Been a while since I've been out in PB and was looking for a solid smash burger....this place was definitely for the win. Food came out super fast and incredibly priced. Friendly staff and had the pleasure of meeting the owner Ronald who was just as great as the food. Will definitely be back! read more

I love this place Excellent food for fatties Really affordable And the employees are really kind read more

For The Win - Front - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Pretty solid burger spot! There's only 2 tables outside so I'd say this is more of a grab and go restaurant. I came for the BOGO free which was pretty value. The sweet potato fries were really well made and were probably my fav in awhile. Overall good and would be down to visit again if I'm in the area. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Victim of TikTok, I was pretty excited to come try this place and it was overall a bad experience that I will not be coming back. Street parking only. I went on a Sunday afternoon and the place is super small only 2 tables outside. We ordered through the kiosk, 1 cheeseburger sauce on the side with lettuce and tomato, double cheeseburger, sweet potato fries and a chocolate shake. We waited about 15-20 mins and took it to go. We decided to eat in the car. Huge disappointment when I took a sip of the shake and even more disappointed when we opened the bag/burgers!!! The chocolate shake was not it. It taste like I would make it at home, it doesn't taste quality it taste like nestquik powder and is very runny not think. For 8.50 it is over price for a mid drink that I wasn't at all satisfy with. Next on to the burgers my boyfriend and I was like what the heck? We open it to find out it wasn't our order. No lettuce no tomato on mine, not even sauce on the side that I asked. My boyfriend's burger barely had any sauce in it and it had bacon which he didn't order and non of them had pickles. Our burgers were so dry. The only thing that was good was the sweet potato fries but it was still on the soggier/ mushy side. Overall 30$ for this was not worth it in my opinion since TikTok said it was cheap I don't think it's cheap because the portions were very small. Oh and the price of the chocolate shake is 8.50 at the kiosk but it says on their menu 7.50. I just felt like the quality wasn't there as well. This will be my first and last time here. read more

See all

This burger spot in Pacific Beach has a small location and menu, but very tasty food! Service was speedy, and the burgers and fries were made fresh. There is not much space to sit due to its small size, but there are a couple tables outside that you can eat at. We tried several items on the menu, including: Chocolate milkshake - this was super yummy and not overly sweet with a great texture and whipped cream on top Loaded fries - this came with a cheesy sauce and onions, which were both very tasty, but it was not my overall favorite because the sauce made the fries less crispy. Sweet potato fries - these were super crispy and both sweet and salty at the same time. They were definitely some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had! Would highly recommend getting these! Cheeseburger - these smashed burgers come with pickle, sautéed onions, and the house sauce on a light and tasty bun. The size is not huge, but the flavors are great and the price is very reasonable. Overall, I would recommend checking out the spot if you were in PB and trying the whole menu. Prices are super reasonable and service is quick! read more

The pictures don't do it justice and while today's burger wasn't amazing, I'm a fan of For the Win and have been dining at the LA locations for years. I'm glad to see there's a shop in PB. The seating sucks which dampened the experience but the burgers and loaded fries are worth being uncomfortable. Their fry sauce is tangy with a hint of sweetness and makes the meal. It's a walk up window but the guy helping was friendly. Prices are reasonable but please get rid of the Pepsi products and stock Coke and Coke Zero. The Dr P and Sunkist options are great though. read more

See all

The people here are so nice, considerate and friendly! Especially Jair who is very accommodating! If u like a little spicy, the smash sauce on the burgers taste like a little spicy version of In N out (: 5 stars for the food and service! read more

My partner and I were doing the second installment of our burger crawl, and For The Win was our first stop. I'd been wanting to try this spot for a while, but all of their locations were previously outside of San Diego County. Once they finally opened one closer to us, my partner reminded me, and it ended up being our starting spot. The shop itself is small with outdoor seating only, which works well for a quick burger stop. We ordered a single cheeseburger and added jalapeños. Overall, the burger was decent, but I wish the patty had a bit more seasoning. The pickles were okay, though not really my favorite, and the sauce was solid but didn't stand out. The highlight for me was the potato bun nicely toasted and well buttered. While it didn't completely blow me away, I'd still be willing to give it another try. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

solid burger and open late at night. thought the texture was a little mushy but the flavor was nice. maybe a little greasy for some folks read more

For The Win - double Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

It's a small shop but they are serving up some damn good burgers. The cashier was friendly and our food was ready in less than 10 minutes. I got the double cheeseburger and added jalapenos. I really enjoyed the flavors and the texture of the burger. It's one of those burgers where it does the little things right. The loaded fries were really tasty and are similar to animal-style fries since it has grilled onions, fry sauce, and cheese. The consitency was a lot more loose and smooth which I really liked. All in all For the Win is a great burger spot and worth checking out! read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Always on a smash burger hunt and happy this one came from LA. SERVICE - You order from a screen and either take it to go or sit outside. This is not a traditional restaurant setting. It feels more like a visible kitchen where the focus is entirely on the food, which I actually loved. FOOD Cheeseburger - The edges were crisp and even though it was smashed, it was not dry at all. The burger held together perfectly with the meat, cheese, and onions in every bite. Simple and done right. Fries - Perfectly crisp and perfectly salted. I am honestly drooling just thinking about them. Sweet Potato Fries - I only like sweet potato fries when they are done well, and these absolutely were. Just as crisp as the regular fries, which is rare. I love how simple the menu is. You can tell they have perfected what they do. Easily a top three smash burger for me. Highly recommend. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Visited San Diego for the first time it was the best burgers I've had in any restaurant and their sauce was so good. The milkshake easily has so many calories in it I can tell but it was very good I had strawberry shake. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

It goes without saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however the level of disrespect in the reviews is outrageous. Put some respect on FTW!! I'm not even a smash burger fan, but this burger, and their fries, are straight up delicious! I've had it twice, and both times it was fire. Pricey for the portions, but fire. Let me first speak to some of the criticism from the lightweight Negative Nelson's and Nancy's that have entered the discussion. No surprise, it's PB and the parking sucks, but it's not nearly as bad as places that are closer to the beach. Admire the sunshine and beautiful breeze while you stroll from your parking spot. Okay, they charge a 4% surcharge, but seemingly, who doesn't these days??? Do I think it's cool, hells nah. Surcharges are bogus, but it doesn't justify a one star review. On top of their already higher prices, I totally agree it's a bit over priced, hence the 4 stars. The bun itself is intentionally small, but it's a really good bun-pillowy soft with the tiniest hint of sweetness. The patties are thin (hello smash burger), but extend far beyond the circumference of the bun, providing that perfect "Meat Hang" (you heard it here first-ain't that right Joy?). For those of you keeping score and bringing my former bosses into the equation, these patties are 3oz. each, making them 1.5 times the weight of an In-N-Out patty. It's a small walk-up establishment, like many other awesome PB spots (Big Jim's and Square Pizza I see you!), so yeah, the seating situation isn't ideal, especially for big groups. I guess you'll just have to take it back to your place, and hope all 5 of your roommates aren't already sitting on the couch...lolol. I'm just having fun here folks, so I hope you're not triggered, in your feelings, etc. For a smash burger, I thought it was really good, from the sauce, to the fries, to the beef and the bun. Please send me a compliment with your favorite smash burger spot, and I'll put it on my list. Please just don't mention that spot down the street that won't even let you order a burger without cheese...lol. Enjoy. Thanks to the crew at FTW! read more

See all

For The Win has a tiny storefront.  There are a few tables on the sidewalk.  I like eating outside except for the car fumes and flies.  I ordered a double hamburger with bacon.  The beef pattie was the thinnest I've seen.  A good part of it was crunchy with zero moisture.  I've eaten thicker potato chips. The rest was well done.  Lettuce and tomato were fresh and crisp.  Bacon was crunchy with a nice smoky flavor.  This is not the kinda burger I like.  I prefer thick juicy beef patties. Staff was nice and my burger came out quick. read more

See all

I am always looking out for another burger spot to go to. I was in PB and walking down Garnet and Cako pulled me over to FTW. She smelled something good! LOL! It is a small store front and there's a kiosk to order from. No alcohol, just soft drinks. Ordered a double smash with bacon, fries and a soda. There are two tables in front that seat four people each. We just waited and someone brought out our bag. The smashburger was delicious! I like how it was really smashed and the edges were crispy. I also liked the crispy fries! I would have to say, the burger here challenges other places like Hayes and The Friendly. It was great to sit out front and watch people. PB has changed a lot. Lots of places have come and gone. It's good to know there's a new place in town that's very good...and open till 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. I was surprised about the 4% kitchen service charge. Cako approves! read more

See all

My husband really wanted to try this place bc he saw it online. We were able to come on a Monday late afternoon. We found street parking right up front. It's a quick and walk up type of establishment. Seating is outside and it was not busy so there were empty tables. The man who took our order was welcoming and nice. We ordered the original cheeseburgers, a single and double with the loaded fries. Burgers were really good and flavorful. It was messy to eat. They were smash burgers. This place is out of the way, but if we're in the area I would come back. read more

For The Win - Cheeseburger (single & double) + Loaded Fries - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was amazing! I thought it was odd that they served Brussel sprouts but they also were good! Definitely some place I will go again. I got the single cheeseburger with bacon and my husband got the double cheeseburger with bacon and we shared the brussel sprouts and smothered fries. All was amazing, however the smothered fries have grilled onions which was mot a good surprise for me! read more

See all

Heard about this place from TikTok. The famous smash burger spot from LA has finally hit San Diego. Went here on a Monday afternoon around 5PM. It's just a quick walk-up and order spot, nothing fancy. No ambience since it's all outdoor quick dining. I can see how it can appeal to drunken nights in PB. I ordered the double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, and the loaded fries. My wife got the single cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and jalapeño. Add two bottles of water and it ended up being around $42. The service was about standard. The burger was pretty damn good. I would easily come back. read more

See all

I came here for the first time the other day. I was about to order off the big screen because the worker was stocking the drink fridge but then he said he would take my order. I got a double cheeseburger & sweet potato fries with a side of fry sauce. It was about $23. It was made fresh to order and ready within 5 minutes. The worker was really nice. I would highly recommend! read more

See all

Visited For the Win since it was voted LA's #1 smashburger and recently made its way down to San Diego. Honestly, I didn't find anything too amazing here. The food was good but definitely mid and not worth all the hype, so it did not justify the high prices. They even charge $0.50 just to add lettuce, and if you want lettuce and tomato it's $1 extra. I don't remember what the other add ons cost. I will say the bacon was cooked perfectly, and the meat patties were smashed & cooked well so you get crispy edges Food did come out in decent time, 10 mins after placing order, but the seating situation is rough. There are only 4 small tables, two are pushed together to fit four people. But there's no space between tables so if you end up sharing with strangers it gets pretty uncomfortable trying not to bump elbows. The tables are low and the seats are only enough for legroom, making it an awkward eating position overall. Overall, quick service but overpriced for what you get and not a comfortable spot to dine in. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

The food is absolutely delicious. Made very fresh in front of you and everything is super clean the employees are nice and the ambience is cute read more

For The Win - Front - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Sweet Potato Fries were absolutely fire. Good price for a smash burger. Great location. Would recommend.

Double Cheeseburger ($13.40) - This was a solid smashburger and each component was well-executed. I've tried multiple burger spots recently and this one didn't stand out, but it's still worth trying. read more

For The Win - Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

I was so looking forward to trying For the Win since it came to San Diego so I made the somewhat short journey to PB. I would consider myself somewhat of a conossieur of smash burgers and I've had a lot of good ones here in San Diego. I got a double smash cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce and jalapenos. I won't say the burger was bad because it wasn't. I just didn't get the true taste of the beef because I think the tomato, lettuce, and sauce overpowered the beef flavor. Also, there is no inside seating. There are a total of 4 small tables with 4 seats each just outside the shop on the sidewalk. It was a windy day and I had to be strategic with my water bottle, brussel sprouts box and burger box to weigh down the paper bag and napkins from blowing away. The burger was very messy so I had to use a lot of napkins. As far as the brussel sprouts, they were just alright. They were a little soggy and not as crispy as I wanted them. When I come back, I will get a burger without the tomato and lettuce and give it another shot. read more

See all

This spot was unfortunately not a win. Food was cheep two burgers, loaded fries, two can beverages and two ranch was $40. When me and my boyfriend received our food my burger was missing the extra i paid for the bacon. He went back and they fixed it for free and let us keep the burger. Then the burger i received was missing my second add on the lettuce. I just ate it as it.The young man's service was extremely nice. The environment seemed very clean. The place was packed but the rush went by quickly. Unfortunately when we tried our food it wasn't good. The meat was very dry and it didn't taste like the meat had any seasoning. The cheese saved the burger. There was a lot of sauce on my burger so the bottom bun got soggy. The fries were frozen shoelace. The ranch wasn't home made and almost $1 it wasn't good at all. Overall not a idea place to get dinner at. read more

For The Win - building - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

For The Win has entered the SD smashburger market by taking over a narrow suite comprised of a service window and kitchen in the heart of PB. The space has been the home of a BBQ joint and multiple taco spots over the past decade, all of whom could not sustain consistent business. This LA-based vendor has lots of competition on Garnet Ave as several burger places have opened over the past couple of years. The hamburgers and cheeseburgers were available as single, double, or triple patties. Each patty was less than 0.2 lb so we're talking a thin layer of beef that was smashed with grilled onions and served on a toasted Martin's potato bun. Pickles and fry sauce were the toppings. At a surcharge, add-ons could be selected to modify the burger. The five choices were bacon, pickled jalapeños, lettuce wrap, lettuce & tomato, and a gluten-free bun. The listed sides were regular fries, sweet potato fries, brussels sprouts, and loaded fries. Soft drinks and shakes rounded out the menu. I picked a Regular (single) Cheeseburger for my to-go order. After paying the cashier, I sat on a stool and waited about 15 minutes for my burger. There was a small countertop and two tables on the sidewalk for on-site dining, but this was definitely a takeout business. The cheeseburger was slightly larger than a slider. The meat was cooked well with crispy edges, but nine dollars was pricey for the serving size. You can get twice the amount of beef for $0.50 more at a well-known local corner pub in the southern part of this neighborhood. I could not award more than three stars for my experience at For The Win. read more

See all

For The Win finally made it to San Diego, in the Pacific Beach area, perfect spot among all the action for beach vibes. The smash burger is their claim of fame. Street parking might be a challenge. It's a micro restaurant, basically a stand between another competitor burger shop and a tattoo parlor.No indoor, only limited outdoor seating. After ordering I can see the kitchen and the staffers at work. The staffers wore gloves while preparing food. Didn't like seeing the floor full of food and trash debris both in the kitchen and around the seating areas, which should have been maintained more frequently to attract potential customers and not deter current ones. Order, pay and pick up at the counter...service staff were nice, friendly and helpful. First time I tried it was at the Venice Beach location. I liked it but since the burger Patties were so flat, I would suggest getting 3 patties with all the toppings to enjoy the full splurge effect. I ordered three Patties one slice of cheese, grilled onions and extra pickles. The final product looked kinda gnarly with its crispy edges which runneth over the buns...but it did taste good, even my pup liked it, sans onions of course. Turns out beef tallow fat fries are good for you, so get that and don't forget to get the sweet treat of the soft serve/milkshake yummy. Indulge and just go For The Win! Recommend. read more

See all

Was in San Diego so we got try this legit LA burger legend. Hole in the wall- very little seating, no sign and best of all no lines. Seems not too many people knew who they were yet. Food was great- tasty, and yummy and single cheeseburger ( added tomato) was snack size and the sweet potatoes were fire. So addictive. Nice touch was the option of a gf bun for the hubby. Good value for the money $$ read more

See all

Awesome smash burger with great fries to match! They are a quick service best for to go. They only have 2 tables with 4 seats each out front if you opt to eat your food there. We were lucky enough to get a table to enjoy our food there. Food was served piping hot. Love that their shoestring fries have a slight coating on them to make them crisp. Would definitely come back during non busy times because of the street parking and limited tables. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Tasty burgers, high price (around $12 I think for a double cheeseburger). The smashed patties and average size bun mean this isn't a burger that will fill you up on its own. The flavor was delicious and soft bun was enjoyable. The fries were good but nothing special. It's unfortunate that sauces (other than ketchup) cost extra as those would elevate the fries. We ordered the burgers & fries to go and they forgot our second burger. Luckily. We noticed before we left the business, but this would have been a tragic error! The small location in PB is best for takeout. There is limited outdoor seating and a tiny indoor space that isn't suitable for groups waiting. I'd love to have these yummy burgers again, but the restaurant environment and price aren't competitive in San Diego's burger scene. read more

For The Win - Double cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

These burgers are definitely not aesthetically pleasing, but they're pretty tasty. Definitely greasy, but satisfied my craving for a burger. Would prob be a fantastic drunk meal, to be honest. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I was in the area and I stopped by to grab an order since I've seen so much videos on social media. I believe this is a chain from LA. There were only one option and you can add more patty or less + cheese. The fries can be plain or cheesed up. There were options for sodas and extra sauce too. This is more of a to go order kind of place and there were one or two chairs with a table outside you can sit on to eat/while you wait. Even though we took ours home, it was still amazing! Although it is a little heavy so be prepared to be in a food coma after you eat I would def come here if I wanted a hearty meal or a fat burger after the bar since it is right by Parking is not that great, it's mostly street parking unless you pay for ace parking read more

TLDR: For the Win offers a tasty smashburger and solid sides in a small, takeaway-focused space. While the food is well-executed, the burger portions are small, and prices are high for what you get. Good, but not a standout for the cost. Overview: For the Win, a micro burger chain based out of Los Angeles, is a compact burger shop in Pacific Beach serving up classic smashburgers, fries, and a few sides. The menu is tight and focused, and the burger is clearly the centerpiece. Execution is solid overall, and the food held up well even after a ten-minute walk, which matters since the setup is primarily geared toward takeaway. The interior is minimal, with just a handful of stools and no self-serve condiments or drink stations. It functions more like a walk-up counter than a traditional dine-in restaurant, so if you're expecting a full-service experience, it's worth adjusting your expectations. Food: The burger is the standout. The thin 2.8 oz smash patties (I asked the woman working the counter) have a well-developed Maillard crust and stay juicy. The toasted potato bun is fluffy and holds everything together without getting soggy. The house sauce adds a subtle spicy kick that complements the meat without overwhelming it. While the flavor and texture are satisfying, the portion size is where it falls short. A double burger doesn't even amount to half a pound of meat, and at $12.50, it feels a bit underwhelming for the price, especially considering the limited dine-in experience. The fries were good as well. They're thin-cut, well-seasoned, and served in a generous portion. They have a slight crispiness but don't reach the level of texture and contrast found at more standout burger spots. Still, they hold up well and pair nicely with the house fry sauce. The crispy Brussels sprouts were another solid side. They're not too oily, have a nice crunch, and are dressed with a tangy balsamic vinegar. The sauce could be distributed more evenly, but overall, the flavor was satisfying. The portion size on the sprouts was also reasonable, especially when compared to the burger. As for the sauces, the fry sauce adds a bit of heat and complements both the fries and burger, though it's not particularly unique and resembles a standard burger sauce. The ranch was the least impressive: bland and lacking depth. Given that you must purchase portions of these sauces, I was expecting more. Final Thoughts: For the Win serves a well-made burger with attention to detail and a couple of solid sides. If you're nearby and looking for a quick smashburger, it gets the job done. However, when you consider the price, small burger portions, limited seating, and the added 4 percent surcharge, it starts to feel a bit expensive for what is ultimately a takeaway-focused experience. It's also worth noting that San Diego Eater described this place as having a "low price point," which doesn't really reflect the experience. While the fries and Brussels sprouts offer decent value, the burger itself feels undersized, and the lack of dine-in comforts makes the pricing harder to justify. Overall, this is a solid spot that covers the basics well, but it doesn't do quite enough to set itself apart. If you're nearby, you might consider giving it a try, but with Rocky's just a few minutes away offering a better value and a sit-down experience, that might be the better call if you're in the mood for a great burger. read more

See all

It was honestly just okay... I had higher expectations but I've had better smash burgers. Service was great and it's a tiny little spot for a late night burger if that's what you are looking for read more

Wasn't a fan. Maybe smash burgers aren't for me but the patty was ridiculously thin even for a smash burger, GF bun was average, and the shredded lettuce just all came together for an average burger. Dingy little tables outside to eat on a busy PB street. I was excited bc this place was so hyped up. Also it was so expensive!!! Not worth read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

The burger is a bit much lots over-priced for what you get. I thought it didnt have lettuce, apparently it does but hard to tell at times. Thinner than an in n out burger. Only way I see myself stopping by again is late late night, no other options (almost impossible) or tired of rigoberto's, daves hot chicken, theo's hot pizza...... read more

For The Win - A bit overpriced burger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Well After a nice Easter on Sunday we were Looking for some where to eat . So As usual I always like a good burger and we look on Yelp and of course For The Win comes up and I look at the Pictures and it got my taste buds going . So Off we went . We get here and Parking can be a pain because you have to park on the side streets and pay the meter . But we got lucky and there was a spot of front and we parked . Next we walk in and you have to order on the big Touchscreen pad and the worker will bring your food out to you . We did not have to wait long . There are a couple of tables in front of the restaurant and chairs but no tables inside . Well we got our burgers and we ordered the cheese burger and fries it was a reasonable price and as I took my first bite boy it was delicious nice a soft and burger was juicy as for the fries it was good also . I do recommend you give For The Win a try and see for yourself how good it is . I surely can see myself coming here more often for sure !! read more

See all

Solid burger and fries. Service was fast and efficient, and the burger was juicy with cheese that stayed perfectly gooey the whole time. I just wish the patty had a bit more crisp on the edges. The fries gave McDonald's vibes, but upgraded. No indoor dining, just a few metal tables outside, so don't expect to get too comfortable. read more

Delicious Burger! Yum! Really reasonable prices. Super kind owner & staff! They make their own sauce which has a lil kick - sooo good. Enjoyed a shady table outside after the car show. It was perfect. A friend recommended we try this one and we are so glad we did! We will be back and will be thinking about it in the meantime. Thanks, Ron. Nice meeting you!! read more

Delicious smash burger! I had the smash burger and sweet potato fries today and they were both really good and very flavorful. It was about a 5-10 minute wait while the food was freshly prepared. My husband had regular french fries with his burger and ordered a side of their delicious sauce. We will definitely be going back again! read more