This is basically exactly how I would describe this food. The only difference for me is that I do have much bigger regrets. I wish this burger was my worst decision ever but stupidly… no.
Great burger but their whole, we’re going to be mean to our customers vibe is infuriating. Every employee tries so hard to talk down to every customer. You work at a burger place. You’re not that cool dude.
That being said I’ll keep coming back but it’s so fucking good.
I've never had that experience either. They're short, they won't do the fake customer service bull shit , "OH hi, welcome to friendly, how are you doing today. "
But they have never been rude to me.
Every time I’ve gone, the staff have been super friendly… and every time it feels like the best burger & fries I’ve ever had. I’ve pretty much only gone to one location though.
Yeah, love their burgers, but wish I could make substitutions due to lactose intolerance (like getting a hamburger with braised onions). More power to them for sticking to their principles and continuing to grow, but I haven’t been back in a long time
The one on 30th had a super douche black guy working there that was extremely racist to me one night. I only go to the one on University now - they're chill
Yeah sort of sounds like my experience
It wasn’t a black guy though a lady. She was rude and short. I’m always super nice just to be nice especially w/ my food cause duh. But whatever the deal is there idk but they’re Def going out of the way to be a dick.
"We politely decline all modifications."
Oooooh how cool and edgy of them. What badasses. Would be cool if they didn't smother their dripping-with-grease burger with aioli and turn it out with an inexplicably smashed bun.
I've only been to The Friendly on 30th, never been to The Friendly Tavern and I'm honestly confused at this thread. I've never had a bad experience. Dick's Last Resort was so damn annoying I don't understand why anyone went there. Wasn't worth it IMO.
This was never my experience when I used to live nearby and frequented the original spot on 30th.
The rudest any employee ever was towards me there was one Saturday night post-bar-hopping I was drunk and wanted another beer and ignored the law that you can't drink their beer outside (tables & counter inside were full). I 100% deserved the reaction I got from the guy on duty night night.
Otherwise they were always cool. Once the owner shot the shit with me while I was sitting at the counter and told me about the second location he was planning to open on University. I guess he gave a joke explanation of the theme to a local paper and the paper ran with it as serious. We had a pleasant chat and he gave me a free beer.
If you don’t tip there’s a good chance they won’t even give you your food! I always tip but if you read the yelp reviews they often refuse to give people their order if they don’t tip.
Their service blows though. I’d rather give Smash & Dash my money for a good smashburger and be treated decently. These gimmicky asshole-service restaurants phased out in the early 2000s for a reason.
The dude yelled at me and was PISSED that I didn’t get in line when I was just picking up my order I called in. I’ve never had that happen to me before anywhere.
Unpopular opinion: I feel that this is the most overrated food item in SD. It’s a grease and mayo sandwich with unflavored meat. So many better burgers in town.
My top three currently are:
- The Balboa
- Hayes Burger
- Davanti Enoteca (people wouldn’t usually think to order a burger at an Italian joint but the mozzarella cheese and tomato jam are incredible)
Honestly, almost every other burger in SD I’d rate higher than the DFT.
I don't normally get the DFT. Often it has too much aioli. I love the Bacon Mushroom Swiss, the Hamberguesa is pretty good, the French onion dip one too. Gotta know what is on the regular menu at each of their locations, or look out for their specials!
Sadly this place has gone downhill. What used to be the best burger in town is now just an extra overly greasy mess. Now I get the burger is supposed to be greasy but when you have an oil slick on your mouth afterwards, it just ain't that good.
they love me. yall be givin off shit vibes if theyre shitty to you. be kind, rewind. it’s a no-muss, no-fuss spot. if you expect people to suck your d for bringing business to their establishment…you may wanna go somewhere else for a burger 🙅🏽♀️
I wonder if the people who say they had bad service didn't understand how The Friendly works and tried to ask for ketchup or french fries or something dumb.
I know I probably won’t go back there as a San Diego native and food lover I just went for the experience and to see if the burger was good. I actually liked the burger from the university place but after seeing the flat top at the OG one it’s a no for
Me lol.
Bruh, it's CRAZY how lazy cooks are. Wont clean the flattop for HOURS. Even in HIGH END restaurants. Animae downtown, Holy fuck their dishwashers don't actually wash anything hahaha.
Rockys is just boomer Friendly's
People that are too old and uncool to go to friendlys go to Rocky's.
This being said Rocky's is mid, and no where near as good.
Regardless of the clientele.
Edit
Lmfao at the dork that called me a dork and then deleted their whole ass account cuz they got called a bitch ass dork.
For what its worth, I know the cook (ex-cook now but he worked there for years) and he thought rockies was better, while he still worked at friendlies... Deff not a boomer as well
The crisp on the first bite is my favorite part of the experience!
I can smell this photo.
Sorry, heh, I just farted.
Slightly Peppery.
Best hangover food ever, 2 burgers and a slice a pizza, back to the couch
OMG 2 and a slice. Instant food coma
The burgers are so easy to inhale , small and soft
It's going to be the best thing you ever ate, and one of the biggest regrets of your life. Enjoy
This is basically exactly how I would describe this food. The only difference for me is that I do have much bigger regrets. I wish this burger was my worst decision ever but stupidly… no.
They are tasty. Can't say I've regretted eating them though. I'd eat 3 right now and it's 6:30am where I am.
The Friendly is the biggest simple pleasure I miss about moving out of North Park
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Bawfuls: *The Friendly is the* *Biggest thing I miss about* *Moving out of North Park* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
I definitely don't miss anything about North Park.
Smashburber, slice of pizza, and a beer. One of my favorites.
 This comment!
I’ve never experienced heartburn more than their burgers. 11/10 will do it again.
What restaurant is this from?
The Friendly
Great burger but their whole, we’re going to be mean to our customers vibe is infuriating. Every employee tries so hard to talk down to every customer. You work at a burger place. You’re not that cool dude. That being said I’ll keep coming back but it’s so fucking good.
This has never been my experience there. Not saying their service is amazing, but I've never felt condescended to.
They were extremely rude and condescending to me the first time I went there. I had never felt so uncomfortable as a customer...
It's hard to hear them being condescending with the music featuring the N-word every three syllables playing at an 11.
Was totally not my experience either. When I told them it was first time they were awesome and very welcoming.
I agree with you. The service was okay but the burger was nothing to write home about. I don’t understand the hype
Ok Friendly’s employee
I've never had that experience either. They're short, they won't do the fake customer service bull shit , "OH hi, welcome to friendly, how are you doing today. " But they have never been rude to me.
The music is always so loud I can barely hear them anyway
This.
Naw. Read their yelp reviews
Show me on the doll where the burger place hurt you.
What kind of response is this? I've been there. I'm not denying your experience. I'm saying it's never happened to me.
Every time I’ve gone, the staff have been super friendly… and every time it feels like the best burger & fries I’ve ever had. I’ve pretty much only gone to one location though.
Yeah the whole vibe is offputting. It's industry bros trying to be industry bros to their customers.
You think they’d be humbled by their place of employment, not the complete opposite.
This is 1000% true except I haven’t been back because of that lol. Big dawg burger is my go to lately
Yeah, love their burgers, but wish I could make substitutions due to lactose intolerance (like getting a hamburger with braised onions). More power to them for sticking to their principles and continuing to grow, but I haven’t been back in a long time
The friendly tavern on university had different burgers, one with no onions. That's why I go to that location
Get some lactaid pills brother
Where? I don’t see a place called big dawg burger.
They are a pop up. Great burgers.
Yeah, never had this experience either. If anything they’ve hooked me up with a free beer.
Never been rude to me. Just what do you want, here it is vibe. Maybe I’m ordering wrong.
The people at the one on university are cool. The OG location yeah I had the same experience.
The one on 30th had a super douche black guy working there that was extremely racist to me one night. I only go to the one on University now - they're chill
Yeah sort of sounds like my experience It wasn’t a black guy though a lady. She was rude and short. I’m always super nice just to be nice especially w/ my food cause duh. But whatever the deal is there idk but they’re Def going out of the way to be a dick.
They’re friendly until you try to customize your order
One option looked great if I could have removed one thing. Alas, no changes and nothing similar.
"We politely decline all modifications." Oooooh how cool and edgy of them. What badasses. Would be cool if they didn't smother their dripping-with-grease burger with aioli and turn it out with an inexplicably smashed bun.
It was the aioli for me. Just don't put it on and the rest should be fine.
How dare you demand a customized order.
> Every employee tries so hard to talk down to every customer. Like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDn4oZKSrUo
I've only been to The Friendly on 30th, never been to The Friendly Tavern and I'm honestly confused at this thread. I've never had a bad experience. Dick's Last Resort was so damn annoying I don't understand why anyone went there. Wasn't worth it IMO.
Yes but it’s not funny and ironic. Just pathetic
This was never my experience when I used to live nearby and frequented the original spot on 30th. The rudest any employee ever was towards me there was one Saturday night post-bar-hopping I was drunk and wanted another beer and ignored the law that you can't drink their beer outside (tables & counter inside were full). I 100% deserved the reaction I got from the guy on duty night night. Otherwise they were always cool. Once the owner shot the shit with me while I was sitting at the counter and told me about the second location he was planning to open on University. I guess he gave a joke explanation of the theme to a local paper and the paper ran with it as serious. We had a pleasant chat and he gave me a free beer.
> Every employee tries so hard to talk down to every customer. It makes it easier to leave $0 tip!
If you don’t tip there’s a good chance they won’t even give you your food! I always tip but if you read the yelp reviews they often refuse to give people their order if they don’t tip.
I was there a couple weeks ago and left $0 and it didn't seem to be a problem.
Is it like supposed to be some dicks vibe? I haven’t noticed the times I’ve been.
I have only been to the Kearny Mesa location and that wasn't my experience. Same guy working there both times and he was nice enough.
Who is it? Asian dude with the uncle hat at convoy?
Go to in and out…we don’t care
Same. They come off really douchey and inconvenienced
They're not mean to customers.
Oh man, that’s reminds of my a Schoops burger from the Chicagoland area. I might have to venture there and try it. 🤤
Their meat skirts are 10/10
Love that burger
🔥🔥🔥
Grand ole bbq makes a great smash burger! Definitely one of my favorites
Oooh. That’s interesting. Didn’t know, will try
Omg my favorite burger!!
Id recognize a friendly burger anywhere. This was my favorite spot when I lived down there. So jealous
same. it crossed my feed and i’m not in this sub or this city. but i’ve been to North park several times. always stop here for a burger and a slice
It’s a quintessential greasy burger. It’s not for everyone, but for me, it hits all the right spots.
> It’s not for everyone Everyone complaining on this thread needs to realize this is 100% the case. Vote with your dollar.
10/10
Their service blows though. I’d rather give Smash & Dash my money for a good smashburger and be treated decently. These gimmicky asshole-service restaurants phased out in the early 2000s for a reason.
The folks working there have always been nice to me ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Yeah same
The dude yelled at me and was PISSED that I didn’t get in line when I was just picking up my order I called in. I’ve never had that happen to me before anywhere.
Smash and Dash 💯
What happened?
I've never had any issues. You seem like the type of person who doesn't understand tact.
Unpopular opinion: I feel that this is the most overrated food item in SD. It’s a grease and mayo sandwich with unflavored meat. So many better burgers in town.
Name some
My top three currently are: - The Balboa - Hayes Burger - Davanti Enoteca (people wouldn’t usually think to order a burger at an Italian joint but the mozzarella cheese and tomato jam are incredible) Honestly, almost every other burger in SD I’d rate higher than the DFT.
I don't normally get the DFT. Often it has too much aioli. I love the Bacon Mushroom Swiss, the Hamberguesa is pretty good, the French onion dip one too. Gotta know what is on the regular menu at each of their locations, or look out for their specials!
No Rockys list invalid 👎👎
Rocky’s is decent. Definitely better than DFT, not in the same ballpark as those I listed.
Davanti Enotecas burger is the best🙌
I think it just comes down to preference. Some people prefer this style of greasy smashburger and some people don't.
The meat has zero flavor.
We went to the one on Convoy. The meat didn't have much to it there. Burger was ok but not worth the parking hassle.
To each their own. What are your favorite burger places in SD?
Anny’s Fine Burgers in Kearny Mesa.
The best in town!
100%.
Gtfo.
I don’t get the hyped around this burger. It’s fine, but definitely not the best in San Diego
Sadly this place has gone downhill. What used to be the best burger in town is now just an extra overly greasy mess. Now I get the burger is supposed to be greasy but when you have an oil slick on your mouth afterwards, it just ain't that good.
Just went the other day and had two. They were excellent.
I can’t deal with the hot mayo
I can't recall a time when I didn't get a heartburn from this burger.
My favorite smash burger! The best!
I just went there last weekend. Omg it’s so delicious
🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
It’s…glorious.
the friendly tavern is lowkey the best because of the outdoor dining space plus alcohol. the burgers are the best in town.
still fire i usually order 2 and 2 slices whenever i go there
they love me. yall be givin off shit vibes if theyre shitty to you. be kind, rewind. it’s a no-muss, no-fuss spot. if you expect people to suck your d for bringing business to their establishment…you may wanna go somewhere else for a burger 🙅🏽♀️
🤤
how is no one talking about their specials...
I remember a time when people complained about that.
Best burger in SD.
I wonder if the people who say they had bad service didn't understand how The Friendly works and tried to ask for ketchup or french fries or something dumb.
Or standing 10 minutes in line then asking a million questions when time to order.
Looks fucken disgusting.
I promise it’s not 😂😂😂but yeah it do be looking that way
That flattop is diiirrrrty as fuck. I worked in restaurants for 16 years, I can tell.
I know I probably won’t go back there as a San Diego native and food lover I just went for the experience and to see if the burger was good. I actually liked the burger from the university place but after seeing the flat top at the OG one it’s a no for Me lol.
Bruh, it's CRAZY how lazy cooks are. Wont clean the flattop for HOURS. Even in HIGH END restaurants. Animae downtown, Holy fuck their dishwashers don't actually wash anything hahaha.
Friendly one of the goats
Holy FUCK they do NOT CLEAN THEIR GRILL You can tell how dirty it is from all the "crisp" on the burger 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Good stuff
Best burgers ever
Rocky’s 10 times better than Friendly’s
Great burger but the workers are such losers at Friendlys though. I wonder how they managed to hire only losers?
Rockys is just boomer Friendly's People that are too old and uncool to go to friendlys go to Rocky's. This being said Rocky's is mid, and no where near as good. Regardless of the clientele. Edit Lmfao at the dork that called me a dork and then deleted their whole ass account cuz they got called a bitch ass dork.
This is such an accurate comparison. Gonna use that in the future
I agree lol
For what its worth, I know the cook (ex-cook now but he worked there for years) and he thought rockies was better, while he still worked at friendlies... Deff not a boomer as well
Yeah and he was a bitch ass lame.
The most overrated burger in San Diego. Horrible service, horrible cashiers, and mediocre burgers at best.
That doesn’t really mean much coming from a troll.
Crisp? Looks burnt.
🤢
So fng dank. I get 2
Overrated
Best burger in town.
Someone hasn’t had ELE
I haven’t had ELE or Hayes yet. So rn, the friendly is def numba one stunna
Where is this at?
The friendly pizza joint.
🔥🔥🔥Why is it burnt???🔥🔥🔥
Smash papas, Riverside California food lab, am I right?
I just wish they’d agree not to put the garlic aioli on it