Key and Cleaver — Restaurant in San Diego

I don't post often and rarely do I rave about burgers, but Hot damn y'all, check out Key and Cleaver by University and Euclid at your earliest opportunity.

These burgers are right up there with The Balboa's and Rocky's burgers, thick juicy meat that has real flavor. Never even heard of this place and it was a sorta random choice when we noticed it on Google for the first time yesterday despite being just like a mile away, but we were blown away by the food, the service, and that they have a beautiful bar/dining room and a lovely open-air rooftop patio. Prices are reasonable at $16 for a bacon cheeseburger and fries* (see about th..e fries below holy crap). A very important thing to note is that the beef is all from grass fed cattle, sourced locally from farms around Julian- which at $16 makes this probably one of the cheapest ethically sourced burgers in SD. I don't eat beef super often partly due to ethical concerns so this is a huge plus for me! I'm not sure what to say except these burgers are perfect. Great meat, soft springy fresh bun with thick chewy and crispy bacon.

THE FRIES. Holy sh*t these fries are maybe the best fried potatoes I've had in my life. At first I thought they were sidewinder wannabes but actually sidewinders wanna be these! Definitely try the beef tallow version! Literally got goosebumps from how delicious they were. Didn't even need dipping sauces, since they were properly dressed with flaky salt and rosemary- but their garlic aioli slaps super hard too.

Chris was super nice and welcoming and informative making good recommendations, and made these tasty drinks. The bloody Mary was decent albeit not very exciting, but the spicy margarita was DELICIOUS (And actually spicy 🔥) and drinks were reasonably priced around $10. Definitely go support this place.

They also have a happy hour every day from 3-6 with $5 wells, $2 off drafts, and $8...

Wow! What can I say. This was my first time in San Diego, and really California in general, and this was our first stop for food. The 5 star rating led us here (my wife and toddler child were with me). Let’s talk about atmosphere first. This location is off of University, we walked in and not only were the staff greeting us, but so were the patrons. It was definitely a nice place to be. The atmosphere was pretty spectacular to say the least. It was elegant, but homey all in the same. It felt like somewhere that everyone would love to be. My son was immediately attracted to staff and Henry (the door greeter:) everyone was very interactive with us which is a nice feeling (especially for California I learned lol). My wife and I ordered drinks to start. I can’t remember the name of either, but both were fantastic. Mine being a Gin drink (locally sourced Gin) with fresh blackberries. I’m a bit of a Gin guy, and this was honestly the best Cocktail I HAVE EVER HAD! It was amazing. Dangerously amazing…. We ordered our food, we both chose “The Cash” burger which is apparently an inspired burger of the month. The main ingredient was bacon, along side their Grass Fed only beef. IT WAS DELICIOUS! Both my wife and I agreed, this is a 5 star burger to say the least. Not only that, but the fries that were fried in beef talo were freaking fantastic as well!! We were too stuffed for anything else (except for another drink each) , although we did converse with the staff who were very very nice. This was only our first experience. We went back for more twice in one weekend, and it honestly wasn’t even that close to where we stayed. If you are looking for a place with great atmosphere and even better food in this area, you need to try this. It won’t...

The Burger of Your Dreams in San Diego!

If you're on the hunt for the best burger in San Diego, look no further! This restaurant is a true gem, offering a burger that surpasses all expectations. From the moment you step inside, the cozy ambiance and friendly staff make you feel right at home. But the real star of the show? The burger.

Perfectly cooked grass fed beef, grilled to juicy perfection, each bite is a symphony of flavors. The beef is tender, well-seasoned, and cooked just the way you like it. The toppings are fresh and perfectly balanced, complementing the meat without overpowering it. And the bun? Soft yet sturdy, holding everything together without getting soggy.

The attention to detail is what truly sets this burger apart. Whether it’s the house-made sauces or the hand-cut fries on the side, everything is crafted with care and precision. It's clear that this restaurant takes pride in serving up the best.

I’ve tried many burgers in San Diego, but this one easily takes the crown. It's a must-visit for any burger lover. I'll definitely a must visit...