Great burger. The garlic aioli was great. Burger was delicious. Definitely a top 10 burger I’ve had in my life. Prices were a little expensive. A burger and fries was over 20 which seems crazy. But it is 2025. The place also hasn’t had much money put into upkeep. But I guess that is the style. I will definitely be coming back and definitely the best burger that I’ve had in San Diego so far and one of the best ove had. Also for a more fair price they do have happy hour Monday through Friday 4-6 pm. Classic burger with fries would be around 15 including tax. Not as bad.

The burger is so damn good. Happy hour special is where it’s at. The people who work here are cool and never have an attitude. It’s the place to be! The burger is fresh, juicy, and all the toppings / ingredients are crunchy and crisp. A delicious bun to top it off and you’ll be saying the same thing I do when I’m done, that it’s the best burger here in SD for the price.

I was craving a burger and decided to search for something local. what I found was an absolute gem. The burger was perfectly cooked, juicy, and packed with flavor, and the fries? Crispy, golden, and addictive. Honestly, this place is second to none in the burger game. Highly recommend if you’re after a top-tier burger experience.

Great vibe "hole in the wall" bar with amazing burgers and fries. Nothing bougie here. I was looking for a place that was easy and low key. They have a few tap beers and were out of 2, Coors light was in a can and I loved it. The burgers are being flipped right next to the bar in a little kitchen. Don't come stressed or in a hurry cuz neither are gonna be welcome here. The boys running the show will tell you to get the hell out. You take a step in the place and there's a line waiting to place their order and head to an open table. They have open seating and will bring your food to you. It was Fri about 7 and they were busy so burgers were taking about 40 min. Plenty of tvs with all the games going, room full of arcade games and a pool table. The bathroom was clean. My burger was really good. I had the BBQ bacon burger with grilled onions and it was fresh. The bacon was thick and really tasty. Don't live here or I'd be here regularly.

This burger joint inside a bar/tavern really hit the spot! The burgers were excellent—super tender, juicy, and best of all, no weird hard or fatty pieces. Just really high-quality meat cooked perfectly. We got the Centennial & classic burger. We tried the garlic fries, which had great flavor—though they could’ve been a little crispier for my taste, they were still really good overall. You order at the counter, they give you a number, and then bring the food right to your table—super easy and efficient. They also have a free water station, which is great if you’re not drinking alcohol. The atmosphere is laid-back and fun with pinball and old-school arcade games right next to the seating area. There's also a pool table and TVs if you want to hang out and watch a game. Great food, chill vibe, and a solid spot all around!

One of the best burgers around downtown. Patty is seasoned perfectly and the buns are lightly toasted. Awesome atmosphere with old arcade games and pool.

Ooh their burgers! The Balboa has a relaxed, unpretentious vibe, good drink selection, & friendly staff serving super tasty burgers & well-cooked fries late in the evening (perfect for night owls). For a burger with a side of fries a beer in the evening, it was 25 each (and I think I read a sign that they have lunch specials during the day). We appreciated being able to get a delicious dinner after the symphony without spending 50 per person at a fancy restaurant or just ending up with fast food. Their burgers are cooked to medium unless you say otherwise. Just mention your preference and you'll be fine. I like medium but my husband likes his burger well done & both of ours came out exactly as we wanted. Their house-made aioli is scrumptious! It pairs well with both the burgers and the fries. The Balboa has a couple pool tables & awesome nostalgic games, both arcade & pinball...bring your quarters or use their change machine. Free parking a block away wasn't hard for us to find late on a Friday night though I could see parking being tricky at busier times. If you're within walking distance, that's ideal. I quickly picked up on them being an inclusive, non-judgmental bar & I love to see that. We will definitely be back!

This place is probably considered a dive bar, but it's like the bar from Cheers, no, everyone doesn't know my name, but it has this familiar, oddly comforting feel about it. This is my first time in California and I was in search of a good burger. The Centennial did NOT disappoint. Such a BEEFY taste, worth the 20 minute wait. Delicious. Garlic fries I am a sucker for, and these were also quite delectable. The ambiance and atmosphere is like a well worn chair, not the newest or best, but molded to you and so comfortable. It has been 2 days since I have eaten here and I am contemplating one more visit before I leave San Diego for that delicious bar style burger. Real meat and real good. Check it out...and get the damn garlic fries, don't be stupid.