This Hole-In-The-Wall California Restaurant Is Famous For Its Giant Bacon Cheeseburgers
Some places don’t just feed people – they become part of the local identity. This is the kind of spot where the line outside is as much a tradition as the food itself, and nobody minds waiting because everyone knows what’s coming is worth it.
Hodad’s has built its reputation on doing burgers unapologetically big, bold, and indulgent.
From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels loud in the best way – walls packed with decades of license plates, surf culture memorabilia, and the unmistakable energy of a place that doesn’t try to be polished.
It doesn’t have to. The food does all the talking. Every burger at Hodad’s arrives stacked high, dripping with flavor, and demanding your full attention.
Bacon isn’t an afterthought here – it’s a commitment. California locals bring out-of-town friends to here like it’s a rite of passage, and first-timers quickly understand why this place inspires such loyalty.
What makes Hodad’s special isn’t just the size of the burgers – it’s the attitude. It’s casual, confident, and completely unpretentious. You come hungry, you leave full, and you remember it long after.
Founded By A Husband-And-Wife Team In 1973
Byron and Virginia Hardin opened the first Hodad’s more than fifty years ago with a simple mission to serve great burgers in a fun atmosphere.
The couple built their restaurant from the ground up in Ocean Beach, creating a neighborhood gathering spot that would stand the test of time.
Their vision combined quality ingredients with generous portions and a welcoming vibe that made everyone feel at home.
The location sits at 5010 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107, right in the heart of Ocean Beach’s main commercial strip.
Over the decades, the Hardin family kept the restaurant’s core values intact while watching their creation become a San Diego institution.
The founders passed their passion for great burgers and friendly service down through generations, ensuring the restaurant maintained its authentic character even as it gained fame beyond the neighborhood.
The Bacon Patty Is Made Using A Unique Cooking Method
What sets Hodad’s bacon cheeseburger apart starts with an unusual preparation technique that most burger places never attempt.
The bacon gets boiled first, then formed into a patty shape, and finally grilled until it reaches a perfectly crispy texture.
This method ensures that every single bite delivers intense smoky bacon flavor throughout the entire burger rather than just in scattered strips.
The process takes more time and effort than simply laying bacon strips on top of a beef patty.
Cooks at Hodad’s follow this labor-intensive approach because it creates a more consistent eating experience from the first bite to the last.
The bacon patty melds with the beef and cheese in a way that traditional bacon strips cannot match, creating a flavor profile that customers remember long after their visit ends.
License Plates Cover Nearly Every Wall Surface
Walking into Hodad’s feels like stepping into a museum dedicated to American road culture, with thousands of license plates creating a colorful mosaic across the walls and ceiling.
Plates from all fifty states hang alongside international specimens, each one adding to the eclectic visual feast.
The collection started small but grew over the years as customers and staff contributed plates from their travels and collections.
The license plate décor reflects the restaurant’s casual, quirky personality and gives diners something interesting to examine while waiting for their food.
Each visit reveals new details as eyes wander across plates from decades past, some faded and rusty, others still bright and readable.
The walls tell stories of American automotive history and create a conversation starter that breaks the ice between strangers sharing communal seating during busy lunch rushes.
Surfboards Hang As Permanent Art Installations
Surfboards suspended from the ceiling and mounted on walls reinforce Hodad’s deep connection to Ocean Beach’s legendary surf culture.
These boards range from vintage longboards to modern shortboards, each one weathered and worn from actual use in the Pacific Ocean.
The surfboard collection honors the sport that defines the neighborhood and attracts wave riders from around the globe.
Unlike pristine showroom boards, these displays show dings, repairs, and sun damage that tell stories of countless sessions in the water.
The boards create visual interest above the dining area and remind everyone that they’re eating in a true surf town establishment.
Sunlight streaming through windows catches the waxed surfaces and faded paint, creating shifting patterns throughout the day that add to the restaurant’s relaxed beach atmosphere without feeling manufactured or touristy.
Guy Fieri Featured The Restaurant On Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives
When Guy Fieri brought his Food Network crew to Hodad’s for an episode of his hit show, the restaurant gained national attention that brought burger lovers from across the country.
The episode highlighted the restaurant’s generous portions, unique bacon preparation, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes it a local favorite. Fieri’s enthusiastic reaction to the food validated what San Diego residents had known for decades.
The television exposure led to longer lines and increased recognition, but the restaurant maintained its commitment to quality and authenticity despite the fame.
New customers who discovered Hodad’s through the show often become repeat visitors, drawn back by the genuine experience rather than just the celebrity connection.
The feature also inspired the creation of the Guido Burger, named in Fieri’s honor, which includes pastrami, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup, and spicy brown mustard for those seeking bold flavor combinations.
The Double Bacon Cheeseburger Challenges Even Big Appetites
Ordering the double bacon cheeseburger means committing to a serious eating challenge that towers several inches high and requires both hands to hold.
Two beef patties stacked with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and condiments create a burger that weighs more than many restaurant entrées.
The basket version adds a generous portion of fries or onion rings that could serve as a meal on their own. At fourteen dollars for the basket with fries, the double represents excellent value considering the sheer amount of food that arrives at the table.
Many first-time visitors underestimate the size and end up taking half their burger home in a to-go container.
The burger requires strategic eating to prevent toppings from sliding out, and napkins become essential tools rather than optional accessories during the meal.
A Downtown Location Opened To Serve The Business District
Success at the original Ocean Beach location led to expansion downtown, bringing Hodad’s burgers to office workers and convention visitors in San Diego’s urban core.
The downtown restaurant sits at 945 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101, within walking distance of hotels, the convention center, and business towers.
This second location maintains the same menu and quirky décor style while serving a different crowd during weekday lunch rushes.
Downtown diners appreciate having access to the famous burgers without making the trip to the beach, especially when time is limited during work breaks.
The atmosphere remains casual and fun despite the more formal surroundings, with license plates and surf memorabilia creating the same beach vibe.
Both locations prepare food using identical methods, ensuring that the burger experience stays consistent whether someone visits the original spot or the downtown expansion.
The Blue Jay Burger Adds Tangy Blue Cheese Sauce
For customers seeking something beyond the classic bacon cheeseburger, the Blue Jay burger delivers a bold flavor twist with thick blue cheese sauce and grilled onions.
The sauce provides a tangy, creamy contrast to the smoky bacon and savory beef, while the grilled onions add sweetness that balances the strong cheese flavor.
This combination appeals to blue cheese lovers who want that distinctive taste in every bite.
The Blue Jay has developed a loyal following among regular customers who appreciate the restaurant’s willingness to offer creative variations on the basic burger formula.
The blue cheese sauce gets applied generously, ensuring that it reaches all layers of the burger rather than pooling at the bottom.
Grilled onions become soft and caramelized during cooking, adding another texture and flavor dimension that makes this burger a memorable departure from standard cheeseburger options.
Mini Burgers Offer A More Manageable Size Option
Not everyone arrives with an appetite big enough to tackle the regular or double-sized burgers, which is why the mini bacon cheeseburger serves as a popular alternative.
At seven dollars for just the burger or nine dollars with fries, the mini provides the same flavors and preparation quality in a portion that feels less overwhelming.
The smaller size works well for lunch when returning to work afterward or for diners who want to save room for other activities.
The mini still delivers a satisfying meal with all the signature elements that make Hodad’s burgers special, including the unique bacon patty and fresh toppings.
Parents sometimes order minis for children, though the restaurant’s casual atmosphere welcomes sharing and splitting larger burgers too.
The basket option adds crispy fries that complement the burger without creating an excessive amount of food, making it easier to finish everything without waste.
CNN Named It Among Five Tasty Burger Joints Worth Visiting
National recognition from CNN placed Hodad’s in elite company among America’s best burger destinations, introducing the restaurant to travelers planning California trips.
The CNN feature emphasized the restaurant’s authentic character and exceptional food quality, factors that separate it from chain restaurants and trendy spots that prioritize style over substance.
Being selected from thousands of burger restaurants across the country validated the restaurant’s decades-long commitment to doing one thing exceptionally well.
The CNN mention brought international visitors who specifically sought out Hodad’s as a must-visit destination during San Diego stays.
Media coverage from respected outlets helps sustain business during slower seasons and maintains the restaurant’s reputation as more than just a local favorite.
The recognition also acknowledges the role that independent restaurants play in defining a city’s food culture and creating memorable experiences that chain establishments cannot replicate.
Ocean Beach Location Sits Steps From The Sand And Pier
The original Hodad’s occupies prime real estate on Newport Avenue, San Diego, California, the main street running through Ocean Beach’s commercial district toward the beach and iconic fishing pier.
After finishing a burger, customers can walk just a few blocks to reach the sand, watch surfers riding waves, or stroll out on the pier to observe fishermen trying their luck.
The location makes Hodad’s a natural stop during a beach day, whether fueling up before hitting the water or refueling afterward.
Newport Avenue buzzes with activity as visitors browse surf shops, antique stores, and other local businesses that give Ocean Beach its bohemian character.
The neighborhood attracts a mix of surfers, artists, families, and tourists who appreciate the more relaxed vibe compared to some of San Diego’s more polished beach communities.
Hodad’s fits perfectly into this environment, offering substantial food without pretension in a setting that celebrates local culture rather than trying to impress outsiders with manufactured beach themes.
