Every once in a while, we get a craving for some good ole fashion Salt & Grease. So we ventured into City Heights where there is no shortage of options and people there, shall we say, are not the “Hillcrest” crowd.

Folks in this area are down to earth and for many, their incomes dictate how, where and when they dine out. We only give this reference for the reader who may be unaware of this part of San Diego.

Frank, who grew up in a ghetto land far away, recalled a place on University Ave when he worked selling cars at CUSH HONDA SAN DIEGO. He always enjoyed the food in this real tacky hole in the wall called “CANADA STEAK BURGER”.

If you have ever traveled east of the 805 on University Ave, you know immediately, something changed just as soon as you crossed over the bridge. Although City Heights is not the largest ghetto in town, it does come close. This section of University Avenue is one of the main arteries which is ripe with some real characters and seedy looking people.

Looking at CANADA STEAK BURGER on the outside, one could come to a snap decision. This place is flat out scary and no way in HELL would you eat here. Located directly across the street from an Adult Business painted in bright and sleazy purple touting “Real Live Naked Girls” Just the thought of this kills the appetite of many a gay man and I would imagine some women as well. Sometimes Frank is just full of surprises with the stories he tells, but we are here to report on dining out.

We walked inside and to our surprise, the entire place had been remodeled with beautiful tile, nice enough tables and chairs. Not only was it extremely clean but smelled wonderful. Masud, 2nd generation son, welcomed us and took our order.

What can you do to a burger to make it a fabulous meal? CANADA STEAK BURGER, has their own style, nothing fancy just cooked on a well seasoned char broil style grill, allowing grease to drip below along with crisp lettuce, firm tomatoes, diced red onion and served up on a fresh bun. The fries are cooked to a crisp golden look and texture. On our first bite, the flavors exploded in our mouths. “Ah,” we said, yes just exactly what we were craving and ever so satisfying. There is something to be said for a great piece of meat!

If you make the journey to City Heights be prepared to see a wide variety of people who may dress differently, act or speak like they are from another country and even have little to no table manners. But if you can get beyond the cultural environment and enjoy the food, you’re in for a real treat. One good example of which I speak, right smack in the middle of the menu, a bold sign reads: “WHAT YOU WANNA EAT?” This made us howl along with being bitch slapped into the reality where we found ourselves, a long way from our travels last week.

Everyone at CANADA STEAK BURGER gets treated with dignity and respect. We would bet several of us at some point have experienced places where the staff acts like they’re doing you a huge favor by taking your order. Not here, like we said, everyone gets treated with respect.

Looking around, we noticed a lot of very happy and smiling faces. Everyone was clearly enjoying their own “salt & grease’. We also noticed something very significant on the wall, a sign which read: “A LIST” Voted Best Burger Joint in town by Channel 10.

That old saying “never judge a book by its cover,” rang loud and clear.

CANADA STEAK BURGER opened its doors in 1981 and although they may not be able to claim “Over A Billion Sold”, they are doing just fine. So when you get that certain hunger, this is a great place to soothe one of our great American cravings.

CANADA STEAK BURGER is located at 3604 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 - Phone 619.283.4345 Visit them on the web at www.canadasteakbruger.com l