Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Board & Brew – San Diego
Board & Brew - San Diego
Photo from Board & Brew
Board & Brew at a glance
San Diego University City
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 74 of the guests
#419 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#67 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
350
Reviews
69.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality sandwiches
- Great service
- Good atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent portions
- High prices
- Service issues
The restaurant Board & Brew UTC in San Diego’s University City neighborhood is a fantastic spot where you can always count on a great beer selection. This casual and trendy eatery offers a welcoming atmosphere for you to enjoy a quick bite or a full meal.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, you’ll find delicious options to pair with your chosen brew. It’s also good for kids!
Overview: Introducting Board & Brew
Board & Brew offers a generally pleasant experience, with many patrons appreciating the quality of their sandwiches and the attentive service from the staff. The atmosphere often receives praise for being comfortable and welcoming.
However, some guests have noted that the pricing can feel a bit pricey for certain items, and there are occasional concerns regarding the consistency of ingredients in their orders, particularly with the amount of fillings.
Good
7.2
out of 10
350
Reviews
69.4%
Satisfaction
86
negative
21
neutral
243
positive
Board & Brew achieves a respectable 7.2 out of 10 for its overall performance, indicating a good standing among diners. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at a mixed 69.4%, suggesting that while many are pleased, there’s still room for improvement to delight everyone.
This assessment is drawn from 350 customer observations, with 243 positive remarks outweighing 86 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Service leads the way with a strong (7.7), followed closely by a pleasant Ambience (7.5).
The Food scores a solid (6.8), reflecting general satisfaction, though some inconsistencies are noted. Value comes in at (6.4), indicating that while acceptable, it’s an area where some customers feel there’s less to celebrate.
What people like
- Quality sandwiches offered
- Exceptional service staff
- Pleasant, cozy atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent ingredient portions
- Can be pricey
- Occasional service issues
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely friendly service and a comfortable setting for a satisfying sandwich, Board & Brew is a solid choice. The 7.2 recommendation score suggests it’s worth a visit, especially if you appreciate a good, hearty sandwich and a relaxed vibe.
However, be mindful that some menu items might feel a bit expensive, and there’s a chance of minor inconsistencies with ingredient portions. It’s a good option for a casual meal, but perhaps not for those on a very strict budget or expecting absolute perfection in every order.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Board & Brew
Food (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 86% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 6.8 score, though customer satisfaction sits at a 66.1% mixed level. Many of the 117 positive remarks praise the delicious sandwiches, beer, and overall quality, often highlighting the special sauce as a standout. Guests frequently rave about the fresh ingredients and generous portions, making for a satisfying meal.
However, not all experiences are perfect, with 49 concerns raised. Some found issues with the sauce being watered down or stingy, while others reported browning lettuce or even a stomach ache after eating. There were also complaints about less ingredients or hastily made sandwiches, suggesting inconsistency in preparation and quality control.
Food
177
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
49
negative
11
neutral
117
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious sandwiches
- Great special sauce
- Quality ingredients
What people don't like
- Inconsistent sauce portions
- Questionable freshness
- Skimpy ingredients
Often praised
- foodIt was pouring rain, so the hot beef sandwich and tap beer were a perfect way to spend lunch time. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was cozy, making it an ideal spot to escape the weather.
- sandwichespleasantly surprised with the quality of the sandwiches
- sandwichI had a very nice experience at Board and Brew today. The service from Christy was great, and I enjoyed a delicious sandwich. The location is clean and comfy, making it a perfect spot for a quick snack amidst the mall's hubbub.
- beerDoesn't hurt that they have beer too
- Tom's ChoiceIn September 2023, I ordered Tom's Choice and a Veggie Supreme. Tom's Choice was quite nice with its turkey and roast beef combo; it did not feel too dry to consume, and the sweet and sour dressing was a nice addition. The Veggie Supreme tasted very good too, with a generous amount of avocado spread that held all the parts of this sandwich together.
- Turkado sandwichsuggested the delicious Turkado sandwich but TOASTED
- beef dipsuggested the beef dip as a hot sub which both tasted amazing
- gluten-free wrapThe gluten free wrap is one of the best I’ve ever tasted
- potato saladThe potato salad was flavorful and I would order it again.
- qualitypleasantly surprised with the quality of the sandwiches
Frequently criticized
- sandwichMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I felt I could’ve gotten a better sandwich, but that was my own fault for following a friend’s recommendation. I also didn’t like their sauce at all, though I understand it’s an acquired taste.
- sauceNot a big fan of the sauce that came with it, was kind of sweet
- avocadoMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing, particularly with the Baja Wrap. On my first visit, the wrap was overwhelmingly filled with lettuce, containing barely any chicken or avocado. It was essentially just lettuce and wrap, which was horrible.
- chickenMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing, particularly with the Baja Wrap. On my first visit, the wrap was overwhelmingly filled with lettuce, containing barely any chicken or avocado. It was essentially just lettuce and wrap, which was horrible.
- ingredientsgiving less ingredients in my sandwich
- lettuceit was mostly lettuce that was not crisp
- Baja Chicken sandwichThis was definitely not that. The sandwich looked like it was hastily made
- Baja Wrapthe wrap had 80% of lettuce, barely any chicken or avocado
- Chicken Caesar wrapChicken Caesar wrap, poorly wrapped and fell apart right away
- Italian sandwichThe sandwich was a bit dry and needed more acidity.
If youre looking for a solid sandwich and a good beer, this place often delivers on taste and quality. However, be aware that consistency can be a bit of a gamble, especially regarding sauce portions and ingredient freshness. Its worth a try for the popular items, but manage your expectations for every visit.
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 74.6%, its clear that many diners have a good experience. Based on 100 positive comments out of 134 total, guests frequently praise the "friendly" and "attentive" "staff" for providing "excellent service, " often highlighting specific employees like Brian and Jessie for their outstanding efforts.
However, not every visit is perfect, as indicated by 29 negative comments. Some patrons have faced issues with "wait time" and "order wrong, " leading to frustration. There are also mentions of "customer service" falling short and even concerns about a "manager" being less than ideal, suggesting theres still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
134
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
29
negative
5
neutral
100
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Excellent customer service
- Quick order delivery
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Incorrect orders
- Subpar customer service
Often praised
- serviceI was particularly impressed with the gluten-free wrap, which was one of the best I've ever tasted. While the drink menu at the UTC location is a bit limited compared to a standalone spot, the quality and service remain top-notch.
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was defined by spectacular service, delivered with intelligence and soul. Irelynn truly embodies the face of superlative customer service, which perfectly complements the quality product. She is the reason I choose to dine here exclusively at UTC.
- staffI also didn’t like their sauce at all, though I understand it’s an acquired taste. On a positive note, the staff were super nice. (Apologies for my food photography skills)
- JessieThe food was great, and the service was amazing. Jessie took such good care of us. The vibes were great all around, and we will definitely be back!
- BrianHuge shoutout to Brian! He’s a delight to interact with and goes above and beyond to keep customers happy!
- employeeHe went above and beyond, changing my perception of service these days. I sincerely hope Board and Brew does everything necessary to retain him as an employee.
- AlexyaAlexya was super nice very friendly
- Alexya's amazing serviceAlexya was amazing! Made my experience a grand one.
- BillyBilly was a great service provider and pleasant
- Brian and his teamBrian and his team are the best!
Frequently criticized
- managerAfter placing my group lunch order, which was over $75, I called Board and Brew to see if these special requests could still be accommodated. A young woman answered and was pleasant, but I was quickly handed over without notice to a man who I assume is a manager. My inquiry was simply about making special requests for my Door Dash order.
- special requestssimply inquiring if I could make the special requests
- accept new customersI love the board and brew sandwiches, but at this specific location, they refused to serve hot sandwiches at 7: 30 PM, which is half an hour before closing. The staff member at the counter clearly did not want to accept new customers and seemed happy when I informed him that we would not be ordering. I hope the managers will look into this situation.
- aggravatedHe stated that those orders don't usually appear in their system until later. When I asked when I should call back to follow up, he became aggravated and demanded to know what I wanted. I politely asked about dressing on the side and how sandwiches are labeled, given it was a group order.
- cash handlingshe doesnt handle cash so it should be ok
- cookYou need to change your cook
- customer serviceOne of the worst customer service experiences
- delivery ordersMy experience with this Board and Brew location has been consistently disappointing, particularly with delivery orders. Nearly every time I order delivery, something goes wrong.
- dishonest peopleMost dishonest people work in this location.
- glovesThey remake mine and I asked if it could be hot since it is a hot sandwich. Before the lady gives me the second sandwich, she touches the top of it with gloves on after I watched her handle cleaning tables and the computer 🤮. I asked her if I could get a top bread piece because of all the things I watched her touch with her gloves.
Overall, you can expect a good experience here, especially with the friendly and attentive staff. While there might be occasional hiccups with wait times or order accuracy, the positive interactions generally outweigh the negatives. It's definitely worth a try if you value great customer service!
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to the overall feel of the place, the ambience generally hits a good note! With a solid score of 7.5, many guests rave about the great atmosphere and welcoming vibes . Out of 18 positive remarks, folks frequently highlighted the cleanliness , comfortable seating , and even the well-placed TVs .
It seems like a spot designed to make you feel right at home. However, the customer satisfaction, sitting at a mixed 69.2%, suggests theres still a bit of room for improvement. Among the 4 negative comments, some experiences were unfortunately marred by flies or even a fruit fly incident.
A few also noted limited seating and a vibe that wasnt always up to par, which can definitely put a damper on things.
Ambience
26
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
4
negative
4
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Spotless cleanliness
- Welcoming vibes
What people don't like
- Flies present
- Limited seating
Often praised
- atmosphereIt was pouring rain, so the hot beef sandwich and tap beer were a perfect way to spend lunch time. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was cozy, making it an ideal spot to escape the weather.
- cleanlinessThe secret sauce they give on the side kind of reminds me of a tangier, thinner-bodied In-N-Out spread. Wait time wasn’t bad, although the store was busy, and it was also fairly clean inside. Overall a decent spot for a decent sandwich, but nothing to shout about necessarily.
- locationclean and comfy location
- placeI read some of the other reviews, and the 1-star or 2-star reviews are Bull S#I+E. Some people are just unhappy no matter what, but this place is great, friendly, tasty, and affordable. Who can hate that?
- TVsthe TVs they have setup can be seen well throughout the restaurant without glare
- ambienceGreat ambience
- parkingFree 2 hour parking
- seatingPlenty of indoor and outdoor dog friendly seating
- vibesgreat vibes all around
- welcomedwill make you feel so welcomed!
Frequently criticized
- fliesFlies everywhere
- fruit flyfruit fly land in my beer twice
- limited seatingLimited seating so be aware
- vibeVibe was lowered by the gnarly manager
The ambience here generally scores well, offering a welcoming and clean atmosphere that many enjoy. However, with mixed satisfaction, be aware of potential limited seating or occasional flies . It's worth a visit for its cozy vibes , but be prepared for minor imperfections.
Value (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
Lets talk value! Many guests are pleasantly surprised, with 8 positive remarks out of 13 total comments highlighting things as quite affordable and offering great prices. While the overall score for value is an average 6.4, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 61.5%, many still feel the sandwich price and beer price are definitely worth the money.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. With 4 negative comments, some guests felt it was a little pricey for a sandwich. There were also a few concerns about being charged for extra avocado or cheese, and even issues where credit was refused for certain situations.
Value
13
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices overall
- Affordable sandwiches
- Cheap beer
What people don't like
- Add-ons cost extra
- Can feel pricey
- Credit issues arise
Often praised
- pricesShe has a terrific service-minded attitude and is a definite asset to the establishment. The food was good, and I particularly enjoyed my Baja chicken sandwich, which was very good, especially considering the prices. The side pickles were also bomb.
- affordabletasty and affordable
- beer priceBeer $5
- moneydefinitely more than worth the money for $10.95
- pricepint of IPA for $3 at any joint especially at an upscale mall
- sandwich priceReasonably priced sandwich $12
Frequently criticized
- creditrefused to give credit.
- extra avocadopaid $2 for extra avocado
- pricepaid $3 for 2 cheeses and got exactly one slice
- priceyIt is a little pricy for a sandwich
Overall, value here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. While many find the core offerings like sandwiches and beer to be reasonably priced, be mindful of add-ons and potential extra charges. Its worth a try if you stick to the basics, but be aware of the potential for things to feel a little pricey if youre not careful.
How are the prices at Board & Brew?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 74 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the numbers, most diners are spending right in that sweet spot, with the vast majority of prices clustering around the $11–$20 range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 74 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Restaurant. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Board & Brew
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Food and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was amazing! The food was incredible, and I'm definitely planning on coming back. I also want to give a quick shoutout to Jessie at the UTC location; she was so kind and helpful.
Her willingness to assist was greatly appreciated. Love, CEO of FAITHAPPAREL ✞
- food10
- Jessie10
- kind10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Marco & Jessie's Sweet Spot!
My experience at Marco & Jessie's was fantastic! I loved discovering this sweet spot. The food, staff, and drinks were all excellent and did not disappoint!
<3
- food10
- staff10
- drinks10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Disappointing Service, Loved the Sandwiches
I love the board and brew sandwiches, but at this specific location, they refused to serve hot sandwiches at 7: 30 PM, which is half an hour before closing. The staff member at the counter clearly did not want to accept new customers and seemed happy when I informed him that we would not be ordering. I hope the managers will look into this situation.
- board and brew sandwiches9
- hot sandwiches2
- staff member1
- accept new customers1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Outstanding Service and Amazing First Experience!
My first experience at this restaurant was amazing, thanks to the outstanding customer service Jessie provided before, during, and after the transaction. I will definitely be coming back!
- customer service10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Spectacular Service and Quality Product
My experience at the restaurant was defined by spectacular service, delivered with intelligence and soul. Irelynn truly embodies the face of superlative customer service, which perfectly complements the quality product. She is the reason I choose to dine here exclusively at UTC.
The service provided is of a Forbes 5-star level.
- service10
- customer service10
- quality product9
What Board & Brew offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of food and drinks can you expect at Board & Brew UTC?
At Board & Brew UTC, you can enjoy a diverse menu featuring healthy options and quick bites. They are particularly known for their great beer selection, offering a variety of alcoholic beverages to complement your meal. It’s a perfect spot for a casual dining experience.
Does Board & Brew UTC offer convenient dining and service options?
Yes, Board & Brew UTC provides several convenient service options, including outdoor seating, dine-in, and delivery. You can visit for lunch or dinner, and it’s considered good for kids. Parking is also easy with both paid and free parking lots available.
How does Board & Brew generally perform?
Board & Brew holds a good overall score of 7.2 out of 10. Its Service (7.7) and Ambience (7.5) are particularly strong, with Food (6.8) also performing well, though Value (6.4) is a bit lower.
What do customers like most about Board & Brew's food?
Customers frequently praise the quality of the sandwiches, with specific mentions of items like Tom’s Choice, Turkado, and the beef dip. Many find the gluten-free wrap to be notably good.
Are there any common complaints about the experience at Board & Brew?
Some customers have expressed concerns about inconsistent ingredient portions, particularly with chicken and avocado in wraps, and occasionally find the pricing to be on the higher side for sandwiches. There are also isolated reports of service inconsistencies.