Ian B.
Yelp
Well we came here with high expectations. It was listed in an article on the top three burger places in Chula Vista, alongside one of our favorites, a stand-by, the Balboa South. So I really came with some high expectations. And they were not approached.
The burger was ok. It wasn't awesome and it wasn't horrible. It was ok. I might well say somewhat above average, but not by much. The fries were actually pretty good. The folks were reasonably friendly. If that was all there was to say here I would probably be giving it 3 stars and with some other good notes it might have made 4 stars.
But there were enough downsides to take a 3 and push it over the edge to a 2.
First off, it was expensive. I won't say that I've never paid $19 (plus tax) for a 1/2lb burger with a dash of fries. I expect that at the Hyatt. Or the Parc. I just don't expect it in an open air on a picnic table with a walk up order next to a parking lot.
Our picnic table was not clean when we sat. Not normally great sin at a place with open air picnic tables, but it was only 5:30 and the place was empty except for 2-3 staff, so this wasn't dealt with before we got there because?
If there was a usable bathroom, nearby my wife wasn't directed to it to wash her hands. Instead it was washbasin, without soap, emphasizing the somewhat sketch level of cleanliness throughout.
The best seating in the place also happens to be right by the entrance, right by the parking lot. That particular evening saw a series of about seven to ten V8 Mustangs slowly backing and filling in front of the entrance dumping exhaust gasses onto the front table--ours. The disappointing thing is that there was no response by the staff, so I assume this happens a lot. A lot more often than I would want to face in the future.
I've got no issue with a cheap, good hamburger joint being a cash only place. But at $19 for an average cheeseburger not accepting credit cards seemed shocking.
Minor, I know, but I can't remember the last time I paid $19 for a cheeseburger and couldn't buy a beer.
So we left unfulfilled. It started at average and worked its way down. Too bad.
