A Burger Like No Other in San Diego

For those who love the California beach scene, the town of Pacific Beach ranks as one of the best offering sunshine, beach, boardwalks and burgers. YES, BURGERS. The pop-up burger tent shares there fantastic smash burgers and frito pies just outside the classic Open Bar on Mission Street in Pacific Beach. We introduce you toe E.L.E Burgers which stands for “EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY”, and we have to admit if you eat this burger you will love everybody for sure.

The Mr. Local History drone drops in to the pop-in E.L.E. Burger at the Open Bar in Pacific Beach, California.

MLH introduces you all to the pop up restaurant E.L.E. burger enterprise serving up some of the best burgers in America. We found them at The Open Bar in Pacific Beach.

First off. we’re covering this great story because it has great history. A man in search of his passion after being handed the COVID poop sandwich.

Meet Bob

Bob is a classic American story. Bob got caught up in the COVID lockdown and he needed a new opportunity. He started cooking burgers outside his home for friends and neighbors and one of his friends said you really need to bring this to the public. And why not. Bob thought about it and said he was all in and in 2021 he formed his own company, registered, and said he’s gonna create a pop-up burger destination offering his OKC style smash burgers.

Mr. Local History caught up with Bob and his merry men at the famed Open Bar, just off the Pacific beach at The Open Bar.

The Open Bar is a PB staple on the bar scene along Mission Street in Pacific Beach. Check it out as Sammi Betz models an ELE classic. Big burger fan Jill models the ELE mascot where Jill worked onetime at Bob’s Big Boy back in New Jersey.

I drew inspiration for my pop-up biz from the Master, the one and only, George Motz. After reading his book ‘The Great American Burger Book’ and watching all of his YouTube videos on the different regional burgers, I was hooked, and I knew I was destined to slang my own.
Owner, Bob McCarthy, E.L.E. Burger

The San Diego burger pop-up serves at Open Bar in PB most Saturdays from noon to 5pm, or until sold out. The E.L.E. BURGER combines two smash burger patties, American cheese, thin-sliced grilled onions, iceberg lettuce, pickles, and Love Spread on a Martin’s Potato roll.

Bob filed on January 11, 2021 and officially became E.L.E LLC and the pop-up was born. Here was our order of juicy burger deliciousness.

Our mission is to spread as much love as possible, one burger at a time. And if you know me you know I love Jalapeños so if you get down with the heat, try our Burger “Bob’s way” to taste the Burger exactly how I like it.
Robert Christensen McCarthy, known to everybody simply as “Bob”, owner of E.L.E. burgers.

The Construction

The signature E.L.E burger starts with 2 smashed burger patties on the hot grill. Then comes the thinly sliced onions and cheese. Then the patties are assembled along with lettuce, pickles, love spread, and a potato bun. Chips and a beverage make the meal.

From the E.L.E website, they deconstruct the juicy burger deliciousness.

Check out the ELE burger YouTube Channel and subscribe.

Don’t Forget the ILY Frito Pie

So we thought we’ve seen it all until we checked the menu board and saw something called a “Frito Pie.” We had to try! The frito pie is a concoction including yes, bbq Fritos, special sauce, lettuce, pickles and yes a pepper. You can even add a burger to the top for an extra “no bun burger salad”. Bring your fork and plenty of napkins.