Jeffs’ Beach Burgers — Restaurant in San Diego

I don't usually leave such long reviews, but this place is probably my favorite place in San Diego County.

My wife and I have been to Jeff's Burgers only half a dozen times and it's always feels like such a special occasion (only because we don't live very close by). If we lived in the area I swear this would be my weekend tradition. The menu is simple, but not boring. The staff is working their butts off, but still always so friendly. And the food is always a knock out of the park.

On our most recent visit, October 19 2024, it was a fairly busy time of day. Late lunch, around 2:30pm. Every seat was taken and there was a line out the door, but no one was impatient, these burgers are known to be worth the wait. The woman at the register (who I learned later was the General Manager, Marina) was helping the little boy in front of us decide how he liked his burger. With or without onions? pickles? etc. She was never pushy and let him take his time figuring out how he liked his food. She cared, in a way that was so loving, to make sure he was going to have a meal he enjoyed. With every interaction she prioritized the customer's experience of the establishment and the food over everything else. In between customers she assured everyone waiting in line that she appreciated our patience and that she would help us soon. When it was time to take our order she was the sweetest thing.

When she asked for my name so that they could call it out when our order was ready she had a great reaction to me saying "Jeff", because of the likeness to the restaurant's name. We all agreed that she should take my wife's name (Selina) down instead because it was more fun to say. She even spelled it right on the first try, which is uncommon, and she credited it to French being her native language and that is how it is commonly spelled in French.

We got seated outside on their little patio, which is small but cute. I will say that initially their seating area can seem cramped and leave you wishing for a little more elbow room, but I have found that it forces you to interact with the folks sitting around you in a way that feels kind of nice. When you are sitting outside, in a beach town, under a pink umbrella, and you need to ask your neighbor to excuse you are you squeeze by with a chocolate milkshake in one hand and a box of burgers in the next, no one can be grumpy or upset. Every single customer here is always in a good mood, and it is noticeable. This place is just pure joy.

When my wife's name was called out the Manager handed my our food and I insisted on getting her name. Her name is Marina Zablit. When I met her I assumed she must own the place based on the love and care she was putting in to every action and word that came out of her mouth. I don't know is she is a mother, but she has that community "mom" energy that just makes you feel at home.

This restaurant cooks all of the orders on one flat top grill, and everything is cooked to order with perfection. Their burgers come out hot and ready. Their milkshakes are real home-made milkshakes, like you dream about from when you were a kid. The fries are real, none of that frozen processed junk that doesn't even taste like a potato anymore.

I am leaving such a long review because I know what it is like to watch a little town lose it's soul to big business. I am a third generation Encinitas beach town local. My family moved here in the early 1940s. My family has watched these local towns lose their little Mom and Pop shops, and lose their very soul to corporations tourism.

But somehow, places like Jeff's Burgers and nestled in there still. Still keeping the local soul alive. Still cranking out the best this town has to offer. It's not just food, it is the whole package.

I am counting the days until my next visit, and you best believe I will have a smile on my face the whole time I am here.

To close this long winded review out, I want to say great job, Jeffrey and JJ. From one Jeff to another, you are...

I visited today because I’ve always liked the vibe and design, which looked inviting, appetizing, and popular. I arrived around 6:50 PM—just before 7 PM—when there was hardly any line. There was only one party ahead of me, but the cashier had stopped taking orders. I waited for about 10 minutes, and still, no one was ordering. Then, an older woman behind me mentioned that she had ordered online for pickup, so I immediately placed my own online order.

After ordering, I saw the estimated wait time was 30 minutes. As more people began lining up, I went to ask C whether the wait time for online orders and in-person orders was different. I explained that I had been in line to order but had also placed an online order, and asked if it could be marked as dine-in. C told me the wait time would be the same. I then sat outside to wait. Over half hour I paid even closer attention to the announcements, but I never heard my name called, not even once.

At 7:38 PM—my order’s estimated ready time—I went to the counter asked loudly if my order was ready. No one responded. One thing I noticed about your store is that no one at the counter seems willing to acknowledge customers, even when it’s obvious they are trying to get help.

After no response, I asked again about order #154 and was again ignored. I have to zoomed in with my phone camera and saw they were already preparing orders in the 160s. I loudly asked again where my #154 was, pointing out they were far past my number. Only then did C casually point to a box behind her and say, “It’s right here; we called you but you didn’t come.”

From 7:30 PM to 7:38 PM, I had been watching my phone and listening carefully. I walked to the counter at 7:38 and did not receive my burger until after 7:40 PM. C’s expression was clearly unfriendly, with no smile and a demeanor suggesting the problem was mine.

By that point, I was already very upset—not only because of the wait but also because of the lack of assistance and C’s cold attitude. She didn’t say “thank you” or “sorry.” My two-year-old son was waiting outside in the seating area, and I had been going back and forth while keeping an eye on him. By then the sun had gone down, it was cold, and the burger I finally received was only lukewarm. Standing outside with that half-warm burger, I felt the entire experience was wrong.

I went back to confront C, speaking loudly about my experience and their unprofessional and dishonest handling of the situation. I only wanted an apology or acknowledgment. Instead, C kept her attitude, making me feel like I was the unreasonable one. She said she was the manager. When I asked her name, she said, “It doesn’t matter.” Of course it matters—without accountability, customers with real concerns will be brushed off.

C not only had an attitude and failed to do her job, but also made excuses, treated me disrespectfully, lied and acted in a way that I felt was discriminatory.

After call the real manager, C’s attitude changed completely, and she offered explanations—but without any real sincerity. She even tried to convince me that I had misunderstood her, claiming my burger was only ready at 7:42 PM and that she had just called my name before I asked. She said that if no one claims an order, they call again every 5 minutes. By then it was nearly 8 PM, and I still hadn’t eaten. I told her multiple times I didn’t want explanations—I just wanted to go home.

Everyone who ordered after me had already received their food. beef patty was burnt and dry. Although I saw the bun being toasted on a pan during preparation, it arrived soggy, flattened like dumpling dough, and sticky—tasted...

Yes!! 3months old or so, Love to see a cool burger place open up in town, so Tayser this place can kill it anywhere. I’m glad it’s here though. Got the Jefe burger, will come back.

I like the curly fries. A curly fry is not by itself amazing without a good sauce and they have that that is my reason for five stars. A good curly fry plus a good sauce for some amazing burger if I could get six stars I would.

Thank you guys for killing it here appreciate the quality also the customer service was amazing too so props for that.

Couldn’t even get a picture of the burger I eat it so fast I wasn’t even hungry but apparently my stomach wanted it. That’s how good grilled onions and a good burger is, and should be at a place. Appreciate the quality craftsmanship of the good burger.

Feel like I’m advertising for this place now but the cookies are pretty good too lol. This advertisement wasn’t paid for work by jefes or Jeff’s lol.

I I don’t know I guess it’s just cool when you find a good place and get excited about it, go ahead and get a burger, you won’t be disappointed I guarantee it, I don’t know if I can guarantee it but...