The morning after we checked out the Gaslamp District (and before we went to Mission Bay), we drove towards the Hillcrest area to grab brunch at the infamous Hash House.
The most important thing to take away from this article: Do not order your own entree.
The story:
It was a rather short wait considering it was Saturday morning (30 mins), and the four of us were seated in the small, festive dining area. You really can’t have brunch without a Hair of the Dog, and the Hash House helps you out with $5 screwdrivers.
It was a good drink and I’ve always been a fan of the classic breakfast cocktail – a better option for me than a specialty concoction with a double-digit price tag (admittedly, $5 for vodka and juice is not exactly a bargain).
But it fit well in my hand as I looked over the menu. And as with most breakfast eateries, there are so many options it’s almost painful to make a decision. I made it easy on myself and ordered what they are known for: Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken Benedict.
Adam Richman of Man vs. Food put it on the map when he tried it, most likely due to the fact that – like all the dishes – it’s big enough to feed two to three people.
I’m not joking in the slightest – I wish I could have seen what my face looked like when they set it down. Two huge pieces of chicken, biscuits, potatoes, bacon, egg, cheese, gravy, tomatoes, avocado, cantaloupe.
It was delicious – I mean, that’s quite the breakfast combo – but it’s just too much food and I felt bad with how much I was forced to leave on my plate. I think I speak for everyone at my table: next time we’ll cut our bill in half by splitting entrees (most are $11-$16 a piece). My belief is that the whole experience will be a little less intimidating that way – and perhaps I won’t find myself uncomfortably full.
One other thing: the service was a little weird at times. My friend ordered a multi-layer watermelon drink (which was very refreshing), and he asked the waitress a question.
“What would you recommend?” he asked her. “Should I stir this or just drink it how it is?”
“Some people stir it,” she said, looking him in the eye.
My friend said “Oh” and waited for a follow-up – a recommendation – but there was nothing and she nodded and turned her attention to the next table.
It was very strange – and I felt like all the servers were a little off, like they were stressed.
No one’s rude, though, and considering how swamped they typically are, any lapse in service is probably not due to a lack of effort.
If you find yourself in San Diego and ravenous on a weekend morning, head on over with your crew and check it out.
Remember, though – seriously, two people per entree (don’t waste your money).
Wake and Wander 
no mention of “The Tractor” that they almost always redirect you to when there’s a wait?
I haven’t eaten at the Tractor in over a year – so I didn’t want to venture into it.
But I suppose it’s fair to let people know that they may be redirected there if the wait at Hash House is really long (the Tractor is the sister restaurant a few blocks down the street).
It’s pretty much the same deal – huge portions, young crowd.
Which did you like better? The Tractor or the Hash House?
they were the same to me foodwise…hash house atmosphere is much better, i remember having to walk through a giant velvet curtain in the Tractor.
appreciate the insight… although the Tractor does have a ping-pong table outside to keep you entertained while you wait, I’d agree the Hash House was more fun to eat at.