4 CA 'Dive Bars' Named Among Best In U.S. For Food

CALIFORNIA — Four California "dive bars" have been named among the best in the United States for food, according to a new ranking.

The High Dive in San Diego, Tiny's Hi-Dive in Los Angeles, The Tonga Hut in North Hollywood, and Neil's Lounge in Indio were included in the list of 120 dive bars compiled by Geek Nexus, a personal finance and pop culture website. The establishments came in at 24th, 26th, 30th and 52nd places, respectively.

To determine which businesses made the list, Geek Nexus surveyed 3,000 bar-goers to find the top dive bars serving "surprisingly good food."

"Dive bars have always been about community and character, but now they’re becoming known for their unexpectedly great food," Jake Valentine, operations manager of Geek Nexus, said in a news release.

"The results of our survey highlight just how diverse and creative dive bar menus have become, proving that you don’t need a fancy setting to enjoy a standout meal," he continued. "From inventive burgers to iconic local flavors, these bars are redefining what it means to eat well on a budget."

The High Dive offers a range of eats, from a corndog to an acai bowl, but of particular note is The Kraken, a one-pound burger between two sriracha peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with gorgonzola, bacon and grilled onions.

Tiny's Hi-Dive serves an array of hot dogs, including a Chicago dog and an L.A. street dog. The Tonga Hut offers savory bites like eggrolls, skewers and sliders. At Neil's Lounge, the burgers are made with brisket and served on locally baked buns.

See the full list of dive bars at GeekNexus.com.