Neighborhood

03/18/2008 Posted by AbeFromansSausage

Everything about this place is great with the exception of two things. Someone else has already mentioned the big one. NO KETCHUP! To whoever owns Neighborhood, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not Peter Luger's. So dont think you can be snooootty about what I can and cant put on my burger. I realize this is probably your attempt to come up with a "hip" "trendy" gimmick, but all you're doing is alienating your core burger-loving crowd. Oh you'll still get the same wealth of hipster "I hate my Dad" types that have been keeping you afloat thus long, but how long can their trust funds really last? Soon the free ride is going to be over for them and you're going to have to start depending on Average Joe's like myself for business. And let me tell you something bucko, average Joe's LOVE ketchup. So if you don't lay hands on some of the good stuff soon, myself and a lot of other good eaters will be lost forever. This second point I alluded to ties in with the first. After I got the ketchup bad news from some emo looking waiter probably named Seth, I was told that there was a "sundried tomato aolio (sp?)" available. I asked if that was a fancy term for ketchup and he looked at me like I just told him wearing a nosering and a chain on your wallet were for losers from 7th grade. Well the next time I went in there, I brought my own bottle of heinz with me. You should have seen the look on old "Seth's" face. It was the face I would have expected to get if I had brought a band of leprous bums in with me from over by albertsons. I was promptly asked (after a stutter on his part for emphasis), whether or not I wanted a "ramekin" for my ketchup. But it was the way he said it. Oh the nerve I must have! To bring ketchup into this sacred hall of GROUND BEEF! Go to this place folks. But bring your own ketchup and complain about it until someone comes to their senses. Dont want to have it on the table? Fine. Keep it in the back. After all, this isnt Russia.

Pros: food, atmosphere, drink selection

Cons: Ketchup issue, accompanying waiter reactions to ketchup issue

03/14/2008 Posted by sandyscopes

We were very impressed with the wine list and beer choices. We've been waiting for a place like this to open in downtown SD. Unfortunately, the burgers and fries were not as note worthy. The fries (super thin) were cold and tasteless, while all three varied burger choices at the table tasted like meatloaf sandwiches. When we asked for ketchup, the server (pretentiously) replied, "oh no, we don't serve ketchup with our burgers... their too good for ketchup". Wow! I can understand that kind of response if I had a filet mignon, but this is a burger. The buns were super tasty and soft and the sauces that accompanied the burger were good, but we all really wanted some ketchup. They could serve it up in a fancy ramekin to keep with the high-end burger joint feel, but what ever happened to the days when restaurants tried to accomodate their guests?

12/17/2007 Posted by aaloksikand

Neighborhood is a fantastic place. The burgers are made with the finest ingredients: gourmet buns, angus beef patties, and I tried the one with swiss cheese and mushrooms. It was truly perfect especially with a nice cold microbrewery beer on the side. The place is definitely small but I think its a plus in this case. The tables and chairs are so close together that its really easy to strike up conversations with other people at the restaurant. It proves to really make Neighborhood live up to its name and gives the place a great vibe. I've already been there twice and both times I left feeling stuffed, buzzed and happy that I hung out with old friends and laughed with new ones I just made there. I highly recommend it!

12/14/2007 Posted by i2g

My first impression was that the place was small. But that was before I walked in and realized that the 'coziness' is one of appeals of the joint. A b/w floor to ceiling mural of downtown SD complimented by Freud holding a burger on the other wall, adds further to the appeal. The calm lighting makes a perfect atmosphere for sitting at the bar and watching a game (go Celtics), or grabbing a sit by the window and biting into a tasty burger (don’t bother me, I’m eating). I kid you not - the food is delicious, with the chef taking an original spin on sweet potato fries and seasoned burgers. Coming from a burger aficionado - this a must try.

Pros: Atmosphere, service, beer

Cons: Parking

12/14/2007 Posted by cycycycy

This is probably one of the best casual dining places for a friday night. The hamburgers are unbeleivable and the fries are unique. I took my girlfriend here for a date and man did I get some loving that night

Pros: Great Food

Cons: No breakfast served

12/14/2007 Posted by zpd

This place has THE best burger in San Diego. I went there a little while ago and had the aptly named "neighborhood' burger. It was damn near perfect - the burger has a toasted bun, the best meat, grilled onions, some spinach, and some great cheese. They don't have ketchup which I though was wierd at first but they have 3 different dipping sauces (one spicy, one rich, and one very pesto-garlic-y) which has turned me into a believer. I used to think that In-n-Out or Father's Office in LA had the best burger but I'm wrong. This place is money. Also, try the Arrogant B$stard, Racer 5 or let the owner recommend something (all micro brews). Everything he recommended I really liked. Also the wine list good for wines by the glass.

Pros: Best Burger in SD, Beer Selection, Wine Selection, Scene

10/26/2007 Posted by notasurfer

This has the potential to be a cool neighborhood place. We go often b/c we live upstairs, and I'm really starting to love those carmelized onions on the burgers. I was bugged by the no ketsup thing, but now i actually like it. Good beers, good happy hour, too.