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Ocean Beach · $12–16 · Ranked in 2 lists
Last updated
Hodad's is a Ocean Beach spot ranked #1 of 10 in our Best Burgers in San Diego list, scoring 92/100 in our Best Burgers in San Diego. Order the hodad burger. The only burger that makes a national TV spot feel deserved. Thick, messy, seasoned patty with a soft bun that somehow holds together. The OB original is cash-only and worth the wait.
We scored Hodad's 92/100 in our full editorial review.
Read the full Hodad's reviewHodad's sits in Ocean Beach — coastal San Diego at the mouth of the San Diego River, 15 minutes west of downtown. The area is known for the longest pier on the West Coast, Newport Avenue antique shops, dog beach, and the Wednesday farmers market, and the feel is counterculture beach town that never modernized — barefoot, laid-back, and proud of it. Parking: Free lots at the end of Newport and near dog beach; fills fast on weekends.
Explore Ocean BeachHodad's takes the top spot on our Best Burgers in San Diego list, ahead of Rocky's Crown Pub (90/100). It also appears on 1 other list in our San Diego coverage.
See the full Best Burgers in San Diego rankingHodad's scores 92/100 against a best burgers in san diego field that averages 86.1, running from 82 at the bottom to 92 at the top. That puts it 5.9 points above the category average and ahead of 9 of the 9 other places we scored. It lands 1st of 10, and nothing in the category scores higher.
Judged criterion by criterion, Hodad's separates itself most on value (90/100 versus a 81.7 category average). Its softest showing is atmosphere at 85, 1.1 points over the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for value, not for a clean sweep of every category.
| Criterion | Hodad's | Category avg. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taste | 95 | 88.4 | +6.6 |
| Value | 90 | 81.7 | +8.3 |
| Consistency | 90 | 85.7 | +4.3 |
| Atmosphere | 85 | 83.9 | +1.1 |
| Uniqueness | 95 | 88.7 | +6.3 |
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best burgers in san diego.
Ocean Beach is dense enough that Hodad's rarely needs to be a standalone trip. We have scored at least six other ranked spots in the same neighborhood, so it is easy to stack a visit with Ocean Beach Dog Beach (94/100 in our best dog parks in san diego list) or Kotija Jr. Taco Shop (91/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
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Yes — worth going out of your way for.
Hodad's scores 92/100 in our Best Burgers in San Diego list (#1 of 10). It is strongest on taste (95) and uniqueness (95). The only burger that makes a national TV spot feel deserved. Thick, messy, seasoned patty with a soft bun that somehow holds together. The OB original is cash-only and worth the wait.
Hodad's is a good fit for burgers and kid-friendly restaurants. Because it ranks #1 on our best burgers in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in Ocean Beach rather than build a day around a long cross-town drive. Check live hours and availability before leaving, especially for a weekend visit.
Best tactical tip: Go during off-peak hours; the OB line can stretch to the sidewalk on weekends.
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Score 92/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Hodad burger · $12–16
The only burger that makes a national TV spot feel deserved. Thick, messy, seasoned patty with a soft bun that somehow holds together. The OB original is cash-only and worth the wait.
Local tip: Go during off-peak hours; the OB line can stretch to the sidewalk on weekends.
Score 87/100 on this list's criteria · Order: A double bacon cheeseburger split two ways · $12–20
A loud, casual burger institution where kids fit right in.
Local tip: Split one burger between two kids — portions are enormous.
Scored with our ranking methodology — burgers, kid-friendly-restaurants.
Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.
