Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Dirty Birds – San Diego
Dirty Birds - San Diego
Photo from Dirty Birds
Dirty Birds at a glance
San Diego La Jolla
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#525 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#20 American Restaurant out of 24 in San Diego
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
78
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful wings
- Relaxed atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Questionable value
The restaurant Dirty Birds is an American Restaurant located in the vibrant La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. You’ll discover a casual spot perfect for enjoying a fantastic selection of beers.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a full dinner, or just some small plates to share, this place offers a welcoming atmosphere. You can dine in, grab takeout, or even have your meal delivered right to you.
Overview: Introducting Dirty Birds
Dirty Birds offers a compelling experience, particularly with its food and ambience. Many appreciate the flavorful wings and the generally pleasant atmosphere, often described as “peak chill.
” It seems to be a popular spot for casual dining, especially for those seeking a relaxed setting with good options. However, some aspects could use attention.
The service can be inconsistent, with reports of unhelpful staff and early closures. Furthermore, the value proposition raises concerns for some, with mentions of an “inflation fee” and expensive items, making it feel less budget-friendly than expected.
Good
6.7
out of 10
78
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
23
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Overall, Dirty Birds achieves a respectable restaurant score of 6.7, indicating a generally positive experience for many. However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 66.7%, suggesting there’s room for improvement.
This feedback comes from 78 customer comments, with 52 positive remarks outweighing 23 negative ones, painting a picture of a place with clear strengths but also some areas that could be refined. Digging deeper, the Food (7.1) is a definite highlight, with many praising the diverse wing flavors.
The Ambience (8.7) also stands out, offering a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Conversely, Service (5.4) appears to be an average aspect, with some experiences falling short.
The Value (3.8) is where the restaurant struggles most, with patrons expressing concerns over pricing and additional fees.
What people like
- Flavorful wings
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Happy Hour deals
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Questionable value
- Unclean environment
Dirty Birds presents a mixed offering. If you’re seeking a casual spot with a good vibe and enjoy a variety of wing flavors, it could be a solid choice.
However, be mindful of potential service inconsistencies and the overall cost, which some find less appealing. With a recommendation score of 6.9, it leans towards a cautious endorsement.
It’s worth a visit if the food and atmosphere are your priorities, but manage expectations regarding service and value. Consider it for a relaxed outing rather than a premium dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Dirty Birds
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, it seems like most folks are having a great time! With a solid score of 7.1 and customer satisfaction at 72.9%, the general consensus is pretty good. Many rave about the delicious pizza, fantastic chicken wings with a great variety of flavors like Bruce Lee Wang, and tasty fries.
It’s clear the comfort American food hits the spot, as seen in 35 positive remarks. However, not every dish is a home run. Out of 48 total opinions, 10 pointed out some areas for improvement.
Some found the teriyaki flavor too salty, and the chicken wings with bones could be a bit annoying to eat. There were also comments about the burger being unseasoned and the habanero wings not delivering on their promised spice.
Food
48
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great chicken wings
- Diverse wing flavors
- Delicious pizza options
What people don't like
- Salty teriyaki flavor
- Unseasoned burger meat
- Habanero lacked spice
Often praised
- foodThe food was also highly rated
- pizzaI heard their pizza is good
- beerensures that everyone gets their beer cold and fast
- wingsMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their excellent Happy Hour deals. On Tuesdays, they offer $1 off draft beer and a fantastic buy 5 get 5 wings free promotion. Additionally, Thursdays feature a $5 beer list, making it a great spot for affordable drinks.
- Bruce Lee WangBruce Lee Wang first. It definitely did live up to the name because it was delicious and flavorful.
- FF & cheddar breaded cauliflowerFF & cheddar breaded cauliflower r really popular
- IPAnice cold ipa
- Nashville hotLast Sunday, my friends and I decided to switch up our usual game-day chicken wings from Epic Wings and try Dirty Birds after hearing good things. We ordered 60 wings with a variety of flavors, including lemon pepper, sweet chili, buffalo, spicy garlic, Nashville hot, and the intriguing Bruce Lee Wang. We were quoted 45 minutes for our order, and it was ready in exactly 40 minutes.
- beer lista $5 beer list
- beer specialsBeer specials were good
Frequently criticized
- burgertossing the hockey puck size unseasoned burger
- wingsFound the wings to be a bit soggy
- chicken wings with bonesI've heard their pizza is good, and some events get Dirty Birds for catering, which has been pretty good. However, I found it a bit annoying to eat the chicken wings with bones.
- habanerosuggested habanero and said it's the spiciest they have. Turns out it was very sweet not spicy.
- optionsthere's better options around
- spicy chicken wingsspicy chicken wings. The guy at the counter suggested habanero and said it's the spiciest they have. Turns out it was very sweet not spicy.
- teriyaki flavorthe teriyaki flavor I chose was very salty
If youre looking for a spot with great wings, pizza, and a good beer selection, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of certain flavors or the burger, as they might not always hit the mark. Overall, its a solid choice for comfort food.
Service (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have raved about the quick and attentive staff, calling it outstanding and fantastic, especially for a quick bite. Specific mentions highlight a friendly manager PJ and nice cashiers. These positive experiences make up 8 of the 16 total opinions, showing a real appreciation for efficiency and pleasant interactions.
On the flip side, the service can be a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in an average score of 5.4 and a 50% customer satisfaction. Some patrons encountered issues with closing time as doors were shut early. There are also reports of cashiers and guys at the counter being unfriendly, with some describing the overall service as horrible due to workers and even the manager having bad attitudes.
These concerns are equally represented with 8 negative opinions.
Service
16
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick, attentive service
- Friendly manager PJ
- Nice cashier
What people don't like
- Early closing times
- Unfriendly counter staff
- Bad staff attitudes
Often praised
- serviceIt's one of the best spots on campus, offering awesome comfort American food. The service was quick and attentive, making for a great lunch.
- cashierThe cashier was very nice
- manager PJmanager PJ joked to his mic
- quick biteneeded a quick bite
Frequently criticized
- guy at the counterThe guy at the counter suggested habanero and said it's the spiciest they have.
- cashiershe first said she hasnt tried the burger. After a few seconds, she retracted that statement
- closing timeClosing time says 9:30, but doors are closed
- doorsdoors are closed at 8:30
- managereven the manager or whatever. Bald guy wearing a hat.
- servicethe service is horrible. All the workers have bad attitudes
- workersAll the workers have bad attitudes
Service here seems to be a roll of the dice. While you might get a quick, friendly experience, be prepared for the possibility of encountering less-than-enthusiastic staff or early closures. If youre in a rush and hoping for the best, it could work, but dont expect consistently stellar interactions.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place really shines! Many customers, in 7 positive remarks, rave about it being one of the best spots on campus with a cute bar-like atmosphere and peak chill vibes. Imagine a perfect evening with Incubus playing and a fresh breeze – sounds amazing, right?
The ambience scores a solid 8.7, and customer satisfaction is high at 87.5%, both indicating a truly good experience. However, its not all sunshine and breezes. One customer did mention a significant concern, describing the place as dirty as it gets.
While this is a single observation among 8 total comments, its definitely something to keep in mind, especially if cleanliness is a top priority for you.
Ambience
8
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best campus spot
- Chill atmosphere
- Perfect evening vibes
What people don't like
- Can be dirty
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere and service both received a perfect 5
- Incubus playingwith incubus playing
- best spots on campusone of the best spots on campus
- fresh breezeThe beer specials were good, and the atmosphere was peak chill. It was a perfect evening with Incubus playing and a fresh breeze rolling in from the ocean.
- vibesvibes were peak chill
Frequently criticized
- dirtyplace is as dirty as it gets
If youre looking for a spot with great vibes and a chill atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that theres been one strong comment about it being dirty, so manage your expectations regarding cleanliness.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems some guests really appreciate the excellent Happy Hour deals, finding the price per person for dinner quite reasonable. While the overall customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather low 33.3%, and the score is an average 3.8, these positive points, based on 2 remarks, show there are some bright spots. However, the picture isn't entirely rosy.
Many felt the burger was expensive on its own, leading to disappointment over almost $20 down the drain for a single item. A significant point of contention was the inflation fee rather than the restaurant adjusting prices, which left 4 reviewers feeling quite frustrated.
Value
6
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent Happy Hour
- Reasonable dinner price
What people don't like
- Expensive burger
- Unexpected inflation fee
Often praised
- Happy Hourcentered around their excellent Happy Hour deals
- price per personprice per person for dinner was between $10–20
Frequently criticized
- adjust pricesrather than adjust prices like business have
- burgerthe burger was expensive on its own
- inflation feeDisappointed by an "inflation fee"
- restaurantalmost $20 down the drain
If youre looking for a great deal, definitely hit up their Happy Hour. However, be wary of ordering individual items like burgers, and prepare for an "inflation fee" that might sour your experience if youre sensitive to unexpected charges.
How are the prices at Dirty Birds?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 13 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an American Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people usually spend, most reviews cluster right around this $11–$20 sweet spot, though there’s a mix of slightly cheaper and a few pricier experiences too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for an American Restaurant. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Dirty Birds
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Popular Cauliflower and Manager's Joke
My experience at the restaurant was marked by the popularity of their FF & cheddar breaded cauliflower. The manager, PJ, even joked about it over the mic, saying 'trees don’t grow on mars-lolz! '.
It was a great going.
- FF & cheddar breaded cauliflower9
- manager PJ8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Excellent Service and Great Experience
My experience at the restaurant was excellent. The service was outstanding, with Mike ensuring everyone received their beer cold and fast. The atmosphere was also a highlight, contributing to a great overall experience.
The food was also highly rated, making for a very satisfying visit.
- beer10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Burger Bust: Disappointing Experience
My experience at this restaurant was almost a complete waste of money. I asked the cashier for a recommendation between the pizza and the burger. Initially, she stated she hadn't tried the burger, but then quickly changed her mind and said it was actually good.
Trusting her advice, I ordered the burger. It was quite expensive on its own, and the meat was completely unseasoned, tasting like plain beef with no salt. I should have suspected something was off when it was ready in under four minutes.
I ended up throwing away the hockey puck-sized, unseasoned burger. I was trying to understand the hype around this place, but it was a total bust.
- burger1
- cashier3
- restaurant1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Horrible Service, Okay Wings
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The wings were okay, but the service was horrible. All the workers had bad attitudes, including the manager.
I do not recommend coming here.
- wings5
- service1
- workers1
- manager1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Happy Hour Deals!
My experience at the restaurant was centered around their excellent Happy Hour deals. On Tuesdays, they offer $1 off draft beer and a fantastic buy 5 get 5 wings free promotion. Additionally, Thursdays feature a $5 beer list, making it a great spot for affordable drinks.
The food was rated a 4, and the atmosphere and service both received a perfect 5. The price per person for dinner was between $10–20.
- Happy Hour9
- draft beer8
- wings9
What Dirty Birds offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of food and drinks can you find at Dirty Birds La Jolla?
At Dirty Birds La Jolla, you can enjoy a variety of offerings including hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails. The menu features quick bites and small plates, perfect for any appetite. You can also plan for lunch, dinner, or even dessert.
What service options and accessibility features does Dirty Birds La Jolla provide?
Dirty Birds La Jolla offers convenient service options like outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall rating for Dirty Birds and what are its key strengths and weaknesses?
Dirty Birds has an overall score of **6.7**. Its strengths lie in its **Ambience** (8.7) and **Food** (7.1), particularly its wings. However, **Service** (5.4) is average, and **Value** (3.8) is a notable concern for some patrons.
What kind of food can I expect at Dirty Birds?
Dirty Birds is known for its comfort American food, especially its diverse and flavorful **wings**, including options like Bruce Lee Wang. They also offer good beer selections and happy hour deals.
Are there any common complaints about Dirty Birds?
Some customers have noted issues with inconsistent **service**, including unhelpful staff. There are also concerns about the overall **value**, with mentions of an “inflation fee” and some items being considered expensive.