Hamburger Factory Family Restaurant — Restaurant in Poway

Booked this local restaurant for a company luncheon (2-4pm 20 people). Personally, I read reviews online (Google/Yelp/Facebook) prior to coming in since I had never been there.

I did observe that it was under new ownership, had some recently interior/exterior changes, and menu upgrades. Based on long time patronage of this restaurant there were mixed feelings about these changes. I get it, change it hard, but don't worry we can all over come and adapt with a burger and some tater tots. If you're still grumpy after eating tater tots, the diagnosis doesn't look good for you.

Meanwhile, I can't speak for everyone at the party, but I did not personally hear anything negative. We got a private patio area. (Only suggestion would have been to square off the tables vs a linear table - but towards the end of our party another party was coming in too so I see why they did that.) Our server Toni was legit. One woman show and rocked it like we were a 2 top not a 20 top.

Drinks stayed filled, plates got cleared before chaos, food came at appropriate waves of time (we got drink/cocktails/wine/beer/appetizer/meals). We never felt rushed even though we didn't even stay for the full 2 hours.

The menu is clean, precise, and customizable at the same time. In a group of 20 we ordered everything from deep fried mac n cheese balls, to protein wrapped burgers, steak, to salads. A wide variety a a place that was able to accommodate everyone's dietary needs and choices.

I personally am a super healthy eater and Tony didn't skip a beat. I ordered the tri-tip salad with pico de gallo and lemon (no dressing) I asked for an additional side salad and extra tri-tip since I made this random time lunch and dinner combo-ish). The salad did NOT disappoint. The tri-tip was on point and I'd definitely order again.

The restaurant is very country, homey, wagon-ess feeling. The patio is beautiful and able to be temperature controlled. The scenery around is gorgeous, just outside of Old Poway Park.

There was plenty of parking, easily accessible to walk up to and as a first timer-I personally, would return.

If you've visited in the past, come with an open mind of growth and support to this newly owned, previously operated local Poway Business. If you have yet to come in, please do! Family friendly, company event friendly, jeans and vans casual friendly. Though I recommend plaid and boots for the guys because, who doesn't love a cowboy in the heart of Poway.

Thank you Hamburger Factory for a...

Ugh, what a bummer. We've been coming here for years and have always enjoyed the food. Under the new ownership though, that's not the case. The service was spot on and friendly as always. Yes, the décor has changed a bit and it has modernized the look which is a refreshing change. Let's address the food. Listen, I can appreciate a menu that needs to be changed from time to time but I nor my family of 8 people welcomed the change. 1) no more tater tots. 2) the best burgers were removed or changed. 3) hot dogs are only on the kids menu. 4) no more 1/2 lb and 1/4 lb options. You just get what you get. I'm sure there are others but that was our experience. What we ate: 1) Steak Frites - two little pieces of steak and a handful of fries with a MASSIVE slab of compound butter on each piece of steak. 2) French Dip - Would have been a lot better if the roast beef didn't taste like cold cuts that had been warmed in the au jus. 3) Patty Melt - served on TOASTED sourdough. not grilled or buttered, just toasted, like in a toaster. 4) Lariat Burgers - patties were way smaller than the bun. so much so that the toothpick holding it together didn't make it through the meat and the patty fell out. Hamburger Factory used to serve their food in red baskets with a paper liner. Everyone liked that and it was never a problem. Now everything is served on a white plate. Why is that a problem? Well, when you're only serving a sandwich/burger with a handful of fries and nothing else, it looks pretty bleak on a plain white plate. The new owner came out to the table to ask how everything was which he may have regretted. As the owner your job is to listen and take the feedback and reassure your customers that you are working hard to improve. Your job is not to justify your changes. We don't care about the effect of a large menu on the kitchen. Your problem should not be our problem. Bottom line, probably not coming back especially when there are several other places within a stone's throw. It's a shame since the park adjacent to the restaurant is such a popular place and always made for a nice...

Nothing to write home about, though perhaps it was just a off day.

The building itself is nice, the decor matches the atmosphere. Wish there were booths, from what I saw there were only chairs. Could see the station from where we were at, which was nice. Bathroom to me seemed outdated. No music, which struck me as odd.

The first person who came up to us seemed nice enough, then we said we had a voucher and he seemed to immediately become disinterested, took our drink order and left. Not sure if he was just a busser or a server. Another person came over, who would serve us for the rest of our meal. Nice man, though service was slow, saw him a couple times, only got a refill once(for my mom's drink, didn't get one for mine). Food was slow to come out, and the fries that came with my burger arrived much later than our meal.

We got the "Frings" appetizer. Onion rings were really good, but the steak fries were just okay(could use some more salt, and crunch I think). My mom got the Tri-tip sandwich. She said it would have been okay, but was smothered in cheddar cheese, that to her did not taste good I got the Cowpoke with the boca patty. I'd describe it as okay. Overloaded with cheese(and I LOVE cheese). Couldn't taste the onion. Ended up asking for some lettuce and tomato to help it out. Neither of our stomachs settled quite right afterwards, we think due to the cheese. We finished off our meal with a apple cobbler, which we both really enjoyed.

Not sure if it was a off day, or if we were treated differently due to having a voucher. We were going to tip on what the meal price would be, the server however insisted we didn't need to. Unfortunately only had a card, so was unable to leave a tip at the table.

Overall not too impressed compared to other burger places, but may come back in the future...