Balboa Bar And Grill

First time trying the Balboa Burger with the salt and pepper fries. Very tasty and overall a less than adequate portion for the price (inflation). Paid $20 including tax and tip. I don't know why the table I sat on was extremely sticky. Seems that the paint does not react well with whatever they clean the table with.

Favorite bar in San Diego, hands down. Wouldn't go so far as to call it a dive, but it's rustic, certainly not an overlit patio-ed fern bar serving $20 cocktails that there are sterile carbon copies of all over the area. The counter is a little sticky, the chairs wobble a little, but the place is welcoming and the bartenders have great energy. They serve a cold beer and, as far as I'm concerned, the best burger in the county, respect to the kitchen guys. Got a killer happy hour, too.

BURGER GRATIFICATION: CRAVING-SOLVED I eat burgers about twice a year and when I do I want the calories to count. Because I'm eating the bread and getting fries (with sass). Finally, I made it to The Balboa. Balboa Bar is a mix of dive bar+small tavern. Several TV's, wood seating tables, vintage pics and decor and a laid-back vibe. THE MENU IS SIMPLE: Hamburger, chicken sandwich, fries, a few extra burger fixins and full bar. For my vegan peeps, you can substitute the burger for a black bean patty at an additional cost. ORDERING: You order drinks and/or food at the bar upon entry. Grab a seat with your number and your meal will be serviced to you. My eyes and stomach were tingling inside because the plating of the burgers is so enticing, although I ordered mine to go. I appreciated that my burger remained intact in the recyclable sustainable friendly to go bag. There were four people in line ahead of me. Line-order-completion was 22 minutes. I even had time for a shot. SERVICE: Excelente AROMA: The venting system is great because there is no aroma or smoke permeating through the bar. Good because I just washed my hair. Although I love the smell of grilled burgers. TASTE: I ordered my burger well done and it still retained its juicy grilled flavor, complemented with slightly sweet sweet & soft bun with traditional fixings. I ordered the grilled jalapenos. There were only a few atop the burger. This was an extra cost and it actually did not add to the burger. SEASONING: I would say the burger could stand a little bit more seasoning. It was seasoned just enough that if you added more it would have been too much. But we all know the burger must have perfect seasoning while cooking. PRICE: Justified by hand pressed fresh patties made to order. Mondays burgers are $8.00 all day, this would be a steal. But you must dine-in. Other days to get this deal is Tues -Fri (4 PM - 6 PM) FRIES: Fresh cut like a million bucks and good, good, good. These are real potatoes and they take care to prepare these fries before their fried. Thank you. PARKING: Likely to be difficult. Paid parking lot near by. If you find street parking make sure you pay because the meter persons make their rounds in this area like clockwork. I'll eat here again. But there is another burger I like more. "The best burgers are simple, juicy, and messy." - Bobby Flay.

Great "dive bar" in San Diego. Standard burgers and fries on menu, but pretty limited other than that. The burgers are quite good though and they have garlic fries as well. 4 beers on tap that rotate, with wine and cocktails available. Prices are standard...recent trip had party of 8 and bill was 180 bucks. Update July 2023: pretty much the same, and still good for what it is (semi-dive bar in a good way). The burgers are still great and the fries are fresh cut, so can't complain!