PACIFIC BEACH — If you talk the talk about burgers, you can easily walk the walk in Pacific Beach on Garnet Avenue and Cass Street as three popular burger joints are within steps of one another. It’s a burger bonanza.

For ground beef lovers — Smash and Stack, The Food Box and For The Win — should satisfy those carnivorous cravings for grilled meat.

Smash and Stack, known for its crispy-edged smash burgers and space alien-themed aesthetic, is located at 956 Garnet Ave., a couple of doors west of The Food Box, a Mexican burger joint, that has been open since 2023 at 978 Garnet Ave. The Los Angeles-based For The Win, another smash burger spot, recently opened across the street, next to Steak & Fries, at 1037 Garnet Ave. It’s all part of a growing burger block on Garnet Avenue.

Filling in the holes between the burger businesses are plenty of other eatery options that could satiate an appetite should your food mood swing, such as Big Jim’s Roast Beef next to Square Pizza on Cass Street, Dave’s Hot Chicken, PB Oriental and Fillipi’s Pizza on Garnet, along with Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels on the corner. But this is about seared meats, oozing cheeses, and toasted, buttery buns.


The Smash and Stack smash burger with a crispy edge. (Photo courtesy of Smash and Stack)

SMASH AND STACK

Originally a humble food truck, this eatery quickly gained popularity and a bit of a cult following, thanks to its over-the-top, flavor-packed burgers. At the helm is owner and head chef Joel Bautista, a Culinary Institute of Barcelona graduate with an impressive résumé that spans Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and New York. His journey from haute cuisine to smash burgers may seem unexpected, but it’s been a deliberate labor of love. Bautista’s mission is simple: take the techniques of fine dining and funnel them into something as accessible and satisfying as a perfectly executed burger.

Now in its first brick-and-mortar home in PB, Smash and Stack is keeping its energy levels high while expanding its menu and creating a space for the community to connect. Each burger starts with fresh, never frozen beef smashed to perfection for a crispy edge and juicy center, layered with bold, chef-driven flavors from a Michelin-trained background. 

Beyond burgers, you’ll find loaded space fries, milkshakes and rotating specials that keep things exciting.

“We’re a fun, cheeky brand that loves collaborating with our PB neighbors and holding events that bring people together over great food,” Bautista said.

The restaurant is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m., as well as Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 858-203-3890.

FOR THE WIN

A popular smash burger micro-chain based in Los Angeles, the eatery opened in early July in Pacific Beach. It is the first For the Win outside of greater Los Angeles. The menu in San Diego mirrors its Los Angeles offerings with a lineup of mostly smash burgers, French fries and accompaniments.

The signature smash burger is front and center with a single three-ounce patty that is smashed on the grill and cooked until the edges are crispy. Before the patty is sandwiched between a Martin’s potato bun, a layer of pickles, grilled onions and For The Win’s signature fry sauce are added on top and served with or without cheese. Burgers are available with a pair or trio of patties and, for a nominal charge, can be customized to include tomato, lettuce, jalapenos and bacon.

Sides include thin and crispy French fries, sweet potato fries, or loaded fries that are topped with grilled onions, two slices of melted American cheese and signature house fry sauce. Brussels sprouts, another popular side option, are deep-fried in beef tallow for added flavor, then doused in balsamic vinegar. Desserts include milkshakes and brownies. A grilled cheese sandwich is available for vegetarians.

For the Win was born out of necessity. Santos Uy, then chef-owner of Papilles Bistro, a French restaurant near the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, saw business fall during pandemic lockdowns. Having always wanted to serve burgers, he slowly changed the concept and implemented a new name and menu: For The Win – a phrase that implies excellence. Yu’s brother, Ronald Yu, a San Diego resident and business partner, is hands-on at the Pacific Beach location.

“In five years, For The Win has gone from a single eatery to 10 locations throughout LA,” said Ronald Uy. “When my brother approached me about expanding For The Win into the San Diego market, I was on board from the start. This is a great city, and our laid-back vibe and simple menu of smash burgers and fries have been well received.”

For The Win is open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 858-900-2002.


The spicy Spurgeon burger at The Food Box. (Photo by Juan Martinez/The Food Box)

THE FOOD BOX

Founded in 2013 in Monterrey, Mexico, this restaurant offers burgers with a colorful and flavorful Mexican twist.

“Juan Angel Martinez, our founder, had a dream of making the best and most unique and delicious burgers in town,” said Jorge de la Vega, the owner and manager of the Pacific Beach location.

De la Vega said that dream has been realized. Since opening, The Food Box has launched a burger into space, participated in Formula One events and appeared on “Shark Tank Mexico.” The brand now has more than 10 locations in Mexico.

Promoted as “so much more than just a burger,” The Food Box offers delectable gourmet hamburguesas with a novel mix of ingredients at reasonable prices. The restaurant derives its name from the company’s signature takeout box.

The Food Box offers six classic burgers — Lewis, Calvin, Spurgeon (spicy), King James (mild), Spurgeon Infit (spicy) and Billy Cheese — on its menu, along with a churro bowl dessert, a chipotle dressing, and sides including a couple of different varieties of fries, onion rings, and a salad. Also on the menu are three chicken sandwiches, as well as chicken tenders.

What is it about your menu that appeals to people? “My business partner is a chef who put science behind all of our burgers to get a perfect mix of flavors — salty, sweet, spicy, and crunchy,” said de la Vega. “We also make everything in-house, our sauce and our burger patties. Everything is fresh and made from scratch.”

On the growing restaurant competition nearby, de la Vega said Pacific Beach is “full of energy and flavors.”

“The competitors are friendly. We welcome everyone who’s come here. Maybe we’re all doing things well. We have a lot of burger places popping up. If they have a good offering and people like it — it’s good for everyone.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday. Call 858-352-6095.