Chandler's Oceanfront Dining — Restaurant in Carlsbad

This place never disappoints. They have the most amazing drink called "the Butterfly Flutterby." Our first time here, we were celebrating my birthday in February 2021. The restaurant had recently reopened since COVID and were trying to get back into gear. We didnt have a reservation. We were just looking to have a couple cocktails and an appetizer at the bar. I think we may have even made plans to have dinner at a different restaurant. It was a lively atmosphere. The bar area was full and really loud. A lot of 20-and 30-somethings enjoying being OUT. We were led to a table on the OTHER side of the restaurant. It was quiet; almost TOO quiet. We were outside (because we werent allowed to eat inside). I looked around and felt like I was at that resort/club from "Dirty Dancing"-- with all the 60- and 70-somethings. We had already met our server and the busser. He was so very nice and respectful. I felt awful asking for a different table. He offered to follow behind us with our waters. Unfortunately, there were no open tables for Happy Hour. We were perfectly fine waiting a few minutes. My husband disappeared for a few minutes, then reappeared with the manager and asked that we follow him to our table. ----- wait. What? We got the very last table on the patio; front row for the sunset. I felt like a VIP! The only heater left was one that had stopped working and was set off to the side. The manager was determined to get it going, which I was grateful for. He must've spent close to 20 min fumbling with the thing before a flame finally appeared. I'll make the rest quick--- We ordered the Ahi Nachos for an appetizer and ultimately ended up staying through HH and right into dinner. Unsure of what to order for dinner, I opted to share the burger with my husband....on the condition that there is NO arugula! Ick! Gag! I'm 2 drinks in by the time the burger arrives. Forgetting about the arugula, I take big ol' man-sized-bite out of it. I managed to swallow it but not before I came to the realization as to WHY the chef went with arugula instead of lettuce or spinach. All I can say, all I will say is,.....that was the best buger I have ever had!-- better than Cassidy's in Newport. I hate to admit it, but it was the arugula that made it. If you find yourself at Chandler's, DO NOT miss the opportunity to try the burger....

I wish that I could give 10 stars for service!!!! This was a big night for me and my hubby, 5 years of marriage, and we got to bring our Marine home this weekend. We have been somewhat disappointed with food in the area since we got here last Sunday…but today..TODAY WAS THE DAY!!! The food-AMAZING!!! But the service here is what I want to touch base on. We arrived 40 minutes early for our reservation (evening plans ended before we expected) which can sometimes hinder restaurant setup, but this time it did not. The hostesses were very prompt and professional, despite being early they were adamant on getting us sat. We went to the bar while waited for our table to be ready. Tyler gave us great service, made my drink to perfection! Now let’s talk about the main attraction from our night-when we sat down there was a hand written card ( I know they are generic but being that I’m in the F&B industry this was a big deal) which meant you read the reservation notes. Thank you SO MUCH Alayna ( I think that was her name) for personalizing the card for ur marine son, we were very impressed with your artistic skills :) Now to the star of the show….JILLIAN!!! She is quite possibly the best server you have! Have I been waited on by all of the staff, no. But I have high standards. Very high standards. Jillian KILLED it!!! From her personality, to her menu knowledge/entree description I was BEYOND impressed. I’m not a Karen, but I’m picky and I know that. Jillian never once made me feel like she was inconvenienced by my questions or preferences. She made amazing suggestions, and we ended up settling on something that made me super happy! Food was FANTASTIC! Hubby has been looking for some fresh/good quality sea food, and we finally found it here tonight!!! We were so very impressed with food and service and want to let it be known!! Thank you to all of the Chandlers staff for making a great night, an amazing experience! From the bottom of our hearts, we needed tonight more than you all know! Thank you from the...

Ok so my wife and I were in the way back from San Diego from a 7th year anniversary weekend and decided to have brunch and look around and found this place. The pictures looked nice we decided to stop in for brunch, what a mistake. We were seated promptly because more than half the place was empty, it was about 1230hrs. We sat down and about 10 mins sitting there staring at the menu the server approached. Got out drinks and appetizer order. She came back in 10 mins with drinks then took our main course order. That's when it went downhill. The apps were brought out by a runner. My diet coke was empty throughout the apps and was sucking on air. Our main courses came,out and still no beverage refill. I had to flag down my server and asked for a refill. 10 mins gone by and the manager came by and refilled my drink finally. The server never came back. We finished four meal and had to flag someone down for boxes and the check. I guess they don't want to get paid. We got the bill and literally put the card in the carrier in front of her. She left and came back 15 mins later to grab the payment. Then we left, I didn't even want to leave a tip but my wife made me leave the obligatory tip.

Ok my gripes. I basically felt they ignored us as if we were two homeless people with terburculosis. We saw the server 3 times over a span of 1.5 hrs. Not ok. For the price they charge for food, I was expecting better service. The food was mediocre at best. The calimari tasted like frozen then flash fried, the mahi tacos was bsically seated fish on a bed of cabbage nothing else, the lobster nachos was ok but the guacamole was on the bottom of the chips and we didn't know it was there until it was done and had a pile of guac left, the Cole slaw was cabbage in water. I had better food at red lobster. The only redeeming thing was the view... Anyway. First and last time...