Ok, driving around and looking for somewhere to eat, and I thought, why not The Balboa. I walked in and asked the bartender if it was okay if I brought in Cako. I told him that Angel said to ask first. He said, yes, that would be alright. So Cako was able to experience The Balboa. There were a number of people inside. We sat over by the pool table, but it was a little warm, so we moved to a table right by the door. Cako pretty much said hello to everyone coming in. Again, very relaxed and chill vibe. Had the OG with bacon, an order of garlic fries, and of course, an ice cream sandwich, which is soooooo good! I know when Cako loves a place, she lays down, and she did. I really like coming to this location. It's a great place to come to! Cako Approves! read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Burgers and fries were really good. The burgers were juicy and the garlic fries were crispy and very flavorful. This place is more of a dive bar than it is a restaurant. Not really a family vibe atmosphere but if that's your thing you will enjoy it. You order as you walk in and then pick a seat. Plenty of seating. I have to mention that the place did have a weird smell right as you walk in. read more

The Balboa - Menu as of 6/5/26 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is the first review I have ever written. I never write yelp reviews because I've never had an experience that was absolutely excellent or extremely terrible, which then warranted a review. Unfortunately for The Balboa, this is the latter. I have been a regular for years. I heard that there is new management and it was definitely noticeable during my recent visit. There are many menu changes/additions. It appears that the entire staff has been overhauled. I didn't see any familiar faces. Getting to the order I knew prices have been on the rise. Full disclosure, a regular balboa burger with a small side of fries and a beer ran me $30 plus tip. Expensive, sure but our past experiences were good enough to have us coming back. This is where things took a turn for the worse. Of our group of 5, the first two ordered together and the last three separately. The last three in our group received our burgers first with the server promising that "the rest was on the way". This ended up not being the case. We waited 20 minutes with half the party awkwardly nibbling on fries and taking small bites of our burger hoping everyone could join in on the eating soon. This is when we started to notice people after us getting served their food. One member of our group spoke to the server to make them aware. Without much of an apology they "went back to get the orders going". We waited another 15 minutes with no update, watching even more people who arrived later get their food. The member of our party had to once again get the servers attention to which the reply was "it's coming soon". At this point the ones who did receive their food ended up eating.. leaving the unserved awkwardly idling by. Finally the server arrived with their meals almost half an hour after the first set arrived!!! We were visually upset at that point. We tried to make that apparent with our server. Instead of making a sincere effort at an apology when faced with our complaints, the server decides to throw the bartenders under the bus saying that he just brings the food and it's all their fault that the orders were mishandled. No accountability, no empathy. Just a smirk on his face as he walked away. Were we expecting concessions? Of course not, but even a complimentary side of fries or something could have gone a long way to remedy the frustrating situation. The server couldn't even handle that. Especially at a laid back place like The Balboa, we would never expect perfect customer service. This sever could not even hit the bare minimum. I could rant on and on about our frustrations but given how The Balboa is under new staff/management and how this incident was handled we definitely left with a bad impression. It hurts to make a review on a place that me and my friends once loved so much. The food is still good, but experiencing service just once like that is enough to deter us from probably ever coming back. It's such a shame.. I hope The Balboa can get back to the standards they originally were at.. I'm hesitant to think they ever will. Time to find some new places to hit the burger cravings I guess.. read more

Solid burger! Love a good dive bar especially if they got a good burger! Come for drinks or come for the burger or come for both you can't lose! read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been here a few times over the years for the original balboa burger and it never disappoints. I originally heard of this place from one of Gareth's videos on YouTube for San Diego's best burgers. On my most recent visit, the house was pretty full and lively on a Friday evening around 11PM. Parking was decent (parked just a short block away). There was no line to order and our server was super helpful. You gotta get the burger with grilled onions. It's the only way to go. I even got the beyond burger to try to be a bit healthier and it was amazing. It's perfectly paired with garlic fries. Their south location is bit nicer and less dive bar-y. But their burger still holds up after all these years. read more

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Feels like a real neighborhood kind of place. We came on a Mon night which was industry night/happy hour all night. I thought all sandwiches were $10 but it's only their OG one. We decided to get chicken sandwiches. My partner got it with the salt and pepper fries and I got mine in a lettuce wrap. The chicken flavor was delish! Whatever spice they put on is great. Very moist too. Otherwise the sandwich itself is pretty standard but well done. The fries were good. The right amount of crispy and good potato flavor. I think it's a little pricey at almost $14 for just the sandwich without fries. The space is deceivingly small. They have the main bar area but a full separate area to the right for seating and it has a pool table. They have a small arcade area to the left of the bar as well. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. read more

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Pretty cool local dive bar. There are a decent amount of seating and alot of TVs. You place your order at the bar. Ther service was friendly and fast. And our food came out pretty fast! I got the chicken sandwich with salt and pepper fries. Portion are very generous! Every thing was very high quality and cooked to perfection. Considering this place is known for their burgers. I appreciate that they pay the same attention to their chicken sandwich! Pro Tip: They also have a speakeasy that is open at night :) read more

The Balboa - Chicken Sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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That bolba burger was so freaking good omg !!!!! the fries were good too Will definitely be back! Service is good as well, bathroom a lil wonky but the food is fire. Oh and they have a $15 burger lunch special on Fridays ‍‍ read more

Wow my last review here was 9 years ago!! I've been back multiple times since then and always had a great time with awesome burgers! Yesterday I held my Inaugural post-Holiday Dirty Santa get together here and everyone had a great time! Party of 10 and we had more than enough room! Finally tried the BBQ Bacon burger and LOVED IT! Huge strips of bacon and caramelized onions!! Delicious! $15.95 and worth every bite! Beers are about $8 and lots of other options from well drinks to canned seltzers! CJ was even kind enough to bring over a complimentary round of mystery shots! Love that The Balboa is my neighborhood go-to! Thanks for another great time CJ and crew! read more

The Balboa - The BBQ Bacon burger with caramelized onions and side of garlic fries which were nice and crispy - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Visited the Chula location and decided to hit the one in my hood... Ordered at the bar and sat in the lower level, though the arcade was appealing. Burgers and fries delivered promptly and cooked properly! Ambiance is gritty after hours club, service was prompt and at the bar, and prices were ok for happy hour. read more

The Balboa - Happy Hour burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I haven't been to The Balboa in years and I'm happy to see it's still standing after the pandemic. We came here during Happy Hour on a Thursday to watch the football game and grab something quick. Service was quick as well after we ordered. The burger and garlic fries were solid. I really enjoyed the zesty aioli sauce that comes with the food too. No complaints on the Hazy IPA - went really well with the burger and served in a cold glass. Lots of space inside as well, three rooms total. On Thursday, there were several open tables and even a couple of open pool tables. Lots of TVs as well. The music was vibey when we walked in too, so we'll definitely be coming back for more HHs. read more

The Balboa - Balboa burger with garlic fries and a couple of Harland Hazy IPAs (Happy Hour) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Used to have a ton of live music, but I think that part of the business has died. It's a relatively quiet block in Bankers Hill. There's SRO right next door to it and a CVS, and those are really the only two competitors. Apparently its one of the best burgers in SD but walking in, I would have doubted it. I haven't had it, but now I feel like I need to! They are open daily and their business hours are 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM. On Saturdays, they open at 12pm. Everyday except Sunday, they have happy hour and I think Monday they have a late night happy hour which runs from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Happy hour is typically 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. So Monday, it's basically happy hour all day. Happy hour prices are $5 Wells, Wines, $6 Drafts and $8 Balboa Burgers. Their food menu is limited to 5 burgers types (your typical burger, BBQ bacon, your classic burger, a double cheeseburger and a grilled chicken sandwich) and two types of fries - garlic or salt and pepper. They have a speciality cocktail list which runs about 10 dollars. You have mezcal old fashioned, mules, and one called the Balboa which has whiskey, honey syrup, and lemon saraparilla bitters. They have more on the speciality menu but those are the ones I've had. The place is pretty decent. I'm usually there for one or two drinks at the end of the night and it's typically pretty dead (I think I usually avoid the rush) and so my experience has been much more intimate than what you might experience. It's a dive bar for sure. Everything is pretty reasonably priced and that is always a plus in my eyes! read more

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Been wanting to try the balboa for quite sometime. Cool vibe, bartenders are pretty nice. The Balboa Burger itself was great, pillowy bun, tasty patty, nice flavor and flavorful sauce. Will be back for happy hour. 2 balboa burgers and 2 draft beers was 48 dollars. Yikes! read more

The burger was really great, but I'll forever be thinking about those salt and pepper fries and the dipping sauce! They were sooo good! read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I would have no stars if that was an option. My family and I have been going to The Balboa for many years, which made today's experience especially disappointing. From the moment we walked in, there was also a terrible smell inside the restaurant, which already made the dining experience unpleasant. My husband and I ordered and paid for our food first. After us, our sons and nephew placed their order. They all received their burgers while we continued waiting with no food. When we asked the server about our order, he casually told us they had forgotten our food. Meanwhile, we watched many other customers receive their meals before us. After waiting even longer, my husband had to go back up again to ask where our burgers were. Eventually, we finally got our food, but by then the experience had already been ruined. One of our sons politely asked if they could at least give us a side of fries for the inconvenience. Instead of apologizing or trying to help, the server responded, "Take it up with the bartender." No apology, no effort to make things right, and no customer service at all. Mistakes happen, but the way the situation was handled was unacceptable. Very disappointing experience from a place we've supported for years. 0 stars and we will never come back again!! read more

Absolutely amazing with huge props to the bartender Kevin for making the experience so great. I'm new to San Diego and the Balboa is right next door to the air bnb that I am staying at. The burgers were pretty good. Best in San Diego? Idk, I haven't had many burgers in sand Diego but I imagine SD has better sea food and Mexican food. The real stand out of the Balboa was the bar tender Kevin. I don't go into bars much because I don't drink much and find them intimidating but Kevin was especially warm and welcoming offering warmth and great vibes for a traveler from another state. He and the rest of the team really made me feel at home in a new place and I felt comfortable asking questions about the new city I am in. I even had a few beers which is not typical of me so he must be good at his job! Thanks Kevin and the rest of the Balboa team for making my entrance and stay in San Diego great! I really want to come back, not just for the ocean and surfing, but also the new friends I made along the way! Cheers! read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Amazing burgers and fries! It's unfortunately on a sort of sketchy block of 5th Ave but it's awesome inside. A very homey dive feel with Christmas lights up and friendly service. And the burgers and fries and the best. So happy I was finally able to make it over and try this place! read more

The Balboa - Burger! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The burgers were pretty decent. Not the biggest fan of their ranch but a solid eat after a few drinks! read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Had a great meal at The Balboa. Their burgers are official -- I went with the BBQ bacon burger and I'd easily give it a 9.5/10. Super flavorful, cooked just right, and just hits the spot. There can be a bit of a wait depending on when you go, but it's not a big deal since you can shoot some pool while you're waiting. Kinda adds to the whole vibe. Overall, really solid spot if you're want a great burger and a chill atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out. read more

My friend that told me about this place said these were the best burgers in San Diego and I concur, these burgers are pretty dang delicious. I got the Balboa Burger and garlic fries. The burger was a perfectly cooked medium and tons of flavor. A little messy but what is a burger if not messy. I was however disappointed with the garlic fries. The fries themselves are cooked well but severely lacked the garlic taste I was hoping for. All in all, if you're looking for a lowkey spot for your next burger fix, check out this dive bar! Patience is key as they cook everything fresh! But it's well worth it. read more

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Haven't been to this bar in a while and they expanded since I last visited. Their is now an arcade corner and a lower level with a pool table. Small menu located at the entrance where you order at the bar. Food and drinks came out quick. I ordered the bbq bacon burger and the garlic fries. The bacon was extremely salty, rest of the burger was fine. Garlic fries were good to snack on between the burgers and beer. Only street parking is available. HH between 4-9pm. read more

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Great customer service, friendly, professional, and hilarious. This place is HUGE. almost missed seeing the game room that had plenty of choices and a pool table. Plenty of inside/outside seating . Food was fresh and flavorful. Will def be back read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: 4 - Had we the classic and original. Bun is super soft, meat was cooked perfect, a little salty for my taste buds. But all in all - delicious. The fries are nice and crispy and fresh cut - not frozen. Service: 4 - Very friendly bartender Ambiance: 3.5 read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food - solid burger. I got the balboa and my husband got the bbq burger. They were good but we weren't blown away. The balboa was a bit on the smaller side. Service - This is the type of place where you order everything at the front and get a number and they take your items to your table. Counter service with table delivery. Service was a little slow. Ambiance - casual bar ambiance. There were people playing pool and nice music playing. Enjoyable. read more

The Balboa - Menu -Jan 2025 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Absolutely never ever ever ever coming back The Balboa! Not even worth a 1 I also do not recommend it. They were extremely rude, obnoxious , immature and unsympathetically to us not being locals. The one pool table is filthy dirty. The bathroom door jams up.! Sticky tables, entrance smells bad like Pee! And no air conditioner. read more

MJ was amazing! Best bartender in San diego! The borrower.\nWas absolutely crowded how she handled all these orders at one time and amazing was amazing read more

Been going here for nearly 10 years and was always my go to burger spot. Supported the Balboa South after the OG location closed because of Covid. I was also there day 1 when the OG location reopened. Unfortunately the place really has lost its touch and this is my last time going to any Balboa location. The service was trash. Took forever to order and we had to constantly remind the dude bringing out the food that they forgot part of our order. The dude running out the food was also giving attitude like it was my fault they forgot part of the order. Quality of the food has really gone downhill. I get inflation is a thing, but they've really started to skimp. If you look at old pictures of the Balboa Burger, it came with a huge patty the size of the bun. Now, they serve you a hockey puck sized patty 3/4 the size of the bun. The fries were also soggy the last few times I visited too. The only thing the same is the bun and the sauce. Too bad those aren't enough to excuse the drop in quality and increased price. It really sucks to see my favorite spot in SD go downhill like this. At least SD has other solid burger spots. read more

One of the best, if not the best burger joint in San Diego. It is located very close to Balboa Park and it has a local feel to it. It is counter service. They work pretty quickly and I've never waited very long for my food. They have a small menu, but everything is done well. I usually just get the Balboa Burger and an order of garlic fries. Prices are very reasonable and they also have good happy hour specials that go till 6pm on weekdays. read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I heard about this spot having the best fries in the US, had to experience it myself. They were also the best ranked burger spot in SD. Here was our experience. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking, this area can be busy so make some time for that. Seating: Plenty of seating from the arcade, bar or tables. Feels: You're in Little Italy area. Plenty of good eats and activities to do. The spot itself is your usual dive bar vibe. You have your wall of alcohol, television in different parts of the rooms and lite rock music to jam too. You also have a simple arcade room with a few nostalgic games and a pool table. Great place to hang out with homies or watch a game. FOOD: Original Balboa Burger (Recommend) I added bacon and bbq sauce on the side to make the experience extra delightful. Soft bun, a juicy and seasoned burger, with pleasant staples of greens, slightly melted cheese, onions and tomatoes. Salt & Pepper/Garlic Fries (Recommend) Pick either/or and you're in for a treat! The garlic fries have a good lively kick. Good crunch and a savory/salty taste with every bite. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Awesome! They were friendly and professional with a character. I wish I got their names to give them credit but they held it down on a late Saturday evening! TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Good selections, delicious food, and a lovely experience. I can see why this is highly ranked. Simple elements but a lot of love they put into it. This is tough as San Diego has a lot of burger/fry places however this is definitely something worth coming back to. TIPS: * They got a vegan option burger too! * https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-restaurant-ranks-among-top-spots-in-us-for-french-fries/ * HIMYM Burger reference worthy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPCSOojy93o&ab_channel=KhatiaGremelashvili read more

The Balboa - Woooo! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

They made a mistake with my take out order, when I arrived they ask me to pay + a tip, then they forget my order and I waited 45 more minutes + the 25 minutes after I ordered on my phone. The burger was average at best, I could have drove to an In Out Burger in North County and it would have taken less time. Overall very lame! read more

Literally the best burger in San Diego that isn't boujie. Definitely recommend getting bacon with your burger. I got the bbq bacon burger because I've had the regular burger already. Walking in it is a full on dive bar with dive bar smell. You would not expect them to sell burgers, but they do. Not in the best area either; parking might feel sketch at night. All worth it for the burger tho. read more

The Balboa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

So this became my go to spot as I was staying in the area. That time came to and end so I thought it fitting to have my "final meal". I grabbed a seat at the bar and grabbed the BBQ Bacon Burger and Salt and Pepper fries. The fries were a little salty, but they were fresh and crisp. The burger was amazing and the balance of bbq sauce and bacon was just right. This is one of the best spots I have stumbled across for a burger and a drink. I will miss it. read more

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Sooo good!! Dallas and Angel were so nice and the service was great - and the food is insane!! Def my favorite burger in San Diego. Be back tomorrow xoxo read more

Come to San Diego with an empty stomach and I guarantee that you'll leave full and satisfied. You could throw a stone in any direction and find some classic Mexican spot serving California burritos or an Abuela's recipe for mole or a taco made with fish caught that morning right off the coast. So I never expected we'd drive past all of those places and end up at a dive bar that would serve, maybe, the greatest cheeseburger I've ever eaten. If it wasn't for the classic/retro sign over the door, you'd never know it was there. There's a door that's open and that's it. Walk inside and you're transported to a different place. It's dark, a little bit dingy, and the complete opposite of the 70s and sunny San Diego vibes. The only thing they have on the menu are burgers and fries. If you haven't learned by now, these are usually the best places. They do one simple thing really, really well. For my first visit, I went as simple as you could...I got their classic burger: patty, American cheese, potato bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, and house aioli. When the burger came out of the tiny kitchen, it looks exactly like what you'd expect a burger to look. The bun was toasted and fluffy. The patty was visible, charred to perfection. It wasn't super thick and it wasn't smashed to oblivion, it was just right. The lettuce was bright green and spilled over the edges. You could see a red tomato slice and rings of onion. There was just a hint of that orange aioli spread onto the burger that was just enough to add flavor, but not take anything away from the meat and cheese. On first bite, there was a literal burst of flavor due to the patty still being so juicy. It wasn't raw and it wasn't well done...it had the right amount of pink showing through. You could taste the seasoned patty, the cheese, the aioli, the bun, etc. Like a band with many instruments, it all played the right notes. I turned to my friend and said, "is it possible to complain about having too much flavor?" The fries were a perfect compliment to the meal. Perfectly fried...still tasted and looked like potatoes. I ended up getting the garlic fries which had fresh crushed garlic on it. It made everything extremely spicy, but delicious nonetheless. With the side of fries, that plate of food turned out to be the perfect meal...didn't need a double patty or a second burger to fill up, it was satisfying as is. I wish I had something to say about the bar, but I wasn't drinking alcohol that day. It looked like they had some interesting drinks, but surprisingly not a lot of beer choices that you'd come to expect from somewhere in San Diego. The guys behind the bar weren't the warmest, but they were the exactly the type you'd find in a place like this. Service was quick on a slow Saturday lunch swing and they took care of us properly. This is definitely a burger I'll remember for a long time and will make sure to get again when I'm back in San Diego. read more

The Balboa - The Original Balboa with a side of garlic fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I gave two stars because it's still exists, but it's not what it was. These new owners don't have a clue. There's plenty of places to get a burger. Do not come here unless you're forced read more

Such a fun spot! My husband and I came here as a recommendation while out in San Diego for a few days. As soon as you walk in you get this cool dive feel with the bar on the left, a lot of seating on the right, many TVs and even an arcade!! It was awesome to eat and then go play some vintage games and pool. For food, this place just does burgers but I always appreciate a small menu like this...Easier selection and I know the food should be good if the place focuses on just a few things. We both got the Balboa Burger which came with their house sauce. He got regular salt and pepper fries and I opted to try the garlic fries and added bacon to the burger. These burgers were delicious!! They were so tender, cooked well and that sauce was a really nice accompaniment. If you're a garlic fan like me, these fries are your game as they are tossed with fresh garlic. Adding the bacon to my burger I feel like it definitely bumped up the flavor more. You order your food and drinks at the bar, take a number, go find a table or sit at the bar, and then someone from the kitchen brings you the food when it's done. All of the staff were friendly, and we got our food quickly. Thank you to everyone for a great meal and experience! read more

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Bay area native and came here thinking it wouldn't be as good as in n out, but this might be the best burger I've had in my life. 100/10 highly recommend the original burger -- the homemade aioli sauce was incredible. Tried the regular & garlic fries and both were so flavorful. They have a bar area and a separate area for more seating which is great if you're coming in big groups. Loved everything about this place!! read more

The Balboa - the original & the classic burgers with side of fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I used to be a regular at this spot and it recently got sold to the new owners (who own Balboa south). The new owners are changing the menu, hiking prices, skimping on sides and charging for things like onions and pickles. It's absurd the way they are treating the staff that elevated the reputation at the balboa to what it was. They fired one of the best local bartenders, and are taking shifts from other personalities that made the balboa a staple in the community. Additionally the music now sucks. I loved the burgers but they no longer taste the same. Used to be one of my favorite spots in the city, and now I don't step foot into the establishment. read more

This one is for the GM/Owner. Ive been coming here for over 10 years and the last three experiences have been slowly declining. I gave it a shot with the new management but this place is tanking. No wonder in the last two months youve had MANY negative reviews compared to the previous ownership. Came in today didnt have to wait to order (good sign for lunch time). 3 tables are empty and the rest have people enjoying their food. Theres a group of 6 guys that are drinking beers ahead of me and they get their food. I waited FIFTY MINUTES TO GET MY FOOD. Ponytail man had the nerve to tell me "today is the busiest day of the year" WITH EMPTY TABLES. MATE i had my birthday dinner there on a Saturday at 7pm with 20 of my closest friends with a packed house.. STANDING ROOM ONLY and we all got our food within 30ish minutes + refilled our drinks. I know the bartenders kick ass so why is management failing what used to be a good burger spot. Thank you for reminding me to cook at home. Ive never been so bothered by service that i wrote a negative review. From having a birthday there to never wanting to step back in that place. And yes you can see my face in my profile pic. You'll definitely recognize me. Bartenders you rock but ur management is failing you read more

I wish I was exaggerating when I say that this is the best burger I've ever had. The bun is perfectly buttered and crisp, the aioli is impeccable, and the burger is just absolutely amazing. I live in Orange County and I would drive here just for this burger. Wow. read more

The Balboa - HH Balboa Burger Combo. Original burger fries and a beer $20. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California