San Diego is a food mecca. People who visit and those who are fortunate to live in the city have a wide variety of food options to choose from. Sometimes, however, they want to keep it simple and go for some good comfort eats. The Friendly in San Diego is the perfect destination for this.
Whether you want a yummy slice of pizza or a burger designed to sate your taste buds, you'll find it at The Friendly San Diego. Let's dig a little deeper into what this eatery offers.
Where Is The Friendly San Diego Located?
There are four locations throughout America's Finest City.
There is one at 4681 Convoy Street, one at 1344 Garnet Avenue, one at 2632 University Avenue, and the final one is located at 4592 30th Street in North Park.
What Kind of Food Does The Friendly San Diego Serve?
All of the locations serve essentially the same foods, though there may be slight differences between the establishments. Diners can expect to find a small array of burgers made with smashed ground beef patties and a variety of toppings. For example, there's a simple option of just having two patties with no frills or splurging on one with cheese and other toppings.
Diners can also find New York City-style pizza on the menu. Sometimes, the available options will include tacos or chicken sandwiches, but they're not regular menu items. The University location is a tavern that also offers drinks.
How Much Does the Food Cost at The Friendly San Diego?
The food offered at The Friendly locations is reasonably priced around $5 to $7 for a burger and between $3 and $5 for side dishes, namely fries and onion rings. Pizzas are priced around the $20 to $30 mark depending on the toppings.
At the University Tavern location, drinks range from $5 to $8. The prices are just right for college students and adults looking for a cheap dinner option, as well, as long as you know that the price has no bearing on how delicious the food is.
What Are the Operational Hours for The Friendly San Diego?
The hours of The Friendly San Diego eateries vary by location.
At the 30th Street eatery, diners can grab some burgers and pizza from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The University Avenue has shorter hours, with opening times at 11 a.m. throughout the week. They close at 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and stay open an extra hour, until 10 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Garnet Avenue location opens at noon throughout the week. It closes at 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and stays open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
The newest location, the Convoy Street restaurant, is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
When Did The Friendly San Diego Open?
Believe it or not, The Friendly hasn't been open for eons, despite what its cult following might indicate. The very first location opened in early 2018 in North Park. Brandon Zanavich is the brainchild and owner of the eatery.
From there, The Friendly Tavern was next in 2019. It took over the former Carnitas' Snack Shack, in a very small location that hasn't hindered business at all. The third location, the Garnet Avenue restaurant, opened in 2022. Then the final location, Convoy Street, also opened in 2023.
What Are the Draws to The Friendly San Diego?
In addition to a simple food menu that makes it easy for people to decide what they want to eat, the establishment is also very well known for its habit of declining modifications. Some have said it's a no-nonsense place, and that is stunningly accurate. What you see is what you get. If you ask for more or less, you will be (kindly) denied.
Additionally, there are occasionally special items on the menu that only last for a limited time. The Friendly announces these on their social media --- Facebook and Instagram --- and they are literally here today, gone tomorrow. Those who want to get their hands on the rare treats should hurry to the location where they're offered before they run out. These often include specialty burgers, tacos, soups, and bakes.
