Slogan "World's Best Burger" Street address Newport Avenue City San Diego Motto "World's Best Burger" | Established 1969 (1969) State California Founded 1969 Food type Hamburger | |
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Previous owner(s) Byron and Virginia Hardin
Mike Hardin Other locations Downtown San Diego
Petco Park Profiles | ||
Owner of ocean beach s iconic hodad s dies
Hodad's is a hamburger restaurant in San Diego, with locations in Ocean Beach, downtown, and Petco Park. It was featured on the Food Network and was included on CNN's nationwide list of "Five tasty burger joints worth visiting" in 2009. In 2015 Foursquare ranked it among the 50 "best burger joints in America".
Contents
- Owner of ocean beach s iconic hodad s dies
- Owner of iconic hodad s passes away
- History
- Death of Mike Hardin
- Menu
- Reception and success
- References
Owner of iconic hodad s passes away
History
Hodad's was founded by Byron and Virginia Hardin in 1969 on the beach in Ocean Beach, San Diego, where they sold their "Amazing Burgers". The name is a surfing term for a non-surfer who pretends to be one. It was co-owned by Mike Hardin, son of the founders, who took over the management in the 1980s. Following Mike's sudden death in 2015, his son Shane and daughter Lexi became co-owners of the restaurant chain.
The open-air restaurant moved three times to its current location, also on the beach. In 2011 the restaurant opened a second location in downtown San Diego. Hodad's began selling its products in Petco Park after signing a partnership with the San Diego Padres.
Death of Mike Hardin
Mike Hardin was called a local icon by Discover San Diego and the San Diego Union-Tribune, and was regarded as the "unofficial mayor of Ocean Beach". In February 2015 his body was found in a hotel; there was no evidence of foul play. An autopsy determined that he had succumbed to a heart attack. A makeshift memorial was created by the community in front of the Ocean Beach restaurant. Hundreds of people attended a public memorial ceremony in late March.
Menu
Hodad's is known for its bacon cheeseburgers, baskets of French fries and onion rings, and giant milkshakes. In 2013 Mike Hardin created the Guido Burger (beef patty topped with pastrami, cheese, grilled onions, pickles, ketchup, and spicy brown mustard), inspired by Guy Fieri, who featured Hodad's on his show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. (Fieri's nickname is Guido.) The restaurant estimates that it sells between 1,200 and 1,500 hamburgers daily.
Reception and success
Hodad's was featured in one of San Diego Magazine's "Everyday Eats" articles, which covers budget food options. Author Erin Jackson claimed that most of the food on the menu would qualify for it to be included in such an article, but that the restaurant's Burger Basket was a particularly good deal. The restaurant appeared on an episode of the Food Network TV show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". The restaurant's bacon cheeseburger has been lauded by Guy Fieri, and in 2009 CNN included it on a list of "Five tasty burger joints worth visiting". In 2015 Foursquare ranked the restaurant 26th on its list of 50 "best burger joints in America".