If you’ve ever gone to Ocean Beach, chances are, you’ve also have eaten at Hodad’s. Well, a couple days ago, the owner Mike Hardin passed away. Known as “Boss Man,” he passed away in a hotel room in Chowchilla, CA. He was there to see his daughter and they say they don’t see any foul play involved.
Mike’s parents opened Hodad’s back in the 70’s and I remember my first visit in 2003. Before it became popular on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I ate my first Hodad’s burger at the counter overlooking Newport Ave and thinking to myself, San Diego is going to be a great place to live. I was visiting San Diego for a couple weeks before moving my life from Georgia a couple weeks later. I’ll always remember my lunch at Hodad’s as it was a special time for me. They’ve since opened a restaurant in downtown San Diego as well as inside Petco Park.
Rest in Peace Mike Hardin!! 