Just Burgers & Lounge in Little Italy: San Diego, California

I stumbled into this airy little burger place last week by a happy accident. I was actually heading for the Waterfront, arguably the most locally loved burger joint/sport pub in downtown San Diego, but found the place amazingly packed and loud at 4PM. There wasn't even a free stool left at the counter. Being an impatient eater that I am, I bounced right out and was quite surprised to find another burger joint right next door. A distinctly different place; well kept, quiet, well light and airy (the Waterfront is the exact opposite)... and practically deserted.

Just Burgers & Lounge is owned and operated by a nice young couple who seem to have walked right out of the pages of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The place is kept practically spotless and sporting a really wholesome atmosphere that is perhaps more expected in a cappuccino café rather than in a burger shop. Heck, they even put a bottle of white Zinfandel on the top of all the tables inside along with the usual salt and pepper shakers (I don't drink so I don't know if they serve wine from those bottles... they sure get a lot of sun during the day).

Compared to the other pub/burger joints in town, the price here is very reasonable. The menu is small and burger-oriented. They profess to use all organic ingredients along with totally grass-fed beef patty, which makes the burger a bit more healthy than I would prefer (I'm one of those weirdos who have trouble keeping weight on). And, frankly, the whole wheat bun, as nice as the ones used here are, just don't go as well with a juicy burger as white bread does, to my taste. For the healthiness of it all, though, the burger tasted pretty good if a tad on the dry side, and the portion is large enough that the quarter pounder filled me up for the rest of the day. The veggies were fresh, but the lettuce, this being San Diego, were rather beat up (I should note that a visit to the grocery stores here wouldn't turn up many really fresh heads of lettuce these days, though. It's something of an ongoing plaque of the city), but the chunky slices of tomatoes were really nice.

The fries were thinly sliced and well salted. They were good if not extraordinarily so. There was no need for salt or ketchup. Everything worked well the way they came out of the kitchen! The place also serves veggie and turkey burgers ($8), and offers spicy fries and onion ring as alternatives to regular fries.

Service was excellent; thoughtful and attentive without being annoying. Food was ready in 10 minutes. It was a really nice sitting in an airy space casually munching a good burger while people watch from inside the restaurant. The place may not be as hip as The Waterfront next door is, but it is a good refuge for the more laid back crowd who would like to actually not strain to hear what his dining companion is saying over a blaring stereo or televised sporting event (no big screen tv monitor in this restaurant).

Just Burgers & Lounge:2034 Kettner Blvd. Ste #12 (next to The Waterfront), San Diego, CA. 92101. Tel. (619) 234-7900. Hours: Mon-Fri: 11AM-10PM, Sat: 11AM-11PM, Sun: 11AM-6PM. Website: www.justburgers.biz/about.php