Restaurant · San Diego, California
Hodad's
How to book: WALK-IN (no reservations) — go off-peak to dodge the line; cash is easy. Pair it with an Ocean Beach afternoon (the pier, the main street). Confirm current hours on the official site.
Best meal: A double bacon cheeseburger with onion rings and a shake — the messy signature.
Who it’s NOT for: Diners wanting a light, healthy, or refined meal — this is big, messy, indulgent burger food. Vegetarians as the main event — it's a burger joint (limited non-burger options). Anyone who won't wait — lines at the OB flagship can be long at peak. Travelers wanting a quiet or dressy dinner — it's a loud, packed, surf-shack room.
$-$$Research-based
Part of San Diego, CA, Decided.
Common questions
Is Hodad's worth it?
The iconic Ocean Beach burger joint since 1969 — huge messy burgers, a VW-bus booth, and long happy lines; a fun, casual, only-in-San-Diego beach-town classic.
Who is Hodad's for?
Hodad's is for multigen beach family, culture parks explorer, and craft beer foodie duo.
Who is Hodad's not for?
Hodad's is not for Diners wanting a light, healthy, or refined meal — this is big, messy, indulgent burger food. Vegetarians as the main event — it's a burger joint (limited non-burger options). Anyone who won't wait — lines at the OB flagship can be long at peak. Travelers wanting a quiet or dressy dinner — it's a loud, packed, surf-shack room.
Do you need a reservation at Hodad's?
WALK-IN (no reservations) — go off-peak to dodge the line; cash is easy. Pair it with an Ocean Beach afternoon (the pier, the main street).
How expensive is Hodad's?
Hodad's is in the $-$$ range. Meravella shows prices as bands and never publishes exact figures it hasn't verified.
Visit the official site →hodadsoceanbeach.com · book direct
How we know: basis research · last verified Tue Aug 11 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). We never rank by commission.