Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Safari Kitchen – San Diego
Safari Kitchen - San Diego
Photo from Safari Kitchen
Safari Kitchen at a glance
San Diego Banker’s Hill
- 🍔 Hamburger-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 16 of the guests
#611 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#5 Hamburger-Restaurant out of 6 in San Diego
Average
5.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
54
Reviews
55.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious portions
- Kind service
- Shaded seating
Frequently criticized
- Overpriced food
- Inconsistent quality
- Slow service
The hamburger restaurant Safari Kitchen in San Diego’s Banker’s Hill neighborhood offers you a casual spot perfect for a quick bite. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner.
This local favorite provides a relaxed setting where you can enjoy a satisfying meal, making it an ideal choice for your next outing.
Overview: Introducting Safari Kitchen
Safari Kitchen offers a mixed experience, where the overall dining can be quite pleasant, especially if you appreciate generous portions. Many guests have highlighted the generally good taste of the food, making it a decent option for a casual meal.
You’ll often find ample shaded seating, which is a definite plus on sunny days. However, be prepared for some inconsistencies.
While some praise the kind cashier interactions, others have encountered less welcoming service. The perception of value also varies, with many finding the prices a bit steep for the offerings, a common theme in park settings.
Average
5.8
out of 10
54
Reviews
55.6%
Satisfaction
19
negative
5
neutral
30
positive
Safari Kitchen registers an average Restaurant Score of 5.8 out of 10, indicating a generally satisfactory but not outstanding experience. This aligns with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 55.6%, suggesting a mixed bag of opinions among visitors.
With 54 customer remarks, there’s a fair amount of feedback to consider, comprising 30 positive and 19 negative observations. Looking closer, Food (5.9) and Service (6) both hover around average, reflecting the varied feedback on quality and staff interactions.
The Ambience (7) stands out as a stronger point, offering a more pleasant setting. However, Value (4.1) appears to be a notable area for improvement, as many guests felt the pricing didn’t quite match the experience.
What people like
- Delicious food portions
- Kind cashier interactions
- Ample shaded seating
What people don't like
- Overpriced park food
- Inconsistent food quality
- Slow or rude service
If you’re looking for a convenient bite within a park setting and prioritize a pleasant atmosphere with decent portions, Safari Kitchen could be a suitable stop. Just manage your expectations regarding the price point and be aware that the overall experience can be a bit inconsistent, particularly with service and specific food items.
With a Recommendation Score of 6.1, it suggests that while not universally lauded, enough patrons found it worthwhile. It’s a place that might satisfy a quick hunger, but it’s not likely to be a culinary highlight of your day.
Consider it for its convenience and shaded spots.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Safari Kitchen
Food (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Lets talk about the food! With a score of 5.9 and customer satisfaction at 60.7%, it seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, leaning towards average. However, many diners raved about the generous servings and huge portions, often finding the food quite delicious.
The buffalo chicken sandwich, loaded tots, and chicken club sandwich frequently earned praise, making for super filling meals, according to 17 positive remarks. On the flip side, theres definitely room for improvement in some areas, highlighted by 9 negative comments. Several folks found the burgers, including the bacon cheeseburger and vegan burger, to be dry, cold, or even terrible.
Cold fries were a recurring issue, and some felt the loaded tots suffered from synthetic cheese sauce, suggesting inconsistencies in quality.
Food
28
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Delicious food
- Tasty buffalo chicken
What people don't like
- Dry burgers
- Cold fries
- Poor cheeseburger
Often praised
- FoodFood:4
- foodthe food tasted great
- Bacon CheeseburgerBacon cheeseburger is really good
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with FriesRecommended dishes:Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Fries
- Buffalo chicken sandwichBuffalo chicken sandwich was pretty good
- buffalo chicken sandwichhad the buffalo chicken sandwich
- chicken club sandwichMy experience at this park walk-up eatery was quite positive, especially considering it's park food. We enjoyed the loaded tots, chicken fingers, and chicken club sandwich. There was ample shaded seating available, which was a definite plus.
- chicken fingersMy experience at this park walk-up eatery was quite positive, especially considering it's park food. We enjoyed the loaded tots, chicken fingers, and chicken club sandwich. There was ample shaded seating available, which was a definite plus.
- huge portionshuge portions were quite delicious
- loaded totsWe ordered the loaded tots
Frequently criticized
- bacon cheeseburgerTerrible bacon cheeseburger—definitely not “gourmet”.
- burger pattiespatty was very dry
- burgersthey were cold
- friesCold fries
- hamburger pattybasic school cafeteria frozen processed hamburger patty
- kids mealKids meal is terrible. It has only three chicken strips
- loaded totssynthetic cheese sauce on loaded tots
- vegan burgerthe vegan burger was a little too dry or overlooked
If youre heading out, the food here offers a somewhat mixed experience. While you can find some delicious, generously portioned items like the buffalo chicken sandwich, be aware that burgers and fries might be inconsistent. Its worth a try for specific dishes, but manage your expectations for others.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely some sunshine! Many customers highlighted the friendly and patient staff, with specific shout-outs to kind cashiers and even a lovely Ms. Peggy. Based on 6 positive remarks out of 12 total comments, it seems there are some genuinely good interactions happening, contributing to an overall average score of 6 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 50%.
However, the experience isnt universally positive. The remaining 4 negative comments pointed to issues with unwelcoming or rude cashiers. Some felt certain staff members were unwilling to help, creating a less-than-ideal impression.
This mixed bag of experiences suggests there's room for improvement in consistency, especially concerning the attitude of some staff members.
Service
12
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly cashiers
- Patient workers
What people don't like
- Rude cashiers
- Unwelcoming staff
- Unhelpful attitude
Often praised
- cashierMs. Peggy, the cashier, who was so kind and patient!
- Ms. PeggyMs. Peggy, the cashier, who was so kind and patient!
- ServiceService:5
- serviceThe service was great
- workersvery patient workers
Frequently criticized
- cashierRude/unwelcoming cashier
- foodthe food took 25 minutes to come out
- ladythe lady did not want to help us
- rude and unwelcomingShe was rude and unwelcoming
Overall, the service here presents a bit of a mixed bag. While you might encounter incredibly kind and patient staff, theres also a chance of running into less welcoming interactions. If youre willing to take that gamble, you might be pleasantly surprised, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
The Atmosphere here truly shines, with guests loving the huge mature trees and ample seats in the shade. Many suggest a table near the back for the best experience. With a good score of 7 and 71.4% customer satisfaction, its clear the vibe is generally positive, noted in 5 favorable remarks.
On the flip side, one guest did find the atmosphere a bit overwhelming, describing it as feeling like a zoo. This single negative opinion among 7 total observations suggests its an isolated concern, but worth noting if you prefer a calmer environment.
Ambience
7
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Loved atmosphere
- Mature trees
- Shaded seating
What people don't like
- Felt like zoo
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- huge mature treesnext to huge mature trees
- seats in the shadeplenty of seats in the shade
- table near the backA table near the back is best
Frequently criticized
- zooIt felt like a zoo
If you're looking for a pleasant outdoor setting with natural charm, this place is definitely worth a visit. Most people enjoy the vibe, especially if you can snag a shaded spot. Just be aware that it can get quite lively at times.
Value (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
When it comes to value, theres a bit of a mixed bag here, though leaning towards the pricier side. Based on 7 customer remarks, a couple of folks found the prices to be quite decent and appreciated that cups could be refilled. While the overall score for value sits at an average 4.1, these positive points offer a small glimmer of hope.
However, the majority of feedback leans towards the pricier side, with many feeling things were expensive or even overpriced. With customer satisfaction at a rather poor 28.6%, it seems the general sentiment is that youre paying zoo food or park food prices, which can be a real bummer for your wallet.
Value
7
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Refillable drinks available
What people don't like
- Food is overpriced
- High prices expected
Often praised
- cups could be refilledcups could be refilled
- decent pricesdecent prices
Frequently criticized
- expensiveIt was a bit expensive
- park foodpark food is so expensive and overpriced
- priceInsanely overpriced
- pricesthe prices are gonna be high
- zoo foodWe really enjoyed our experience. Obviously, zoo food is expensive so this was no exception. However, the portions were big and the food tasted great.
If youre heading here, brace yourself for prices that might feel a bit steep, especially if youre expecting standard restaurant rates. The overall consensus suggests its a place where youll likely pay a premium, so plan your budget accordingly.
How are the prices at Safari Kitchen?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 16 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Hamburger Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most guests spend between 11 – 30 $, there are a couple of outliers, showing a mix of budget-friendly and splurge-worthy options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests usually spend per person, based on the latest 16 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
For a Hamburger Restaurant, 24 per person places it firmly in the mid-range, perhaps a bit on the premium side. We believe this pricing is fair, especially if the quality of ingredients and the overall experience justify it.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Safari Kitchen
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Hit or Miss Food, Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food can be a hit or a miss. On the positive side, the Buffalo chicken sandwich was pretty good.
However, the bacon cheeseburger was disappointing; the patties were cold and very dry. The kids meal was also terrible, with only three chicken strips, which is barely enough for a child. The service was a significant letdown, with a cashier who was rude and unwelcoming.
Given these issues, I would recommend trying some other place.
- Buffalo chicken sandwich8
- bacon cheeseburger2
- burger patties2
- kids meal1
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Burger, Overpriced and Disappointing
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, which was far from "gourmet. " The fries were cold, and the loaded tots were topped with a synthetic cheese sauce.
To make matters worse, the meal was insanely overpriced. The hamburger patty itself tasted like a basic, frozen, processed patty from a school cafeteria. I was warned by zoo staff that the Mexican restaurant was a better option if I had to eat here.
Next time, I’ll be packing my own food.
- Service5
- Atmosphere5
- bacon cheeseburger1
- fries1
- loaded tots2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Great Lunch Spot with Good Food
This is one of the places in San Diego where you can order both food and drinks. It's a great place to have lunch with a group. I particularly enjoyed the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Fries.
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Fries9
- Food8
- Service5
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Burger and Great Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. I really enjoyed the Bacon Cheeseburger, which was especially good with a side of onion rings. For the atmosphere, I'd recommend a table near the back, next to the huge mature trees.
The service and food were both rated a 5 out of 5, and the atmosphere also received a 5.
- Bacon Cheeseburger9
- onion rings8
- table near the back8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
3
Cold Burgers, Long Wait
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. It felt like a zoo, which I expected given the high prices. The servings were decently big, but the food took 25 minutes to come out.
We ordered three burgers, and to our dismay, they were cold, not just room temperature, but truly cold.
- servings7
- zoo2
- prices2
- food3
What Safari Kitchen offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience does Safari Kitchen offer you?
At Safari Kitchen, you can expect a casual dining experience perfect for a quick bite. You have options for lunch, dinner, and even dessert, with comfortable seating available, including outdoor seating for those sunny San Diego days. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy your meal.
Is Safari Kitchen accessible and suitable for families?
Absolutely! Safari Kitchen is highly accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. For families, you’ll find a dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and an overall good-for-kids environment, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall verdict on Safari Kitchen?
Safari Kitchen has an average overall score of 5.8. Its Food (5.9) and Service (6) are considered average, while the Ambience (7) is a stronger point. However, Value (4.1) is often seen as a drawback.
What do customers enjoy most about Safari Kitchen?
Many customers appreciate the huge portions and the generally good taste of the food. The availability of plenty of seats in the shade and positive interactions with staff, such as a kind and patient cashier, are also frequently mentioned highlights.
What are the main drawbacks at Safari Kitchen?
A significant concern for many is that the food is often considered expensive and overpriced, typical for a park setting. There are also reports of inconsistent food quality, with some items being dry or cold, and occasional experiences with rude or unwelcoming service.