0 Followers
Hidden Spot EXL (inside Recovery Room)
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Hidden Spot EXL (inside Recovery Room)
7.9
Bar kitchen slinging smash-style burgers and wings for game nights on Mission. The Excelsior Smash is the move—simple build, crisp sear, quick ticket times.
Must-Try Dishes:
Excelsior Smash Burger, Double Smash, Garlic Aioli Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: Smashburgers from a local bar kitchen with crisp sear and swift service.
Who should go: Game-day groups and night owls
When to visit: Before big games to grab a table
What to order: Excelsior Smash single or double, fries with garlic aioli
Insider tip: Order at the bar and ask for an extra-crispy smash on the grill.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—moderate availability on Mission Street and side streets; expect competition during big games.
Dress code: Casual—bar attire is fine, from jeans to jerseys.
Noise level: Loud during game nights with TVs and crowd energy; moderate at off-hours.
Weekend wait: 25–40 minutes for a table during prime game times.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait—orders move quickly at the bar.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—possible veggie burger or fries-only meal, but not the focus.
Vegan options: Minimal—no dedicated vegan options; fries may share fryer.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no GF buns; bar fries may contain gluten cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date’s into casual bar vibes—expect loud TVs, beers, and burgers over candlelight.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, all walk-in—grab a table early or post up at the bar before crowds arrive.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal; it’s a bar setting with sports and beer service—best for adults and late-night groups.
Best For
Better for: Faster smashburgers and livelier sports atmosphere than most local pubs.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner or a full dining room experience—this is a bar-first setup.
Hidden Spot EXL (inside Recovery Room)
7.9
Counter-service kitchen inside the Recovery Room bar turning out saucy, crispy wings with classic and Asian-leaning flavors. It’s a game-on staple for quick orders, pints, and late-evening cravings in the Excelsior.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo Wings, Garlic Parmesan Wings, Mango Habanero Wings
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Bar kitchen with a deep wing flavor roster and TVs everywhere.
Who should go: Game-day wing seekers and night owls
When to visit: Evenings and game nights; order early during big events
What to order: Buffalo, garlic parmesan, mango habanero wings
Insider tip: Order at the bar and ask for extra heat if you like it spicy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only along Mission and Geneva; can fill quickly on game nights—arrive early or use nearby residential blocks after 7pm.
Dress code: Casual—team jerseys, hoodies, and jeans fit right in; no formalwear needed.
Noise level: Loud during games with TVs throughout, but manageable on off-nights.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes for kitchen tickets; bar seats are first-come.
Weekday lunch: No wait; service is fast for takeout orders.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Minimal—fries and sides available, but wings dominate the menu.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan wings or sauces.
Gluten-free options: Not guaranteed—shared fryers and sauces may contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves sports bars and wings—fun and informal, not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—first-come seating; order at the bar or counter, and grab any open table.
Is it kid-friendly? Technically adults-only inside the bar, but daytime takeout is fine for families.
Best For
Better for: Late-night wing runs and watching the game with a beer—casual, social, and fast.
Skip if: You’re seeking a quiet dinner, table service, or gluten-free menu options.
Hidden Spot EXL (inside Recovery Room)
8.3
Pop-up kitchen inside the Recovery Room bar turning out saucy, shareable wings during drink specials. A non-obvious local play where bar energy meets fast, satisfying plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey Sriracha Wings, Garlic Butter Parmesan Wings, Mango Habanero Wings
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Bar-kitchen collab offering wing flavors tailored for happy hour.
Who should go: Wing hunters seeking drink deals
When to visit: Early evenings for best seat and fastest ticket times
What to order: Honey sriracha; garlic-parm; mango habanero sampler
Insider tip: Order at the bar first, then grab a high-top near the TVs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — relatively easy on Geneva Ave before 6pm, tighter later at night near the bar stretch.
Dress code: Ultra-casual. Bar attire fine — jeans, tees, and sneakers all common.
Noise level: Lively. Bar chatter and TVs keep it energetic but you can still talk without shouting at smaller tables.
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes for a bar table or quicker if you order at the counter.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, as it opens later toward happy hour service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — fries and sides only; wings are meat-focused.
Vegan options: Minimal — no dedicated vegan wing option, but fries and sauces may fit with modification.
Gluten-free options: Partially — wings can be made without breading, but cross-contact likely in shared fryer.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates casual, loud bar settings. It’s more playful and social than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. Grab a seat or high-top as they open, or stand near the bar until one clears.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — it's located inside a 21+ bar. Best for adults and groups of friends rather than families.
Best For
Better for: Spontaneous happy hours and quick, saucy wing runs with friends in a low-key setting.
Skip if: You want a sit-down restaurant, quieter dining, or family-friendly experience.
Hidden Spot EXL (inside Recovery Room)
7.9
Pop-up kitchen inside a neighborhood bar turning out saucy wings and smash-style burgers during drink specials. It’s a casual, fast-moving setup ideal for pre-game bites and sharing plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey sriracha wings, Garlic-parmesan wings, Smash burger with pickles
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Bar-collab menu with bold-flavor wings tailored for happy hour.
Who should go: Wing lovers chasing drink deals
When to visit: Early evenings for fastest ticket times
What to order: Honey sriracha; garlic-parm; smash burger
Insider tip: Order at the bar first—grab a high-top near the TVs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only along Ocean Avenue and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm, but metered spots often open up later in the evening.
Dress code: Casual—bar vibe with no dress requirements. Jeans, sneakers, and team gear all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud, especially during games or weekend happy hours. Conversation-friendly if you grab a booth or high-top away from TVs.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak happy hour; bar seats usually turn over fast.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quick turnaround even during lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—can request fries, salad sides, or cheese-only smash burger.
Vegan options: Minimal options; bar kitchen not geared for full vegan requests.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated prep area, but some items like wings (without breading) can be adapted upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date’s into casual bar energy—fun for drinks and wings, but not ideal for quiet conversation or candlelight vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s walk-in only. Arrive before 6:30pm for easy seating or grab bar stools if the tables fill up.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. It’s primarily a bar space with TVs and drink specials—better suited for adults or older teens during early evening hours.
Best For
Better for: Ideal for casual bites with drinks—wings and burgers hit harder than most local bars at this price point.
Skip if: Skip if you’re looking for a quiet meal or polished sit-down dinner; this is more hangout energy than dining destination.