disappoint. The ordering system was super convenient. You can order via a QR code right at your table or at the host stand inside. Since it was our first time, we went inside to order our mains first and then easily added dessert later using the table QR code. The outdoor seating is great! It was nice and sunny, though it did get a bit chilly later on, so definitely bring a jacket just in case. The "Crappy Meal" from the HH menu comes with a beer can and it was delicious. The Anaconda Bar from the dessert menu was incredible. It's like a seriously elevated Klondike bar. Their entire menu looks incredibly intriguing. I'll definitely be back to try more items, especially their June specials like the Pineapple Express Burger and the Spam Musubi Fries! read more

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Stopped by for dinner after watching a movie. Wanted to try this place for awhile. Their Japanese milk buns are really good with the burgers. Service was great and i got to try out a few drinks read more

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I've been to Copper Kings Burgers twice now and really enjoyed it both times. I got the GOAT burger ($14) each visit because I love goat cheese, and it was so good. Their burgers are smashburger style, and I love that they bake their own Japanese milk buns and grind their own beef in house. You can definitely taste the quality. The burgers come by themselves, so fries, tots, and dips are extra. They also do monthly specials, which makes me want to come back and try something different next time. I was also surprised by how good the desserts were. They're made by a pastry chef and honestly better than I expected from a burger place. There's plenty of parking lot parking, plus both indoor and outdoor seating. Dogs are allowed on the patio, and they even have a $4 puppy patty (3 ounce smash burger with no seasoning) for them, which I thought was really cute. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - The Burger, The G.O.A.T., Shiitakes All That - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Ample seating both indoors and outdoors. The parking situation is a bit weird so my party and I just parked outside Dogtopia and walked over. This is a pretty casual setting so you just order at the register and they can serve your food to your table. Water is available next to the door. Burger and cajun-seasoned fries were great! Just thought it was an interesting choice that the western burger included both fresh onion and onion rings. The ranch was ruined for me as it had a strong dill flavor which reminded me of pickles which I don't like. The staff are kind and can banter with you. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - cajun fries with ranch western burger - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

Copper Kings Burgers in San Marcos offers a tasty satisfying smash burger with crispy edges and an amalgamation of cheese and sauce in a burger. Connoisseurs of smash burgers will definitely need to put this place on your list as it is a burger made with the freshest ingredients. I have had Copper Kings on my list for a while especially as my coworkers would talk about this place alot when talked about burgers. The day finally came when we all went to lunch with some first timers and some who have been before. As my first time, I asked the staff that if this is my first time here what should I get or what made this place famous. Without a doubt he said to order the the burger and fries. After a small wait my food was delivered to my table and the presentation was excellent. The burger was well wrapped and the crispy meat edges where glistening ready to be devoured. The first couple of bites with the edges was heaven and as you got towards the center thats when the fun began with the cheese and tangy sauce began to kick in. The bun was pretty fresh and stood up well with all the sauce and juice dripping through. I would definitely order this again but they have alot of specials and burgers with different toppings. Service was great with the staff explaining all the specials and classics. Long bar with tables both inside and out, it is a great casual burger joint located in the heart of San Marcos. Overall great first time experience at Copper Kings. It did live up to the hype from all of my coworkers saying it was a pretty good smashburger. read more

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Great food, service and ambiance. Stopped in for my husband's bday and I'm glad we chose CK. First timer and Yelpers did a perfect job hyping it up it's accurate. Food was flavorful, hot and tasted fresh. Their ranch was so good, chili fries very good, everything was on point. Hoping to visit when I'm in the area again. Plenty of picnic tables on the patio, tvs available and inside seating as well. Parking lot is decent, with space across the way from the establishment. Ordering is easy. Use QR code at table or go inside. QR code gives you the choice to pay through your phone; credit, google pay are options. read more

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Came back to try their burgers again, this time we asked for light on the salt for the burger patties and for the most part it was less salty than the originals we've ordered. The tots however had a heavy hand of salt, we gotta ask for light on the salt there too. Overall, without a mouth full of salt, the burgers are delicious. The homemade bun is excellent too. We ordered one of their cookies and unfortunately, it was not good. read more

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Really awesome burger spot that is conveniently close to home for me! They have some tables inside and bar seating, plus more seating outside. You can order at the counter or scan a QR code to place your order. Everyone is really friendly and helpful. Everything I've tried has been super good and fresh. They have a good selection of drinks too read more

I came by here cause I saw that they used Japanese milk buns for their burgers which piqued my interest. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner of a plaza but once you enter it feels as if you just entered your own friendly neighborhood bar/pub. Me and my partner ended up going with the chili burger for herself and the pastrami burger for myself. We also got the Reuben loaded tater tots to share. The tots were fried very well so no complaints there. I personally felt it was too tangy (probably due to the sauerkraut, chopped pickles and thousand island sauce) and not a whole lot of the Reuben brisket but it was still enjoyable. The chili burger which I only tried a couple of bites of tasted good but both me and my partner felt like there was too much mustard. It was still good though. Of everything I tried the pastrami burger I had was definitely the best item. Well seasoned pastrami which paired nicely with the smashed patties and the pickled onions. As for the reason I came here; the use of milk buns was great because it made it feel like a completely different burger experience than I'm normally used to. The fluffiness of the buns made it a unique texture difference that really tied the whole thing together. I'll give them major props for baking their own buns in house because it really elevates the burgers vs what you'd get at other gourmet burger spots. As for service, absolutely no complaints. Food came out reasonably quick and all the servers were nice. I also liked that there's a little burger sign near the back that lights up whenever a burger is ready and they are bringing it out. Would highly recommend visiting here if you're interested in trying a different type of burger. The milk buns alone make it worth trying! read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Reuben loaded tater tots - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Ambiance..nice apot..some seating and inside and more outside. A little time inside. Service..pretty fast..you order at register or qr code Food..amazing..I had the fried chicken sandwich with onion rings..loved them boomba..sauce. they have alot diff sauces to try. They diff items at hh..which I wish they would have during regular menu too.. the quantity was alot too. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

Copper Kings in San Marcos makes a really good burger. Solid all around and exactly what you want when you're craving one. But the real move is the tater tots. Get them. They're that good! A reliable burger spot in San Marcos worth checking out. read more

This was my first time here and will definitely be back. I tried the western burger. It is huge and the burger was flavorful and juicy. Bring your appetite. We also tried the onion rings and all the great (and spicy sauces). For dessert we had the peach cake. It was so light and fresh and a perfect end to the meal. Service was really friendly and fast. Great outdoor seating. read more

Today was my first visit and my last. Mainly because of the crappy service. From the bartender to the kid who was waiting my table, they all just seemed like they had a bad attitude about being there. The owners really have to take a look at their staff and consider some changes. Worst part was I watched a group of guys who were customers leave today bickering with the staff about the poor service they had during their visit. It really showed me i wasn't wrong with my thoughts of this place. Now let's get to the food. The burger was over salted and had this yellow sauce, which they call their special sauce, which I feel absolutely ruined the burger and probably one of the worst sauces I've ever had on a burger. Kind of a mustard tasting concoction. Absolutely terrible. You're probably wondering what the cost of this was. Unfortunately, everything here is well overpriced for what you get. If you wanna get a burger for $20 head down to Oceansides prime burger or even Encinitas crispy burger. Honestly, I would rather eat a habit burger than come here again. If what you're looking for is a dry burger with crappy sauce and some really bad service then this is your place. It's just not my cup of coffee and Iwon't be returning or recommending it to friends read more

Food: Juicy burgers, different kind to choose from, or build your own. My husband saw an Instagram ad and had to come, so we brought a couple friends with us and we were very happy to find this spot. The burgers and fries were delish. Service: You walk to the counter to order but the friendly staff are super cool and check in to make sure everything is good and if you need anything. They really want to make you feel welcomed, like they care, very refreshing when you get that at a restaurant. Ambiance: Casual, fun environment read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Got "The burger" for me and my father in law. Praise from us both. What a good freaking burger! It was really well balanced. The meat wasn't overcooked. Just enough sauce, but not too much. Bun was out of this world. Sautéed onions were just sautéed enough to take in flavor but not mushy. They still had crisp and delicious flavor and texture. Pickle was mild and not over powering. Way to go. Will be back. read more

COPPER KING BURGERS @ SAN MARCOS Parking is small, but there are spots available and is it free. My boyfriend has been talking about this place for so long, so I had to take him here! I'm a student at SDSU, so the drive to San Marcos took about 40 minutes with no traffic on a Saturday night. This spot is first-come, first-served. There are about six tables inside and plenty of seats at the bar. If a table opens up, you basically have to grab it right away or be ready to wait or sit outside. We waited about 5-10 minutes before a table opened up. Once seated, there were menus on the table, and you can either order and pay online through their QR code or go up to the register to order in person. I got their original burger, while my boyfriend went for the pastrami burger. We both ordered tater tots and paid an extra $0.50 for each order that had Cajun seasoning. He also got a Guinness, and said it was great beer and quality! Our total came out to around $60. The staff were super friendly and helpful when we ordered and answered all our questions. The only thing I didn't love was that each sauce cost an extra $0.75, I feel like at least one should come with the burger or sides! There's a self-serve water station near the front entrance, which was nice. The food came out really quickly, and the tater tots were the first thing we tried, wow. They were insanely good crispy, flavorful, fresh, and hot. As for my burger, it was a little too salty for my taste, which was a bummer since I was so excited to try the one that made Rieley and Copper Kings so popular. But the flavor was still solid and overall delicious. My boyfriend was absolutely obsessed with his pastrami burger, it was light, flavorful, and he said he'd definitely recommend it to anyone. Overall, I'd definitely come back here just for the tater tots and to try another burger next time! read more

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Friendly staff, questionable parking lot, inside tables and outside picnic tables, water station near the door. Nice breeze outside. The food was good. The homemade sauces, cheese and dressings were great. Wasn't happy that they charged me $3 for lettuce though. Their homemade buns are way more costly than lettuce. $17+ for a gluten free burger, eh, probably wouldn't go back. read more

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First time here. Best Ruben and tater tots.I door and outdoor seating. Friendly staff. Thank you! read more

Had a fun lunch there on a weekend. It's hard to see from the main street as it is behind another store. Service was great, friendly faces and a pretty simple menu. I got the burger with the onion rings in it and it was delicious. I shared fries with my husband and we couldnt finish it because the burgers were pretty filling. I loved the fries, nice and crispy on the outside. It's not too big on the inside. Probably only groups of 4 can be seated in there, but the outdoor area is suited for bigger parties. A yummy place for a casual hamburger meal. :) read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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As someone who's generally a pretty picky eater when it comes to burgers, Copper King's really impressed me. I usually keep things simple. Most of the time I'm ordering a burger with just meat and cheese, sometimes lettuce, and tomato. This time I built my own double cheeseburger with grilled onions, and honestly, it was one of the best smashburgers I've had in San Diego. The burger itself was the star of the show. The patties had that great crispy smashburger texture, plenty of flavor, and just the right amount of salt for my taste. I've had a lot of smashburgers around San Diego, and this one is probably my favorite so far. They talk a lot about the milk buns they use, and I can see why. The bun was soft, flavorful, and held everything together perfectly. Every bite just worked. My wife and I also shared fries and tater tots, and both were crispy and delicious. No complaints there. Service was friendly and welcoming. We went on a Saturday afternoon and had no wait. The restaurant wasn't packed, but it wasn't empty either. We found a table right away and everything came out quickly. My only minor complaint is the location. If you don't already know where it is, it's easy to miss. It's tucked behind the bowling alley in San Marcos, and parking can be a little limited because it's a smaller spot. That said, the food more than makes up for it. We really enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back. read more

The food is good enough. And the bartender is nice enough. But here's the thing...and I absolutely hate this...if I come to a place and ask if you'll be showing the NBA Finals and you tell me yes...and I make sure by saying, yeah I'd like to stay and order if and only if you'll be showing the game and you say, "Definitely"...so then I order food and drink which I finish and thennn and only then do you tell me, "Sorry we don't get that game"...well then you've just fucking cheated me haven't you? Eh...what's one less customer amiright? And thennnnn it took another 5 minutes to get anyone's attention so that I could pay and gtfo there so I can go and actually watch the game somewhere. Cherry on top. read more

Torn between 3 and 4 stars, 3.5. My first time, the burger was extremely salty. I love salt, and I tend to over salt my meat, but this was just too much, even for me. My 2nd time, the burger was not too salty, but still on the salty side. Don't get me wrong, if not a heavy hand with the salt, these would be the best burgers in NCSD. Fries are crispy and delicious though. Will try again and update my review. Smash burger Great beer selection Homemade buns read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Big Burger 9oz - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Hidden burger spot! Really good burgers and fries. A little overpriced, but other than that- everything was great. They have outside seating and the bar is inside. The staff is helpful. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

Best smash burger I have ever had. Everyone inside is so friendly. Their sauces are legit. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Western with dusted Tots - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

The Burger ($13.50) - This is a high-quality, no-frills burger! The highlight was their Copper Sauce, which was like an elevated In-n-Out sauce. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

These burgers are the best! Finally came here after trying it at a yelp event and oh my god i forgot how bomb this place is!! It is a bit hidden from the road but the posted signs are visible you just need to look for them. Cute little shack, no table service but the workers were still really nice to check up on us :) Definitely worth a try, their happy hour menu is pretty good too, good prices! read more

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I've read and heard the hype about this place. As a local in San Marcos had to give this place a try finally! We came in, wasn't sure of the ordering process as it was our first time. We made our way to the side of the bar counter, by the entrance of the restaurant. We waited as someone else ordered ahead of us. We placed an order with the cashier - three total burgers, 1 Original burger, 1 plain cheeseburger for a kid, and a build your own bacon cheeseburger. 3 sides, we added onion rings, tater tots and pickled plate. 3 soft drinks. Total after tip $85. Food was good. Burgers were slightly overcooked, still juicy, bun was a bit dry, a bit crumbly. Onion rings were unfortunately a big miss. Roughly 10-12 rings but all were overcooked, very crispy. Expensive for $10. Pickle plate was good - enjoyed the pickled beets. Maybe we ordered incorrectly, would love to try it again! I think since I had very high hopes because of all the great reviews, I was just a bit disappointed overall. read more

Great place Recommend sitting at bar So you don't have to go to register to order The food was great though read more

Absolutely phenomenal! Best burger I've had in San Diego! We came on a Friday night and the place was lively both inside and out but not packed. We got the GOAT burger and a mushroom burger with tots and fries. The staff was friendly, but note they encourage you to order via QR code (staff can take your order if that option doesn't work!). Overall a great experience and definitely want to go back and maybe try the happy hour too. read more

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The burgers are always amazing, today I tried The Burger I believe it's one of their classic burgers with copper king sauce it was really good it had a very creamy mustard taste to it so if your into mustard I recommend it! Also the Western burger was amazing the bacon on it was so good. We ordered a side of tater tots & onions rings which are both perfectly fried. read more

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A hidden gem in San Marcos with the most amazing burgers! As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the bartender. There are QR codes to scan on the tables but out server was also quick to bring out menus. He explained the menu and made a few recommendations. I had the G.O.A.T. and can honestly say, it was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. The Hubs ordered the Big Burger with bacon and he too enjoyed his sandwich. We also shared an order of tater tots. Everything was cooked to perfection and the tater tots were crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. There was good music playing and the sound level was low enough for us to have a nice conversation without yelling. Service 10/10 Ambiance (on the patio) 8/10 Food 100/10 We'll be back and we highly recommend! read more

Copper Kings Burgers - The G.O.A.T. and tater tots - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

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I really enjoyed the burgers here--honestly some of the best hand-crafted burgers in San Marcos. Easily 5 stars based on food quality alone. That said, the experience was disappointing in one major way. The restaurant has a strict no-modifications policy. My wife is vegetarian and wanted to order the wedge salad without the lardons (pork). We weren't asking for substitutions or anything complicated--just to leave off the meat. Unfortunately, they refused. Because of that inflexibility, we won't be returning. It's a shame, because the food itself is excellent, but they've lost us as customers. read more

Burger & bar joint in San Marcos. I had a bit of trouble finding it my first time since you cannot easily see it from the main street, but it is next to the San Marcos Public Storage. Dog friendly patio. Seating inside & out. TVs in both areas, perfect place to go for game days. Every visit has been encountered with short interactions. There is a QR code on the end of the table & you *should* order from there. The few times we ordered at the register, they seemed annoyed that we came up. Nonetheless, food was good. They serve a variety of burgers, salads, appetizers such as Tator Tots & Chili Cheese Fries, desserts such as ice cream & pie & baked goods near the register. They also have monthly specials, happy hour deals & a Puppy Patty for dogs. They charge extra for sauces. The Burger: I have tried several burgers here but this tried & true classic takes the cake. Deliciously, marinated smashed patty. Slightly sweet, fluffy bun. & Copper Sauce to die for, yum! Tater Tots: A must get with any burger. Anaconda Bar: "Grown up Klondike Bar", 100% accurate. So tasty & sweet. I love the honeycomb candy. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - The Burger, Tater Tots - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

I have been lucky to first try Copper Kings when they were still doing pop ups at Wild Barrel Brewery during the Pandemic, and was even more excited to hear they had opened their own brick and mortar shop front! We finally had a chance to come by for lunch and we are still very impressed with the quality of the food here! First off, the ambiance is great, ample seating inside and out , with a dog friendly patio as icing on the cake. Everyone is super friendly, and gave the best suggestions when asked. We ordered the fries with the Cajun dusting, The Burger and a BYOB. First off, these burgers are big? And not just because the milk bread bun is fluffy. Each burger was packed with meat and toppings and extremely filling! The fries were hot, crispy and flavorful. You cannot pass up the Cajun dusting, it's the perfect touch of flavor and spice to spruce up the fries. Also, get the ranch. The best pairing of Cajun fries with the ranch dip 10/10 will be back to try more options on the menu, and bringing the dog for his own puppy patty! read more

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CK has been our go-to spot for a long time... long before the brick-and-mortar days, back when they were popping up around the county with their catering trucks. When you arrive, like many modern casual spots (even local breweries), they use a hybrid ordering system: scan a QR code or order directly from the bar or at the register. It's fast, easy, and keeps things moving. Their fries, onion rings, & tater tots are unbeatable, and every burger we've tried has been consistently great. I've even spotted their entrée salads which look amazing, and I may be missing out! The beer is always ice cold, the staff is professional, personable, and attentive, and the dog-friendly patio makes it even better (for leashed, well-behaved doggies). If you're in North County and craving a great burger, Copper Kings is the place. Well done guys! read more

Stumbled across this burger restaurant while in the area for some entertainment. I never heard of Cooper Kings Burgers. But, I love it when that happens - great opportunity to try something new. They're absolutely right..."Life's too short for crappy burgers". Since it was getting late, a shareable plate seemed ideal. The Burger Fries stood out from the rest of the shareables. What's great to know is there are a variety of house-made sauces, like Copper and Ranch. I'm a huge fan of "from scatch". And now, I'm a fan of Copper Kings Burgers based on their friendly staff and quick customer service. I can't wait to go back for the full smash style burger experience. read more

Copper Kings Burgers - Burgers Near Me - San Marcos, California

I just got the simple The Burger. I did not leave disappointed. The burger was big and the patties were nice and crispy on the edges. I would say the price is quite fair for the size you're getting. Service was a highlighted. Every employee seemed to care about the restaurant and customers. From taking orders to cleaning up, everything was personable. The ambiance is a typical burger places. They have outdoor seating, indoor seating, and a bar. I went during lunch time on a weekday and it was pretty full inside. I would be happy to come again and to try more items. read more

Had a great first experience at Copper Kings Burger thanks to the delicious food, great service, and spacious outdoor patio! Ordered "the big burger" and fries to split with a side of ranch...food came out quickly and staff checked in multiple times to ensure we had everything we needed for a great meal. Saw their happy hour menu and definitely want to go back to check that out! read more