Santana Mavericks Bar N Grill — Restaurant in Big Bear Lake

Terribly disappointed with our experience here. We came in with hopes that we’d have great service and at least decent food. Considering the different cuisines offered, I was skeptical that this restaurant would fall into the trap of making a large variety of foods but with mediocre skill. Unfortunately, I should have trusted my gut. Food was disappointing to say the least. Either no seasoning at all or drenched in orange sauce. All 7 of us left our plates 90% full. What I didn’t anticipate was the ridiculous service we received from almost all the servers except one. After being seated and ordering our drinks it took 20 mins for a server to finally get us the straws we asked for twice. We ordered appetizers which were just okay and then we waited another 25 mins after asking a couple times to place our orders. After placing our order, the server came back 10 mins later to inform us that two of our orders were no longer available and we’d have to choose something else. She was very apologetic about it so we appreciated her demeanor and chose something else. Fine. Now the issue came when an hour had passed and no one had checked in on us or our food. We asked 3 different servers for updates on our table’s food to no avail. At one point we saw the servers gathered in the corner talking and staring at us? It wasn’t until my mom got visibly upset that one of the servers told us to wait a little longer for our food. The table next to us with 3 elderly women were also surprised at the horrible service we were receiving as they were Big Bear natives and had hoped we would have good experience in their city. Before they left they said they hoped we would get our food soon. That’s how long it took. When our food finally came out, only 5 of us got our food. The other 2 people only got side dishes which were cold by the time their main dishes came in. Our main server offered to re-warm the side dishes which again was appreciated but by that time, everyone lost their appetite. We didn’t eat much and everyone at the table just wanted to leave. As we got up, the two tables on our left were explicitly upset and asking where their food was. We took our bill to the front register to pay and asked to speak to the manager to share about the service. The biggest downfall of that restaurant was the manager. Unbothered, unapologetic, defensive, and rude. No wonder the service was so bad. Look at the example. She didn’t care about the service, the quality of food, or anything anyone had to say. Just wanted us to pay the bill and leave. She kept making excuses saying that the service was bad because it was the holiday season? Shouldn’t that make you want to give GOOD service? I get that maybe it’s busy but at the very least, you could be sympathetic about the service that’s lacking. There was no compassion at all. No understanding. And then she said “well we didn’t charge for gratuity” but with such horrible service, I don’t believe we should have had to pay that anyway. Even though we were speaking calmly, she stood there with her arms crossed and we asked her why it seemed like she didn’t care. One of the servers told her to “just walk away”. And she did. So we paid for our food and left. Never coming here again. I wish we had read the other reviews about the same ugly experiences. We’d have chosen another restaurant. Our main server, whose name I wish I could remember, was the only one who understood how disappointing our experience was and kept apologizing. I hope she finds a better place to work with better management. Total and utter...

Two employees looked right at us for about 3 minutes as we stood very awkwardly in the front doorway with only one other table being tended to in the inside dining area. Menus look yellow, faded, and dirty a bit. Took us two servers to get straws after being seated, but the second waiter was quick about it. Unfortunately when the drinks were brought out, the far too common carry was used and as he was sitting the glasses down for us, index fingers and thumbs pretty much covered up and touched most of the rim which is pretty disgusting. Things around us near one of the lake view tables made the environment seem like a storage closet where people eat. Vacuum cleaner maybe 10ft from our table was a bit off-putting as well as the dirty ladder leaning against the American flag. 1335 ordered food, took approximately 25 min for the blooming onion to get to us. Took a few bites, lacking serious flavor even with breading alone and unfortunately it was mostly burnt in the middle and bottom, not just the breading, but also the onion strings in many parts. The lone neighboring table even sent back fries for being too crispy. Presentation looked good at first though since we're being honest. The patty melt and chicken marsala came out at 1421 so 46ish minutes total. Onion rings were good, patty melt lacked salt severely IMO, but was cooked near perfect also. Chicken marsala was good and the chicken was very tender. Fairly big portion as well. Overall, a bit disappointed in the place. Previous pictures slightly mislead me but they must've been before COVID so that's understandable. Young staff with much potential if they tighten things up a bit, but being military for over 12 years, I have to say this would be a management problem looking at the big picture of everything. Our waiter in particular was pretty good, one of the "older" gentlemen in the bunch. I feel bad I forgot his name and can't...

I don’t think I have ever written a review about anything in my life, but I am so upset with my family’s experience last night, I feel compelled to do so. My family and I almost never get to eat out at a restaurant. But I was able to treat them last night, and I remembered that this place used to be pretty good, so We decided that we would order take out, we are trying to stay safe during this covid crazy time, so we weren’t going to eat inside. The hostess took our order, and said it would take 30-45 mins for our food. An hour later, she brought our food out. We waited an hour for takeout!? Then, we were missing: soup, meetballs, salad dressings, and bread. and everything was cold. I went back inside to tell the hostess, who then replied “well you have to order meatballs, I thought I put all that stuff in there” and just stared at me, as if it’s just my problem now. Keep in mind, I have ten year old and four month old in the car with my wife, waiting this entire time. After an hour and a half, we took our cold, soggy, over salted food home in disappointment, especially knowing that I spent enough money on it to buy almost a weeks worth of groceries. The chicken was dry, the meatballs that we waited an hour and half for were disgusting. I should have just left before the food came, but I remembered this place being so good. Thanks for ruining my family...