Swagyu Burger UTC
Hamburger restaurant · San Diego ·

Swagyu Burger UTC

Hamburger restaurant · San Diego ·

Wagyu burgers, sweet potato fries, milkshakes, great service

Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by Eater - Lists + Maps
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null
Swagyu Burger UTC by null

Information

4545 La Jolla Village Dr FC1, San Diego, CA 92122 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Comfort food
Credit card accepted

Information

Static Map

4545 La Jolla Village Dr FC1, San Diego, CA 92122 Get directions

+1 858 352 6014
swagyuburger.com
@swagyuburgers

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Good for solo dining
•Comfort food
•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Dec 24, 2025

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391,495 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

San Diego’s Best Burgers | Eater San Diego

"Swagyu Burger, formerly known as Swagyu Chop Shop before wagyu master and founder Steve Brown parted ways with the company in 2025, is going back to the basics with a renewed emphasis on the restaurant’s signature wagyu smash burger. The half-pound OG burger is a blend of F1 American and A5 Japanese wagyu with a price tag of $20, while the American wagyu burger is a more economical option at $8.50 a pop. With four locations in town, including Imperial Beach, Poway, and East Village, the latest addition to the company is now open at the Westfield UTC food court. Hot tip: Diners in search of a more elevated wagyu experience may want to book a reservation at the East Village location where other steak dishes are offered for sit-down meals (try the A5 Japanese Kagoshima wagyu skewers or the Australian ribeye)." - Roxana Becerril

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-burgers-san-diego-california-restaurants
Eater - Lists + Maps
Swagyu Burger UTC
@eater
391,495 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

40 New Restaurants and Bars That Have Opened in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"Serving Steve Brown’s signature smashburgers in the Westfield UTC dining terrace, I found the food court outpost offering the Swagyu smashburger, an American wagyu patty option, and the El Swagador (a 1/2-pound burger topped with thick-cut pork belly, smoked grilled onions, and housemade pickled serranos), plus sides like steak fries, onion rings, and sweet potato waffle fries." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/2/14/24072856/san-diego-restaurants-bars-eateries-new-openings
Swagyu Burger UTC
@eater
391,495 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

Chef Steve Brown Opens a Butcher Shop in Little Italy | Eater San Diego

"Scheduled to open inside the Westfield UTC food court by early April, this Swagyu Burger outpost will join the Poway shop and other existing locations as part of the brand’s wider expansion across San Diego and beyond." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/3/11/24097627/butcher-shop-by-swagyu-cattle-co-wagyu-beef-grass-fed-chef-steve-brown-new-little-italy-san-diego
Swagyu Burger UTC

Jasmine M.

Google
Food was sooo yummy!! I went with the American Wagyu +1 extra patty and house fries. Bunless so I had all the flavors. Topping it with a shake for dessert 👌🏾paying with the InKind app was so helpful.

Jay H.

Google
Came during posted business hours, drove 30 mins, just for no one to be working there. Waited an hour no one showed up. Someone is either committing time theft or they just don’t care to service customers. Either way, won’t be coming back.

Mason T.

Google
Do they even have regular business hours? We’ve passed by many times, and it’s rarely open. The one time we planned a visit during their listed hours, they were closed. I understand that small mom-and-pop spots sometimes close early, but that’s not what you expect from a store in a mall location. It feels unprofessional to shut down unexpectedly during posted hours. I tried to give this place a chance, but I wouldn’t waste my time again. If they keep this up, I don’t see them being in business much longer.

Nelson H.

Google
Had tried it the first time after hearing some good things. The flavor in the sauces and seasoning were pretty good but the patty was slightly salty, too flat and fell short in how much you get for the price point. The bread is airy and buttery but feels like the ratio is slightly too much for the amount you get with the patty and I had gotten the 1/4 lb. I prefer less bread in my buns. The Onion Rings and Sidewinder Fries are some of the best I've had though and the Cookies & Cream milkshake was delicious. I may try these burgers again but may try a different location instead. Overall, I've had better smash burgers elsewhere for cheaper, so it makes it tough to justify trying this place again.

John W.

Google
A lot of people i see on here complain about the price... for authentic wagyu burgers? You are paying for a quality burger not something from in-and-out or jack in the box or McDonald's or burger king. Of course its going to cost a lot more then expected. Still the taste is amazing compared. Chris and Luigi are an amazing group, customer service is great and they are very knowledgeable. I recommend highly to come to this spot! Hidden gym inside a mall all the way in the corner!

Jon B

Google
The worst food experience we had in our 10 day trip to San Diego. Not one good thing to say about this place and it should be avoided at all costs. This review is flawed because zero stars isn’t an option, they don’t even deserve one star.

Kevin L.

Google
$25 for a burger in a food court? The hamburger was good, but not outstanding. For $25 I expected the hamburger to have a unique taste - it did not. My son and I had two 1/2 pound burgers, one side of fries, and two Mexican Cokes - with a tip - $77! That makes zero sense. In-and-Out, Five Guys have similar quality and taste (in a real restaurant) for 1/3 of the cost. This idea was not thought out and will fail. I do not recommend unless money is not an issue.

Priscila N.

Google
I went for lunch Friday June 6 and it was the worst burger I ever had also I got really sick in the night for food poisoning. The server had no gloves while placing the burgers in the bag. Definitely not coming back. It’s Saturday morning and I feel awful and I have to nurse my baby !!!

Wesley P.

Yelp
Swagyu burger is really good! They have really tasty and high quality burger ingredients, one of the best in the area. They have the best fries at the UTC mall
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Errin S.

Yelp
I don't enjoy writing reviews for mediocre experiences. It's difficult to really pinpoint if I wasn't pleased with the food, or the service. Allow me to explain... Tucked into the back corner of the food court, it's not the most noticeable of offerings, but I saw the sign and decided to give it a try. I ordered the OG 1/2 lb double smash burger. It looked delicious, and exactly what I'd expect... two smashed patties, some grilled onions and melted cheese between two buns. Done. Should have been a home run right there. I ordered at the kiosk; burger and fries. I saw the cook at the grill top make -- what turned out to be -- my burger instantly, and then place it into a bag. Then, I stood around for over 10 minutes before someone else came out, and put the fries in the bag too. Then, it was another few minutes before that guy decided to call out the order number. It's not like it was busy.. in the whole time I stood there, one other customer placed an order at the kiosk. So in the end, I enjoyed relatively fresh and hot fries (which were actually really good), but a lukewarm and somewhat dry burger. So it's hard to tell if the burger really lacked flavor, or if it had just dried out from sitting around for 15 minutes before being eaten. All-in-all, I think the potential was there for me to probably give it another try at some point. But, definitely not the experience I was hoping for.
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Maria C.

Yelp
Ordered burgers for takeout. Decided to get the swagyu smashburger which was one patty with the fixings and a brioche bun. The bun was light and fluffy and definitely made the burger bigger. The patty was a thin piece of meat with cheese on top. We ordered a side of onion rings (with ranch) that was pretty decent tasting and still had the crunch factor after 20 mins. I'm not sure if I'd pay $18 for the smashburger again. And I'm not sure if I could taste the difference between the American wagyu which is cheaper by several bucks vs the smash. Located in the food court, I would recommend this place only if you're really craving a burger.
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Brian C.

Yelp
I'm not sure if I'm a fan of doing a smash burger with wagyu. What's the point of getting a cut of meat that has more fat only to smash and crisp it up? How much different is doing a fattier mix of cheaper cuts to get the same effect for a lower price? Happy to have my thoughts changed. That said, I enjoyed my interaction and service from the workers, but that's about it.
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Corinna W.

Yelp
I've been waiting to try Swagyu so when I saw this place in the UTC Mall food court, I had to order a burger. I ordered the 1/4 lb classic cheese burger for $15 and fries for $6. Unfortunately this didn't live up to the hype. I was disappointed as the burger was average and kinda dry. The fries on the other hand were moon shaped... they were crispy and good. Honestly for the price, there's other smash burger spots that are more flavorful and possibly less expensive. This was nothing special to me. I Left feeling not very satisfied. Maybe the mall is different from other locations.
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Tess K.

Yelp
Was doing a little shopping at the mall and got hungry so I wandered into the food court. I was pleasantly surprised to see Swagyu Burger Staff was friendly and greeted us promptly, asked if we had any questions. I ordered the single and the sidewinder fries. They whipped up the order pretty quickly, it wasn't really busy this particular afternoon. My food was amazing! Just as amazing as the original location in IB! So happy to see them in UTC. I hope they stay for good!
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Wanting H.

Yelp
We are so excited to see a new burger place in the UTC mall food court! Swagyu Burger is specialized in using the premium Wagyu beef for burger patty. We ordered two classic burgers with a side of sweet potatoes fries. The burger was so so. I liked the sweet pickle in the burger, but it's hard to tell how the burger has a different kind of patty. Overall, we weren't impressed. It's similar to any other burgers to us.
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Roger P.

Yelp
I was really excited to try Swagyu Burger and had high expectations based off of my experience with the Swagyu in Pacific Beach. They recently took over a space in the Food Court at UTC and will have to compete with other burger joints like Queenstown and Smashburger. Great staff, very friendly, and they took the time to explain the difference between the regular (cheaper), wagyu burgers and the swagyu burgers. The food came out pretty fast but also, there weren't that many people ordering. Since it was my first time here, I decided to try what they are known for, and that meant paying a premium. 1/2 LB Classic Burger: Swagyu is a blend of Wagyu Beef and A5 Japanese Wagyu. And the high price is because of the blend of these premium meats but honestly, I don't think you would be able to tell the difference between the cheaper burger. At least for me, the patty didn't stand out over regular patties. And this was such a messy burger. I don't know what was happening but it just fell apart with every bite. The flavors were decent but not good enough to justify the price. Sidewinder Fries: Thicker cuts of fries, almost like wedges but they have a little twist to them. Seasoned pretty good. I like fries with more crunch but if you like fluffy insides for fries, you'll probably like these. I really wanted to like this burger but for the price, it was disappointing.
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Jean-Charles N.

Yelp
Very good burger With Fluffy bun service was ok It is Inside the food court which can get pretty loud A bit Too pricey
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Emmett T.

Yelp
One of the newest locations of Swagyu Burger occupies a far corner suite at the food court inside the Westfield UTC Mall. Chef Steve Brown has recalibrated his lineup of restaurants and focused on the burger concept. As its namesake, the Swagyu Burgers were the featured products. Two quarter-pound smash patties made up of a mix of American, Australian, and certified A5 Japanese Wagyu were served on a buttered potato brioche bun from Sadie Rose Baking Co. Four varieties with different toppings were available that ranged in price from $23 to $28 for the half pound burger. If you wanted a less premium item without the A5 Japanese meat grade, then the American Wagyu Burgers also had four choices. What I liked about this set of burgers was that you could order one, two, or three quarter-pound smash patties. Sandos, sides, drinks, and shakes were the other menu categories. The sandos included a veggie burger, a grilled cheese sandwich, and a cheese katsu version. I decided to order the 1/2 lb "OG" Burger without any sides. The two Swagyu smash patties were dressed with New School American cheese, house-made pickles, and secret sauce. The patty blend was 2/3 F1 Wagyu Beef and 1/3 A5 Japanese Wagyu that was delivered from their butcher shop. The meat was tender, however it was difficult to distinguish the high quality beef as opposed to when it's served as a tenderloin or other cut on a dinner plate. The $20+ price point was understandable for the Swagyu Burgers, but they may be more challenging to sell to young families who patronize the food court because of the ice rink at the ground level. I gave a rating between three and four stars for my experience at Swagyu Burger.
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Bianca C.

Yelp
It's quite expensive and it didn't seem like there were options to make burgers a combo you need to order fries on the side. Onion rings and fries were too salty and there are just better smash burgers out there for a similar if not lower price.
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Soo H.

Yelp
You never know what new place will appear in the UTC food court.  The latest spot is Swagyu Burger.  I loved the Swagyu burger I tried at their now closed Pacific Beach location.  This visit I tried the triple american wagyu burger.  Sadie Rose bun was toasted and had a nice mild flavor, soft, and fluffy.  Lettuce was crisp and had a mild flavor.  Tomato was fresh and juicy.  Wagyu was tender and had a nice beefy flavor.  This was a pretty good burger.  I would have loved it with the addition of some bacon to add a smoky and salty flavor. Onion rings were crunchy and had lots of fried onion flavor.  I noticed they used fresh very high quality oil as there was no bitter after taste. Staff was friendly and efficient.  Swagyu uses very high quality ingredients.  I love the bread from Sadie Rose.
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Johnny N.

Yelp
I was really looking forward to trying a Swagyu burger but is was an utter disappointment and nothing special. There were only 2 people working at a not so busy time and it took forever for me to get some attention to place my order. The food court was fairly quiet with plenty of seats so I couldn't quite understand what was taking so long. When I was finally acknowledged, I ordered the 1/2lb OG Swagyu Burger with Sweet Potato Waffle fries. It took about 30 minutes for me to get my food and only after I questioned why other people behind got their food before I did. Apparently they couldn't find my order and totally forgot about me. Ultimately the burger was a little greasy and the sweet potato fries were soggy and not too sweet. A perfect waste of my calories.
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serina c.

Yelp
I'm going to start with the good and what I felt was the life saver of this spot. The fries are out of this world amazing. Literally the best fries I've ever had in my life. Will come back just for the fries. So I tried the $23 waygu burger and literally at that price point I was expecting so much more. In n out was better and more melt in your mouth then theirs. By taste only it should have been at a $12-13 price point and I would have given them 4 stars. Wasn't impressed whatso ever on that but man the fries were heavenly.
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Brian D.

Yelp
Swagyu is located in the back corner of the UTC mall food court and could be easily missed while looking at all the food options. They have 5 options of burgers, three American wagyu and 2 Japanese wagyu. We ordered a single cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger with tallow fries and onion rings and two cans of pop. This was a total of $60 with tip so can definitely be on the pricier side. The burgers had really good flavor with fresh toppings. The bun was good however it can consume the burgers a bit since they are smash burgers, especially the single you're getting a lot more bun than burger. The tallow fries were very good but a bit pricey for the $12 price tag.
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Nijole T.

Yelp
The burgers here are delicious and the service is super friendly! Burgers are made to order quickly, juicy, and well seasoned. I love their sides as well. The quality is well worth the splurge, you can taste the quality ingredients they use.
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Sam T.

Yelp
Swagyu has incredibly juicy and well-seasoned smash burgers that are just as filling as they are delicious. Their fries are uniquely shaped as well having a shape that resembles that of a tornado potato and curly fries. Their fries are not only thick and dense, but they are well seasoned and are a must have pair with the burger. I only come here to eat their Western burger due to the nice sweetness that pairs with their meat. My only gripe with this is that the food is quite greasy and it is definitely one of those spots that you SHOULD probably have once every few weeks. Service is fast and the workers are chill as well so that is a plus.
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Janine B.

Yelp
My boyfriend and I both ordered a classic smash burger expecting something special, but it was a major letdown. For the premium price, I expected quality and flavor, but the patty was dry, and completely overshadowed by the brioche bun and toppings. We also ordered the sidewinder fries, which resembled a potato wedge, they were super crispy but too thick for me . Nothing justified the high cost. Definitely not worth it, and I won't be coming back.

Eleonor C.

Yelp
The staff was nice, they recommended the 1/2 lb og burger so we got two of those and a set of onion rings. Unfortunately then burgers were really dry and flavorless/bland. Neither of us finished them., Very disappointing, we had talked about swagyu a lot prior to going. I doubt I'll go back. ‍
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Ryan R.

Yelp
If you're a burger lover, run, don't walk to Swagyu Burger at UTC Mall! Their OG Smash Burger is an absolute game-changer. From the first bite, you can tell this isn't your average burger--the juicy, perfectly seasoned Wagyu beef patty is smashed to perfection, creating those irresistible crispy edges. The bun is soft and buttery, the cheese melts beautifully, and the house sauce ties everything together with just the right amount of tang. It's simple, yet everything you want in a classic smash burger elevated to the next level. The staff is friendly, and the vibe at UTC makes it a great spot to grab a quick, satisfying bite. Do yourself a favor and try the OG Smash Burger--you won't regret it. 5 stars all the way!

Cody D.

Yelp
Swagyu is definitely a cut above other burger chains. The food is consistently amazing and the customer service is top tier. Chris and Luis are always so personable and make the experience. Highly recommended anyone visiting the UTC mall to stop here for lunch or dinner.
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Joey R.

Yelp
My wife and I came here with our son, right when we walked in the employees looked annoyed that we had a baby with us. The facility was extremely dirty with only two other customers in sight. The tabletops were sticky, crumbs on the seats, bathrooms disgusting and they had only been open an hour by then. Our food was very expensive for the quality. We were really looking forward to our first Swagyu experience and It fell wayyyyy below the expectations. I spoke to someone via social media who promised to rectify the situation and also fell short with empty promises. Super disappointed with this company's integrity and professionalism.

Russ H.

Yelp
This burger is just not very good. It has a rather bland taste and the bun was not fresh. If you really want the best smashburger go to Tanner's Prime in Oceanside. It's worth the drive.
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Aydin G.

Yelp
Anyone who doesn't write a 5 star review about this place is trippin. One of the best burgers I've ever had. My burger was cooked to perfection and it truly hit the spot. I'll be back

Kevin L.

Yelp
My son said Dad let's try a Kobe burger, joking. I just saw a video on Swagyu Burger and said sure! I should have known this was a bad idea. We spent $70 for two burgers, one fry, and two Mexican Cokes. That's expressive, especially in a mall food court. While the cost was high, In and Out is better! Worse, they are in the UTC food court. Maybe it would have tasted better if we were in a nice restaurant? I even paid the 15% tip when ordering at the corner and even picking up our food. UTC has wealthy clientele and this is a good burger if cost means nothing. To me, it was way too much for too little. The guys behind the counter were great and we were the only people eating. I'll enthusiastically pay $6 for a better tasting double double next time.

L D.

Yelp
If you are in the mood for an outstanding burger, look no further than Swagyu Burger in UTC. I ordered the American Western Burger. This burger was SO delicious that I savored every bite and was kinda sad when I finished. Definitely better than a certain celebrity chef's in Las Vegas.
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Dean R.

Yelp
Service: 6/10 Waited a long time for a couple burgers, but the workers were very nice. Food: 8/10 The meat tasted really good and the burger was obviously made with high quality ingredients Price: 6/10 The burgers are really pricey. Not something I would get a lot
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Lloyd H.

Yelp
The food was delicious, and the customer service was even better! Chris was awesome and patient while I decided what I wanted. He definitely knew everything about the product and was very helpful.

Eddie R.

Yelp
You can tell the meat is high quality. The OG burger is really good. Luis and Aaron were very attentive and fast.

Gina A.

Yelp
I particularly hate mall food but I found myself hungry while at utc mall. I walked the food court and decided to try swagyu burger and I was pleasantly surprised. The cheese burger was fresh, tasty the perfect size and reasonably priced. I would definitely have the burger again.
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Shaun D.

Yelp
Bomb swagyu burger made by Luis! Delicious and will definitely come back again. The top meat is a little expensive but worth a try
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Roman R.

Yelp
First time here and it will NOT be my last time. The service was exceptional. I was treated so nice. I ordered the best burger I have ever had. The server/representative Luis walked me through the menu and helped me choose my birthday lunch. Thank you Luis.
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Dandy C.

Yelp
I tried another one of their locations in Little Italy. Surprisingly it was somehow worse.

Grant T.

Yelp
Overpriced and very average. If you charge heavy then deliver a quality product :/ not impressed in the slightest.
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Kim B.

Yelp
Nice atmosphere. Great burgers and fries. Great service. Will definitely return in the future!!!
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Weston B.

Yelp
There's going out to eat, and then there's going to Swagyu. One leaves you hoping for more, but going to Swagyu leaves it all on the table. You, on the other hand, won't leave one tasty morsel untouched. I've had burgers, I've had fries, and Swagyu ruined them all for me. Don't eat out, eat at Swagyu.

Tracy B.

Yelp
1st time service wasn't great. Guy at the counter seemed annoyed. The food was amazing. Burger so tasty. Fries amazing. They have Pepsi zero so another win. 2nd time service was great, different ppl. Food was amazing again. Oreo shake one of the best I've had. Can't wait for the 3rd visit!

J P.

Yelp
In a nut shell, it is a glorified Freddy's burger.....not worth spending i $23 dls, sorry was looking g forward to a great burger. Do not recommend it.

Tina H.

Yelp
I went there one night at 7:15 when they close at 7:30. They said they were closed. This contradicts all posted information, including their website. I also contacted them through their website to complain about this (change your posted times if you're changing your hours) and just received a brief "oh, that's too bad" response.

Sophia R.

Yelp
BEST BURGER EVER!!!! Service is amazing as well, definitely dont skip on Swagyu after a shopping day

Jan W.

Yelp
Burgers are great. Service is awesome. If you are visiting check out Marina. She can help you.

Selena M.

Yelp
Great staff; good customer service! Food was delicious. Will defffff stop by again! Love me a good burger!

Jan W.

Yelp
Awesome burgers and appetizers. Must try. Great service!!!!Visit with Marina. Delicious!!

Anne S.

Yelp
SWAGGYY! Great staff, Marina especially, and rad burger! Good service hard to come by nowa days am I right folks! Well done ye

Peter E.

Yelp
Use to love to come to this spot when it was in PB! So glad they're back! Delicious as always. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Erica H.

Yelp
1st time trying this place and am very impressed. Two guys working were very attentive and have great Customer service. Food was fresh, well prepared and delicious. I highly recommend Swagyu Burger

emily e.

Yelp
So great, going back tomorrow! The OG smash is where it's at! Love the milkshake as well, can't go wrong!

Emily E.

Yelp
DELICIOUS! I frequent this burger joint and their multiple locations! The original smash burger is definitely worth the hype. Kind employees and great service! Will continue to revisit!

Maggie K.

Yelp
Both workers were very nice and helpful and made my dining experience much better. The burger was also delicious. I will definitely be coming back.