Yes, it's been almost seven years since my post on Rocky's burger, which along with Hodad's are probably the two iconic, old-school burgers, in San Diego. I'd still take Rocky's, because, well, Hodad's just ain't the same without the bacon.
It had been a while since I'd visited; but my good buddy Candice suggested grabbing a burger at Rocky's for lunch and I couldn't resist.
The lunch special ($10.50), 1/3 pound cheeseburger, a ton of "natural fries", and a drink is simple burger bliss. In fact, I think it was more juicy and much more satisfying than I recalled. Maybe I''ve become a bit cynical over the years. Grass-fed, knowing the name of the cow who laid its life down for the "burger with a mission" is nice and all that; but I find much of it is just hope and hype, many times "stuff" is piled on for marketing sake, and in the end, the burger ends up being not even close to what Rocky's serves. Give those places seven or eight years. Chances are, they won't age as well as Rocky's.
A good "pub burger" is harmonic simplicity to me, burger, cheese (depending on how I feel that day), lettuce, tomato, onion, with your choice of condiments; usually as simple as red (ketchup) or yellow (mustard) provided on the side.
Maybe it's my blue collar background, I'm the only person from my group of grade school/high school friends to not work in the trades, but I love "food of the people".
And Rocky's does it well......good friends, good conversation, a good simple burger, and the potential of wiping burger juices running down your arm. It doesn't get much better than that.
Rocky's Crown Pub
3786 Ingraham St
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 273-9140
Wow has it been that long Kirk?! Time sure flies! I still prefer a Rocky's but I learned to appreciate a Hodad's over the years. My last burger at Rockys a month ago was a little over cooked and not as juicy as they usually are so I guess they can have their off days too..
Posted by: Dennis | Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 07:39 PM
I haven't been to Rocky's before but have heard good things about it.
Posted by: caninecologne | Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 09:11 PM
that looked and sounded awesome!
Posted by: kat | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 01:09 AM
Plenty of burgers lovin in SA,TX
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 05:17 AM
Hi Dennis - I've had rather dry burgers at Rocky's in the past too. This one was really good though.
Hi CC - It's a good basic pub burger.
It was good Kat, better than I recalled.
Hi Billy - I would hope so....you're in Texas! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 06:11 AM
No more bacon at Hodad's?
Posted by: Janfrederick | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 07:54 AM
Looks and sounds tasty.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 08:29 AM
Hi Jan - Of course they still have bacon at Hodad's. What I'm referring to is how much that burger is dimisned by not having bacon on it.
Hi Ed - Still good after all these years. I hope all is well.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 08:48 AM
All these new burger chains have just made me want to go back to Rocky's. I've been thinking about doing so for quite a while but always so lazy about driving into the PB area. This post really makes me want a burger.
Posted by: Kirbie | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 09:45 AM
Oh. Duh!
By the way, my ex bosses bought a bar in Oceanside and started serving burgers (they met in PB). I haven't made it up there yet, but the burger in the photo doesn't look too bad: http://www.hosiespub.com/menu.html
Posted by: Janfrederick | Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 09:59 AM
Hi Kirbie - Yeah, I know what you mean....sometimes a good straight-forward old fashioned burger is what does the trick.
Hi Jan - That looks interesting.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 06:16 AM
Bacon makes everything taster better.
Posted by: nhbilly | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 06:48 AM
Yes it does Billy
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 18 April 2013 at 07:17 AM
IMHO, Rocky's is still hands down the best SD burger. Like you, I've wavered with Hodad's, but every time I get a Rocky's burger, I think to myself "why did I question this burger". It's beautiful in it's simplicity. Juicy, messy in a good way, salty, beefy.
I hate an overly busy burger, which is why I love Rocky's. I have those same blue collar roots Kirk and know where you are coming from.
Posted by: Christina C | Monday, 22 April 2013 at 10:59 AM
Hi Christina - I totally agree!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 23 April 2013 at 05:59 AM