The team behind San Diego pizza & burger destination The Friendly will open their third location in San Diego's Convoy District.
In early 2018, longtime San Diego restaurant general manager, pizza maker and cook Brandon Zanavich opened The Friendly on a quiet stretch of 30th Street on the outskirts of North Park. The pizzeria quickly gained a cult following due to its no-nonsense environment, frequent chef pop-ups, and the popularity of its Dirty Flat Top cheeseburger. In September 2019, the team behind The Friendly opened The Friendly Tavern, an al-fresco restaurant devoted to the brand's iconic smashed patty burgers, in the former Carnitas' Snack Shack space in North Park.
The Friendly crew has taken over the space that last housed Chung's Hair Barber Shop in the small Convoy Street plaza that also houses Tajima Ramen and Steamy Piggy for the opening of its third area location, dubbed Friendly 3. Like The Friendly Tavern, the new branch will be devoted to flat top smashed patty burgers, fries, onion rings, and other special dishes like a pizza burger, pork belly sandwich, and a chicken sandwich with chicken liver pate, confit chicken thighs and crispy chicken skins. Food will be served from a fast-casual communal counter and open kitchen where cooks will interact with patrons. The team aims to establish itself as a neighborhood destination and work with other area restaurants on pop up specials. Like has become a point of contention at the original The Friendly, there will be no modifications to the menu offerings (#NoMods).
Friendly 3 aims to open by year's end at 4681 Convoy Street, Suite F, in San Diego's Kearny Mesa.
