The Friendly

So many people told me this was the best burger in PB. I had really high hopes! And now I am absolutely shocked how highly rated this is. I hate giving bad reviews, I really do. But I have to be honest. Avoid avoid avoid. This place is dirty. Not like a good dirty, you can see the kitchen is dirty, the bathroom is nasty, the tables, everything. It’s dirty. If the place is dirty how clean is the kitchen? It’s not. You can see it. The burger was whatever to be honest. The fries were better but you can taste the old dirty oil. It was so bad that after we ate, we left and went somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths and find somewhere else to satisfy our burger cravings. I would give the other locations a chance but never again would I step foot in this location.

Smash burgers look tasty, are decent, but not out of this world. Very plain. I should have gotten the dirty flattop as a deluxe with lettuce and tomato. Would have been even better with pickled jalapeños. Music is also very loud inside. Good thing it was Creed!

I usually don’t take the time to write reviews but this was something else. I don’t take pictures when I eat cause I just enjoy the moment and start munching. The place was nice and quiet diner style with a chill ambiance. It feels like you walk into your chill friend’s place. The food was amazing. The burger is more on the greasy side, but that’s the flavor right there. The onion ring batter and crisp was a masterpiece and the perfectly salted crispy French fries were other worldly. The Dirty Flat Top burger is the Roman empire of burgers. I would drive two hours to have this meal again. Definitely a must try in San Diego.

Great flattop smash burger. Been many times and love every burger but you got to get the Dirty if it’s your first time. Fries and onion rings are solid but nothing crazy. Enjoy the patio and what’s going on out on the street. 🍔 Not positive but pretty sure no longer selling pizza 🍕

I recently visited The Friendly, eager to try their renowned burgers. Upon arrival, I ordered the Dirty Deluxe, a variant of their popular Dirty Flat Top. Unlike the original, the Dirty Deluxe comes with the classic toppings of lettuce, tomato, and onion, skipping the butter and garlic. The lone staff member informed me that the grill was busy and my order would take about 15 minutes. Understanding the wait, I took the opportunity to visit Play It Again Sports nearby, where I purchased some Persian rug-themed grip tape and new bearings for my skateboard. After finalizing my purchases, I returned to The Friendly, about 20 minutes later, only to find my burger still wasn’t ready. Finally, after an additional 5 minutes, my number was called. However, instead of the Dirty Deluxe, I received the Dirty Flat Top. Despite the mix-up, the burger was quite good. Unfortunately, my fries were a disappointment. After such a wait, I expected fresh fries, but they were short, dry, and seemed like the dregs. Overall, The Friendly has potential, but the service left much to be desired. Mix-ups in orders and less-than-fresh fries suggest a need for improvement. I’ll give it another try, hoping for a better experience next time.

PB and North Park locations feature poor service. It’s basically owned and run by mostly sad, dull and very vanilla punks. They should rename it The Unfriendly. Now onto the food. The hamburger is very good and for seven dollars, it’s a step above In-N-Out. Going into this establishment knowing that the poor service will always be there…the hamburger makes up for some of it. What makes it cute is that even have a sign that sort of states the poor service. I actually think they get off to it.

Good burgers with a dog friendly patio. We were actually very surprised at how good the burgers were. They have 4 picnic tables outside and a bunch of seating inside. Theres 2 reasons I gave this place 4 stars and not 5. First off, the fries were really mediocre. Second, the ambiance was not that good. It seemed like an old diner, but in a bad way. I think they were going for a bit of Billy Goat Tavern vibes, but instead they landed on summer camp dining hall vibes. Maybe it comes across better during lunchtime. Honestly I see why so many people hype up their burgers. If you've never been, go check them out, it's a really good burger. It just doesn't strike me as a place I'd go out of my way to visit again. If I was in the area and felt like a burger, sure, but I'm not in the area that often, and there's other places I'd pick if I'm going out of my way. Hopefully I'll find myself here again someday and they can change my opinion.

If you can’t eat gluten, maybe just order two puppy patties and slap some ketchup on them since they’ll make those without a bun but they won’t make a burger without one. I can respect the firm boundaries around “no alterations” but seems like a shaky business decision to alienate so many potential customers when it’s insanely easy to just…not use bread.

Tried to go for lunch on Thursday, but it was closed for some reason. I guess the hours on Yelp and Google are wrong, and there are no hours listed on the front door too. I love The Friendly, but this location seems a bit off.

So many people told me this was the best burger in PB. I had really high hopes! And now I am absolutely shocked how highly rated this is. I hate giving bad reviews, I really do. But I have to be honest. Avoid avoid avoid. This place is dirty. Not like a good dirty, you can see the kitchen is dirty, the bathroom is nasty, the tables, everything. It's dirty. If the place is dirty how clean is the kitchen? It's not. You can see it. The burger was whatever to be honest. The fries were better but you can taste the old dirty oil. It was so bad that after we ate, we left and went somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths and find somewhere else to satisfy our burger cravings. I would give the other locations a chance but never again would I step foot in this location.

The Friendly has been on my list for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype! SERVICE - The service is straightforward and efficient. You order at the counter from a simple menu, and they call your name when the food is ready. You grab it at the counter--no frills, just good, fast service. FOOD Classic Burger: I'm honestly blown away by how good this burger is. It's so simple, but the flavors are incredible. The patty was crispy on the outside but perfectly juicy inside. The aioli, though simple, added such a delicious touch to the burger. I don't get how something so basic can taste so perfect, but it does. French Fries: Perfectly cooked--crispy, golden, and just the right amount of salt. You can't go wrong with these. I was really hungry the first time I visited, so I had to come back just to make sure it was as good as I remembered--and it was! Solid all around. Highly recommend if you're looking for a no-nonsense, tasty meal.

I really love Friendly's burgers. They're probably the best and sloppiest smashburger in San Diego. I prefer the North Park's location burger better, but I also like that PB's has more burger options. I would recommend this for friends who are looking to eat good at an affordable price. The restaurant isn't anything fancy. It gives hole in the wall vibes.

Been wanting to try this place out for a while and it did not disappoint! We got the classic dirty top and the smokehouse. I preferred the dirty top- it tasted similar to In N Out. The smokehouse actually reminds me of Shake Shack flavors. Both are solid choices if you're craving smash burger patties! They all come with 2 patties and are very filling honestly. They are also quite greasy. A little on the pricier side for a burger, but I'd come back again!

No modifications which sucks for people who have dairy allergies. There isn't anyone working the counter either so you can't ask questions. You order on an iPad and most of the images for the menu items are LGBTQ+ theme which is fun, but not helpful when you are trying to figure out what the food will look like. Maybe use images of the food or tell customers to look on YELP or Insta for pictures? I had a feeling they cook with butter so decided to go somewhere else. There was a family of 5 who were going to order and they just gave up and left too. I imagine they could have prevented losing business if they lived up to the name and hired someone friendly to work the counter. Maybe they do and I arrived on the wrong day?

Friendly and DELISH!! After trying and failing to find a seat at Rocky's (also delicious), my husband and I decided to try something new. We were extremely happy with our choice to try The Friendly. He had the All American, which he enjoyed, and I ordered the Smoke Out. Let me tell you, when I got to the last bite of this amazing burger, I whimpered. If I had any room left in my stomach, I would have ordered another just to start over again. The Smoke Out will be sitting pretty at the top of my list of Favorite Burgers Ever! I can't wait to go back....

Bomb burgers! Had the sh$$ kicker burger and onion rings. Everyone else had the American and meat and cheese burger. My daughter gave a thumbs up and said "best burgers". Would highly recommend! Good music too!

This place is probably the worst Friendly's location. There is MORE GREASE THAN BURGER. Onion rings were good; French fries were covered with salt and inedible. Again, this is the worst friendly's location. There are better locations.

Okay- HANDS DOWN THE BEST BURGER I have ever eaten! This is now officially going to be the spot for any burger craving. Love the simplicity of the place and the menu- it really shows that all the tender love, care and attention go into making the best burger in SD. The staff have their picks and they aren't afraid to share! The music choice is yourthful and not very family friendly but we didn't pay too much attention cause the food SLAPPED!

The third stop on our burger tour! Fatty, juicy, greasy, cheesy. Soft bun. Delicious. The ambiance gives low key neighborhood vibes. Checkers floor. Outdoor seating. Service was fast and friendly like the name suggests. I actually enjoyed the original "The Friendly" location better than this one in PB. Also, no modifications!!

Dirty flattop highlights: - crispy bits around the edges are bomb - the bun is toasted PERFECTLY where you get this crispy bite from $8 - I would definitely be back for a quick and easy lunch! They have 2 patio tables outside and a few tables inside so you can totally dine in.

"The Friendly" -- what an ironic name for an establishment that is quite literally the opposite. I popped into this place to try a burger and asked if there was a gluten-free option due to my allergy. After I asked, the cashier smacked the "No Modifications" sign with the clear intention of startling me. He continued to make sarcastic remarks about me being 'special' after I gave my name for the order. This place is dirty, and the customer service is shit. I'd rather shit in my hands and clap than pay for that kind of service.

Got the Shitkicker and fries, totally solid burger. So much flavor! My fries were a little over salted, but were crispy and piping hot which made up for it! Would recommend and will be returning.

I usually don't take the time to write reviews but this was something else. I don't take pictures when I eat cause I just enjoy the moment and start munching. The place was nice and quiet diner style with a chill ambiance. It feels like you walk into your chill friend's place. The food was amazing. The burger is more on the greasy side, but that's the flavor right there. The onion ring batter and crisp was a masterpiece and the perfectly salted crispy French fries were other worldly. The Dirty Flat Top burger is the Roman empire of burgers. I would drive two hours to have this meal again. Definitely a must try in San Diego

The burgers are good but the place is dirty, cold and ugly inside. Also, they don't allow any changes to orders and all the burgers come with cheese so if you don't like cheese on your burger, you are out of luck.

The friendly is a no frills spot to get a cheap delicious greasy bit of tastiness. The OG flat top burger can't be beat, but had to check out the daily special I saw on Instagram. Patty was crisp and delicious. The gravy and sour cream paired perfectly. It was like a gourmet adult version of a school lunch. Workers there always seem pretty cool and friendly, pun intended

Best burgers in PB!!! This place is so great, such a great vibe and amazing burgers. The all American is my favorite because it's not quite as greasy as the dirty flattop (which is also insanely good). All around amazing burger spot

Bad vibes this time and last time I will go I also made the mistake of asking for something to be removed and they wouldn't I saw the sign no mods but I didn't resized not putting a sauce on is a modification if they can't accommodate I'm not supporting the establishment sorry to many choices when it comes to burgers.

Amazing cheeseburgers!!!! Wow! Cute little storefront too. It took a bit to get food but it was a Friday night and they had a lot of business. Meat was high quality and crispy. Prices weren't too bad either.

Two stars, could've easily given it a one star if it wasn't for the onion rings and fries which were okay. Service was far from "Friendly" as the person on register seemed flustered and rude. The burgers were nothing like the pictures posted on Yelp. It was laughable how small the burger patties were. I question people who claim this is the "best burger they've ever had". There are way better places that serve smash burgers better than the ones here.

Ordered the raved about Dirty Flattop and the All American Burger. Both were greasy and delicious. I liked the all american more because it came with pickles which helped balance out some of the rich greasiness. i wouldnt say its the best burger in SD but it's definitely up there. I didnt try their pizza but it looked sad compared to the burgers. The inside is really dingy but plenty of seating available. This spot is not for the cute IG picks but if youre looking for a post-club meal, this burger will definitely hit the spot.

Have been here twice in the last few months. First time was for burgers and fries and the second was for a burger and a slice. These burgers really hit the mark. They have a bit of a char that adds great texture, the meat is flavored well and the toppings are good. This is a rich meal of yummy goodness but I definitely craved some veggies after. My fellow patrons on the other hand thought everything was great. The pizza was nice and crispy with a good amount of toppings. The fries and onion rings are good as well. They don't have a huge variety but what they do have they do it right!

Unfortunately this place isn't in business to provide a quality product. Nor are they in the business to build a repeat customer base. They are in business to satisfy a narcissistic owners/creator of "this is my burger, so you're going to eat it how I make it and how I tell you to eat it." Came in today ready to spend a good amount of money on food and drinks. However, when I asked for no garlic aioli (mayo with garlic salt) Beavis points from behind the counter to the sign that says "no modifications" So I asked if they pre-made their buns...and he smugly says "nope, how we make it is how you get it, so take it or leave it" I asked politely can you make it and just forgo one step of spreading mayo on the bun and place the bun on top of the burger??? He shakes his head no again and says take it or leave it. So, I left. I loathe mayo. I hate condiments on my burger. That's just me and there is nothing wrong with that. But to make it one way, and not allow your customer to modify your product to better enjoy it.......might as well go open your burger place in Cuba or Venezuela. Your communist burger concept will do just fine there.

So... this review is 5 stars but it's a get what you get kinda place. It's got a vibe to it. The sign saying no mods is kinda iconic and funny, cause I mod EVERYTHING. It's a smash burger, made fresh. Burgers and fries as expected, I don't eat much but the guys I was with all left hungry! An option of adding a third patty I think would have helped that. Everything came out hot and the staff accommodated us 1/2 hour before closing. We thought we had another hour and half but they were gracious and had a good attitude and they didn't kill our mood as we werewolf trying this place for the first time.

I wouldn't recommend this place for families. The burger was just okay--not great, not terrible--but it took forever to come out. While we were waiting, they started blasting loud music, which really killed any chance of having a conversation. On top of that, the atmosphere felt chaotic, with random people walking in and out of the kitchen. Definitely not the experience I was hoping for.

The best smash burger in San Diego and maybe ever doesn't need much more explaining than that. Get the og dirty flat top.

Came by at 8:45 on a Wednesday, sign on the door said they close at 10pm walked in dude tells me "We're sold out", I ask sold out of what? He says "food". Seems crazy how the whole place can run out of food an hour and 15 minutes before closing .Just be honest. All "The Friendly" locations seem to close whenever the workers decide they don't want to work anymore. Lame as hell to lie and treat your customers like that.

Best burger in SD. 10/10 recommend place is naughty in the best way. If you just need a quality burger go here. Doesn't give you all that bs with the lettuce and tomato ass burger that you can make at home. These guys got their ish figured out and you have to go. My gawdddd I crave it almost all the time

I see the Friendly has extended its reach to Pacific Beach in a good way. I stopped in for a quick lunch and had a slice of the sausage, red pepper, and ricotta pizza and the All American burger with two smashed patties. The slice of pizza was right out of the oven so it was great. It had a great crisp crust with a bit of a chew. The crumbled sausage was very tasty, and combined with the red peppers and ricotta signaled bliss. Good stuff. The All American was good. It was certainly a no frills burger but tasty. The patties had a good exterior seer, but the meat could of used a bit of salt and pepper. I liked the way they toasted the bun well. I am fan of that. In addition to the two patties, the burger came with two slices of American Cheese. pickles, chopped onions, ketchup & mustard. They were a little heavy handed on the ketchup, but it was all good. I ate out on the outside patio, and it was a nice place to hang watching all the passersby. Service direct but friendly. Good burgers and pizza.

Food: Highly recommend if you're in the mood for burgers or pizza, or both! Simple menu, affordable prices, a great alternative to In N Out or Bronx Pizza. They have daily specials comprising different burger fixings, and have a good selection of pizza toppings. Service: The reason a star was knocked was the service. Our cashier was not the most welcoming, and we felt rushed despite saying it was our first time at any of their locations. We ordered the OG but received the All American instead, and were hesitant to correct. Atmosphere: Laid back vibes on a weekday afternoon. Good music and plenty of seating inside. But we opted for the store front patio, very quaint and lively! The PB location is nice as one can stroll around the area for the beach or a bar afterwards.

Its like a high school cafeteria and it works gr8!! Burgers are simple and tasty. I have yet to try the pizza. The All American is my favs!! It takes me back to when I used to like McDonalds. The rings n fries are tasty as well.

Quick and dirty, simple and delicious. I think I'm turning into a vegetarian, so not sure how many more burgers I'll be eating, but if you're looking for a place to grab a burger with a friend for lunch, and you're not pretentious... This'll do it. Simple and good.

BEYOND stoked this joint has a beach location and am now very nervous for my waistline. The dirty flat top burger hits all the right notes. The slice has an amazing dough but if you're going to do burger OR slice, do a burger. Super fast and friendly service.

Ok I get it, "We don't modify our burgers"... Get over yourselves! It's a effin hamburger, not a dish from Gordon Ramsey! Id like to know the CFO who thought that up, "let's waste food to be pretentious" I paid $10 for just a burger cuz their fries are $4 and a drink is $3... so after taxes you are spending $20 on a small burger that only tastes like butter... I guess when you are drunk anything tastes good.

Pulled up on a Saturday afternoon. Lucked out on street parking right in front of the resto! Cute little patio/outdoor area to eat + plenty of indoor seating. We ordered a round of their most favorite burger which is two smashed Patties with cheese on a toasted bun + 2 fries + onion rings to share for four peeps. Each of us had our own burger. The burgers and fries were pretty salted. The food was ooeygooey deliciously fried -- just a little too salty for my liking.

I have a small child with a egg allergy, and the guy at counter couldn't careless. Asked if bread had was made with egg , his response was I have no idea and refused to check. Then asked for the burger with no bun and then he said you don't write my checks and can't make any changes. Will not return due to bad service.

I do not like smash burgers. But these burgers are soooo good. Service is a little harsh but maybe that's the appeal.

Delish burger. Quick and easy, just what I wanted. I got the one with lettuce and tomato on it but they forgot to add it. I didn't even remember until I was almost done so no complaints here. It was still bomb. Fries were plain which were good, nothing spectacular. Would def come back when craving a burger. Thank you!

DELICIOUS!!! So simple and so satisfying. Huge portions of fries and quick service. Simple menu with no modifications but that's fine because they have not one but TWO plain burger options for us picky eaters- I feel so seen thanks guys!

Holeeeeee crap. This was one of the best, maybe THE BEST burger I have ever eaten. It's definitely not a pretty burger to look at, but my satisfied taste buds and belly don't care about such stuff. I love this hole-in-the-wall place. The vibe, the staff, the music. Be warned, eat here once and you will crave it forever.

No joke literally the best burger I've ever had!!! Get the dirty flatter it is sooo yummy

This review is for the pizza only!! I wrote another 5 star review for the burgers, which are 10/10 amazing, but the pizza isn't quite up to that standard. It's good, but not great in my opinion. The slice style is thin and minimal, flavor is good, but wayyyy too oily. Had to use up like 4 napkins blotting and while it was good, it was nothing I would go out of my way for. Tasty but like I said previously, the burgers definitely outshine the pizza here and would be what brings me back.

I have to admit, I've never had a smash burger before.... My life is now forever changed. I came here last night after work. I decided to pickup some takeout. Cool vibes and chill place. I liked the outside patio, saw many large groups of friends enjoying their food. Inside the music is a little loud, but I enjoyed it. You place your order at the register, then they call your name when ready. Service was great! I was torn between the Dirty Flat Top Burger & All American Burger. I ended up asking the dude taking my order which he preferred... "hands down dirty flat top". Soooo that's exactly what I went with. + fries and a Diet Coke. Dirty Flat Top Burger- 10/10!!!! Definitely greasy, but omg so amazing. The garlic aioli on this thing HITS. Fries- great fries! I love the skinny cut, similar to McDonald's sized. Perfectly salted. Sad I didn't take any pictures, I devoured the food too fast. Will definitely be coming back! Also, very excited open until 3am on the weekends.

First time at this location! I've always loved the one on 30th so I was stoked that they opened up another one. Ordered my usual which was a good ol' flat top burger and slice of pizza. They were both super tasty... good amount of melty cheese fused in two patties and soft bun and yummy spinach and ricotta pizza. A plus was that these burgers didn't seem as greasy as the ones on 30th, but I did feel like there was a lot of the white sauce which I think was mayo. The other location usually takes about 5 minutes for food to be done but this one took a little longer around 15 minutes, still not bad and totally worth it. Service was super friendly! A lot of seating inside and out

The Friendly has my favorite burger in SD- and it's under $10 - even better! They have pizza too, but I can't resist the Dirty Flat Top every time I visit. Since I was checking out their new PB location (they have two others in North Park) I decided to get the chipotle burger that's only available at this location. Another home run from The Friendly. Service is quick, especially if you want a piece of pizza since it's right there at the counter. Even our wait for burgers and an order of onion rings didn't take long. It's a simple menu. Simple spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Looking forward to more visits!

The Friendly has great flat top burgers. They're messy, juicy, packed with flavor, and are consistently great. The only downside of Friendly is that you can't modify your order. If you're picky or don't like cheeseburgers, this might not be the spot for you. If you're ok with it as is- you'll probably love it! If you want a beverage- they don't have much to pick from. There are some bottled beverages and no soda fountains. The PB Friendly has different menu options than North Park, so be sure to check it out before stopping by so you know what to expect!

Just came here today, first time. Been wanted to go here and try their burgers. I wanted to compare theirs with Rocky's Pubs burger. And I gotta say their burger was darn tasty. Had their Shitkicker Burger, it had onion rings and bacon. You can't go wrong with those toppings. And had their fries too. Both are equally good and reasonable prize. Definitely will come back for a late night bar crawl in Garnett.

I haven't had The Friendly until now that's it's in PB, but have always heard great things from the North Park location. Upon coming in, there was very loud rap music playing. There was one person ahead in line and a good crowd filled up the outdoor seating areas. The pizza selection looked appetizing, but opted for the Dirty Flat Top, Fries, and Onion Rings. Burger was salty goodness and loved it! The price point is pretty good for what you get. I loved the onions and the garlic aioli, so bomb with the appetizing patty. The Fries were meh, but the Onion Rings were legit! Service was good and wait time was decent. Overall, a great new spot for burgers and pizza!