The Food: 2.5/5 Patties
Touting yourself as the "best burger in town" takes cojones- I love it! Unfortunately, the Pearl's burger doesn't back up it's claim... While the rest of the group felt that the burger was average, my burger was overcooked and since I write the reviews, pity the poor waitress who mixed up orders and served me that dry burger. The bun was a heart-wrenching: the chiabatta bun perfectly toasted was amazing; it was also too big for the patty, drowning the taste of the meat with bread. The Gouda cheese needed to be sliced thicker for more taste, but I applaud them for not overburdening the taste with it's strong flavor. The condiments were a nice addition as the aioli, tomatoes, and lettuce were just enough to add that to complement the burger.The Drinks: 2.5/5 Pints
The beer list was quite appropriate, offering a reasonable selection of San Diego's local brews to sample. The prices were a bit high ($6+) for a pint, but since we came on Tuesday, the first brew was included in the price of the meal. Still, with that sort of price setting, you aren't going to get too many people ordering a second beer. Or third. The house cocktails were highly recommend by one of our members, and with names like "The Bee's Knees" and "Marie Antoinette," I'll be sure to come knock one back at the bar.The Atmosphere: 5/5 Ladies
What an awesome place to grab a burger and beer! The outside is a bit understated, keeping it from the glitzy "Come On In" tourist trap and letting people-in-the-know enjoy a truly neat location. The inside bar has a hip, 70s vibe to it, instantly bringing a little more upbeat to your step. Where we enjoyed our food and drinks was outside. And how cool is eating outside? Not special... until you add a pool, a projector screen, and private booths. Watching a movie over a pool from the confines of a private booth is awesome!
Closing Remarks:
The $15 price tag for a burger and beer is a little high, especially considering that the burger is no more special than anything else in San Diego. However, where else will you be able to dine outside and watch a movie? Bring the lady here to show her that you know some hip spots. Just get her throwing back one of the house cocktails and she'll slip past the problem of you not knowing where to take her for a good burger...
