Dirtwater Springs — Restaurant in Apache Junction

If I could leave a negative star review I would. I took my entire family here for my husband's birthday and it was the worst experience I have ever had. First off we sat outside and when asked for the heaters they couldn't get any to work where we were sitting. Even though they had 3 perfectly working ones right next to the singer. Then when it was time for us to order the waitress had to run in the back to find out if they had food we were trying to order. My dad had to change his order 3 times because they didn't have, fried chicken or lasagna so he ended up with the French dip. My mother ordered an AVOCADO burger and they forgot the avocado. When we asked our waitress about it she brought out the blackest avocado I have ever seen. My son order a steak medium well and once again the waitress had to go ask if they had steak. Once it came out the cow was still mooing it was so raw. Then I had to go find our waitress to let her know how badly under cooked it was and they took the whole plate back sides and all. After they cooked it longer they brought back his original sides that were cold. My husband ordered grilled chicken that looked and tasted like tree bark. My youngest daughter ordered chicken fried steak and asparagus. The chicken fried steak had more salt than a salt block, the asparagus was the only thing edible. I ordered a hot turkey sandwich that was hot but I couldn't tell you if it was turkey or not. I could only stomach the mashed potatos and bread under the turkey. Almost everyone in my party ordered water to drink and that's when we found out how they got the name Dirt Water. Then I ordered a margarita and it took probably 20 minutes and a reminder to the waitress to get it. By the time I got my margarita it was extremely watered down and even with top shelf tequila I could barely taste it. My oldest daughter who ordered Buffalo Mac and cheese was the only person able to eat their meal. The waitress never came and checked to see how our meal was, never asked if we wanted dessert, and they never did anything for my husband's birthday even after I told her and she said "cool". This was the first and last time my family went there and I do not recommend anyone else go there.

We ate here on 1/30. Thank you...

Most recently we went back and the food and service was excellent. Christine, who was working her 2nd day since hired did a great job. The fish fry is the best I think I have had locally. I do have one complaint thought. The pineapple coleslaw is delicious but they only give you a small plastic cup of it. I think the portion should be double or offer of another cup of it upon asking...JH

We are garaging a Mercedes convertible a few weeks for a friend of ours on extended vacation. Saturday 1/25/20 was a nice cool sunny day so we took it out for a short joyride with intent to stop somewhere for a late lunch.. Ended up down past where the Renaissance Festival is located and turned back headed west. Not familiar with the area but just after getting off a large intersection back on Main Street we spotted 'Dirtwater Springs'. Hungry and adventurous we thought to give it a try.

Though it was now 3pm in the afternoon the place was fairly busy and we were promptly seated in a large booth by a very friendly lady. Server brought menus and took our drink order - just Ice Tea but it has a full bar.

We ended up getting the fish & chips though looking around the food looked good and the reserve side of the menu was all breakfasts. Nice we had an option of 2,3,4 pieces or AYCE on the fish. We got the 4 piece. While waiting the server brought us chips and salsa (homemade) which was not hot and a like a soup bowl of it - very good and it took the edge off. Didn't wait too long for our food. The fish was excellent - not greasy and lightly battered and the tartar sauce was unique - best I ever had. Coleslaw was sweet with chunks of pineapple. I opted for sweet potato fires which were great.

Though pretty much stuffed our server advised they had homemade pies so we splint a slice of banana crème pie which was excellent. Overall it was ' a pleasant surprise' as to how good the food and quality was - certainly will come back sometime. Service was excellent also. Atmosphere nice and restrooms clean.

I will give it one negative, they charged $3.00 each for the iced tea which I thought was high however I guess it offsets the 'free' chips & salsa. Overall price on the food was fair. Giving it a...

Dirtwater Springs has been around ever since I can remember, over thirty five years at least. I rarely go there these days because it's a gamble as to what kind of experience I will have. The food and service is the best part of Dirtwater Springs. Unless you get it to go. I don't think they pay that much attention to their to go orders. Luckily I don't usually order to go food here. This last time I was really disappointed. I ordered their jalapeño popper burger, which I believe they call 'dismantled jalapeño poppers in a burger' (the cream cheese, jalapeños, crunchy onions, beef patty. Great concept, the order taker even asked how I wanted it cooked. But that's where the order actually dismantled. I answered that I wanted it medium and it came well done, actually overcooked. Wompwomp... And the bun wasn't toasted or even heated. Straight from the fridge actually. The patty was smaller than I expected and hanging off to the side. The best part of my order was their amazing pineapple cole slaw. Something I recently discovered and I actually came back for this time. About the atmosphere, they have an old Western Saloon look and it stands out. It's actually pretty cool. The problem I find almost every time I go there is that bad musty smell when you first walk in there. Like they mop the floors with the original mop from the grand opening. It's not so bad once you pass through the bar area to the restaurant seating area. The old wooden floors are slatted and you can see right through them which sounds cool but actually isn't... You can tell they're probably original to the building. The look is Old Western but the odor shouldn't be... As for the staff, I've never had any problems with them, they are always friendly and professional. This is a holiday weekend (Independence Day) and they looked short handed so I'm not deterred, i was still treated like i was the only customer present. I'll always come back here because it's an Apache Junction monument, but I think if they paid attention to the atmosphere, from the customer's point of view and maybe laid new floor boards, which is the biggest issue I believe they would be the main hot spot in AJ like...