The WINNER and STILL CHAMPION is Hodads at Ocean Beach!!! The opponent this trip was Seven Brothers on Oahu, but after finishing the last bite and wiping away a tear, Hodads keeps its title as my favorite burger and burger joint in all my travels. First off, if you're in San Diego, this should be your only must-visit. I rarely go back to places I've already reviewed, but Hodads is a MUST, non-negotiable!!! The dining room is not fancy and looks like a teenager's bedroom with stickers and license plates adorning the walls. While the burger speaks for itself, whether you get the mini, reg, or double, the patties are thick, juicy, with fresh veggies and a soft, sweet bun to soak up those juices. This goes for the onion rings too, that don't seem to come out of the dryer in a bag. At the end of the day, the service was fast and friendly and carried the ocean vibe a Cali burger joint should have. I even picked up my Hodads T-shirt to probably advertise on my travels! My only question and curiosity is in the fries. I'm not a fan of wedges, and I feel like my last visit, they were thick-seasoned traditional fries. Fries or wedges, it will never change how I feel about Hodads!!! read more

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Third time to Hodad's. We ordered pretty much the same as last visit: lettuce wrap cheeseburger and wine for her, bluebird and beer for me we made both into baskets cuz she likes fries, I like rings. After 8 mins, we went chowing down on our dinner. No complaints, with the great food and great service. Enjoy the vibe at Hodad's. read more

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Still one of the best burgers and THE best malt shake I've ever had. They have hand dipped onion rings which I didn't have room for this time but have fond memories of. This place needs no review as it's all been said before and it's reputation is known nationwide thanks to diners, drive in's and dives. A single bacon cheeseburger is hearty enough to fill you up, especially when paired with one of t he or shakes or malts. The picture of the malt speaks for itself. It's definitely a dive, a little dumpy but I love the vibe. Service is quick and courteous. Overall I love coming to Hodads in OB. That's this critic's review, until next time, I'll be eating. read more

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It looks like we have a new burger favorite in Southern California after enjoying Hammy's Smash Burgers in L.A.... our friend and client Marcela recommended us to check out Hodad's as they are an icon in San Diego. I chose the Guido (Fieri) burger with all the fixings, my better half chose the Bacon Cheeseburger, ditto, and our guest the cheeseburger without the lettuce and tomatoes. All of them delicious, juicy and well seasoned patties, small enough buns, fresh greens and CRISPY bacon. My Surf Punk brew was a good match for the food. Oh yes, forgot to mention the rings and fries! Both great as I my system does normally not respond well to onion rings... these were all good to go. Location is fantastic, 100 steps from the beach. Parking is a chore but me calling on the parking angels worked out well. Pro Tip? Eat before 11:30am or after 1:30pm. Lastly, ambiance is what you'd expect from a SoCal burger joint - VW bus stuff as a booth, lots of license plates on the walls, noise, music, the works. You.have.to.go.here.and.check.it.out. read more

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Went here for lunch on my recent trip to SD and everything about this place was amazing. The store has license plates and stickers all over it allowing for a very unique dining experience. It is also right on the main strip in Ocean Beach, right by the water. The only difficult thing may be parking. The food was amazing but do be aware, a "mini" burger is basically a normal sized burger at most places. The service was top tier as the food came out quick and was delicious. I ended up getting the guido burger, some fries and onion rings, and a vanilla shake. All amazing and would definitely recommend this place! read more

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Super yummy burgers and an established San Diego institution! We got 2 cheeseburgers and 2 double cheeseburgers, with onion rings and fries. All were super greasy but super yummy! Definitely had a food coma after lol Super quick and attentive service! Love all the decor and super cute booth inside of the car! (You'll see when you go!) read more

Hodad’s - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here on a Friday night whim, after deciding to catch the sunset at the nearby beach. It was busy, but since we were ordering takeout, we skipped the line and ordered right away. We decided to get a single cheeseburger and a single bacon cheeseburger, both with a basket of onion rings and fries. When we opened the containers, we were surprised at how big the burgers were! This was great, until we had to eat it. Unfortunately, due to the sheer size of the burger, my first bite was straight onion. Speaking of onions, the onion rings were great! Overall, super generous portion sizes, and a good time. I'd like to come back to try a shake! read more

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The fries will always be my favorite thing. We ordered ahead and the service was quick. Sitting inside is fun but when it's busy it's nice to grab it to go and eat at the beach. read more

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First time being able to visit this burger restaurant after seeing Triple D. Luckily my grandson wanted a burger for his birthday. It was delicious. I got the Guido because I love pastrami. others got the mini bacon cheeseburger, Blue jay and kids got chicken fingers and a mini hamburger with fries. My grandsons burger was on the house because it was his birthday. He's only 6 but he did a good job almost finishing it. Onion rings and fries are big and crispy. Loved the decor of skateboards and license plates. Will definitely dine again next time we're in town. read more

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Simple place for a seriously delicious burger that has you using like 50 napkins. They're generous with their portions and it just tastes amazing. Come to this San Diego classic. read more

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Visited again recently and it wasn't very good. Stood waiting at the front for a while even though it wasn't busy and multiple tables were empty. Wait staff passed by many times. Finally got seated after about 5 minutes but was directed to a table someone was standing at...so had to be redirected to another table. Noticed multiple other parties arriving after were seated immediately with zero wait. They have a service fee charge now that is added to every bill. Ordered double bacon cheeseburger $28. It was just okay. Dripping in oil. Bacon was too hard to eat. Buns were cold. Also got onion ring basket $5.50. The onion rings were hot/fresh but were undercooked. Outside tasted mushy and onion was undercooked. Clerk will hand check to you towards the end and then you pay at the register. If you pay cash note they round down or up due to penny shortage. read more

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Went here for the first time and it was really good! The vibe in the restaurant was fun and loved that they had the little car to sit in. Service was quick after you sat down. Burgers were good and classic, just had a lot of sauce in it but some people may like that! Onion rings were just ok in my opinion. But definitely will be back! read more

I went with MY PARTNER and MY SISTER IN LAW, to celebrate my 62ND BIRTHDAY!!! It didn't disappoint. We walked in to find a pretty crowded restaurant, but there was 1 HighTop near the Wall. It was perfect for me as a disabled person, high and good for my back!!! WE FOUND THE RESTAURANT TO BE, everything we thought it would be!!! License Plates, EVERYWHERE!!! We were served at the table, and they even brought an ELECTRONIC CC PROCESSOR to the table, when we were done. We started with drinks, I had a DIET PEPSI, My Partner an Iced Tea, and My Sister In Law a MICHELADA. THRN, I ordered the GUIDO BURGER, and My Partner and My Sister In Law ordered the DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER!!! We also ordered a side of FRIES and a side of ONION RINGS!!! SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT, from being seated to them taking our ORDER. I made a couple of requests, cut my hamburger in HALF, and get a KNIFE!!! IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST BEST BESR BIRTHDAY DINNES, ever!!! read more

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We got there right before 7:30 pm on Thursday night. We had to do one lap around the block to find free parking but it was worth saving $20. We were seated quickly and beat the rush. My we got the mini bacon burgers, fries, double bacon cheese burger, and the Blue Jay burger. My 8 year old devoured his burger but my 6 year old twins could have shared it. The fries came out fast and hot! They were amazing and the basket was overflowing. I liked mixing the ranch and bbq together to dip them in. I loved that the burgers came with all the man toppings with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mayo, onion, and pickles. My Blue Jay burger was massive and full of blue cheese. My husband and I ended up switching burgers but they were both massive. Cool decor and vibe. Our server and other workers were always checking on us. Next time I want to get a shake. read more

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Everything is good here. The decor, the location, the people, food , and beer. It's a not to be missed OB gem I have been coming to for years. The fries are plump and perfect to cooked, burgers are big and prepared well and the beer is delicious. It WILL be busy n the weekends and during the summer, but it's worth the wait. read more

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New to SD and was around the OB area, fortunately one of the best burgers could be found here. This was my experience. AMBIANCE: Parking: Classic beach-town parking -- mostly street parking and it gets busy. Plan to come early or be patient. Seating: Indoor seating for about 50 people. Good for groups, solo diners, or anyone grabbing a quick bite. Vibes: Peak Ocean Beach energy -- live music nearby, bars buzzing, and the beach just a stroll away. Inside, you get full surf-shack aesthetics: license plates, stickers, posters, and photos everywhere. Alternative rock playing in the background sets the tone. And yes... you can literally eat inside a car. Super fun place to kick back and catch up with a friend. FOOD/DRINKS: Guido Burger (Highly Recommend): The famous burger (Guido = slang for Italian-American) made famous by Guy Fieri on Triple D! A loaded beef patty stacked with pastrami, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup, and spicy brown mustard. The pastrami twist takes it over the top -- rich, smoky, and satisfying. The Swiss adds creaminess, the onions bring sweetness, and the mustard gives just the right amount of kick. Throw in fries on top and you're in for a serious treat. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Fast, friendly, and efficient -- props to the staff for holding it down, even when the place gets packed. TL; DR OVERALL: 4 Stars. Solid! Great food, simple selections, and a fun experience. Hodad's lives up to its reputation with affordable, high-quality burgers and no-frills charm. If you're in OB and need a bite, this is your spot. Best wishes to the Hardin family and the Hodad's team! TIPS: * If you want something smaller, go for the mini -- just know it's not that mini. * https://youtube.com/shorts/RsNWInOXt6g?si=kj9SW6KK2YjepZ4x read more

Hodad’s - Wooo! - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been here in numerous times I can't believe I haven't reviewed it I've also been to the one in downtown San Diego just a great burger we came in it was pretty busy on a Friday night but we got in pretty quick waiter took our order took a little bit because it was busy but the burger was outstanding as usual the onion rings and Fries were delicious and we shared them vanilla milkshake their milkshakes are just top notch and I can honestly say it is definitely one of the best hamburgers in the state and of course we will be back and like I said been here countless numbers of times and surprised I haven't reviewed it but it's great come here and eat there's several locations this is the original lot of nostalgia come on down get a burger. read more

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When we visit our daughter after she returns from naval deployment we always come here. Onion rings, fries @ those burgers are legit amazing If your in town and are craving a burger this is your jam 100% read more

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Hodad's: I Died and Went to Burger Heaven! From the moment you walk in, Hodad's hits you with a great vibe--funky decor, featuring license plates and stickers on every square inch, and loud music with all the right sounds. The staff is incredibly friendly and the service is excellent. They even have clean restrooms! Talk about the main event: the burgers. They are phenomenal. If you like bacon, you must try the Single Bacon Cheese Burger--"I never had bacon on a burger that good". The beef is so juicy, it might just be the "juiciest burger ever" (and trust me, you will need lots of napkins!). My personal recommendations include the Blue Jay Burger with/ grilled onions and the Guido Burger with onion rings. The Guido, inspired by Guy Fieri, is outstanding, especially with the excellent addition of pastrami. Hodad's isn't just a meal; it's an experience read more

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Always delish, always hits the spot. No complaints here. Love the simplicity of the burgers here. read more

Hodad’s - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was great, service was questionable. We were sat instantly but the waiters all ignored us for at least 10 minutes after being sat. Not sure if it was a miscommunication between the hostess / servers but we let it slide once we were helped. Our waiter was helpful and made up for the long wait. Once we got our food and ate for a few minutes, we were given our check, this felt like we were being rushed.. we were hoping to get dessert so we weren't sure why our check had been closed. Our check was closed by a different person, not our waiter... we flagged her down and asked if we could get a milkshake and she rolled her eyes... disappointing because the food was actually delicious. read more

My husband was stationed in San Diego and this place holds many happy memories for him. That being said, every time we are in town we must stop in for a burger. This time we had our adult children in tow so we took up the big table in the center of the room. They got the biggest kick out of the license plates that adorn the walls. The burgers are ok, but wish they had more flavor. The fries and onion rings were great. They have a nice beer selection and a couple Ranch waters but no ciders... why was my question... they even have some wines. I think you come here for the vibe more than anything... and a great staff! You can tell they love their jobs! read more

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Hodads is a must in Ocean Beach!! We had the BEST service from Eric. The food was delicious! Will definitely be back

This was a funky joint with license plates hanging everywhere and music blasting. They had a simple menu consisting of mostly burgers. The service was appreciated, and the food came out promptly. I went with the Guido burger ($18) with fries ($4.50). I thought the extra cost on fries was a little much just based on the amount that was given. They were good and crispy while coming out hot, but I was expecting a little more given the price. The burger was served with pastrami, ketchup, pickles, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and spicy brown mustard. The burger was cooked to a medium temperature and was seasoned appropriately. The pastrami bites at times were a little too salty, but overall, I enjoyed that addition. The seeded bun was an underrated aspect too. It was a simple burger with a creative addition done right. Will I go back? I would. read more

Hodad’s - Guido Burger with Fries - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't recall how many times already I've been to Hodads in Ocean Beach. My wife and I like to walk around the area for the stores and the beach, and after we walk around, we always pass by Hodads. Most of the time, this location is always packed, so sometimes we just order to go and eat by the beach while watching the sunset. Our usual order here is their DOUBLE BACON CHESSEBURGER, HALF ONION RINGS, and the GUIDO BURGER. Their Double Bacon cheeseburger here is big, the meat is juicy and delicious. The Guido is a normal size but also juicy and good. Half onion rings are a good enough size for 3. Parking is a challenge since it's so close to the beach and so many small stores and places to eat around read more

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Went for the first time as a tourist and I can honestly say the service was amazing! The place is unique with all the plate numbers and stickers but it's the beach vibe. As for the burgers, they were good but greasy. Onions rings and fries were crispy and delicious. Definitely would revisit next time I'm back in SD read more

Excellent! I'm so glad we tried this location as the petco park location is not it! What a difference in quality and flavor. Love the vibe inside, super chill and excellent service. I ordered the mini cheeseburger and onion rings which both were delicious. My husband ordered the huge blue cheese one lol. Very large portions and even took some onions rings to snack on later. The draft beer was super cold and refreshing. We will def be back when we are back in town. read more

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My niece loves "meat". So when they came to visit, I had to bring them here for a righteous burger. We got there at an opportune time, almost no line, food parking! Amongst the five of us, we ordered most every version of burger. All of them great!!! The blue jay burger was a huge hit! My favorite will alwys be the onion rings! The single burgers are enough to fill us up, even if you skipped breakfast. The girls loved looking at all the license plates hung on the wall, looking for all the states they have been too. Then they had to take a photo in the two seater VW table. The music was on as was the service. read more

Hodad’s - Single Bacon Cheeseburger with Onion Rings - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Finally tried this San Diego staple and it was good, but nothing incredible. 2 burgers with fries and onion rings came out to $50, which is a little much for nothing too special. I mean, it's delicious but after so much hype and the constant line outside I guess I was just expecting something more. Had to try it though and glad I did! Their fries were the highlight! read more

Hodad’s - Bacon Cheeseburger Basket with Fries, Single Cheeseburger with Onion Rings - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: 3/5 - just okay to be honest...after all the hype, we dropped in for a quick burger. Felt like the burger lacked character - bread was meh, burger patty was good, but not great. Weren't blown away by this burger, but definitely good. Onion rings were really good though, crunchy, flavorful, and well made. Service: 4/5 - no frills type, order at the counter Ambiance: 4/5 - unique surfer/dive bar vibes, very different read more

Best burgers in town ! It's a must have ! Delicious wait til u have a milkshake! Bought our stickers last year n they are still up . Love this place read more

Hodad’s - All the stickers u put here! - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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The burgers and shakes are amazing! The portions are huge, the milkshakes are flavorful, and they throw a heaping scoop of strawberry ice cream on top of the shake; the burgers are delicious, some of the best burgers I've had in south Cali. The only letdown is that it gets a little crowded and parking is a nightmare. It gets busy and hectic atmosphere, staff are very welcoming and friendly. read more

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Wow. the food was so good! But the service was even better. Thank you to Colin and Miles for going above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Will definitely be back! read more

Hodad’s - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Hodad's was a solid stop on the list! I had been wanting to try it for a while after hearing all the local lore about this place and honestly it did not disappoint, there was a short wait for a table they also had bar seating but when a table opened up they had no problem with us moving to a high top. The burgers speak for themselves and the onion rings really stood out as well, you will not leave this place hungry! It has a cool atmosphere and fun stuff all over to look at or cool photo opportunities. The guy that took our order was super cool I asked for 1000 island dressing and while they don't have it normally he offered to make some for me at no extra cost and it was really good 1000 island! Definitely recommend this place if you're in the area and want a burger! read more

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Absolutely the worst dining experience I've had in a long time. We waited over an hour and a half just to get our food, which is already unacceptable--but it got worse. When our order finally arrived, the burgers were incomplete and the fries were missing, clearly fallen off the plate. It honestly looked like the waiter tried to scoop fries off the counter and put them back on our plates. We brought it to their attention, expecting them to fix it properly. Instead, we waited another 30 minutes only to be served the exact same food again. No effort, no accountability, and no care for the customer experience. The service was beyond disappointing and felt dismissive, especially if you look like you're from out of town. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere reliable--honestly, you're better off at In-N-Out. Would not recommend ever! read more

Guy Fieri said that this place is good, I think he was right. The milkshake I had was so good It wouldn't stop appearing in my dreams. read more

Hodad’s - Hodad's - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

HODAD'S: HYPE VS. REALITY I dined in on Saturday at 4ish and seats were available. At 530ish there was a line. Stopped by Hodad's for a burger fix and left... underwhelmed. The burger? Meh--nothing special. I ordered the mini burger. Packed on fillings but the patty was seasonless. The shake? Gigantic and pure, definitely the highlight. But the fries? I miss the smaller, crispier version from years ago. In this case, bigger isn't better. Anyone else feel like Hodad's changed over the years? NEED TO KNOW * Wheelchair could be a problem but I guess they'll move chairs, forget about the bathroom. * I've been intermittent fasting for a month and meat isn't the sane. Maybe that's why the burger was meh "Nostalgia is a powerful thing--it makes the past taste better than the present." #FoodReview #Hodads #SanDiegoEats #Burger #OceanBeach read more

Hodad’s - #Hodad's half mini burger with fries. Shared meal. - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Burgers here are not for the faint of heart! It's really busy here, but the staff were really friendly. We orders our food to go and just ate in the parking lot right next to the restaurant. I opted for the single hamburger which was stacked with tomatoes and onions. Very delicious but the patty was a bit dry. The onion rings were nice and crisp. The double bacon cheeseburger was huge! Can't wait to try more options the next time we are in town. read more

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We were in the area for a vet appointment and decided to stop by Hodad's in OB after hearing so much about their famous burgers. Ordering ahead online was easy, and our food was ready quickly. The restaurant has a unique, old-school surfer vibe that definitely adds to the experience. As for the food, the regular cheeseburger was good but not mind-blowing. The bun felt a bit plain and could've used more character. The fries were cooked perfectly, and overall the prices were very reasonable for the portion size. read more

Hodad’s - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

There is definitely a reason people come to Hodad's for burgers. The line can get pretty long, but the servers are really great about finding openings at the long table and squeezing people in. The burgers are delicious and the onion rings are some of the best I've had - definitely big enough to share between a couple of people! The beer selection is decent and primarily local brews. The walls are covered with license plates from all over which makes for pretty laid back vibes. read more