Restaurant Review – Hodad’s

It was a classic day in San Diego today.  It started with a breakfast right at the Ocean Beach Pier and a meet-up with an old high school friend. Returning to the US after eight years abroad is a great excuse to renew lots of old friendships.

The itinerary for the day was a hike on the beaches of Sunset Cliffs.  It’s the middle of February and in San Diego, the sky could not have been more blue and the temperatures more suitable. I’m not sure where else you can get an 80℉ day in winter!

The hike, to my surprise, included a wade through very winter-like ocean waters. Well worth it for the views and the secluded beaches. Even the surfers were hard to find.

What better way to finish the day then with a San Diego and Ocean Beach tradition – Hodad’s.  The Cheeseburger and Frings (with a beer of course) perfectly hit the spot!  Frings were served in a huge portion which even two sun-drenched, hungry hikers couldn’t finish.

For native San Diegans, Hodad’s is probably a no-brainer. You want a good burger, go to Hodad’s.  But to the tourist, the atmosphere of Hodad’s really captures the SoCal beach spirit with the No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem policy and a decor of surfboard and license plates. Located so close to the OB Pier also helps for those taking in a San Diego beach tour.

One of the things I loved the most about the visit though? Our waiter.  He looked all of 25, but perhaps the San Diego lifestyle had helped prevent any wrinkles – he’s worked at Hodad’s for 11 years.  That almost says more than the delicious burgers.

Likes: beach location and spirit, bodacious burgers

Dislikes: Numerous napkins needed, line outside the door doesn’t make you want to hang out longer than what is deemed cool by the locals.

Cheers!

Hodad’s is located at:

5010 Newport Avenue

San Diego, 92107

619-224-4623

http://hodadies.com/home

p.s. Here’s a photo of me on that hike…shirt drenched from wading in the freezing ocean!