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oChef » Cork N Brew – San Diego
Cork N Brew - San Diego
Photo from Cork N Brew
Cork N Brew at a glance
San Diego East Village
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#72 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 American Restaurant out of 24 in San Diego
Excellent
8.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
80
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great Service
- Tasty Tacos
Frequently criticized
- Price Confusion
- Greasy Food
The restaurant Cork N Brew is a vibrant American Restaurant located in the heart of San Diego’s East Village. Here, you’ll discover a fantastic spot where the energy of sports meets a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere.
It’s the perfect place for you to unwind, catch a game, and enjoy a memorable dining experience.
Overview: Introducting Cork N Brew
Cork N Brew generally offers a pleasant experience, with many patrons appreciating its affordable options and a comfortable atmosphere. Guests frequently commend the quality of the food, particularly the tacos, and the overall attentive service provided by the staff.
However, some visitors have encountered minor issues, such as cashier knowledge gaps regarding wine selections and occasional pricing discrepancies. A few specific food items, like a burrito, were noted for being overly greasy, and certain events didn’t quite hit the mark.
Excellent
8.7
out of 10
80
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
72
positive
Cork N Brew achieves a strong overall score of 8.7, indicating a highly positive dining experience for most patrons. This is further supported by an impressive 90% customer satisfaction rate, reflecting widespread approval.
With 72 positive remarks against just 6 negative ones out of 80 total opinions, the sentiment is overwhelmingly favorable. Delving into specifics, Service truly shines with an excellent score (9.4), closely followed by Food (8.6), which is also rated very highly.
The Ambience (8.3) contributes significantly to the pleasant experience, while Value (7.4) is considered good, though some minor concerns about pricing clarity have been noted.
What people like
- Exceptional Service
- Delicious Tacos
- Comfortable Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Pricing Clarity Issues
- Greasy Burrito
Cork N Brew presents itself as a solid choice for a casual outing, especially if you value excellent service and well-regarded food in a relaxed setting. With a 8.7 recommendation score, it clearly resonates with many looking for a dependable and enjoyable experience.
If you’re seeking an affordable spot with good vibes and don’t mind the occasional minor hiccup with pricing details, this place is certainly worth considering. It promises a comfortable visit, though perhaps opt for the highly praised tacos over a burrito if greasiness is a concern.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cork N Brew
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 85% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot is definitely hitting the mark! With a solid score of 8.6 and customer satisfaction soaring at 89.5%, its clear most folks are leaving happy. Out of 38 remarks, a whopping 34 were positive, highlighting delicious tacos, fantastic homemade sauces, and even great falafel.
Plus, their wine and beer selection gets a lot of love! However, its not entirely perfect, with 2 negative comments noted. A couple of diners found the burrito to be quite greasy, and one mentioned the green salsa was a bit like paste.
While these are minor points compared to the overwhelming positives, its worth keeping in mind if youre particular about your burritos or salsas.
Food
38
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious tacos
- Great drink selection
- Homemade sauces enhance
What people don't like
- Greasy burrito
- Salsa like paste
Often praised
- foodThe tacos were incredible, truly the best I've had locally. It's a great little place with surprisingly good food at very reasonable prices.
- tacosI was starving and stumbled upon this place by fluke. I ordered two tacos ASAP, and they turned out to be two of the best tacos I've randomly had in San Diego. The tacos are a step above regular street tacos, and the homemade sauces are a nice touch that enhances the taco taste!
- FoodFood:5
- beerhaving a great conversation, good vibes, good food, good beer
- Mexican pizzaA must try is their Mexican pizza
- al pastor burritoal pastor burrito with green salsa
- beer selectionsHe was incredibly attentive, friendly, and respectful. The place itself is a nice little hole in the wall bar and restaurant, offering plenty of beer selections and a variety of wine options. I definitely recommend this place and we will certainly be returning!
- beersWe enjoyed Diana & this place so much, we went back after the PADS game (we got the "W"). It's a fun, affordable spot with $5 beers and $5-6 tacos, perfect for pre-game or after-game food and beers! We truly enjoyed ourselves.
- brew on tapenjoyed a delicious brew on tap
- falafelsome great falafel from the pop up restaurant
Frequently criticized
- burritothe burrito was so dam greasy
- green salsathe green salsa was like paste
If you're looking for a place with genuinely good food, especially tacos, and a great drink selection, this spot is absolutely worth a try. Just be mindful of the burrito and green salsa, but otherwise, prepare for a tasty experience!
Service (9.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines with an excellent score of 9.4 and an impressive 95.5% customer satisfaction! Based on 21 positive remarks, guests consistently rave about the friendly staff, amazing bartender, and attentive manager who make every experience great. Many highlight the no wait times and phenomenal customer service skills that truly stand out.
However, there's a tiny hiccup to note. Out of 22 total remarks, just one customer mentioned an issue with cashier knowledge, specifically that the cashier didn’t know about their wine or the prices. While this is a minor point, it suggests a small area for improvement in product familiarity.
Service
22
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Amazing bartender
- Attentive manager
What people don't like
- Cashier lacked knowledge
Often praised
- serviceThe service here is amazing!
- Servicethey gave me two of the best tacos I've had
- DianaWe had the pleasure of running in for a quick beer & bathroom break. We enjoyed Diana & this place so much, we went back after the PADS game (we got the "W"). It's a fun, affordable spot with $5 beers and $5-6 tacos, perfect for pre-game or after-game food and beers!
- Wait timeNo wait
- bartenderJuan was our bartender and he was amazing!
- conversationHung out with the manager while having a great conversation
- customer servicePhenomenal customer service skills!
- dude working hereMy experience at this restaurant was great. The dude working here is super cool, and it's a great place to kill time while waiting for the trolley. The service, atmosphere, and food all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- experiencehe made our experience so great
- friendliness and servicethis level of friendliness and service was a real treat
Frequently criticized
- cashier knowledgecashier didn’t know about their wine or the prices
Overall, if youre looking for a place with top-notch service, this is definitely worth checking out. The staffs friendliness and efficiency are consistently praised, ensuring a great experience despite one minor point about cashier knowledge.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
Looking at the vibe, its clear this place hits the mark for many! With a solid score of 8.3 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 86.7%, people really dig the atmosphere and vibes here. Out of 15 comments, 13 rave about it being a comfortable and fun spot with dope tunes, especially enjoying the outdoor patio and finding it a great place to kill time.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. A couple of comments, 2 out of 15, point out some areas for improvement. One person found the comedy show experience lackluster and awkward, while another felt the location wasnt ideal.
These are minor points, but worth noting if youre planning a visit.
Ambience
15
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Comfortable spot
- Outdoor patio
What people don't like
- Awkward comedy
- Poor location
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereNice little hole in the wall bar and restaurant
- comfortableI enjoyed a delicious brew on tap and look forward to checking out the food and wine. The experience was friendly, affordable, and comfortable. Oh, hell yeah🙂🙃🙂
- favorite spotespecially the staff always be my favorite spot
- outdoor patioeat it with a couple beers, on the outdoor patio
- place to kill timegreat place to kill time waiting for the trolley
- spotfun affordable spot
- tunesthe tunes are dope
- vibesgood vibes, good food, good beer
Frequently criticized
- comedy showI really don’t like writing 1-star reviews, but my experience here twice for comedy was very lackluster and awkward. While it's a free comedy show, so I can't complain too much, it was unfortunately just cringey.
- locationITS LOCATION IS NOT IDEAL
If you're looking for a comfortable spot with good vibes and an outdoor patio to chill, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the comedy nights might not be for everyone, and the location might require a bit of planning.
Value (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7.4 score. Many guests appreciate the surprisingly good food at very reasonable prices, making it an affordable and fun choice. With 4 positive remarks, customers often highlight the great affordable options and fantastic beer and wine options available.
However, there's a slight hiccup to be aware of. One customer noted issues with prices not matching the menu, specifically concerning drinks. This single negative comment points to a potential need for staff training on menu knowledge, ensuring consistency for all patrons.
Value
5
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great drink options
- Good food value
What people don't like
- Inaccurate drink prices
- Cashier price confusion
Often praised
- affordableI enjoyed a delicious brew on tap and look forward to checking out the food and wine. The experience was friendly, affordable, and comfortable. Oh, hell yeah🙂🙃🙂
- beer and wine optionsGreat $5 beer and wine options
- pricefun affordable spot
- pricesThe tacos were incredible, truly the best I've had locally. It's a great little place with surprisingly good food at very reasonable prices.
Frequently criticized
- pricesThe other issue is trying to order a drink; the cashier (both times) didn’t know about their wine or the prices. We were charged higher prices than what was listed on the wall, and the cashier didn’t know which wines were red or white. I’m sorry to say that I recommend steering clear.
Overall, you can expect good value here, with a solid 80% customer satisfaction. Its a great pick if youre looking for an affordable and fun experience, especially for food and drink specials. Just double-check your drink prices to avoid any surprises!
How are the prices at Cork N Brew?
You’re looking at roughly 14 per person – reported by 14 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.
Most folks, 8 of them, found their sweet spot in the $11–$20 range, showing prices cluster nicely around this average. A few went for a lighter bite, while a couple splurged a little more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
Comparing value for money with similar restaurants in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an American Restaurant. It hits a nice mid-range sweet spot, offering good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cork N Brew
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Brew, Friendly and Affordable
I enjoyed a delicious brew on tap and look forward to checking out the food and wine. The experience was friendly, affordable, and comfortable. Oh, hell yeah🙂🙃🙂
- brew on tap9
- friendly9
- affordable9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Favorite Spot for Great Food & Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great food and the selection of non-alcoholic drinks. The atmosphere is very friendly, and the staff are exceptionally welcoming.
It's always been my favorite spot.
- great food10
- non alcoholic drinks9
- staff10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Incredible Tacos, Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The tacos were incredible, truly the best I've had locally. It's a great little place with surprisingly good food at very reasonable prices.
- tacos10
- food9
- prices9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Legit Food, Dope Tunes, Cheap Beer!
As someone new to the area, I tried Cork and Brew Cantina today and it's legit! The food was bomb, the tunes were dope, and the beer was cheap. I'll definitely be here quite often!
- food10
- tunes9
- beer9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Favorite Spot for Tacos & Drinks!
This is definitely my new favorite spot for a quick drink and tacos. We ordered a few items from the menu and absolutely loved their tacos and nachos. A must-try is their Mexican pizza.
They also have great $5 beer and wine options. We'll be coming back again. :)
- tacos9
- nachos9
- Mexican pizza10
What Cork N Brew offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Cork N Brew in San Diego?
At Cork N Brew, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. You can enjoy a variety of American dishes, including small plates, with options like organic dishes and vegetarian choices, ensuring there’s something for you.
Does Cork N Brew accommodate special needs or offer convenient services?
Absolutely! Cork N Brew is wheelchair accessible with an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, making it easy for you to visit. You can enjoy dine-in, outdoor seating, or opt for delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup. Plus, it’s good for kids with high chairs, and your dogs are welcome outside.
How does Cork N Brew generally score with customers?
Cork N Brew holds a strong overall score of 8.7. Its Service (9.4) and Food (8.6) are particularly well-regarded, with Ambience (8.3) and Value (7.4) also scoring positively.
What are the standout food items at Cork N Brew?
Many customers highly praise the tacos, describing them as incredible and a step above regular street tacos. The Mexican pizza and al pastor burrito also receive positive mentions, though one review noted a burrito was greasy.
Is Cork N Brew considered an affordable and comfortable place to visit?
Yes, many opinions highlight Cork N Brew as an affordable spot with good beer and wine options. The atmosphere is frequently described as comfortable and having good vibes, making it a pleasant place to relax.