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Welcome to The Friendly Tavern

Located in San Diego, CA, The Friendly Tavern is a divey, hipster burger joint that serves some of the best smash burgers in town. With a casual ambiance and friendly staff, this spot offers a variety of mouth-watering burgers like the OG Dirty Flat Top and hamburguesa. Customers rave about the juicy patties, greasy goodness, and delicious onion rings. The bar serves up affordable mixed drinks, making it a great spot for friends to hang out and watch sports games. Despite the simple menu, The Friendly Tavern's focus on quality and flavor makes it a must-try for burger enthusiasts looking for a satisfying and hearty meal.

The Friendly Tavern: Reviews & Ratings

Paola V.
Paola V.

I've been here plenty of times and the food is amazing each time. In part, I decided to write them a review because of the experience I had with the staff just last night. My poor pup was at the vet and my partner and I decided to get dinner and a drink there to kill time while we waited for the pup to be discharged. Well shortly after ordering, we got a call to come pick her up. I explained the situation to the cashier/bartender and asked if we could switch our order to go. He said no problem and we waited for our food. We were excited to pick up our pup and headed home to a nice surprise of extra fries. All that to say, the food hits EVERY time.. but so do the staff. They're very down to earth and very nice. Definitely recommend getting a good greasy smash burger from here!

Jocksan E.
Jocksan E.

Serve some of the best burgers Iv ever tasted. Super simple but extremely tasty burgers. Location is awesome too super laid back spot recommend to everyone.

Katherine K.
Katherine K.

My friend posted a picture of her tray of food from The Friendly and I thought about it nonstop for a week. So of course I had to go. I got the hamburguesa with a side of onion rings - out of this world. I'm usually not a fan of burgers, but this reminded me that life was worth living another day for LOL. This is an absolutely no-frills burger joint without an extensive menu for food or drinks. But they do what they do and they do it well.

Daniel P.
Daniel P.

The burger was delicious but the bun was a little disappointing. This is a similar ambiance to the old Carnitas snack shack, very similar layout if not identical. Order from the bar and wait for the deliciousness. The ranch might've been some of the best stuff ever. Out of the 4 burgers we ate this day, the ranch and the fries stood out. If I was out in North Park, it would be a good spot to stop in and smash a burger.

Aseel K.
Aseel K.

Probably one of the best smash burgers I've had!! Such a fun place to grab a burger and enjoy it. The food comes out really fast and their onion rings are a must!! I will definitely be back soon! We tried the classic O.G. Dirty Flat Top Burger, and it did not disappoint! So juicy and delicious you're going to want to order more. All outdoor seating! Parking can be tricky on the weekends but there's a bunch of street parking around the block.

Kaye G.
Kaye G.

best smashburgers in sd!!! my bf and i got the og dirty flat top and bacon mushroom swiss burgers and it was such a flavor bomb. the patty is cooked to perfection with a balance of tenderness & crisp. expect to have a pretty greasy meal, their buns are also buttered. we got side of fries and onion rings as well - it is very safe to skip on fries you're not gonna be missing out much. we also got mixed drinks for only $7 each. our total came to about $42 which is pretty great considering that already accounts for the alcoholic beverages. truly enjoyed the environment, seems like a perfect place to grab a couple of drinks with friends and/or watch sports games. it's outdoor and limited bar seating. parking is also best around the residential area!!

Christine Z.
Christine Z.

Very unassuming burgers, but if you can get past how plain and boring they look, they're actually very tasty. Super heavy and greasy though so I think I would only really be able to eat one of these maybe every few months. If it's your first time here, you can't go wrong with their OG dirty flat top. No pizza served here but apparently they do at other locations. Occasionally they'll have specials too which they announce on their IG. Street parking and large outdoor seating area, but we've only ever ordered to go.

Jessica D.
Jessica D.

what I ordered | OG Dirty Flat Top Burger | Onion Rings | Fries | Dog Patty taste | the burger is simple and I like the crisp. just a solid burger without all the veggies. onion rings were good. their fries, im not really sure what is the original cause i get them twice in the same weekend and they were different styles. their ranch sauce is good. saw notes that they don't put too much sauce so I would get extra sauce for your burgers and fries if you like to use a lot of sauce. service | servers were chill. food came out fast. waited like 5 min for the food to be ready parking | street notes | dog friendly, outdoor seating, have a bar. Also have a dog patty for the doggies!

Suz C.
Suz C.

Soooo good! I love how they transformed this space! Been here a few times and service is always great! The guys are always cool and nice! This place is too easy. Walk up... order... enjoy your drink... delicious and simple food just the way you want comes out quickly. We always order a few burgers... mainly the OG Dirty Flat Top smash burger, on occasion we will order the Shit Kicker (bbq burger) and bacon shroom Swiss burger. Fries and onion rings are always a must. Onion rings are delicious! They also have mixed drinks and beers... so if you're thirsty... it's perfect! Great place for yummy bite of food!

Location

Welcome to The Friendly Tavern, a hidden gem located at 2632 University Ave in San Diego, CA. This burger joint is not your average fast-food restaurant; it offers a range of mouth-watering options that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Known for its smash burgers, The Friendly Tavern serves up some of the best burgers in town according to reviews from satisfied customers. The simple yet extremely tasty burgers have garnered positive feedback from patrons like Jocksan E., who described them as super simple but extremely tasty. The hamburguesa, the O.G. Dirty Flat Top Burger, and the bacon mushroom swiss burgers are highly recommended for a flavorful experience.

Aside from the delicious food, what sets The Friendly Tavern apart is its welcoming staff. Customers like Paola V. have praised the staff for their down-to-earth and accommodating nature. The friendly environment enhances the overall dining experience, making it a go-to spot for many locals.

Whether you're looking for a casual meal with friends or a quick bite to eat, The Friendly Tavern has something for everyone. With options for vegetarians, a full bar offering mixed drinks and beers, and a dog-friendly policy, this establishment caters to a diverse range of tastes and preferences.

So, if you're in the mood for a greasy smash burger or a side of onion rings that will have you coming back for more, make sure to stop by The Friendly Tavern. It's a perfect spot for a laid-back meal with good company and great food.