Something that I feel is missing from a lot of popular food culture is the art of simplicity.  I’m not a fan of food gimmicks, particularly when it comes to burgers.  I’m sure you’ve all seen the clips and pics of some obnoxiously huge burger with 12 patties, a bowl of pasta, a brick of cheese, a shrimp po boy, a whole live mackerel and an original vinyl pressing of De La Soul’s “Three Feet High and Rising” on it.  It’s 17 pounds, 3 feet tall and needs to be carried by 4 servers, the last of whom presents the table with a release of liability form for you to sign. It’s giving unmistakable dark flavortown vibes, for like $60.   I know you know this burger.  Aside from the fact that these are often absolutely disgusting they are also always wildly impractical.  And that’s the part that bothers me the most.  It can’t be picked up.  How do you even get at that thing?!  Am I supposed to unhinge my jaw like a python? The taste of it is secondary to giving you something to blow up ‘the Gram’ (That’s what the kids call Instagram.  It’s also what I used to call my Maternal Grandmother, so I’m hosting a terrifying buffet of mental images right now after writing that).  None of these ridiculous toppings are bringing anything to the party flavor-wise.  The taste of this thing people are meant to eat has become irrelevant.  Lost in a gimmick gone too far.  I say no thank you.

The competition for “best burger” is fierce everywhere and San Diego is no different.  There’s no accounting for taste but you bring up things like best taco?  Best Ramen?  Best burger?  Them’s fightin’ words.  Opinions will be shouted, emotions will flare, friendships and marriages will be irreparably damaged.  People are serious about this shit.  San Diego has some serious contenders for ‘best burger’ but I knew as soon as I came back for this series that only one place stood out from the crowd enough to warrant a feature.  What’s that you say? Anthony, you can’t cover a place you’ve already been to!” This here is a new Boy Who Ate San Diego, gentle reader.  As part of this series, I’m highlighting some of the “Icons” of San Diego.  Places that have been around for a minute and I’m exploring why.

The Friendly on 30^th (There are 3 locations in town) is, by definition, a pizzeria but my favorite thing to order at this pizzeria is actually the Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger.  Butter braised onions, American cheese, garlic aioli.  That’s literally it.  Simple.  Life changingly delicious.  It’s almost too simple.  It almost gives “House Burger” (A little something for you Gen X Eddie Murphy fans) except that it’s deliciousness will have you thinking about this burger for days after you eat it.  At least that’s my experience with it.  But it’s more than a burger and a slice of pizza.  There’s an experience to it.

I was in a production of the musical “The Full Monty” last Summer.  After a performance attended by my inner circle, we were in search of after show eats and one of the only things open after 11pm (Do not get me started on this city’s ability to pull in the sidewalks by 9pm) was The Friendly on 30^th.  I’d had their burger before when my work crush brought me one a few years ago.  But I needed to be sure that the euphoria I felt eating this burger wasn’t just the feeling I got when I looked in his dreamy popsicle blue eyes and melted in the presence of his irresistible troublemaker smile into that usual chokehold that unattainable straight boys had me in for most of the 90’s.  I needed a second go at this burger with a clear, less horny mind.  This was that chance and, friends, lightning struck twice with this glorious burger.

Returning to the scene of the crime with me were some of my most trustworthy burger and beer lovers:

Dan-Lawful pirate, metal lover, can tell you everything about a great beer.  And he will.

Joseph-Music educator, loves just about every food I won’t touch, masterclass Dad joker

Chris-Attorney, lifelong food snob, loves sandwiches.  Like, a lot.

Anna-Canadian Goddess, Theatre dresser, puppet builder

Joe-Theatre and beer enthusiast, podcast co-host, TikTok Dad

I tried my best to not let my all-consuming obsession with this burger cloud the fact that I was here to give readers an overview of the whole experience of The Friendly.  And, let me be clear here, it is an experience.   Seating inside is limited, there’s one small bathroom.  There is always a line out the door.  Not the place for a sit down meal.  We almost always get our food and gather outside on the sidewalk and enter into a collective food coma under the white hot fluorescent lights and painted signage on the window.  Menu alterations (especially in regards to the burger) are not allowed.  I honestly go back and forth about my feelings on that.  On the one hand, I applaud the unwillingness to alter the experience.  After all, I don’t know that I would have ever thought to order a burger this way so it kinda forced me to experience something I now love.  On the other hand, the unwillingness to modify excluded all of our usual suspects who can’t eat gluten (most notably, my partner).  Also, as Chris astutely pointed out, there’s also no ketchup and no fries.  I don’t know that I would’ve been sold on coming here, had I not had the burger first.

The Friendly offers pizza by the slice.  I’m no aficionado and I’m SURE some stranger in the comment section will set me straight if I’m incorrect but I would most closely compare The Friendly’s pizza to New York Style.  I’m one of those rare people who equally loves New York and Chicago style pizza, which often gets me strange looks from folks who have chosen their side in the battle of the only two cities on Earth that make pizza.  The Friendly’s attitude is well reflected in every aspect of their menu, down to the pizza names.  Both mine and Joseph’s first slice was the Dr. Green Thumb (Garlic, Spinach, Red bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Red Onion and Artichoke Hearts).  Were it not for the fake cheese, I would’ve ordered a slice of Did I Tell You I’m A Vegan based on the name alone because HA!  Really tender crust, the artichokes added the perfect amount of tang without overpowering the whole slice.  Ratio of sauce to toppings was on point.  Joseph enjoyed the large chunks of garlic and balance of veggies.

My favorite Friendly slice (The Becky: White Pizza, mushrooms and ricotta) was out for the night, likely watching a rom com or having a meet cute at a café.  I instead chose for my second slice, the Michael Cane Italian Job (Not The Marky Mark Version) (BTW, that’s the actual full name of the pizza, parenthetical diss and all).  White Pizza with Ricotta, Red Bell Pepper, Garlic and Sausage.  I was happy to see this slice didn’t have pepperoni, which I hate.  I know, an Italian who hates pepperoni.  Sacrilege! One of many ways I’m a colossal disappointment to my family.  The ricotta was creamy and was sliced thin enough to keep from weighing the slice down.  The garlic and sausage played well off each other and the crust on this one was also tender and toothsome.  Good stuff.

Now that I was a good boy and ate my pizza it was time for my reward:  The Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger.  I don’t know why it works so well!  The grill they make them on like a little assembly line looks like it’s clean and totally up to food grade but tastes like it hasn’t been cleaned since 1961 and I mean that as the highest possible praise.  I would never order American Cheese on anything!  But for some reason, this yellow slice just becomes creamy, velvety and perfect atop this burger patty.  The butter braised onions bring in sweet and smoky elements and the garlic aioli ties it all together like a symphony.  I loved it so much, I didn’t even care when I thought it was mayonnaise!  Some folks ordered two burgers and while I respect the dedication, I can barely get through one of these, so I savor it.  25-year-old Anthony would be crushing these in 3’s like full sized sliders (which, admittedly, might prevent the existence of present day Anthony but I digress).  Joseph praised both the crust on the bun and the crust on the burger.  He points out that he really can’t name another $7 burger that rivals the comfort and full flavor of the dirty flat top. 

Chris really hit the nail on the head when he compared The Friendly to an immobile food truck.  He praised the burger’s taste, texture and mild greasiness (in the way good burgers are allowed to be).  He rated the pizza slices “as good a slice as you’re going to find in San Diego”. 

Dan had the Meat Lover’s pizza (which I’m sure had some other smart ass name on the menu board).  While many pizza places can go easily overboard on their meaty toppings, he enjoyed that The Friendly was smart about their balance.  No topping dominated any other.  While he usually a fan of the burger, he mentioned it tasting saltier when he’s sober as opposed to other occasions.  I want to point out here that multiple people in our dining crew said this place would be perfect to show up to drunk.  I’m not encouraging that you get sloshed before going to The Friendly but if you do, please do so safely on foot, call an Uber or a friend who owes you a favor (Don’t get me started on San Diego’s lack of public transport) But it was still delicious for him.  He recommends (and so do I) making a late night weekend trip to The Friendly after having a few beers up the street at Fall Brewing Company.  The vibe is festive and must be seen to be believed. 

And speaking of beer, Dan continues his role in my life as “beer hero” bringing his love and expertise of the sudsy devil to my table.  The Friendly offers Tecate, with a dollar off if you shotgun the can.  Dan did the thing because who doesn’t love a dollar off? He proudly boasts missing his shirt and only getting a few drops on the counter.  Chris was not as lucky with his but we still love him.

I absolutely loved Anna’s description of The Friendly in North Park as a “pause two thirds of the way through a bar crawl for a fever dream of a cheeseburger.”  That made me Kermit nod, IYKYK.  She mentioned it’s the type of delicious burger that tastes better after at least 3 drinks.  I’m sure she’s right.  It almost makes me want to like beer.  Almost.  I honestly would risk it all for this damned burger.  Anna’s slice of pizza included ricotta (which she describes as the cat nip of the cheese world), pepperoni and mushrooms.  She said it was solid and praised it’s ability to be folded without fuss, which proves to me that she has spent enough time around New York actors because no Canadian I know would eat pizza like that.  Also, Anna is not Canadian.  Moving on.

As Anna lacks the ability to shotgun beer (leaving that to her Husband, Dan) she did enjoy a refreshing Topo Chico Sparkling Water.  I will say the only thing I don’t love about this place is the lack of drink options for the non-beer crowd.  I usually just have bottled water because Mexican Coke is a real bad choice for me (cut to the glowing ghost of Wilfred Brimley giving me a Kermit nod, IYKYK)

I will conclude this review in a way that will not at all shock you.  It’s all about the burger (which is available in other iterations at The Friendly’s other two locations in town, but you gotta start with the dirty flat top) but the pizza is also pretty great.  The vibe is humorous with a smart ass charm.  The folks working behind the counter perfectly reflect that vibe also.  On some nights, you can buy a round of Tecate for the staff.  It’s a party and one I always enjoy getting to attend.  Also, The Friendly on 30^th is located walking distance from multiple options for drinks and dessert.  Grab your friends and make a night of it.  And tell the burger I love it and I can’t wait for it to meet my lips again soon. 

Check out my YouTube Channel for this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoyWhoAteSanDiego

Check out the deep dive podcast for this episode! https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6in9k-1541798

Further Reading: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-friendly-san-diego