Balboa Bar and Grill Reviews

Three of us had dinner here in July 20th. The Balboa Burger was delicious and the garlic fries were enough for three to share. The drinks were excellently prepared by Patrick and Tom. This is a neighborhood bar and grill and Tom will make you feel like you are home.

If you need a dive bar with a great happy hour burger special, let me do you a favor and point you to Balboa Bar and Grill! It's, yes, a block from Balboa Park, just north of downtown San Diego, and is a pleasant spot with good hipster servers, a good selection of brews on tap, and oh yeah, did I mention that burger?

We got married last Friday afternoon and invited friends to join us at our favorite burger place afterwards. It's got a bit of that dive-y bar feel, which is what we love about it because we met in a small neighborhood bar. They've recently change their name from the Tin Can, but the food is the same as before and we think their burgers are the best in town. The seating has been tweeked a bit also which is better as there is a long table that accomodates a group. They've got good background music, they have live music I believe at night. Food's good, service friendly and fast, bathrooms are clean, and now they're open 7 days a week. We love it and our guests all thought it was great. They really topped off our perfect day!.

Pretty of located but what a burger! Not so fancy but warm atmospher. Me and my wife had the Balboa burger with garlic fries and it was amazing! Go there and try it!

We arrived at 20:30 to have food and drink. However we did not get it. At 20:30 they already finished all the food!!!! The most strange thing is the service: first they do not react on us, then they asked our ID to be sure that we can stay, only after barmen gave menu and told to us "sit choose and only after that you can arrive to me" (we did not argue), so we spent the time to do his way, and when we arrived to order barmen said: "we can serve only 1 sandwich"..... In rude manner. More over it was cold in bar due to they had fully open door. And... Do not expect from this place a lot: dark place, with only few tables, it more looks like bar for strange people and on street not in the city center. What can I say: just do not spent your time to arrive there. Choose better places.

Great place to enjoy a good burger along with a good cocktail. If you want a quick bite to eat before a night out this is your spot.

The $5 (reg $7.75) Burger Week special Balboa Burger looks simple, but was amazingly meaty, tasty and delicious due to the secret Zesty House Aoili, which went great with the $3 garlic fries. I'll definitely come back and pay full price. FYI: The prices here are just like in Europe, VAT style(aka Value Added Tax), in which the price on the menu already has the tax built in. So thats an immediate 8% discount! Maybe I'm a cheapass, but when was the last time my boss gave me an 8% raise?

I was in search of a good burger in San Diego and I found it here! I ordered the Balboa Burger, which was very fresh and juicy, despite me ordering it well-done. The Patty was also well-seasoned. I think the bun was a brioche bread, and it was perfectly toasted. So delicious. The fries were a little crispier than I would have liked but overall had good seasoning on top. I split the large order with my husband and we didn’t finish it. The portion was very generous.

Burgers are AMAZING and only $5 during happy hour! Fun Dive Bar, Great Eats, and Stiff Drinks! Highly recommend for a Happy Hour stop!

Balboa Bar is still somewhat of a San Diego secret since its in an odd location and a divey but clean and friendly atmosphere. The Balboa Burger...its definitely in the TOP 3 of San Diego Burgers...I could even say that its San Diego's BEST BURGER! Yes, I said it...the BEST! Even full price of $7.75 is well worth it. The uh-mazing Garlic Fries are only $3 extra. Also, like Europe, these prices already include tax! So that's 8% you're saving...be sure to leave a good tip!

Such a fun spot! My husband and I came here as a recommendation while out in San Diego for a few days. As soon as you walk in you get this cool dive feel with the bar on the left, a lot of seating on the right, many TVs and even an arcade!! It was awesome to eat and then go play some vintage games and pool. For food, this place just does burgers but I always appreciate a small menu like this…Easier selection and I know the food should be good if the place focuses on just a few things. We both got the Balboa Burger which came with their house sauce. He got regular salt and pepper fries and I opted to try the garlic fries and added bacon to the burger. These burgers were delicious!! They were so tender, cooked well and that sauce was a really nice accompaniment. If you’re a garlic fan like me, these fries are your game as they are tossed with fresh garlic. Adding the bacon to my burger I feel like it definitely bumped up the flavor more. You order your food and drinks at the bar, take a number, go find a table or sit at the bar, and then someone from the kitchen brings you the food when it’s done. All of the staff were friendly, and we got our food quickly. Thank you to everyone for a great meal and experience!

My niece took me here because she lives nearby and thought I would love it, given my fondness for dark, local watering holes (and yes, dive bars). She was right. Good fun, great burgers.

We had the balboa burgers and they were wonderful. The buns were light and fluffy and tasted good. The burger patties were cooked to perfection and the fries are excellent as well. Full bar with beers, wines and mixed drinks.

Fantastic Burger. The place looks like a bit of a dive bar, and a bit out of the way, but well worth seeking this place out. The burgers are great, simple but perfectly cooked (fries could have been better, but that's a small thing, and it won't put me off going back), the beer is good. They have a stage for live bands, but I was there too early in the evening so the band hadn't started up. I'll be back

On advice from friends who said the burgers were good, my husband and I decided to order burgers and fries for take out. The burger was probably one of the better burgers I have had in a long time! The fries were good. On the negative side, our burgers were not cooked the way we asked, the fries came in a small box and the box was probably filled half way. The fries were 8 dollars, definitely not worth the price, but I will say my husband had more fries in his box. Will I order from here again? Most definitely and will recommend to others!

Came here at the recommendation of my kids. Nice little dive bar in Bankers Hill area of San Diego. Not much else around it so it is off all alone from the busy restaurant and bar areas. Good prices on food and decent size portions, good burger, I had the Century burger (double meat, double bacon) Ridiculous, I didn't eat the rest of the day. Limited selection on tap which is the only knock I have on this bar, given that S.D. is the craft beer capital. Bartender and cook were super friendly and service was great. You have to order at the bar and they bring your food out. You want simple, fast and cheap this is the place.

Nice place off the beaten path. The Balboa Burger was really good. You have to try their garlic fries! I enjoyed the low key atmosphere too. Well worth the stop!

Dimly lit ‘Dive bar and Grill. Excellent staff who were really friendly and welcoming. The burger I had with a chicken breast stuck on top was the best I’d tasted in California. Great happy hour with reductions on food and drinks. We were in on a Sunday afternoon, by 5pm there wasn’t a seat to be had in the place as it packed out. Definitely up there if in the vicinity of Balboa Park.

First visit last night as we just moved across to West side of the Park. Very good local dive, limited beers but looked like lots of people having cocktails and they put lots of effort into the drinks. Place small, very friendly, good vibe. Ate at the bar, burgers were really good, very good buns, very happy and price very reasonable. Will be a regular place.

The menu isn't huge, nor is this bar/restaurant. The burgers are top notch! Everything was cooked perfectly, the fries were crisp and tasty. The beer nice and cold. It looks a lot like a regular bar...borderline 'dive bar' but it is not. If you're craving a burger, this is the spot to go.

In our quest to find the best burger in every city we go to, my partner selected this hidden gem. It's definitely a dive, and the clientele is a blend of hipster and grunge, but the burgers are amazing! Menu is limited, but you owe it to yourself to try this place out - garlic fries are also pretty good! Balboa burger gets two thumbs up! Lots of craft cocktails, and some great local brews on tap make it an almost perfect adventure.

Great burgers, cheap prices, and friendly locals: everything you want in a pub, stripped down and delicious.

Non burger connoisseurs need not visit. Seriously, the bugers and bun are a perfect marriage of tasty burger and heavenly high bun. Clean small bar with high tops and tv's. Excellent execution of select burger and sandwich menu. Full bar with well crafted drinks. Will return.

A real american bar with ordering at the bar and freshly made great burger. Good ipa beer. Good tasty and well made burger with fresh fries and a cold IPA. Simple and a little out of center but fully worth the walk. In total for Two burgers, fries and 4 IPAs was about 80 usd. Very much liked the atmosphere.

This is absolutely a place I wouldn't have ever considered walking in to. An, if it weren't for my brother, I probably never would have. He couldn't stop raving about the food, after I told him that I was craving something "bad for me" (we tend to eat healthily at home). He convinced us that this was where we should go for dinner. So it was that the three of us walked in kind of late on a Thursday night. We sidled up to the bar to place our order: BBQ bacon cheeseburger for me, California burgito for my husband, and chicken sandwich (really?!) for my brother. We also got a large order of the garlic fries to share, and the boys ordered a couple of beers to round out the meal. The bartender - super friendly and accommodating - rung us up and got our order in. We found a small table towards the back, near what used to be (and maybe still is?) the stage. My brother called the place "a dive", which got me thinking. I wouldn't ever have gone in before just because it's not on my radar, but also because in my mind, it's one of those places where you walk in the front door, and all the regulars turn to glare at you. That's NOT the case, of course, but perceptions like that can't be erased without exposure. At any rate, dive or not, I did enjoy the night. The burgers were every bit as delicious as my brother said they'd be - the meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and they took the time to butter and toast the fluffy buns. I was happy to find that the bacon burger wasn't swimming in BBQ sauce, and didn't have an obnoxious onion ring on top. I can be quite picky sometimes, yes, but this was an excellent meal. Grilled onions, crispy bacon and a touch of tangy BBQ sauce all paired perfectly together. I wasted no time in polishing it off. I'm dainty. My husband loved his burger as well. I honestly had no idea what he ordered (he said, "It's a California burgito!", like I'm supposed to know what the heck that means), but it turned out to be their riff on a California burrito, meaning it had fries inside. It looked yummy, and judging by the speed with which he consumed it, it was. The garlic fries were also so so very good. They were crispy and crunchy, and the garlic wasn't too overwhelming (being roasted, as it was). It came with a delightful little cup of aioli, which really wasn't needed, but which did add a nice layer of flavor to the fries. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because, right as we were finishing eating, the bartender got this crazy bug-swatting-zapping contraption out, and proceeded to lunge back and forth behind the bar, swatting and zapping bugs. For a person with huge cootie issues, who has been through food safety courses, it kind of turned my stomach. I'm sure it wasn't as bad as it seemed in my head, but we beat a hasty retreat after that.

Picked up at the Airport & 15 minutes later we're seated at the Balboa Bar & Grille. Bar food, beer & spirits. The walls are covered with old photos of downtown San Diego. Nothing fancy, but good home town bar.

Came here for the burger as I heard it is one of the best. YES IT IS! The burger is above and beyond!!! the fries are good too but who cares with a burger like this! Came back for a second time for Happy Hour only $5 for the Balboa Burger!!! The place is very small and not the most comfortable bar and table seating but i suppose its part of the dive bar charm. Cocktails were pretty good too...bartenders were very nice. Highly recommend

Best burger in San Diego....Hodads doesn't come close! Great brioche type bun that is fresh and crispy. The classic burger is all you need, adding bacon or an egg for a little extra.

Was walking down the street decided to pop in got a burger and a beer. Was very impressed on the burger and fries. The flavor was right on the meat was cooked rare and was a nice surprise. The fries were another great surprise. Can’t wait to come back for lunch!

Wired place managed by wired people. We arrived at 8pm and we were welcomed in very rude way. It is fast food style so you have to order at the desk. When we arrive to order the guy says that they have finished the food ! Ahahah come on ! You finish the food ?? Seriously? Anyway , better like this cause the burger doesn’t not look good and the ambient was really uncomfortable! Bye bye balboa never see you again

First time I walked in I thought this can't be right. This bar has some of San Diego's best hamburgers??? But they do! One of my favorite spots here in town when I am craving a nice juicy hamburger. I am a bit of a tightwad so I time my visits for their Happy Hour. Their signature hamburger the Balboa Burger is only $5 from 4 pm till 6 pm. All drinks are a dollar off too. Their hamburgers are what I always imagine I'd cook for myself but theirs are way better than my own.

This place looks pretty sketchy from the door and I wouldn't have gone in if my husband hadn't encouraged me to expand my comfort zone a little. Only specialty beer on tap. Burgers were good but my bun was overly toasted and too crunchy. The fries were greasy. Friendly service and cheap prices

I went for a dedicated search for the best burger in San Diego. After minutes of thorough research, I set my trust in this nice little bar near Balboa Park. This turned out to be one of my best experiences of the whole trip. The bar is genuin with its cool vibe. This is a place where you go and have a good time. Now for the main part: the burger. Their classic Balboa Burger was simply amazing. The bread was crunchy and the meat medium rare with a Nice crust, just like I want it. One thing I would like to have changed is ordering with bacon. Fries were perfect, but be ready for some serious garlic taste if you go for that one.

I was looking for something unique and a burger was the choice of the night. I researched for over an hour and finally found my selection. No disrespect meant but this place rolls the dive bar feel and a simple menu, however the simple menu is out of this world. I didn't get the garlic fries and I kick myself for it. Balboa burger was my selection and it was spot on. Hats off to this joint.

The burger here is done to perfection. make sure you order it Medium Well. The beef is juicy and there is some crispiness to the outside and yet does not have a burned taste. The staff is so friendly and warm without sacrificing efficiency.They have Happy Hour prices that is hard to beat.

Great place, friendly staff and atmosphere. The burger was very good and garlic fries to die for. I would recommend giving them a try.

We were in San Diego visiting our daughter who lives downtown. We were staying in Ocean Beach but manages to have 2 meals here. All 4 of us ordered the Balboa Burger. The best hand made Burger with fries we've had in a while. The second time I had the chicken sandwich and it was really good. Service was friendly and fast. If you like dive bars ..this is a great one!

This is a laid back casual bar and grill that specializes in burgers. If it’s your first time going there make note that you have to place your order at the bar - there is no table service here. We ordered the Original Balboa Burger. One of us had a side of garlic fries and the other had a side of salt and pepper fries with the burger. First bite and I was smiling at the taste. Burger was cooked perfectly and the aioli and cheese really added a nice flavor to the experience. Salt and pepper fries were crispy and decent. Garlic fries were a little disappointing because it seemed like they just put fries on a plate and dropped a bunch of garlic on top instead of mixing it in. Ultimately the star of the show was the burger though. With one of us ordering a beer and the other a water the tab was over $40 so it’s not necessarily cheap. Maybe try to go at Happy Hour to save a few bucks. Balboa has a full bar available and a pool table for those that like to play. They also had a couple of pinball machines available. On the menu they also have some other burgers and a chicken sandwich available - next time I will try a different one and probably skip the fries.

This place is a hidden gem. From the outside it's looks like a random dive bar but you get inside and they have an eclectic prohibition style bar menu with classic cocktails and great casual food i.e. great burgers. Try the Final Word which I have recreated at home.

Fantastic burgers and brews! We walked from our hotel after we asked the concierge for a great burger place. It's a little place but lots of flavor. Burger was fresh, cooked as ordered, friendly bartenders. The kinda place you could visit regularly if you lived there. Prices were not outrageous. We walked at night and did not feel unsafe. Fun place!

We needed to find a place near downtown to grab sandwiches to take back to our hotel. Balboa was just right. You place your order right inside the front door. I ordered the pastrami sandwich. Burgers and fries to share were also ordered as well as three beers while we waited. The pastrami sandwich was piled high with meat, lots of meat. Just the right amount of mustard, cheese and pickle, too (I opted to leave the onion off). Two orders of fries were plenty for three to share. Note that the garlic fries were really GARLIC and very good. This is definitely a place I would use as a takeout restaurant. I have to admit the beer selection was superior and we enjoyed them while we waited. As for dining in, I'm not so sure. The place needs some TLC. Dark, worn down with sketchy bathrooms are kind of a turn-off as a hangout place to me. Having said that, there were plenty of folks enjoying their dinner and drinks, so, to each his own.

Recently visited San Diego and had a taste for a cheese burger. After reading several reviews of different places, I decided to try Balboa. I decided to play it safe and try the Original Balboa cheeseburger. The burger was beyond fabulous!!! The meat was freshly cooked, cooked just right, juicy with all the trimmings of lettuce, onion, tomatoes, cheese, and their wonderful sauce. I even got the salt and pepper fries (and I typically do not like fries) but these were just right. The right amount of crunch and flavor. Lastly, the atmosphere was very laid back...kinda an everyday Joe can come in, get a great burger, beer (or mixed drink), and have good conversation (if that's your style). I definitely plan to visit again the next time I'm in San Diego!!

I can see why this place has been in business for decades, the burgers are amazing and probably have to be in the top 3 in San Diego I've had thus far. This place is a dive bar with decor from yesteryear and you can easily drive past without ever knowing it was there. I believe I've had the best barbecue bacon cheeseburger of my life here. The bun's a crazy soft and the bbq sauce and burger had great flavor. I've also had the taco/burger which was also great. If you're looking for a solid burger, go here. Also, the staff is friendly and I haven't tried the bar as of yet but I will be back for the tasty food.

Visiting from the Midwest, we pride ourselves on a great burger. That is ...until you bite into a Balboa Burgito or a Balboa Classic. Step up Midwest! The Balboa burger does a savory dance on your taste buds and makes you simply want more! Coated in tantalizing spices, the huge hunk of meat sits atop a soft buttered bun with a knife stuck for aesthetic. Paprika sprinkled garlic fries provide a mouthwatering compliment. Bar staff are uber friendly and quick with a stout cocktail, just the way you like them. When they recommend extra avocado, listen to their advice and your gustatory senses will appreciate the input. Seat yourself at the bar where you can watch sports, listen to live music, or gab with the natives. The only caveat is that there is limited space. So after a week's stay in San Diego with all the vast array of fine dining and not really a carnivore, where did I return for a second meal? That's right. The Balboa Bar. Never regretted it! And as San Diegans say, "It was SOOOO good!"

I managed to get to Balboa Bar & Grill twice in the last 2 weeks, but I'd go everyday if possible. Literally the BEST burger in the city.

This place has the general appearance of a dive bar, but that belies the great food. The burgers and fries are excellent. And these guys know how to run a bar. Things are simple here, but they're really good.