Hodads Restaurant   

A visit to Hodad's, with its signature Hot Curl-inspired mural on the outside and cool half-a-VW bus booth inside, is the best introduction to Ocean Beach culture. With a menu inspired by late-night munchies (it includes every permutation of the hamburger possible) and staff that can give both a surf report and a menu recommendation, Hodad's is an unpretentious, joyful, carnivorous romp. Hodad's (what surfers call someone who pretends to be a surfer, but doesn't know his barrel from a nice left) has been an OB institution since 1969. The management proclaims, proudly, to have served "under 99 billion", just as it claims to be open 24 hours, "just not consecutively." Vintage vehicle license plates decorate the walls and surfboards the ceiling. The vibe is surf shack with a touch of Corvette Diner. Hodad's is great for a post-surf grind, a bonding meal with the kids or even a first date with a sense of humor.