Where juicy burgers meet arcade fun in a laid-back San Diego dive bar.
Juicy, high-quality burgers like the Centennial and barbecue bacon, cooked to perfection with fresh ingredients.
Offers cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, with happy hour specials and hazy beer options.
Features pinball, old-school arcade games, and a pool table for entertainment while you dine.
Shareable fries, including loaded garlic fries, served crispy and flavorful.
Daily specials on drinks and food, providing great value in a relaxed setting.
Order at the counter with table delivery, ensuring quick and fresh meals for a seamless experience.
I love this place. It’s making me hungry right now just thinking about it. My girlfriend took me out as a treat because I watered her garden while she was away. She said it was her favorite dive bar in San Dirgo so me and another girl went. They have a small basic menu of five burgers And then there’s add-ons and then there’s two types of fries. We shared the garlic fries which were beyond awesome I could eat them forever and on my burger I got roasted jalapeños, which is an add-on to the basic Balboa burger and I swear it was so so good. I hardly ever eat burgers and now it’s all I can think about I wanna go back there. I really recommend this place. We went at happy hour which even is a better deal, but they’re already a great deal. Two of us had hazy beers, which was so delicious. I had never had a hazy before and I got a little crazy because it was so tropical good flavored refreshing perfect for a burger. I went home and looked up hops and how it’s made and the history of it and I’m definitely going to drink some more of those for the rest of my life- anyway I highly recommend this place. We sat at a table. We did not play pool. The people there were so nice and quick and helpful. It wasn’t crowded. It’s like a secret place. Amazing what you can do with a burger when you only have a few things on your menu they’ve perfected this to ultimate deliciousness. I highly recommend this place. What a great treat!
Great burgers and drinks with daily specials and happy hours. Burgers are large and juicy. There are plenty of drink options from a full bar, including cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options. Fries are plenty to share and the garlic fries are loaded with garlic. There is also a room of arcade games and a speakeasy now.
First time I ate here and loved it. I had the barbecue bacon burger and regular salt and pepper French fries. The burger bun and bacon for the burger were cooked perfectly. The serving of fries is enough for two people to share. After I ordered, the food came very quickly and was made fresh. Perfection!
Came to the Balboa with my daughters for lunch during our vacation in San Diego and we all ordered the original burger. I have to say it's the best burger I've EVER had. The burger was very flavorful and extra juicy. Thank you Balboa for this amazing experience!!
This burger joint inside a bar/tavern really hit the spot! The burgers were excellent—super tender, juicy, and best of all, no weird hard or fatty pieces. Just really high-quality meat cooked perfectly. We got the Centennial & classic burger. We tried the garlic fries, which had great flavor—though they could’ve been a little crispier for my taste, they were still really good overall. You order at the counter, they give you a number, and then bring the food right to your table—super easy and efficient. They also have a free water station, which is great if you’re not drinking alcohol. The atmosphere is laid-back and fun with pinball and old-school arcade games right next to the seating area. There's also a pool table and TVs if you want to hang out and watch a game. Great food, chill vibe, and a solid spot all around!
The Balboa is a beloved bar and grill in San Diego, offering a perfect blend of high-quality burgers, a full bar, and retro arcade games. Known for its juicy, flavorful burgers like the Centennial and barbecue bacon, plus shareable garlic fries, this spot provides a chill atmosphere with pool tables, TVs, and daily specials. Ideal for casual dining, happy hours, and fun outings, it's a local favorite for its efficient service and vibrant vibe.
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