The Friendly Tavern

The Friendly Tavern is one of those places that looks completely unassuming from the outside. You have to walk past an odd, almost nondescript entrance before making your way to the real heart of the place—an open-air back patio with plenty of picnic tables. Inside, the setup is minimal, with only about five or six bar seats, but the real draw here isn’t the seating—it’s the food.

Let’s talk about the Smashburger, which, no exaggeration, ranks in my top three in San Diego. The crispy, golden-brown edges of the patty contrast beautifully with the juicy, flavor-packed center, creating that perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. The bun is just the right amount of soft and toasty, hugging the patty and melted cheese in a way that makes every bite ridiculously satisfying. The price? Shockingly affordable for the quality, making it easy to justify ordering two if you’re feeling extra hungry.

The bar itself is straightforward—no frills, no extensive spirit selection. They stick to their well liquors, so if you’re planning on having a few cocktails, just be aware that some of those mixed drinks might leave you with a next-day headache. They do batch their cocktails, which is convenient, but they can run out at times. Your best bet? Stick with the beers. They’ve got old-school classics like Hamm’s, keeping things simple and nostalgic. Just a heads-up—nothing on draft here.

One of the best things about this spot is the laid-back, friendly vibe. The bartenders are super chill, the kind of guys who remember your face after a couple of visits and make you feel like a regular. It’s the kind of place where you settle in, grab a beer, and just enjoy the atmosphere without any pretension.

Bonus points for being dog-friendly! They even offer a pup patty, so your four-legged friend won’t feel left out while you’re indulging in one of the best burgers in town.

One downside? Parking. But that’s just North Park life—expect to circle the block a few times before finding a spot.

All in all, The Friendly Tavern is exactly what the name suggests: welcoming, unpretentious, and serving up some of the best Smashburgers in San Diego. Definitely worth checking out.

Introduced to Friendly Tavern from a friend!

Good smash burger, definitely heavy and very buttery.

I decided to pig out my first time:
-DIRTY FLAT TOP $8.00
-BMS $9.00
-Fries $4.00
-Ranch $0.50
-Garlic Aioli $0.50
-Fall beer $8.00

If I remember correctly, I think ranch was the better sauce over the garlic aioli. Burgers itself were tasty, but definitely heavy. I don’t think I could eat 3 burgers because of how buttery they were. Fries were a huge miss. I would not order again. Cold and not a whole lot given.

Street parking is super difficult in the area…so you might need to park a few blocks away.