Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Carl’s Jr – San Diego
Carl's Jr - San Diego
Photo from Carl’s Jr
Carl's Jr at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🍔 Fast-Food-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#685 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#12 Fast-Food-Restaurant out of 18 in San Diego
Average
4.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
188
Reviews
40.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Chicken tenders
- Professional service
- Clean environment
Frequently criticized
- Order issues
- Poor atmosphere
- Staff attitude
The fast food restaurant Carl’s Jr. in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa is your go-to spot for a quick bite. Whether you’re looking for a speedy lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even late-night food, you’ll find convenient options here.
This casual eatery ensures you can grab a delicious meal efficiently, perfect for those busy days or late-night cravings in the city.
Overview: Introducting Carl's Jr
Carl’s Jr offers a mixed experience, where the quality of the food often stands out, with customers frequently enjoying items like the `chicken tenders` and `Western Burger Combo`. However, some visits are hampered by issues with order accuracy and the overall dining environment.
While many appreciate the `professional service` and the efforts of friendly staff, there are instances where the customer experience is let down by `staff attitude` or unexpected closures. It seems the consistency of the visit can vary quite a bit.
Average
4.9
out of 10
188
Reviews
40.4%
Satisfaction
89
negative
23
neutral
76
positive
Carl’s Jr achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 4.9, placing it in the average range. Customer feedback indicates a `Food` score of (5.7), which is a solid performance, often highlighting specific menu items.
The `Ambience` also scores reasonably well at (5), suggesting a generally acceptable setting. However, `Service` (4.4) and `Value` (4.2) fall into the average category, indicating areas that could see improvement.
With a Customer Satisfaction of 40.4%, the sentiment is mixed, reflecting that while there are positive experiences (76 positive opinions), a significant number of concerns (89 negative opinions) are also present across 188 total customer remarks.
What people like
- Delicious chicken tenders
- Professional service
- Clean environment
What people don't like
- Order accuracy issues
- Unpleasant atmosphere
- Staff attitude problems
If you’re looking for a quick meal and specific menu items like their burgers or chicken tenders, Carl’s Jr can be a decent option, especially given its Recommendation Score of 4.9. Be prepared for a potentially average experience, as consistency in service and atmosphere can fluctuate.
It’s a place that might satisfy a craving but isn’t likely to impress with its overall dining experience. Consider it for a convenient stop rather than a destination, keeping in mind that some aspects might not meet higher expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Carl's Jr
Food (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to the grub, this spot has some definite highlights! Many folks rave about their burgers, especially the Western Bacon Burger, and the chicken tenders with that Hot Honey sauce get a lot of love for being real and tasty. The fries are also noted for being nice and salty.
With 33 positive remarks out of 67 total, theres a good buzz around these menu items. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, as the food scores an average 5.7 and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 49.3%. Some diners have encountered issues like mushy or limp lettuce and tomatoes, sandwiches served cold or with unwanted sauces, and complaints about burger meat quality or excessive ketchup.
Portions, like small fries or single-patty burgers, also drew criticism in 20 negative comments.
Food
67
Reviews
49%
Satisfaction
20
negative
14
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good burgers
- Tasty chicken tenders
- Salty fries
What people don't like
- Limp produce
- Cold food
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodThe food and person taking my order in a mask still? Was good.
- 3 piece hand breaded chicken tendersUpdate: I tried the 3 piece hand breaded chicken tenders with Hot Honey dipping sauce. They were real, not processed pieces of chicken, tender, juicy, and tasty. Although sugar and corn syrup preceded the honey on the ingredients list, the sauce was good with a mild cayenne pepper kick.
- American fareMy experience at this restaurant involved enjoying some delicious American fare. However, I was disappointed that their dining room was closed mid-evening.
- BLT ranch hand breaded chicken sandwichIt had a good taste
- Big Carlunreasonable love of the Big Carl
- Double Western Bacon BurgerDouble western bacon burger never disappoints
- Famous Staror the Famous Star
- Hot Honey dipping saucethe sauce was good with a mild cayenne pepper kick
- Salted Caramel Shakelimited Salted Caramel Shake and was surprisingly good
- Western Burger ComboMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of positive and negative. I definitely liked the delicious Western Burger Combo. The cashier, Kimbo, was the hardest working cashier I've seen in a while, and was very professional and kind.
Frequently criticized
- Beyond Burgersone of them had cheese and mayo the other did not
- FoodFood:2
- Lettucediscolored and limp Lettuce
- burger meatMy experience at this restaurant was the worst service I've ever encountered. The cashier kept forgetting things immediately, and the burger meat was not baked. It had too much ketchup, making it feel like eating mud.
- burning plasticsmell burning plastic
- caloriesOverall, it was just okay, and I walked out knowing exactly why I hadn't been to CARL'S in several years. While it was okay, I want the calories to be worth it and more than just 'meh'.
- drinksThey have only soda for drinks
- grilled cheese breakfast sandwichSandwich isn't grilled at all, just put together
- ketchupToo much ketchup, feel like eating mud
- lettuce and mayowanted to take lettuce and mayo off but instead it charged me
If youre craving a classic burger or some tasty chicken tenders and dont mind potentially inconsistent quality, this place might hit the spot. Just be prepared for a mixed bag experience, as some items might disappoint in freshness or portion size. It's worth a try for the fan favorites, but manage your expectations.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
Youll find some real gems in the service department here! Many customers rave about the quick and efficient drive through, often highlighting the friendly staff and crew for their excellent customer service. With 33 positive remarks, its clear some experiences are truly top-notch.
However, the overall sentiment is a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 4.4 and a poor customer satisfaction of 35.5%. A significant 56 negative comments, out of 93 total, frequently mention rude staff, slow service, wrong orders, and an inability to communicate, indicating a need for consistent improvement.
Service
93
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
56
negative
4
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick drive-through
- Professional crew
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Wrong orders
Often praised
- serviceThe service is professional and polite every time.
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was positive. It's open until 10 PM and offers better customer service and parking compared to a nearby competitor. I really enjoyed the western bacon cb and the Famous Star, which featured solid lettuce n tomato on the burger.
- cashierKimbo The Hardest Working Cashier I've Seen In Awhile. Oh Yeah Very Professional & Very Kind.
- KIMBOcustomer service provided by KIMBO here at this location was awesome
- Thanksgivinghooked me up for thanks giving which I thought was the best
- came out quicklycame out quickly
- crewthe crew friendly
- customer appreciationthey do their part to say like hey we appreciate you as our customer
- customer feelEvery morning, I am greeted very warmly by a friendly lady at the drive-thru. Thanks for your friendliness; you're about the only person in this town who does an excellent job with making a customer feel 😃.
- drive throughDrive through is very fast!
Frequently criticized
- serviceHowever, the service was a major letdown. A heavy-set Mexican girl working there had a terrible attitude. I specifically asked to be helped by someone else due to her customer service, which frankly, sux.
- customer serviceshe said it's for customers only but we were customers
- staffNone of the staff welcomed us or acknowledged us
- employeesThe food and the person taking my order (still in a mask) was good. However, I don't know how you can operate a franchise with employees, who I thought were in Carl's Jr attire, running around the restaurant yelling at each other. I needed to use the restroom afterward, and the group of employees told me they were on break.
- hoursHours say they are open but no one took my order
- managerdid not like the manager Jose who was barking orders and yelling @ Her.
- orderFor the third time in a month, there was something wrong with my order. I am never coming back!
- ServiceService:2
- WRONG ORDERdisappointing due to a WRONG ORDER
- app orderapp order and when I got there they were closed
So, should you go? If you catch them on a good day, especially at the drive-through, you might experience quick and friendly service. But be prepared for the possibility of slow service, communication issues, or even rude staff, which could make your visit disappointing.
Ambience (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
Based on 18 customer observations, the ambience here presents a mixed picture. While the overall score is an average 5, and customer satisfaction is a rather poor 38.9%, some guests did appreciate the general cleanliness, finding it a nice place with decent parking and accessible restrooms. However, the experience wasnt universally positive.
Several comments highlighted a concerning sewage smell and even bending cabinets raising safety concerns. Issues with restrooms being locked or unavailable, along with narrow parking spaces and a closed dining room' due to staffing, significantly detracted from the overall atmosphere for others.
Ambience
18
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cleanliness noted
- Good parking
- Nice place
What people don't like
- Sewage smell
- Safety concerns
- Restrooms unavailable
Often praised
- cleanfairly clean for a high traffic location
- placevery nice place to so organized
- atmosphereeveryone has a smile on there face
- parkingbetter customer service & parking
- restrooma restroom is big and easy to use
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- bathroomsBathrooms are locked
- bending cabinetsThe inside of the restaurant smelled like sewage. The metal cabinets were bending where if you were to rub up against it, you could have caused an injury to your leg. There were several health concerns after I witnessed the inside of this location.
- dining roomMy experience at this restaurant involved enjoying some delicious American fare. However, I was disappointed that their dining room was closed mid-evening. The staff informed me this was due to low staffing.
- parking spacesparking spaces very narrow
- prep tableset up their prep table with something other than last nights fixins
- restroomI needed to use the restroom after and the group of employees told me they were on break.
- sewage smellsmelled like sewage
If a consistently pleasant environment is a top priority, you might want to reconsider, as there are notable concerns about cleanliness and maintenance. While some find it an okay place, be prepared for potential issues like unpleasant smells or inconveniently closed facilities.
Value (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag here, reflected in an average score of 4.2 and a low customer satisfaction of 30%. However, some guests did find things to appreciate. Based on 3 positive remarks out of 10 total, terms like fairly priced and for the price suggest that for certain items or expectations, customers felt they got decent value, especially for a fast food restaurant.
On the flip side, the majority of feedback highlights significant concerns. With 5 negative comments, many found it a little pricy or were frustrated by extra charges. Serious issues like being double charged and even having money took my money' for unfulfilled orders point to a clear need for improvement in pricing transparency and overall customer experience.
Value
10
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fairly priced
- Good for fast food
What people don't like
- Double charged
- Extra charges
- Money taken
Often praised
- fairly pricedI had also requested no sauces, yet it was dripping with them. Other than that, it was okay and fairly priced.
- fast food restaurantfor a fast food restaurant
- pricefor the price
Frequently criticized
- pricethe price should have been lower
- double chargedI was double charged
- extra chargescharged me .35 cents for each
- took my moneyI placed an order through the restaurant's app and when I arrived, I found that they were closed an hour earlier than scheduled. Despite being closed, they still took my money.
This place presents a real mixed bag on value. While some find it fairly priced for a quick bite, be wary of potential extra charges or even being double charged. It might be worth a try if youre careful, but dont expect consistent value.
How are the prices at Carl's Jr?
On average, you’ll spend around $14 per person – from 42 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Fast Food Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Most diners (27 out of 42) find themselves in this $11–$20 sweet spot, showing prices cluster nicely around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Fast Food Restaurant. It offers a good balance, not being the absolute cheapest but providing solid value for a quick and tasty meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Carl's Jr
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Watered-down sodas and long waits
After a 4-hour wait in the sun at MEPS, I dropped in for sodas. The restaurant was short-staffed at the front, and I had to wait about 5 minutes to be served while the two harried attendants hustled. The sodas were so watered down that it was difficult to distinguish between root beer, diet Coke, or Dr. Pepper.
Additionally, the bathrooms were locked, and the parking spaces were very narrow. I won't be back.
- sodas2
- staff2
- wait to be served3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Mixed Experience with Great Burger and Manager Issues
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of positive and negative. I definitely liked the delicious Western Burger Combo. The cashier, Kimbo, was the hardest working cashier I've seen in a while, and was very professional and kind.
However, I did not like the manager, Jose, who was barking orders and yelling at staff. He also tried to yell at me, and I had to tell him to relax. I've never seen a manager chilling in the back instead of helping out front.
I can only recommend using the drive-thru.
- Western Burger Combo9
- cashier10
- manager2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Breakfast
1
Melted lid and sewage smell
I purchased a cup of coffee and the server handed me a cup with the plastic lid melting. When I went to return the item, she advised on a recorded line that she placed the coffee cup next to the heaters where it keeps the food warm before it is given to you in the checkout or in the drive-through, which subsequently caused the lid to melt. As she handed me the cup, I could smell burning plastic.
I realize that it was the actual lid to the cup, but I reported this to her. She apologized and offered to replace or refund, but my concerns were her misconduct and placing a plastic container next to a heater. She refused to give her name but advised me to contact her manager, Jose.
When I asked Jose if he was advised of this incident, he said that this worker told him that the coffee was too hot, so in other words, he blatantly admitted that she lied about the situation when this was more than just a hot cup of coffee. I have her on a recorded line telling me what she did with that coffee cup before she handed it to me. What really concerned me was when I went into the location to return the food.
The inside of the restaurant smelled like sewage. The metal cabinets were bending where if you were to rub up against it, you could have caused an injury to your leg. There were several health concerns after I witnessed the inside of this location.
- plastic lid melting2
- burning plastic2
- server misconduct1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Noise Level
- Quiet
5
Okay Carl's Jr. with a good restroom
My experience at this Carl's Jr. was just OK. It's a well-known spot, and I was happy to find the restroom was big and easy to use. However, they only offer soda for drinks, and I wished I could have gotten lemonade.
The food, service, and atmosphere were rated a 3 out of 5.
- restroom8
- lemonade6
- food6
- drinks3
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Great Service and Big Carl Love!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, largely due to the super nice and super efficient guy who works the drive-through every Monday. I also have an unreasonable love for the Big Carl, which I'd describe as a Big Mac from McDonald's if they didn't hate you. The overall experience was excellent, with high marks for service, atmosphere, and food.
- drive through guy10
- Big Carl9
What Carl's Jr offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Late-night food
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at Carl's Jr. in Kearny Mesa?
At Carl’s Jr. in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa, you can enjoy a variety of convenient service options. Whether you prefer the speed of the drive-through, dining in, grabbing takeout, or having your meal delivered, they’ve got you covered for a quick and easy experience.
Is Carl's Jr. in San Diego's Kearny Mesa suitable for families with children?
Absolutely! Carl’s Jr. in Kearny Mesa is designed to be good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu. High chairs are also available, making it a convenient and comfortable spot for families to enjoy a meal together.
How does Carl's Jr generally perform according to customer feedback?
Carl’s Jr holds an overall Restaurant Score of 4.9. Customers rate `Food` highly at (5.7), followed by `Ambience` (5), `Service` (4.4), and `Value` (4.2), indicating a mixed but generally average performance.
What are some common issues customers experience at Carl's Jr?
Some customers have reported issues with `order accuracy`, `staff attitude`, and an `unpleasant atmosphere` due to things like sewage smell or locked restrooms, which can detract from the dining experience.
What do customers appreciate most about Carl's Jr?
Patrons often praise the `food quality`, particularly items like the `chicken tenders` and `Western Bacon Burger`. Many also highlight the `professional service` from staff and a generally `clean` environment.