Red Rooster

Easily the best burger/dive bar in North County. A small, low key spot to get good food and cold beer at a good price. Staff is always friendly and the vibs are always good.

This restaurant is welcoming. Felt at home when entering the bar/restaurant. A small menu but the food list is solid. Good and delicious choices to choose from. Definitely a spot to hang out with some friends. Family friendly spot. The staff is busy but helpful with assisting you with your choices. They do not accept credit/debit cards but there is an ATM inside. The food is amazing and I definitely tried their famous Rooster Burger. The price for the menu are affordable within means. Check it out and try their famous Rooster Burger.

This is a dive bar. With that being said, the bar tender was SUPER nice. He took the orders, got the drinks and also cooked the food. We ordered a burger patty and cheese for our pup. He happily prepared it for us along with your order. Other than the onion rings, the food was good.

One of O-side's greatest little (hidden) gems. 4 stars for the atmosphere is not a dig, it's a compliment to this local, historic icon and awesome little dive bar, where it's the perfect place for a low key hang out, play pool or sit outside with your drinking buddies under the shade and or firepit at night. Beer selection is just the right amount of local favorites, and the Jukebox is always playing the good stuff, too. Thee consistently best charbroiled burger, cooked right before my eyes I've ever had. Totally recommend the fried mushrooms too!! Served with a tray of extra toppings and condiments that you can add as much or as little as you'd like next to this perfectly cooked American staple

It's a local hole in the wall but a great place to have a beer. And the rooster burger is so frickin good. Oh the the crispy tots 😋

Awesome dive bar with an even better lunch special. A cheeseburger and brings for something like $14. The burger is awesome.

this place is so great . top 5 Burgers period . been all over the US searching for the best burger. This spot in Oceanside, California definitely takes the top five. Knocking pocket burger out of the top five. Tyler is so personable and so cool and he cooks this amazing burger. It’s unreal. I encourage everyone who roll through Oceanside to grab this burger. I grabbed two in two hours.

Walked in and was ignored by the people who were "working" there. Waited for about 5 minutes for someone to at least make eye contact with me. The place was not particularly busy, but I got zero attention from the wait staff. Turned around and left. This happened to me on two occasions.

Oceanside institution, great atmosphere, and the Rooster Burger is in the top 5 burgers in SD county. Get the stick beer!!,

Been a rooster member for over 25 years. Never have I witnessed such a bad employee who works there. Until recently. A month ago, I was in there, the female bartender was nice and normal at first. Then, god forbid, people come in, when she switched to bitch-mode. Mocking guests. Very condescending with them. And, omg, now a guest ordered a rooster burger. Boom! I saw as she was interacting with a guest, saying things like she, "has no time to order it". Or, "I'm by myself and I may not get it for you". This guy was very patient as she made him wait over 45 min for a simple burger. THEN, when it was ready, she yells across the bar, "hey boy! Your burgers ready!" I thought the guest was going to throw it in her face. I chatted with the guest and he made a point to give her $0 tip (as deserved). Now me....I was in there the other day with a group of my friends. Same female bartender. Same mannerisms. Started out fine; then back to B-mode. She was mad at some guy who ordered a water. She then told me and the water guy (I never order a water...just waiting next to him to order a beer), that both of us can go next door to get some oceanside water bcuz she too busy and all by herself. After that, she refused to take my order by walking by me for the next 30 min. I had to get one of my girl friends to order. AND, when bartender gave the beer to her...she said "oh...it's for you...I wouldn't have poured it". I didn't say a word to her. And guess what she earned....a hefty $0 tip. She is a crappy and rude talentless bartender with no sense of time management. It's not a big bar. You can handle it....but not her. Apparently, the best way to handle your lack of time management, is to take your bitchness out on everyone else. And ps ms. bartender: when you start by saying "no offense" or "sorry for being a bitch" to your paying guests, it doesn't give you kings-X to being an a-hole.

It's a bar! No kids under 21 allowed. No paper menu. No seating not family friendly!! DIVE BAR

Est. 1963- One of the best 'diver bars' anywhere . . . I mean anywhere. The Red Rooster may not be for everyone, but if you like plenty of beers on tap, and some tasty food, This is a spot to visit. Oceanside shuts down early during the week (especially on the off season) and it's tough to find a meal past 9pm. The Rooster serves food until 11:30pm. The flamed broiled Rooster Burger with cheese and green chili is a favorite. So are the Onion Rings. The service is good, the music is loud and there is always a game going on at the pool table. Now accepting credit cards. If you are in the area, and you want Burgers & Beers, The Red Rooster is a must.

I thought I knew every legit burger in San Diego, how the hell haven't I heard of this?? Walking in, it smells like a delicious burger, it should smell like stale beer. Great place to get punched in the face by a construction worker, but screw it, the burger is all world. Service with a smile? Hell no, but she'll make you a juicy burger.

Amazing food and beer selection and bartenders are typically very friendly. All in all love this place especially when the fire pit is going

There is a reason why they say this is "Home of the Famous Rooster Burger". Because IT IS!!! and Peables is a nice lady and great cook. Be sure at give her a good tip.

changed ownership and the grouchiest old man w a grey mustache is the new bartender sat back there scowling with the crap news blaring on all the screens, then overcooked our burger to a char. That place used to be epic ...

Hands down the best burger in north county. Staff was awesome too. Love to have an old school spot still thriving in Oceanside.

I dont drink....but if I did this is a great local Dive bar complete with pool table, video game on bar counter top and good selection of beers on tap. Why am I in a dive bar of I don't drink ? For the WORLD FAMOUS....or at least amongst Oside locala....ROOSTER BURGER ! A Deliscious 1/2 lb of meat, grilled onions an Ortega Chilli, Cheese and fresh( more.less) bun ! Its great.....right up there with Nessy and Hodads. Fries are.excellent too !. My only beef......no pun intended....is they don't carry Coca Cola.... Pepsi only ! Boo! It a little place on oceanside blvd. Blink and you'll miss it. Look for the big Red Cock on the side of the building ! Tell em Surfin Guy sent you.

Absolutely my favorite bar in the Oceanside/carlsbad area, didn't get his name but bartender was very chill. Music was great, loved how they switched genres, and I was very surprised at how cheap the check was. Might be my favorite bar I've been to in a while

Why can't you do 6 stars?!? This place has it all. From fresh all natural food, to great local draft beer, you can't go wrong with the rooster.

Born and raised in Oceanside and this is my first time coming to red rooster. I did want to try the chicken sandwich as I don't love Ortega Chile but the chicken sandwich is no longer on the menu. The burger was very good however. I do wish the onions and Chile were cut up but they do give you a plastic knife to do as you wish with. I also had the frings. The fries were good and the onion rings were really good. I couldn't eat them all as I have a hard time eating too much fried food but I did eat more than I usually do due to the light batter and not very greasy feel. The ranch couldn't have been housemade but it was definitely not the usual gross variety you can find on the ambient shelf at any grocery store. They have avoit 10 draft beer and 10 bottles or so. And they now accept cards. It's small but the atmosphere is pleasant. Lot of regulars who even seemed to know each other. There was some excitement and entertainment that happened and the whole bar was talking to each other about it. Don't get the comments avoit unfriendly service. The bartender was amazing and I can't imagine anyone complaining about her. I recommend checking it out especially if you're a local and native like me

It's a bar so they serve beer but GO HERE FOR THE FOOD, PEOPLE. They serve GREAT burgers (and hot dogs) here. Best in San Diego? Oh, I don't know. But they are excellent and I'd match them up with many others I've eaten. Everything is cooked to order on the stove and the food has a terrific grilled and smoky flavor. The Rooster Burger is the standout but don't overlook the giant hot dog. Both are very, very good. Who knew rooster meat could be so delicious? And I don't know what sorcery they do to the tater tots but those suckers are excellent. You get a ton of them and they are so good, you won't stop eating them even when your tummy hurts. Nice heated outdoor patio and you can get takeout, too. And they're still slinging beers--it's a bar, after all, that just happens to serve great food.

So welcoming and the friendliest staff! The burger is totally underrated, one of the best burgers around town. Love this place, especially now that they take credit/debit cards! If you ever stop by when Kate is there, you won't be disappointed, she's one of the most hardworking bartenders I've ever seen & never ceases to make us smile!

The service was friendly and the zrooster Burger was excelent The bartender had a Birthday and all were celebrating with her

We popped in for take out, the food & service were great & the crowd & music were fun, looked like a great place to hang out

It's a dive bar! Beer prices are spot on and after a few drinks you can order food. Their fried mushrooms are good! Owner is really down to earth and nice.

Finally stopped into the Red Rooster to try the "Rooster Burger" which I've heard good things about. We came with friends on an early Saturday afternoon. The bar was mostly empty at this time but filled up a little more before we left. There were plenty of beer options on draft and plenty of seating which came to my surprise. There were several tables and probably about ten stools at the bar itself. There was also a pool table and digital jukebox for your entertainment pleasure. Staff was friendly. Note this is a CASH-only bar, so leave the plastic at home. The burger & fries were good. Hefty portions, good prices. The grilled onions on the burgers were a little difficult to eat I think. A few chops on the grill would fix that right away, otherwise you may have to pull a long string of an onion slice out of your mouth like a spaghetti noodle. I would definitely come back as it wasn't the "hole in a wall" I was expecting at all. Nice, friendly neighborhood joint.

Excellent staff with an ageless environment. Cold beer and great food. What more could you ask for.

Burgers are great, today I witnessed a gentleman that was EXTREMELY drunk trying to drive off from this establishment, I stopped him and offered to help get him an uber, he let me order one off his phone, unfortunately the first Uber was having trouble getting here the next one saw how drunk he was and canceled the uber. I went in informing the lady behind the counter the situation and let her know red rooster could be at fault if he drove off and he ended up harming someone, her response was "well I wasn't the bartender that helped him".... needless to say the guy drove off, I looked up the guys address I was ordering and the guy lives in Fallbrook ..

First time at RR's. I had their "Rooster Burger" w/cheese, green chiles, and caramelized onions Calen cooked it to a perfect medium rare! And it has to be one of the best burgers I've ever eaten If you get a chance, stop by and see Calen. It'll be worth the trip!

Tyler slays so hard, always making sure everyone is taken care of and enjoying their time, love that about a bartender. The whole place has a great vibe to it, all locals just coming together to have a drink and play some pool. No one ever has a long face

After years of reading the raves about the Rooster Burger at this super dive-ey bar we decided to try it out a few weeks ago. We stopped in on our way home and ordered 2 rooster burgers and fries. The (slightly overwhelmed) waitress/bartender/cook told us it would be about 20 min, which was accurate. I guess there were more people than expected on a random Sunday early evening. The bartender was also the one cooking the burgers etc on a smallish flat top grill behind the bar - seemed like a lot to handle for 1 person. Inside is pretty dark, long bar, a few tall pub tables and a pool table. Lots of rooster pun themed signs/shirts. It's living down to dive bar pretty well. Gotta be honest, after getting home (a short drive), we were pretty underwhelmed by the burgers. A little on the dry side. The green chiles were a nice touch but nothing to write home about. Fries were standard issue but hit heavy with seasoning salt (I approve but might not be for everyone). Anyway, I'm not sure what the fuss is about these burgers. Having tried them I don't think we'll be returning for them again.

Tried RR for the first time. Ordered a couple burgers, onion rings and tater tots. Half pound burgers were good and flame grilled to our desired temperature. Onion rings were made from fresh onions, good batter and served super hot. Tater tots were served hot and crispy. We enjoyed the friendly and quick service. At lunch time it was a one person operation, but she took care of all the customers with a pleasant disposition. I had problems negotiating the broken up and uneven parking lot. This is why my rating isn't 5 stars.

Valentines Night, everything closing early because of "scary Covid" we strolled into the Red Rooster and have not one regret! Great burgers, beers and company.... Taylor was behind the bar, his service was over the top, cooking and cleanliness way above par too! We talked with several people who also were enjoying themselves and had great conversation. a couple other patrons also worked at the Rooster on different days (Saturday nights & Friday nights) just all around great experience. WE. WILL. BE. BACK!! Peace... Frankie G

The most!!!!!! Delicious burger you ever had !! Must try it!. Beers are cold so good . Best service !! Don't sleep on this place it's sooo good

Friendly folks and a delicious burger! The Rooster is quiet enough for conversation with lots of interesting folks.

Hello, Last night I was in the area of Oceanside and decided to stop at Red Rooster for a burger. Their Rooster burger with everything was absolutely AMAZING! For anyone who is in the area, this place is a gem! Stop and get a burger, you will not be disappointed!!

This is my second review; haven't been here in months and just happened I was in area so since last time it was so good I had to stop in. Pebbles is wonderful! I read a review about her and can't help but think that person was the issue. She is welcoming, friendly, gave me help on public transit to get home and is just super chill. The crowd is friendly and happy and the drinks are quick. They have great daily specials and a nice outdoor patio, equipped with fire pit and soft chairs. Yes it's a "dive bar" but what's wrong with that?!?! It's friendly and relaxed!!!

The burgers are great. The service is C. Took over 5 minutes to agnowledge me. But very helpful. I gave the bartender $30 for a $22 tab and she didn't bring me change. I had to ask for it. Not a big fan of entitlement. Therefore the típ was small Not sure I'll go there again.

Small dive bar in the style of the midwest - dark, pool table, small, cash only. Pitchers come with a frozen cooler (looks like a plastic miniature baseball bat) that keeps the beer COLD until the last glass. Burgers are simple but arguably the best around. The rooster burger has cheese and an Ortega chile, and the table has mucho burger condiments. And what other bar serves tater tots? The people who complain about the Rooster should go back to Denny's or Carrow's where they belong.

I realize food is subjective, but I have heard several people tell me how great the Rooster Burger is. Not for Me - it comes with certain "fixin's" I.e. jalapeños, cheese and grilled onions and that's it. No bacon, no lettuce, no tomato, no thousand island - all the things I love on my burger! On another note, the people are Friendly and the drinks are reasonable so I'll go to the Rooster for a beer and to Grand Avenue Bar & Grill for my burger!

I love a good dive bar, especially when they have a great burger to back it up! If you just want to get away , get off the grid we'll say then the Red Rooster is your perfect hideaway. Good selections on tap, constantly rotating so you're not stuck with the same old selections. In all a good little spot to just break away from the norm .

This is my humble op! I will give this place 4 only because of Susan. The bartender, chef and overall lady of the house! She has been here awhile(11 years), knows all her regulars by name and they love her! On this particular evening, there was a wait for food, which is ok, because the seasoned fries and elotes are worth the wait. Only two items on the menu, I personally, have tried, however maybe the last time, for they do cook all the food in the same veggie oil‍ There is an outside patio, pool table, restrooms and 3 large screen televisions. Looks like about 18+ beers on tap and wine. They only accept dead presidents here and Susan has to make a nice sum, from her tips alone$

Bomb wings, bomb tots, bomb jalapeño poppersand a great ambiance. So happy I finally got to try this place. Will be back!!!

Pretty good for burgers! The kind of greasiness that I expected! It was certainly a dive bar where no lights were turned on during the daytime. A couple men drinking at the bar already when we went there around 5pm on a Friday and a few more people rolled into this small place. There was only one lady doing everything from pouring beers, taking orders and even making burgers!!! The crowd wasn't that big so it was somehow manageable for her. Their burgers were decent enough for us to go back because it's cheap too, although not the best. The fried stuff were very greasy and the wings were okay. I'd say stick with the burgers. There was an outdoor area where you can hang out. Very limited parking can make it very difficult to park when you come in later as the street is too narrow for curb parking, probably the cross streets will yield more.

WOW! This place came as a recommendation for their red rooster burger... I owe that person a beer. The burger was fantastic! So standard prep is to come with carmelized onions and an Ortega chili. Be sure to order the tater tots with the spicy type aioli sauce. You will be so glad you did!!!

Great atmosphere and delicious food! Service was fast and staff was very friendly! Looking forward to chilling here on one of the weekends

Awesome joint with friendly service. Kate was our chef/bartender. Feel a little bad she was running the entire operation, bit the red rooster burger she made was delicious

The Classic Oceanside CA Red Rooster Burger. What can be said but thankfully they opened their grill during the "pandemic". Ordered 2 Rooster Burgers. Fries and Fried Mushrooms. As good as I remembered minus the cold beer that is part a parcel to the Rooster Burger experience. Now for the Rooster Burger. 1/2 lb if fresh 80/20 ground beef. Char-broiled perfectly. Cheese, Rooster sauce, grilled onions and sliced banana peppers, on a toasted hamburger bun. One of the top three burgers I have EVER eaten. So, call the bar and order a Rooster burger. Bring cash cause they don't take plastic. And when this stuff is over, stop by have a beer, and play a game of pool.

Great local dive bar with a hidden little secret. They grill up a top-notch delicious mouth-watering cheeseburger. This huge burger comes with sauteed onions, cheese and a green chili pepper leaving you completely satisfied! They offer tater tots onion rings and fries as well as hot peppers and secret sauce. Locals love the family atmosphere and solid beer selection. They offer wine and champagne too. Indoor and outdoor seating right and conveniently located off Oceanside boulevard and the 5fwy. The owners Sarah and Carl are down to earth real deal peeps and know how to keep their guests happy. If you're thirsty for a cold beer or you're craving a tasty cheeseburger or chicken sandwich this is the spot!

For the sake of Allah, Jehovah and all the others, do not order a draft beer here. What was I thinking? Their drafts taste horrid. Luckily, there's a drainage ditch next door to rinse my mouth. Get the fries with a bud and be grateful. Damn, I feel like I blew Trump.

Fun place! My husband dragged me here on a Tuesday night because he's a "South O" local, born and raised, and he swore up and down that Red Rooster has the best burgers in town. It was pretty dead being mid-week, with some patrons playing pool and one giddy man requesting a trashy redneck song about "booties" about six times, one after another. The bartender was playfully telling him to knock it off, but even after he left he had set the queue up to continue playing the song... shoot me. Thank god the bartender had the main controller and changed the station. The Olympics were on the TV over the bar, and we ordered schooners of Pacifico and PBR accompanied by two of the infamous Rooster burgers with the works. The bartender sizzled the patties on the grill (the buns too!) while we watched. Sweet deliciousness.. they were awesome. I'm only knocking a star for the grimy, questionable containers of pickles that arrived on a tray with ketchup and mustard, which I was afraid to touch with bare hands. Overall we were extremely satisfied and can't wait to go back.

I've been wanting to come here for a while and I was in the area wanting some food. Of course I got on Yelp to do a food search in the area I was in. The Rooster came up and I said to myself it's time to try the best burger in Oceanside from what I've been hearing. So I checked out some pics and was impressed by what I saw. I pulled in the tiny parking lot but was happy to see that there are assigned parking stalls just for Red Rooster. There were only 4 people when I walked in and the bar tender/cook/ bouncer asked what I wanted to drink. I ordered a Pacifico and the Rooster burger which has grilled onions, Ortega chilies and cheese. The burger was really good and I would have to say the best I had in a dive bar and is way better then In and Out. So yes the burger is what Rooster is famous for but they have a small outdoor patio with a fire pit which is a nice touch for a dive bar. I'm sure Friday and Saturday nights are crazy busy so I will probably just come during the week but I will be back for the best burger.

Great bar and food. Super friendly and helpful service, bartender and cook. Good selection of local hoppy beers, simple and delicious menu with something for most non fussy/fancy peoples. Got the burger and tots. Both were excellent. Nice assortments of sauces and pickles/peppers delivered to the table with your food.

Best dive bar in San Diego that I have been too for sure hands down...order a ROOSTER burger and wash it down with your favorite beverage...usually an IPA for myself and the wife digs the BLOOD ORANGE CIDER...service rocks and place has a lot of regulars...pool table and juke box along with a patio for smokers that has a fire pit...cash only but there is an ATM...lots of TVs to gaze at during conversation. Besides the burger we get the fries, onion rings, mushrooms, and zucchini with sides of ranch for both of us because we don't share well. Enjoy and you owe me...

Awesome place!! I live nearby and came here with friends about 2 years ago after driving by it about a million times. Their menu is small but their food is so good, you won't regret getting the Rooster Burger w/onion rings;). Reminds of me of the places in Chico where I grew up. Small, quaint and family feel from the staff. They're open for takeout in the evenings I believe. If you don't want to cook and want a good burger, look no further than Red Rooster.

Walked in wanting to order food... didnt asked my ID and the server said " no where on your ID says you wear glasses" umm I have never been told that ever in my life since I've turned 21!!! And I'm 28 I'm 3 months postpartum and yes I've gained weight from when I took my drivers license picture so thank you for practically body shaming me!!! Absolutely ridiculous and They need to educate the staff and basic comen sense!! If I can only put ZERO stars