The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole

I was looking for a spot to get a quick dinner before going to see a Broadway show and the Local was conveniently located between the trolley stop and the theater. We sat at a table on the sidewalk and I've got to give major props to the staff. As we were dining, a homeless woman who seemed to be on drugs started throwing a fit and tossing trash bins into the street. The restaurant staff immediately jumped outside to make sure she didn't come anywhere near the diners on the patio. As for the food, I ordered the rosemary chicken mac and cheese and was impressed by both the quality and quantity. My friend and I should have shared it in hindsight as we had to toss our leftovers before entering the theater.

Second time heading over to The Local, went during a Wednesday rush hour for a couple of drinks at the bar.At lunch time, they allow open seating anywhere in the restaurant due to the place not being busy. They do have a lunch special where they select a beer that cost $5 a pint. I opted to be adventurous and try what Resident brewing has to offer. McNeils stout ($8) is an Irish type of imperial stout that provides a unique and robust flavor that typical stouts do not have.Chasing Mosaic ($8) is a citrus filling hazy IPA that is easy drinking.They did not have Spreadsheet Superhero at the time which was a red IPA which sparked my interest.For food, I opted to order the popcorn chicken at the bar based on other people reviews. I would say that the chicken is 'OK' but what makes it good is the two sauces that they provide. I've find myself dunking it because of how tasty the sauces are. Overall, The Local, is a great hangout spot with a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and food. Give it a try!

My friend and I came here before a House of Blues concert and made it in time for Happy Hour. They have a great happy hour and everything came out in a timely manner despite them being packed!We go the wing sampler, popcorn chicken, and the buffalo cauliflower. ALL WERE SO GOOD! The wings were our favorite. Would happily come back here! We both got the espresso martinis and they were sweet and good, then got the cinnamon cocktail and it was like a spiked spiced apple cider (dangerously good).

We love the Local! We stop by for dinner every time we are in downtown. The padres game was on so they were offering discounted drinks! I had the salmon burrito, I love how they melted the cheese onto the tortilla. Our server was prompt and attentive. It's unfortunate the homeless have moved closer to the Local which has made a big negative impact on their business. I really hope the Local survives, we will definitely be back!

The highlight of our meal was the Popcorn Chicken - a perfect combination of crispy and tender deliciousness! The small, bite-sized chicken breast, seasoned and breaded, topped with a garnish of bread & butter pickle chips, served with honey mustard and buffalo ranch, was a delightful appetizer that left us wanting more.We also ordered the Chicken Wings, choosing a half order with Buffalo and Dry Rub flavors, accompanied by ranch sauce. These slow-cooked, double-fried wings were served with carrots and celery, providing a satisfying and flavorful wing experience.To complement our meal, we tried the beer flight, which featured four choices. Chasing Citra, an unfiltered IPA exclusively brewed with Citra hops, had a bold and refreshing taste. Perky Blonde, a crisp and refreshing Blonde Ale with cracker-like malt flavor and floral hop aroma. Pumpkin By Doug, a Pumpkin Spice Brown Ale with marshmallow and Kakawa coffee, and Coastal Cranberry completed the diverse and enjoyable flight.

From a recommendation to go to "Local" we tried happy hour for a quick couple of beers and an appetizer. The weather was perfect so the whole front of the place was open with fresh air and sunshine. There were about 10 groups enjoying the beers, we got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender was attentive and offered some great suggestions from the types of beer we prefer. Great happy hour prices of beer and food. The Resident beers were cold and tasty, the pretzel balls were warm and served with a cheese dip. We found another local haunt to have some beers.

We walked over to The Local after a recent event at The Civic Theater. We specifically picked them because they were listed as being open longer hours than other establishments in the area and we wanted to eat. Upon walking in we noticed a sign to seat ourselves wherever we liked. We started walking toward a table before being rudely pointed over to the bar. It was apparent the waiter wasn't interested in waiting on more tables and had already done a lot clearing of condiments from the tables. So needless to say it wasn't exactly a positive first impression but we were hungry so we followed his pointing and found a couple of seats.Needless to say, I'm glad we did because the bartender, Kiante, was great and made up for the rude start. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars for service in this review is due to the initial waiter. Kiante would be deserving of five stars if he were to be rated by himself. He greeted us promptly and helped me pick out a drink. We ordered a Brew Pub Burger and a Grilled Romaine salad to split.The Brew Pub Burger was fantastic. It is a short rib burger cooked to perfection and loaded with all sorts of toppings and a healthy serving of crispy fries. It makes my mouth start watering just thinking about it again. We would definitely order that again....and again.The Grilled Romaine Salad left a lot to be desired. It was served with a Tzatziki dressing, tomatoes, fried chick peas and onions. The dressing was minimal and didn't add much taste - it was bland and boring. We would not order it again which is a shame because it was plated well and sounded good when reading the menu.To drink I had Turquoise Barn Passion Peach Cider. That was also really good if you're into hard ciders.Overall Kiante, the Brew Pub Burger and the cider saved this visit from the off-putting first impression. If I were to give management one suggestion it would be to pay attention to when there are shows at Civic Theater and plan accordingly. It turned out the waiter did end up having to take additional tables as we weren't the only people who walked over after the show and there wasn't nearly enough room at the bar for so many people. I've since read in other reviews that our experience wasn't the only bad first impression so there's definitely room for improvement.

Well, Yelpers, let me spill the beans about this place! It's your classic sports bar extravaganza, boasting more TV screens than you can count, perched atop high tables and chairs. Nestled right in the heart of downtown San Diego, it's a melting pot of peeps - from wide-eyed tourists to the pre-and-post Broadway play enthusiasts, all mingling with the local legends. Now, let's talk service - it's like a friendly speed race, prompt as lightning! And the menu, oh boy, it's a wild ride! They've got a menu that's as diverse as a chameleon at a paint store. From lumpia to buffalo cauliflower, from tacos to sandwiches, and the classic burger with crispy fries - they've got you covered.I decided to take a leap of faith with the blackened shrimp burrito, and it was a solid "meh." My buddy, though, went all-in for the chicken burger and gave it a solid thumbs-up. So, if you find yourself strolling through downtown San Diego, this joint is a must-visit. You're practically guaranteed to find something that tickles your taste buds.

I have been here a handful of times. Most times it has been just for drinks and to watch a game. This last time, we came for happy hour on a Friday. They have good drink specials, including $5 Resident Brewing drafts. Resident shares the space, so they always have a great selection of their beers, amongst other breweries as well.We shared 3 items - the lumpia and popcorn chicken, which are on special during happy hour and a tuna bowl. The popcorn chicken had just the right amount of breading, and the dipping sauces were both really good. The other two items were good as well.The servers there have always been friendly, and it's nice that the location is not right in the Gaslamp. It keeps it from being overcrowded. I like that they have some typical bar food, but also some more elevated options if you are wanting something more. Great spot to watch sports or just hang out. I will be back!

Great food and amazing service!!! This salad was HUGE and delicious! Spacious restaurant and staff was attentive and friendly. We will be back.