The Balboa — Restaurant in San Diego

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."...

Bad customer service & terrible workers! I typically do not have energy for negativity but this place really did it. It was date night last Friday. I came in after a long day to enjoy a delicious burger. I came in thinking my night was going to be enjoyable but the workers made sure I did not have a good evening. We walked in and saw a small spot where we can eat. I said Hello then began to order food. The worker rudely interrupted my order and asked to see ID. Okay we showed him our ID's. Then he said there is no room to sit. I had to show him that there was seats. He then proceeded and took our order. Once we sat down there was a worker who brought us the burgers and then when I asked him for a water he refused and said I need to go to the bar to get a water. I got in line again at the bar waited several minutes before being helped while my food is getting cold. Then I order my water. The bartender went to pour my water then someone interrupted him and asked for water he gave them my water instead. leaving me to wait once again. They did not say anything nice. no greetings no anything. They seem to really hate it there. Not sure why. But they need to treat the customers with some courtesy and respect. They work with people. Either hire a more lively group of workers or train them. This is not okay. I am an organizer for the San Diego community and I will not refer any friends or bring groups of people here to support this business. Do...

I love this place. It’s making me hungry right now just thinking about it. My girlfriend took me out as a treat because I watered her garden while she was away. She said it was her favorite dive bar in San Dirgo so me and another girl went. They have a small basic menu of five burgers And then there’s add-ons and then there’s two types of fries. We shared the garlic fries which were beyond awesome I could eat them forever and on my burger I got roasted jalapeños, which is an add-on to the basic Balboa burger and I swear it was so so good. I hardly ever eat burgers and now it’s all I can think about I wanna go back there. I really recommend this place. We went at happy hour which even is a better deal, but they’re already a great deal. Two of us had hazy beers, which was so delicious. I had never had a hazy before and I got a little crazy because it was so tropical good flavored refreshing perfect for a burger. I went home and looked up hops and how it’s made and the history of it and I’m definitely going to drink some more of those for the rest of my life- anyway I highly recommend this place. We sat at a table. We did not play pool. The people there were so nice and quick and helpful. It wasn’t crowded. It’s like a secret place. Amazing what you can do with a burger when you only have a few things on your menu they’ve perfected this to ultimate deliciousness. I highly recommend this place. What a...