Pretty solid burger, cooked nicely to temp. Fries are great as well. Nice beer selection. Would frequent more if parking wasn't so bad

Hidden gem in the mid city/city heights. My friend introduced me to this place. Once you walk in, you feel like you're in a different area; compared to the outside of this place LOL. I want to keep this place all to myself but I have to share. It's a small establishment with a bar, dining area and a rooftop lounge. I love that it is family friendly. Very nice, friendly and helpful crew Jasmine, Jennifer and Chris. We sat down and ordered a few drinks. My friend ordered some beer/IPA and I ordered Spicy Margarita (Serrano infused real del valle, triple sec, house made margarita mix, black charcoal salted rum). It was soooo delicious! I had to go for seconds , it is a spicy drink. I usually don't order spicy drink but this drink blew my mind; it was quite tasty. We also ordered some burgers. I ordered the black & blue burger: it was blackened seasoned beef patty, topped with blue cheese crumbles & buffalo sauce. On the side it had lettuce, tomatoes, onion and pickles. My friend ordered the burger of the month which was the "Pastramarami" which had beef patty, provolone cheese, sauerkraut and brown mustard. Both were cooked medium and burger meals came with a side of fries. We both liked our burgers. It was very fresh, the ingredients and fries were cooked perfectly. Burgers had lots of flavors. The Pattie's are from the Perennial Pastures ranch in North county and grass fed. The fries are insane, crispy, flavorful and compliments the burgers. Street parking is only available and very limited. I will definitely be back. read more

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Omg .... My new favorite locally owned and operated burger / bar joint ! Super clean , delicious , friendly & most importantly delicious !!!!! Must try ... burgers , tallow fries , wings !!!!!!!! read more

Key & Cleaver - Bar seats .... Comfy and great atmosphere ! - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

My daughter was craving a burger and found this place right near her house. Located on busy section of University Ave, finding parking is the hardest part.of trying out this hidden gem. When you enter from the cracked sidewalks of this impoverished community you are transported to a clean garden like environment. It's amazing what the wall of ivy does for this place. I also wanted to note how clean the bathroom was and stocked with high quality feminine hygiene products, how very thoughtful! We were treated and seated immediately by a Uber friendly man. Although we were impressed with the excellent variety of beer taps we stuck with water. We ordered our burgers and it came out rather quickly. Although the buns felt a little small, the burgers were plump and juicy...much thicker than your typically find and perfectly cooked. Although they were under-seasoned, you got to taste the beef which was a very nice locally sourced grass fed beef! Say that in one breath! The garlic aoli was fantastic with a nice hit of garlic. We both enjoyed our blue cheese and mushroom Swiss burgers so both get our recommendations. I hate to say it, but the star of the show was the rosemary french fries. They are perfectly crisp and perfectly seasoned. They were kind to bring extra sauces without us asking so that we could try on or burger or fries but I preferred THESE fries without anything, and I'm a big fry dipper! Key & Cleaver is a fantastic find in City Heights. This is my favorite stop for a classic burger thus far in my San Diego adventures. read more

Key & Cleaver - Swiss Mushroom burger with bacon - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Second time here. Smash burger & tallow fried were great! Service was chill & friendly....thanks Chris! We will be back!

Great place. Had the Swiss and mushroom burger with rosemary fries. Loved it all. Will return.

Always friendly service with delicious burgers, fries and cocktails! Definitely has become a regular spot for us!

My friend and I decided to check out Key & Clever for trivia on Tuesday. As this was our first time, we didn't know what to expect, but we were blown away. From the friendly environment to the delicious food, we had thee best experience. Staff truly makes you feel valued and went way above and beyond to ensure that we were satisfied. Being that my friend is gluten-free and I am a vegan, we were beyond grateful that Key & Cleaver offers so many options for us. The garlic aioli and chipotle dips are made with Vegenaise and bursting with flavor. They paired perfectly with the fries, which were already amazing as is! Ample seating inside, as well as upstairs and the patio area. Can't wait to return! read more

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Such a great local bar! Owners work the bar and clearly love the place! One of the best burgers in San Diego too. Highly recommend the mushroom Swiss burger! The cocktails were delicious too. read more

As soon as we walked in, ai believe we were greeted by the wife of the owner Jennifer. She was very welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu. The menu was short and well designed. They have monthly specials and happy hour from 4 to 6pm. Decore and ambiance was nice, we came before dinner, but usually when we drive by it's packed. Only issue was my husband's order was incorrect and ahe immediately tried to rectify it. Great service and great place to dine in. We'll be back! read more

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Another amazing place opening up around us! If you LOVE burgers and fries with EVERYTHING LOCALLY SOURCED, then this is the place!!! One of the most delish mushroom & Swiss burgers I've had in ages! The fries are a cross between a chip and a fry! They do local events like kids painting once a month and they have a little open to the stars rooftop for small events! Support Local! Visit #keyandcleaver read more

Key & Cleaver - Swiss & Mushroom - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

We stopped in Key & Cleaver to grab a late lunch and had such a great experience. We ordered wings, smash burgers, and drinks - everything was delicious. The wings were absolutely perfect -- just the right amount of crisp. The smash burgers were really good too, and you can taste the quality in every bite. Love that they source everything locally. Highly recommend! read more

The burgers and wings here are seriously some of the best in San Diego -- cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. Pair them with one of their cocktails (they make them strong and tasty), and you're set. The vibe is fun and laid-back, and the staff keeps everything moving smoothly. Definitely a go-to spot if you're craving great food and drinks. read more

Had a great dinner here yesterday. The burgers are delicious and juicy. The fries are awesome! The quality of the food is top notch. For the high quality and amount of food, it's a good value. It's great that the food is made from locally sourced ingredients, local brews, and the beef for the burgers is specially selected. The gluten free options were great too. Chris and his wife Mae you feel like family, which is the icing on the cake. Can't recommend this place enough. We'll definitely put this on our list of regulars! read more

Really good burgers and great hospitality as the owner greets you upon entering and is very polite. The buns were so spongy and delicious and the burgers had are pretty solid taste overall. My only gripe is that I spent $60 amongst 3 burgers with no added sides or toppings, other than that is was a good experience and definitely worth the try. read more

The drinks are amazing in the burgers are to die for. Such a cute little gem we fell in love with the beautiful rooftop deck. The customer service is super friendly and nice. Highly recommend. read more

Key & Cleaver - Black and Blue Burger with Rosemary Salted Fries - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped here on a Wednesday around 4. The place was quiet and the ambiance was causal and inviting! I met two friends for some food and a beverage. I ordered the bacon burger medium and it was amazing! Perfectly cooked. Oh and the fries are the most uniquely cut fries I've ever had! They had rosemary which was delicious and some salt which was perfect. The service was fast and friendly. I'd definitely stop again for a bite and a beverage. Only thing that may be a challenge is parking due to the construction. Highly recommend! read more

Key & Cleaver - Bacon burger - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hidden gem! Outstanding Burger and awesome atmosphere. You feel like you got transported back in time. Definitely an old time bar feel. Got the burger of the month and it was fantastic! Great customer service and plenty of TV's for sports. Definitely Top 3 burger place in San Diego. read more

This place was incredible! Service was top tier and all the food was amazing! Homemade sauces are crazy good! No doubt I'll being going back!!! read more

Key & Cleaver - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here for the burgers. Five of the six in our party had burgers which did not disappoint. The non beef eater enjoyed their chicken sandwich. The fries were as advertised. The bar dominates this location though we managed to snag two tables to put together. Servers did double duty working the bar and were pleasant in the chaos. TVs tuned to March Madness added to a very good experience. read more

Have had this place on my to try list and am so mad at myself we waited this long to try. We were immediately greeted as we walked in the door which made us feel very welcomed. There was plenty of seating and they also have a rooftop for private events. Everything we had tasted delicious, but my favorite were the fries. Thin crispy but still somehow think? I can't explain you just gotta try. Large selection of beer, and also cocktails. Definitely a place we will bring our friends to. read more

Key & Cleaver - Smash Burger, Blu Cheese Buffalo Chicken Wings, Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Small neighborhood bar run buy a very cool Husband and Wife .. Burger is hands down the best burger in SD !! Don't sleep on this place , it's da bomb This is a Mom and Pop local business... Please support these guys read more

The burgers are amazing, the fries are to die for and the service was great! Even have an upstairs area. Good beers and food portions are great! read more

This City Heights building was the former Chinatown Bar and then Brooklyn Bar and Grill before reincarnating into the current burger-centric bar, Key & Cleaver. The interior has retained the same setup that includes a second-story seating area and rooftop patio. A large social media friendly green wall has been installed opposite the main bar on the ground level. The food menu featured five burgers, one veggie burger, and a grilled halal chicken sandwich. Rosemary salted french fries and chicken wings were the available sides. Two bartenders were on duty when I came for dinner last month. Both of them were very friendly and welcoming. I placed my order with the man who may have been one of the co-owners. My choice was the Swiss Mushroom burger (cooked medium) which came with a side of fries. Swiss cheese, mushrooms, garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomatoes were the garnishments for the patty which was sourced from a ranch in Santa Ysabel. The meat was cooked perfectly, however the fries stole the show. The potatoes were cut into chips and twice-fried to give them an extra crunch. The rosemary salt provided an herbal flavor to the spuds. Brunch was in the works at the time of my visit so take a look at their website to view the weekend morning offerings. Hopefully, Key & Cleaver can sustain a long-term presence in this neighborhood as I had a good initial dining experience here. read more

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Came here by my tattoo artist's recommendations (Andres at Hustle Tattoo!), and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious, beer was great and the service was excellent. Seems like a place that has a lot of regulars, lots of people came in and shook hands, the employees knew everyone walking in. We're from SF Bay Area, I wish we had Key and Cleaver up there, we'd be regulars too! read more

Came here in search of amazing gourmet burger and delicious fries and it did not disappoint! Walked in on a Saturday night with my husband and there was plenty of seating available. The bartender/manager ran the front of house himself and was very welcoming. I was visiting from out of town but this seems like a cozy neighborhood bar (nicer than a dive bar) that friends would link up at to catch up over beers and a burger. The burger menu is limited but they seem to have a seasonal/rotating special burger option. I had the BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger with chipotle mayo and loved every bite of it. Rosemary salted fries were also tasty and came out hot and fresh. read more

Key & Cleaver - Classic Wings - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ok so here is a hidden gem, in the neighborhood half a block from tower bar. Great craft cocktails with all locally sourced ingredients. Delicious food also all locally sourced. And amazing staff who really make you feel at home. My family and I can't wait to come back . read more

As someone with Celiac I can't recommend this place enough!!! Everything was gluten free except there is an option for a gluten filled bun if you want. This is the first time since getting diagnosed four years ago that I could have fried chicken at a restaurant. It was delicious and I felt safe to eat freely and not have to ask if every sauce and item is gf! read more

Key & Cleaver - Black and Blue burger with fried chicken instead of a patty - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Best hamburgers and fries I've had in San Diego. For real. Sorry crazee burger. And sorry in n out. Also awesome cocktails, everyone's super friendly, and they have great beers and cider on tap. Prices are very reasonable too. read more

Awesome place. Burgers were great and cooked perfectly. Moreover, the fries were unique and epic in their own right. We had the smashburger (one of the best I've had) and the Salute (basically a bacon cheeseburger), both of which were perfectly executed. The fries are a wide, thin slice (think THICK potato chips with wedge consistency, awesome) seasoned with light rosemary and salt...so awesome (and I don't particularly love rosemary). Great beer list and good HH (from 3-6pm). Of note, my 5yo loved it all as well... read more

This was such a wonderful experience for me and my family! Not only was the food exceptional, but the owner was very friendly and accommodating. Great on tap drink menu and the fries were the best ever! Burgers amazing. read more

The place had a picture of a cow on the side of the building. The place is bigger than you think. They have an upstairs area for events. Really like the idea of the better healthier ingredients in the food coming how everything is sourced. The service was excellent. The food was good. Got the bbq bacon cheeseburger with fries. Really liked how the fries were cut. Perfectly cut for dipping. The cheeseburger was juicy, and they leave the toppings on the side for you to add. Can't wait to come back and try the other food. read more

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Great burger, great bartender, great music, great vibe. If we lived closer we would definitely be regulars. 6 stars.

Wow. Just WOW. This place doesn't have all 5 stars for nothing... After reading the Yelp reviews I was excited to try the spicy margarita and it did not disappoint my husband had them too and agreed, amazing. He got the smash burger & I got the BBQ Bacon cheeseburger (pictured). The burgers? Phenomenal. The rosemary fries? UNREAL. The service was stellar and it was awesome to learn how focused on local they are - the meat is local, the beer on tap is all local, and a large part of their liquor is from San Diego businesses as well. We love to see it. We went for lunch but learned they have all kinds of events (trivia, painting, karaoke) and will definitely be back for dinner sometime. Menu is simple but delicious. Cannot recommend highly enough! Go here! Make the trip even if it's not super convenient from your house. You will not be disappointed read more

Key & Cleaver - BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger + Rosemary Salted Fries + Spicy Margarita - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious burguers!! Excelent customer service!! Great vibe!! I will be back again !

This is a local gem. The burgers are grass fed beef and delicious. The fries are unique and the best. Owners and staff are friendly. Nice old fashioned neighborhood bar. They host a number of community events as well. A good addition to our 'hood! read more

Key & Cleaver - The bar area - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

This was a really excellent dinner experience in a small bar / restaurant. Chris was super friendly and generous. It's excellent for date nights or small groups. Their fries are world class, with a wide variety of hamburgers read more

Key & Cleaver - Bar area - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

Wow, wow, wow! I was looking up a place for burgers-my friend is the biggest "burger fan" out there! We met here to catch up and have burgers (of course). We each ordered a different burger and shared with each other. The Mushroom Swiss burger and the BBQ Cheeseburger were equally amazing! Even though we love our meat to be seasoned well, the quality of this meat was so good, I could have eaten it without any additional flavor-and that's saying A LOT for someone like myself! The buns were soft, and the toppings were fresh. Oh, and the fries?! OMG!!! I've never had anything like them. The Buffalo wings were also some of the best I've ever had. I'm not a boue cheese fan, but the small amount sprinkled on top was PERFECT. I will DEFINITELY be back!!!!! The ambiance was nice-small and cute. Finally, the service was by far some of the BEST I've ever received in San Diego...actually, anywhere! read more

Your classic Brewery and Burger joint with a neighborly flair. Great, locally sourced food, with enough variation to the menu to keep you exploring. Tried everything from the BBQ Bacon to the Mushroom Swiss to their Burger(s) of the Month - all have been a five star hit. Solid portion sizes with epic fries. Tip: get the aioli with it (or for those acid-lovers, a side of bbq sauce is pretty freakin great as well), and wash it down with one of their many beers on tap. Owners are friendly and hospitable and deservedly have a cult like following. Highly recommend giving City Heights a fair chance and popping in to this soon to be staple. read more

Key & Cleaver - Walken Fridge - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California

I hate to rate a local business on the lower side but this rating is primarily for their wings which were a let down. We were craving some steak fries and found this place on Yelp nearby. Off the bat the bar is very bright & clean and the service was great! We ordered the rosemary fries and decided to try their wings as well. Food came out fast with the fries being fresh and crisp! The rosemary flavoring was a nice touch! The wings sadly felt slightly undercooked and were rather chewy. Given their menu is mainly comprised of burgers, I think we made a poor choice ordering their wings. Overall seems like a great sports bar to grab a burger and some drinks. Maybe we just caught them on a bad night read more

Key & Cleaver - Burgers Near Me - San Diego, California