I really didn't think I'd be doing yet another burger post this soon. I also thought San Diego was pretty much saturated when it came to burgers. But looking back, I guess I was wrong. After mentioning that Anny's Fine Burger was coming to Kearny Mesa, I was surprise at the response. A couple of folks mentioned the need for a decent burger spot in this area.....and you know what, they're probably right. Still, I hadn't planned on visiting Anny's until they had a couple of weeks. But FOY (friend of yoso) "Green Turtle" seemed pretty excited about the prospect of the place opening and "GT" wasn't alone as I got three emails asking me when I planned on trying the place out. So of course I had to go, even if the signs weren't completely up yet.
First off a couple of things to temper what I'm going to write....the place has just opened, they looked like they were trying to find their footing. The folks working were polite, but tense looking. All understandable.
The menu at Anny's is huge with 30 different burger variations and sandwiches, all of which are posted alongside the wall. Everything from your basic burger, bacon cheese burger, to pastrami burgers and something called the Monster burger with "baked pastrami", turkey, and bacon. And in case that wouldn't be enough, you can add a fried egg and even another 1/2 half pound patty! According to "the wall" all 1/2 pound patties are made with Angus Beef.
When I arrived the place was maybe 1/3 full....the place was packed when I left.
If you've been reading long enough, you know that I'll always try a basic burger first, which is why I ordered the Classic Burger ($5.50). A half pound burger, with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion and thousand island dressing.
Oh, yes, notice the fries? Well on this day, because of the grand opening and so forth you can get either fries or a soft drink free with your burger. So this may be enough to get you down there. As for my opinion of the fries? Well, I'll go the "don't look a gift horse in the mouth route" and save that for a later time.
Did you notice something about the burger? Take a closer look......
Looks like a double burger....but I only ordered a single. Well that's because it was actually in three pieces. Once I removed that skewer it fell out of the bun onto the plate. Well, at least I got a taste of just the burger. It was on the tough side, though moist. I'm thinking that maybe this is probably more along the lines of 85-15? The burger could use some salt, but it had a bit of beefiness and there seemed to be an onion flavor. The thousand island dressing was very mild which is not a bad thing. There was a bit of lettuce overload going on as well. The bun was toasted but not hard and dry. There's potential for a pretty good burger here and based on Cathy's post on the Santee location, I'm thinking that they can do better. I'm sure they will once they get all the kinks worked out. Funny thing is....I still think it's better than Five Guys.
I'll give them another shot in a couple of weeks.
Anny's Fune Burger
5375 Kearny Villa Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Hours:
Mon - Sat 11am - 9pm
Sunday 1130am-8pm
So there you go folks...I hope you go and get your free drink or fries!
Funny thing is....I still think it's better than Five Guys.
Five Guys is all hype. (I'll be struck by lightning for saying so, but not unlike In'N'Out). There are many, many, many burgers to be had that are better. Just none of them at a chain.
Posted by: Bbq Dude | Tuesday, 20 March 2012 at 07:56 PM
:(
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 20 March 2012 at 10:01 PM
The burger looks juicier than the ones from In N Out. Do you know how long the free soda/fries is for?
Posted by: Vinyl | Tuesday, 20 March 2012 at 11:21 PM
Hi BBD - It's nice to hear from you. I hope all is going well. I guess I don't paint with such broad strokes as you do. I think the Counter is pretty good and it's a chain...there are a few others as well.
Hi Kat - I think, well, hope that this was just grand opening issues......
Hi Vinyl - I'm not sure. I asked but no one seemed to know.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 21 March 2012 at 06:35 AM
Looks like a pretty mediocre burger. Seems like the burger craze is creeping into the Kearney mesa area. I guess there's not as much competition in that area compared with the La Jolla/Del Mar area (where there's an overload), but the burger bar has been raised... lets see if they can keep up. I heard Ty's Burger House up in Oceanside is a pretty good non-chain burger place... if you feel like another burger.
Posted by: Jason | Wednesday, 21 March 2012 at 09:06 AM
Yay! I got a mention. In an area dominated by Asian cuisine, a good burger joint is a nice addition. The only other place around here is Boll Weevil.
Posted by: Green Turtle | Wednesday, 21 March 2012 at 11:24 AM
Hi Jason - This place has potential, I'm going to check them out in a couple of weeks, after all the supposed grand opening problems are worked out.
Hi GT - Let me know what you think after you check them out!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 22 March 2012 at 06:41 AM
I went Thursday evening and they are still doing the free fries or drink with burger purchase promotion. Like your opinion, I thought the free fries seemed like your typical Sysco variety... in fact, I know it is because my company's cafeteria fries are exactly the same and they use Sysco ingredients. But as for the burger itself, I got the Hickory BBQ which came with a 1/2 lb patty. The patty was all in one piece, unlike yours. It was a very tasty burger, but the bun fell apart, probably due to the sauce making it too soggy. The prices are reasonable and can give Rocky's and Hodads a run for their money, I've yet to eat at Burger Lounge so not sure how it stacks up to those kinds of places.
Posted by: Green Turtle | Friday, 23 March 2012 at 12:09 AM
Hi GT - Not a big fan of Burger Lounge, but would encourage you to check them out. I'm glad you made it over to Anny's and got your free fries. The burger has potential and I'll check them out again in a couple of weeks.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 23 March 2012 at 06:40 AM
What is up with the lettuce overload? Are we supposed to be fooled into thinking that the burger is bigger because a quarter of a head of lettuce is packed onto the bottom of the bun? I thought that was like a Wendy's, Carls Jr. sort of thing. I wasn't impressed with Burger Lounge either. I ate at The Counter in San Jose and really enjoyed it, but its a bit of a shlep for me from North Park. I'm just down the street from Crazee Burger. They have a good selection, but the last 2 times I ate there, the burgers were on the dry side. Maybe because it was a Friday night?
Posted by: Stephen | Monday, 26 March 2012 at 05:59 PM
Hi Stephen - Yeah, I noticed that too.....though it wasn't nearly as bad as hte stuff I've had at Hodads. I've nver been crazy about Crazee Burger, though I do enjoy the Counter. They are opening downtown sometime this year I believe.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 26 March 2012 at 08:25 PM
Hi Kirk,
I tried it with a coworker today. I had the fried chicken burger. It was pretty good, and I bit into a piece of wishbone. In the era of "pink slime" ground beef, I found it a good sign that the chicken had evidence of having come from an actual chicken recently.
Onion rings, meh. My coworker had the "Sand Dune" burger and said there was way too much teriyaki sauce on it.
Posted by: Fred | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 01:53 PM
Hey Fred - So you went to a burger joint and got a chicken sandwich? ;o) For some reason, naming something a sand dune just doesn;t want me to go out ther and get it......
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 09:18 PM
loved this place. No need for fries or onion rings. Wanted the whole burger.
Posted by: Judy | Saturday, 10 August 2013 at 09:42 PM