Here in San Diego, we love hearty, good food. Home of the California Burrito, and featuring amazing sandwiches, tacos, pizzas, and more, it’s no wonder that our city also has some of the best burgers in the U.S. No, not because we say so, but according to Foursquare, CNN, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and other reputable foodie sources. Where would you head to if craving a juicy, no-frills, amazing burger? We’d go straight to the source – at Hodad’s.
Hodad’s San Diego
Fun name, isn’t it? In case you didn’t know, a ‘hodad’ is an old-school term for a cool guy who always shows up at the beach with his surfboard, wanders around, socializes…but never actually surfs.
This has been a famous name in our city for ages, mainly thanks to two things: their wonderful burgers, and the love Guy Fieri has shown them through Diner’s, Drive-In’s & Dives. He didn’t just enjoy the food, but also their simple tagline: ‘No shirts, no shoes, no problem’. While Hodad’s was already popular with locals, being featured on the famous show changed things forever. After it aired, the restaurant started selling thousands of the favorites– the bacon cheeseburger and the Guido burger – every single day! But while fame and TV help, everyone would agree that it was the owner, Mike, who made Hodad’s what it is.
Hodad’s history
Hodad’s story began in 1969, when Byron and Virginia Hardin started serving up burgers at their first beachside stand. A few years later, in 1973, they purchased a small burger shack in Ocean Beach for just $600 (about $4,250 in today’s dollars), located at the end of Santa Monica Avenue. After a series of moves, Hodad’s eventually found its permanent home on Ocean Beach’s main strip. In 2011, a second location opened in downtown San Diego, followed by a seasonal spot at Petco Park for Padres fans. That stand proved so popular that it grew into multiple concession locations throughout the park. To mark the partnership, the owner even had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the July 5, 2012 Padres game against the Cincinnati Reds.
After Byron and Victoria passed away, son Mike Hardin took over. He was at the helm of the burger joint when it rocketed to stardom. Anyone who was part of the dream says it was Mike’s heart that kept the whole team sane as they went from a local’s favorite shack to a relentlessly busy hub. Mike was somewhat of a local celebrity, as some even considered him ‘the unofficial mayor of Ocean Beach’. He was known for his kindness, generosity, fun spirit, and quirky looks – Mike rocked a mohawk and tattooed his knuckles to read “boss man”. Hence the nickname: Mike ‘Bossman’ Hardin. He was also heavily involved in making life better for America’s Military.
A tragic end, and a new beginning
Unfortunately, Mike passed away at just 54 years old. The news came as a massive shock to the community, who organized a celebration of life for Mike, right in front of the iconic Ocean Beach location. The community gave speeches, there was live music, and Guy Fieri himself came to share memories, as the two became great friends throughout the years.
Hodad’s is now in the hands of third generation family members, Shane and Lexi Hardin – Mike’s children – who make sure the legend lives on, one delicious burger at a time. Moreover, in 2018, Hodad’s established their brewing arm: Hodad’s Brewing Company.
Best burger in San Diego? Best burger in the U.S.?
Hodad’s has earned widespread acclaim for its burgers, most notably its famous bacon cheeseburger, from many sources. The restaurant gained national attention after being featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But over the years, Hodad’s has landed on numerous ‘best of’ lists, including CNN’s roundup of ‘Five Tasty Burger Joints Worth Visiting’ and Foursquare’s ranking of the top 50 ‘Best Burger Joints in America.’ It has also been spotlighted on the Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”
Controversially, when Robb Walsh from the Houston Press came to visit, he wasn’t so impressed. He claimed that it cannot be the best burger in the country; “maybe the best bacon cheeseburger”.
However, most agree that Hodad’s serves spectacular burgers, and always has been. Besides the great food, people also love the laid-back vibe, the fabulous onion rings, milkshakes, and decor. Hodad’s walls are decorated with numerous license plates and stickers. Mike had previously said that everything in the Ocean Beach location is provided by customers – zero input, great results.
At the original beach location, Hodad’s served burgers for 25 cents – today, a mini cheeseburger will set you back $9, while a double bacon cheeseburger costs an eye-watering $28. Is it worth it? If so, it’s probably because of “the secret.”
So what’s the secret?
The menu here may be simple, but one burger steals the spotlight: the bacon cheeseburger. And that’s where Hodad’s secret lies. Instead of serving just a strip or two of bacon on top of the patty, they’ve reimagined the approach. First, the bacon is boiled, then formed into its own patty and grilled until perfectly crispy. Placed atop the beef, it guarantees that every bite delivers that smoky, savory crunch of bacon. At Hodad’s, every bite is the perfect bite.