Corvette Diner — Restaurant in San Diego

Pretty disappointed in our recent visit. I'm a SD native and have been going to Corvette since I was a kid (and when it was at it's original location). The atmosphere is still fun, (but VERY loud) and the arcade is cool, but everything else about our visit was very underwhelming and disappointing. -We came in as a party of 7 (5 adults, 2 kids) to celebrate my child's birthday. Noticed the 5% surcharge sign at the front, doesn't make sense when the prices of the food (which is expensive for the poor quality) IS the surcharge.. so you have pricier food that's not good AND a surcharge? -We were seated quickly for a Wednesday night. It was NOT busy (even more of a reason why we were frustrated with our service) a server came by and brought some waters but then we didn't see him again for about 10 mins (he would walk by and let us know he was coming back, but we were waiting to be able to order anything else like drinks, kids meals,, etc). Finally when he came back, he realized we weren't in his section and he left to find our real server... cue another 5-7 min wait. So now we've been seated for almost 20 mins and all we have is water.. we wanted to order other drinks and my young kids were already squirming and wanting to eat. -Server finally came, seemed nice but she kept forgetting things we asked for. One bar drink... took about 10-12 mins (after the initial 20). simple sparkling waters... nothing complicated, even longer than the bar drink... finally got orders in after about 30-40 mins of sitting.. -Asked for a handful of extra sides of things when we ordered (Like extra sauces) they did not come when the food runner brought our food, then the server didn't really come back to check for awhile so we're sitting there waiting to ask for things to accompany our meal..and she's around, but not coming to our table -The food: disappointing. All of the burgers that were ordered were dry, over cooked, season-less, and all for a higher price compared to other restaurants. One of our party ordered an extra burger patty, it was 5.95.... that is an insane upcharge for a single patty, we do double patties at all sorts of places and that is by far the highest we have ever paid, and then it shows up not cooked the way it was ordered and dry as heck. Another of our party explained the burger wasn't cooked to the right temp, the waitress did offer for the kitchen to remake.. that took another 15-20 mins only for the burger to come back at the exact same well done-ness that we DIDN'T want. (sigh) -dessert: they brought birthday treats which is nice, we wanted to order more dessert but the waitress never asked, didn't bring a menu, didn't really come by so we didn't get a chance to ask because by the time the birthday dessert was gone and we've been there almost 2 hours at this point everyone was over it. -THEN the check comes. other than the ludicrous 5.95 upcharge for a burger patty, they charge 3 DOLLARS for a single slice of cheese (added to the burger with an extra patty). The kids meals are the highest I've seen at 12.50.. we ordered sliders and guess what, that 12.50 doesn't even include cheese and we were charged ANOTHER 5 DOLLARS for kids burger cheese... 2.50 each i guess. but... what the heck?! -Then after we've been basically ignored all night we see the server gets an automatic 20% tip.... we tip well, but this was definitely not 20% service and not fair (I served for years so I hold a certain expectation) everything took forever and delayed the whole night which sucked for our kids. -we also asked for an arcade card (you get a discount if you order the meal first), we paid for it and got started toward the arcade only to realize the server never gave it to us. I had to go track her down and ask for it.. the place was closed at that point so we rushed our kids through their arcade time and left. Moral of the story, expensive as hell and incredibly underwhelming. We do not plan on coming back, which is sad because its a great concept and san diego "staple" but, not worth the hassle...

A Nostalgic Adventure at Corvette Diner

I'm excited to share my perspective on this iconic diner and game room at Liberty Station.

Arrival and Waiting Experience: To avoid the weekend rush, we make it a point to arrive early. The popularity of Corvette Diner means it gets busy quickly, and while they don't take reservations, the wait times are generally manageable, averaging around 20 minutes. The 90-minute dining limit is clearly communicated, and most patrons adhere to it, ensuring a smooth turnover.

Parking: If you're arriving after noon, parking can be a challenge, but we've found a sweet spot between the Market and the diner when exploring Liberty Station.

Ambiance and Decor: Corvette Diner excels in creating a vibrant atmosphere with cool signs, posters, a shake stand, a bar, and even a DJ booth. The unique interior, featuring a full-sized Corvette at the entrance, immediately sets the tone for a nostalgic experience. The attention to detail in the decor enhances the overall ambiance, making it clear that this is not just a meal but an event.

Customer Service: The service is commendable, even if the waitresses are very busy. Anticipating a 10-15 minute interval between interactions, I make sure to get everything I need at once. Despite the hustle, the staff is consistently friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the overall experience.

Dining Experience: The menu primarily consists of classic diner fare, from chili burgers to sandwiches and fries. While the food doesn't reach culinary heights, it complements the nostalgic environment. I usually get a burger or sandwich, which are priced well.

Game Room: The inclusion of a game room adds a great dimension to the diner. Playing games while waiting for food or a table elevates the overall experience, making it more than just a meal. Combined with the DJ, occasional waitress dances, and nostalgic decor, Corvette Diner truly feels like an entertaining event.

In conclusion, Corvette Diner remains a favorite for its nostalgic ambiance, friendly staff, and the added fun of the game room. While the food is decent but not exceptional, the overall experience makes it a worthwhile destination for those seeking more than just a meal. We'll undoubtedly continue our tradition of returning to this...

The place is really cute—definitely a fun spot for photos and to bring your kids. But the first red flag was the online menu not showing any prices. That should’ve been my sign that things were going to be overpriced.

We went on a Sunday and had about a 30-minute wait, which wasn’t too bad. They have an arcade area for the kids, and the prices there weren’t horrible. However, they only allow 90 minutes for dining, which is posted on a sign—felt a bit rushed, especially with kids.

Once seated, I was honestly underwhelmed by the menu. Nothing stood out, and the prices were steep. Burgers were around \$19, and mine came out way overcooked and dry. They didn’t even ask how I wanted it cooked. Very disappointing. When I told my server, he brushed it off instead of offering a solution. I had to ask for cheese just to try and make it more edible. When I asked if all burgers were cooked that way, he said they’re made medium-well—but mine was far past that.

The kids’ menu only had about six items, including mac and cheese and a PB&J, both priced at \

12.50 without a drink included. They also offer a "kid snack" for \\

I also tried the meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and it was way too salty. We arrived at 7 PM, not knowing the restaurant closed at 8. We came for the entertainment (which might have justified the high prices), but were told they stop that at 7 PM—so we missed it entirely.

One highlight was the balloon artist—he was super talented and made my kids a dog and a unicorn. He works off tips and really brought some magic to the experience.

The milkshakes were good—not amazing—but probably the best part of the meal. Our server had a fun, sarcastic vibe at first, which I liked, but he didn’t handle feedback well.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re looking for great food. Come early if you want to catch the entertainment, and be ready to spend around \

100 for a family of four on food, plus another \\