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oChef » The Landing Strip – San Diego
The Landing Strip - San Diego
Photo from The Landing Strip
The Landing Strip at a glance
San Diego Otay Mesa
- 🍻 Bar & Grill
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 18 of the guests
#299 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#10 Bar & Grill out of 17 in San Diego
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
159
Reviews
80.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Plane views
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- No AC
- Uncleanliness
The restaurant The Landing Strip Restaurant and Bar is a vibrant Bar & Grill located in San Diego’s Otay Mesa neighborhood. Here, you can immerse yourself in a lively atmosphere, perfect for enjoying bar games and catching up on sports.
This spot offers a casual and cozy setting, making it an ideal destination whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal.
Overview: Introducting The Landing Strip
The Landing Strip offers a unique experience, particularly with its atmosphere that lets you watch aircraft up close. Many appreciate the friendly staff and find the burgers and fries to be quite satisfying.
It seems like a spot where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. However, some visits to The Landing Strip have been marred by concerns about the service, with mentions of an attitude problem from some staff.
The lack of AC can make the environment uncomfortable, and a few found the food to be greasy or bland.
Good
7.6
out of 10
159
Reviews
80.5%
Satisfaction
26
negative
5
neutral
128
positive
The Landing Strip holds a solid overall score of 7.6, indicating a good dining experience for many. This is supported by a strong 80.5% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting most visitors leave content.
These figures are drawn from 159 customer opinions, with 128 positive remarks outweighing 26 negative ones. Diving deeper, Food stands out as a key strength, scoring an impressive (8.3), with many praising the burgers and fries.
Value also rates highly (9), suggesting fair pricing. While Service (7.2) and Ambience (7) are generally good, they do show some room for improvement, as some experiences with staff and the lack of air conditioning have been noted.
What people like
- Delicious burgers and fries
- Unique plane-watching view
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service attitude
- Lack of air conditioning
- Unclean conditions
With a recommendation score of 7.9, The Landing Strip is generally worth considering, especially if you appreciate a unique setting and good value. It’s a place that delivers on its promise of a relaxed atmosphere with decent food, making it a solid choice for a casual outing.
However, be mindful of potential service inconsistencies and the lack of air conditioning, which can impact comfort on warmer days. If you prioritize a distinctive experience over pristine conditions, you’ll likely find The Landing Strip to be a worthwhile visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Landing Strip
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre generally in for a treat! With a strong score of 8.3 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.6%, its clear most folks are happy. Out of 64 opinions, a whopping 58 were positive, frequently praising the delicious burgers, crispy fries, and great breakfast options, along with tasty bar food and daily specials.
Many found the food consistently good and even excellent. However, its not entirely perfect, as 5 negative comments popped up. Some experiences mentioned the food being tasteless, bland, or even greasy, particularly the fries.
While these instances are few, its worth noting that a couple of diners found the quality lacking in certain dishes, describing them as not up to par.
Food
64
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious burgers
- Crispy fries
- Great breakfast
What people don't like
- Bland food
- Greasy fries
Often praised
- foodDrinks, food, music & pool tables
- beerThe service was excellent, and Brandi, one of the bartenders, is a doll. I recommend this place if you want to relax, drink a beer, and shoot some pool. 👍
- burgerOh myyyyyyy godddd! I haven't had a burger this good since I can remember. The lady assisting everyone went out of her way to make my food, even though there were only two people left in the bar.
- drinksloved the way she gets down with our drinks
- friesShe was incredibly down to earth and friendly. I received great service along with the tastiest batch of fries! Thanks Brandy ❤
- bar foodIf you're looking for a dive with cheap beer and bar food, this is the place!
- burgersThe burgers are delicious.
- cocktailsLove the cocktails
- food and drinksbest night with food and drinks
- 747 burger with FriesThe 747 burger with Fries is my good to.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe salt and pepper shakers were so sticky and filthy with food particles that I couldn't even touch them. To top it all off, the food was tasteless and greasy; I literally squeezed oil out of the fries. I shouldn't have paid for food I didn't eat; I've had better meals at McDonald's!
- bland foodBland food in a dive bar setting
- friesThe salt and pepper shakers were so sticky and filthy with food particles that I couldn't even touch them. To top it all off, the food was tasteless and greasy; I literally squeezed oil out of the fries. I shouldn't have paid for food I didn't eat; I've had better meals at McDonald's!
- health fooddon't look for health food here
If youre looking for a spot with generally great food, especially for burgers and fries, youll likely be pleased. While a few experiences mention bland or greasy dishes, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests it's definitely worth trying for a satisfying meal.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 72.3%, its clear that many guests have had good experiences. Out of 47 comments, 34 rave about the friendly people, great staff, and excellent service, often singling out Brandy and Layla for their exceptional care.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. There were 13 comments expressing concerns, with some feeling unwelcome or encountering horrible service. Mentions of a bartender with an attitude problem and owners snarky responses suggest theres room for improvement in consistency, despite the overall positive sentiment.
Service
47
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
13
negative
0
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Exceptional bartenders
- Great, attentive service
What people don't like
- Unwelcoming atmosphere
- Poor customer service
- Staff attitude issues
Often praised
- serviceThis burger left me speechless: crunchy thick bacon and crispy fries! The service was unbelievable; I literally felt at home. Thank you so much!
- staffThe staff was friendly
- BrandiBrandi is the sweetest person ever and she is very very kind
- BrandyBrandy, the bartender, was exceptional
- bartender Brandythe bartender Brandy was very knowledgeable about her bar
- bartendersBrandi, one of the bartenders is a doll
- peopleThe people are a tight knit family and will always welcome anyone
- LauraLaura is a doll!
- Laylathe real highlight was Layla. :)
- ServiceThe food was also excellent, rated 5/5. Service was top-notch with a 5/5 rating and no wait time. The cafe is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Friday through Saturday from 11 am to 12 am.
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service could be better.
- attitude problemserver had a bit of an attitude problem
- bartenderthe bartender some big woman made us feel very un welcome
- customer serviceTwo thumbs down on customer service
- feel like an annoyanceyou're not made to feel like an annoyance
- feeling unwelcomeMade to feel unwelcome from the second we walked in
- owner's snarky responsesowner's snarky responses to customers reviews
- platesthen felt the need to touch our plates without washing their hands
- serverserver had a bit of an attitude problem
- servers2 servers used their hands to shove food in their mouth
Overall, the service here leans towards good, with many praising the friendly and attentive staff. While youll likely have a positive experience, be aware that some guests have encountered less stellar moments. Its worth a try if you value good service, but keep an open mind.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, with a good score of 7 and a good customer satisfaction of 73.3%. Many patrons, 33 out of 45 remarks, rave about the awesome spot for watching military planes, the free pool tables, and the great music from the jukebox. Its often described as having "great vibes" and being a "nice place" for a quiet hangout.
However, not everyone is entirely thrilled, with 8 remarks pointing out some drawbacks. A significant concern is the lack of "air conditioning, " leading to uncomfortable "temperature" issues. Some also felt the "jukebox" needed a song "update, " and it might not be the best choice if youre trying to have an event there.
Ambience
45
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Awesome plane viewing
- Free pool tables
- Great music and vibes
What people don't like
- No air conditioning
- Jukebox needs update
- Not good for events
Often praised
- atmosphereawesome atmosphere with hornets and other aircraft taxi-ing and taking off no less than 100ft away
- viewThe food is excellent, and the prices are unbelievable – it felt like stepping back in time when I saw the bill. The cozy atmosphere and great view, with the added bonus of watching planes take off, made for a wonderful experience.
- musicThis is a great place to relax after a stressful week at work! With drinks, food, music & pool tables, you don't need anything else! 😊
- placeNext time I come back down to California, which will be very soon, I will come over. I love to see the place. I think we just got confused, but I will come over and give it a try.
- Juke Boxdance to the Juke Box all night
- awesome spotawesome spot to watch military planes
- children's spotChildren's spot to get away
- conversationGood conversation
- divelooking for a dive
- free pool tablesFree pool tables
Frequently criticized
- AClost one star because no AC
- air conditioningI wish there was air conditioning, as it was very, very hot. I was reading reviews and saw there was no air conditioning. Next time I come back down to California, which will be very soon, I will come over.
- dive bar settingBland food in a dive bar setting
- eventtrying to have an event there, not such a good choice
- football gametoo busy watching the football game
- salt and pepper shakersI witnessed two servers use their hands to shove food into their mouths in our view, and then they proceeded to touch our plates without washing their hands. The salt and pepper shakers were so sticky and filthy with food particles that I couldn't even touch them. To top it all off, the food was tasteless and greasy; I literally squeezed oil out of the fries.
- temperaturea hundred and five degree temperature
- update the songsthey might want to update songs though
If youre looking for a relaxed spot with a unique view of planes, free pool, and good music, this place could be your next favorite hangout. Just be prepared for potentially warm conditions, especially if the AC isnt up to par, and don't expect a pristine, modern environment.
Value (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 7% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and a fantastic 100% customer satisfaction, guests are clearly thrilled. Based on 3 positive remarks, people are raving about the unbelievable prices and finding them at a fair price, especially when considering the view.
The terms prices and price consistently highlight this great aspect. Interestingly, there are no negative comments to report on the value here. It seems everyone agrees that the pricing is spot on, leaving no room for disappointment in this area.
This is a rare and impressive feat for any restaurant.
Value
3
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unbelievable prices
- Excellent value
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesprices, can’t beat the view!
- priceat a far price
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this is it. With consistently praised unbelievable prices' and a perfect satisfaction score, you can confidently expect great value. Definitely worth trying if budget-friendly quality is your priority!
How are the prices at The Landing Strip?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – from 18 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Grill, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Interestingly, while the average is 24, most diners actually spent under 20 $. A few higher tabs pulled the average up, showing a mix of spending habits here.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 18 reviews.
How this Bar & Grill in San Diego compares value-wise to others in the city.
For a Bar & Grill in San Diego, we think this pricing feels pretty fair. It offers options for those looking for a more budget-friendly meal, while also accommodating those who want to splurge a bit. It’s a good spot if you’re looking for flexibility in your spending.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Landing Strip
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Food, Service, and Value!
I came in for a quick bite and was met with incredibly attentive service from Alexis, the bartender. This was my second visit, and each time it gets even better. The food is excellent, and the prices are unbelievable – it felt like stepping back in time when I saw the bill.
The cozy atmosphere and great view, with the added bonus of watching planes take off, made for a wonderful experience.
- bartender10
- food10
- prices10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Amazing Specials, Great Vibes!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! They offer amazing specials, and the staff was great. It's an awesome spot to watch military planes and other aircraft.
The free pool tables, great music, and overall great vibes made for a memorable time. I highly recommend it!
- amazing specials10
- great staff9
- awesome spot9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great Airport Spot with Good Atmosphere
My experience at this airport bay and cafe was great! The atmosphere was a definite highlight, earning a perfect 5/5. The food was also excellent, rated 5/5.
Service was top-notch with a 5/5 rating and no wait time. The cafe is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Friday through Saturday from 11 am to 12 am. It's closed on Sundays and Mondays.
I recommend stopping in to enjoy the atmosphere.
- atmosphere10
- food10
- Service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Food and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The new management is amazing, and the food is top tier. I especially enjoyed the fish and chips, which were way better than Hooters!
The food was truly amazing, and Laura was a doll!
- new management10
- food10
- fish and chips9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Vibe, Food, and View!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The new staff and ownership truly care about the quality of food and service. I loved the great vibe and the prices were excellent.
Plus, you absolutely can't beat the view!
- quality of food9
- service9
- vibe9
What The Landing Strip offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Historic
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at The Landing Strip?
At The Landing Strip, you can enjoy a casual and cozy atmosphere, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They offer table service and seating, with options for outdoor dining if you prefer. You’ll find food available at the bar, including quick bites and small plates.
Does The Landing Strip offer entertainment and accessible features?
Yes, The Landing Strip features bar games and sports for your entertainment. You’ll also find free Wi-Fi and a bar onsite. The venue is wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
How does The Landing Strip generally perform?
The Landing Strip scores a good 7.6 overall, with 80.5% customer satisfaction. Its strengths lie in Food (8.3) and Value (9), while Service (7.2) and Ambience (7) are also rated well, though with some noted areas for improvement.
What makes the ambience at The Landing Strip unique?
Customers frequently highlight the unique atmosphere, particularly the opportunity to watch military planes taxiing and taking off, often from a close distance. This provides a distinctive view and backdrop for your visit.
Are there any common issues visitors experience at The Landing Strip?
Some visitors have noted concerns regarding service, mentioning occasional attitude problems from staff. Additionally, the lack of air conditioning can make the venue uncomfortably hot, and some found the general cleanliness, like sticky salt and pepper shakers, to be an issue.