Grant's Burgers — Restaurant in Bellingham

I'm reluctant to give this restaurant even four stars simply due to the horrible treatmentI received from the manager a short man. Not quite a week prior I had came through and gotten what I thought was a large vanilla shake with malt. Sadly, although the shake was still good it did not have any malt. Feeling disappointed I phoned the restaurant and was apologized to and offered a replacement milkshake for the mistake. During this conversation, not once was there mention of any time limit to get said replacement. They took my name down and I went about my life. Well today is a gorgeous day so I figured why not take a trip to town and get that shake while I was in town. I first called and spoke with a nice young woman who said she would get it ready for me. I arrived and he tune had drastically changed from nice and helpful to basically gloating and telling me they have no record of me calling and she said she could get me a small vanilla shake with malt. I thought it was bogus that I should have to get anything less than what I was promised due to their bad record keeping. But I graciously accepted the adjustment. That's when she says but you have to buy it. Wondering why she would say small when my original shake was a large and if I had to purchase it why size would have been a factor at all. Regardless I asked why she wouldn't have told me on the phone and she walked away. I stayed at the window making a stink when out of the back came a very mean little man who I'm almost certain was balding. He told me that he was the one who told her she couldn't make it for me because a week was too long for me to have waited to come back for the shake. I tried to explain that I live out of town and that no one told me there was any time limit. He then proceeded to treat me absolutely terribly. Finally he gave me a card with the owners name and number on it. I went to my car ans immediately phoned Kim the owner. At first she was unable to answer so I started leaving a message explaining the whole situation. Before I was able to leave my number the phone cut me off. So I decided to call back and leave another message with my number but this time she picked up right away and I explained the situation to which she immediately said she was sorry and told me she was going to call the restaurant right as soon as she hangs up and tell them to make it. I proceeded into the restaurant this time and told the girl she would be getting a call from Kim any minute. The girl was very courteous now and we both said sorry to one another. But then I hear from to grill the mean little guy say make it for her. Then he follows that statement with "Kim said she called 5 times crying" . That really bothered me since I only called one time and left a message that got cut off before I was able to leave my phone number so I called back to finish the message but thankfully she had answered instead. I really don't believe the owner Kim had any part in the concocting of that falsehood that no doubt was birthed due to s fragile little man's ego being bruised because oh man he sure loved telling me no, but having to do it after he got to have such a fun time telling me no, really twisted up his little man panties. So overall the owner is amazing and gets a five star rating from me, the girl started good, went bad, but made up for it in the end by kissing my butt which mended my feelings from earlier. Honestly I probably would not have even left any review had the tiny little man not lied about me calling five times crying and for the whole restaurant to hear. So little man a big middle finger to you. But I did enjoy the shake, thank God he didn't make it because one of his balding hairs would have...

I will preface this is personal opinion based on my on wants from what I was served. Came in expecting a greasy spoon (which is why I came in). Came out not really satisfied but passable. I'd seen the restaurant for the last two years but never really found the chance to try it. Ordered onion rings and a cheese burger, didn't try fries or milkshakes. While waiting for my food I looked at reviews and they seem to line up with my experience. Burger had a decent flavor but it was served to me and the meat almost seemed room temperature like it was cooked earlier and just sat. The onion rings were decent enough quality, not really seasoned though, and the breading wasn't a crisp style but like a softer version of an onion ring from Sonic if you have ever tried it. Funny enough the onion rings were warmer than my burger and at least seemed fresh.

If it weren't for other reviews saying the same thing about burgers being tepid I would consider coming back again thinking it was a one off thing, if only to try the fries and milkshakes. But it definitely seems like a common issue so I doubt it would change.

TL;DR tasted fine to good, burgers don't seem freshly cooked. Would come back...

Not impressed. Not a gluten free option available at all. I used to frequent the old Grant's in Ferndale 20 years ago and the food was delicious back then. The new Birchwood location was a BIG disappointment. The boy at the window had the personality and enthusiasm of a rotten potato. I inquired about a lettuce wrap for my burger, he turned to the girl cooking behind him and asked her if she would do a lettuce wrap. Her response was a loud NO. I ordered my double double with no bun (I'm allergic to gluten). I asked for the restroom key while I waited for my order, and the boy walked away and did not return with the key. I had to ask again when he reappeared to the window. There was only 1 other customer in the joint. They served me my bunless burger in a bag, without a fork or knife. I had to return to the window to ask for them. All 3 present employees acted very annoyed by both customers. As a glutard foodie in the customer service industry for 20+ years, I wont come back to this establishment. Bummer. Always loved my visits to Grant's when i...