Islands Restaurant Carlsbad — Restaurant in Carlsbad

Higher Prices and No Fries

Apparently, the corporate executives of Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks do not care about loosing customers. Like most restaurants I am sure they felt the pressure of the pandemic and were challenged by the many restrictions during the past months. However, the pandemic is no longer and they are operating as usual. Well, that is not completely accurate!

They don’t have two things that are going to push patrons away. First, they raised their prices. More, importantly one of the things that made Islands a great place to visit was the unlimited hot basket of French fries. They were good, they were bottomless, and they were included with each hamburger and sandwich. Well, no more hot basket of French fries included in the purchase of a hamburger or sandwich. Now, you have to pay for them as a side dish to a hamburger and there are no refills. When you add the price of as drink, the French fires and sales tax to the hamburger, you can spend more than $20 for a meal that is probably worth $10.

When I asked the restaurant manager what was going on, she pointed the finger at the corporate executives of Islands. She said she was getting lots of complaints with lots of people saying they do not intend to come back.

I contacted the regional manager of the Tustin Islands location at their corporate office in Carlsbad. I was told that person would call me back. Apparently, they really don’t care about a customer that is upset. I never received a call. So don’t be surprised the next time you want to visit one of the favorite burger spots in Orange County. The prices will be up, there are no fries included, and the restaurant managers will do nothing about it.

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks opened in May 1982 as a casual dining restaurant chain that specialized in burgers, fresh cut fries, and specialty drinks. I have been a customer for 39 years after having first visiting the first Islands in West Los Angeles. Islands justifies their actions by suggestion that they are on a move to offer “cleaner and healthier foods”. Well, I think that action is going to backfire on them and have financial consequences of their success as customers seek out other restaurant alternatives.

I don’t recommend Islands after almost 40 years. They have taken away from what was part of their legacy… bottomless...

Weezer.

Yes Weezer....Their song "Island in the Sun". that's what I always think about when I eat at islands on yeah and their endless basket of fries, then their burgers, then their happy hour.

This burger restaurant chain is famous for suds, buds, burgers and fries which isn't my first choice after post surfing excursions, but that's because I'm a little too local for my own good.

A few things about this location is the funky location and singular entrance, non wrap around and limited parking, so yes it can get packed. The bathroom is a little strange in that it almost appears like you may walking into the open kitchen before you hang that left. Typical centralized bar with good, local beer and very tropical anthemic choices. Standard tiki hut décor for the booths, counters, chairs. Big screens for the modern look and sports fans.

Service is good, except when busy and near close where it gets slow and unattentive. Cold beer, no excess head because they keep it legit cold.

HH prices are excellent with some tasty apps and specials.

Fry baskets are a must to go along with any # of their excellent burgers, very consistent, though don't take well to over-saucing. The chicken sandwiches have large breast patties charred well and juicy, match very well with the flavor profiles of each of the burgers. The burgers aren't huge, but should do the trick for the mortal human, though I've been known to put down 2 burgers, a few baskets and a milk shake on post ride eats. Sliders are the perfect quick bite if not wanting to eat too much as the onions are perfect, but could use more of a custom dipping sauce, we are trying to keep it Hawaiian-ish right? Big wave for sure is my go to burger, kona pie my go to dessert if not in the mood for a shake. Fish taco's are monstrous.

Anyhow it's a great place that is very consistent and a favorite of many for the cold beers, good burgers, endless fries and...

Excellent food & service today at Islands Restaurant, Carlsbad! My wife likes Islands Tropical Iced Tea, & I like the regular iced tea, so we began with those. Our server, Kelly brought a small dish of extra orange slices for my better half. She brought enough to keep my partner supplied, through several refills of tea

We ordered a basket of fries, to start with. Islands Fries are cooked perfectly, golden brown, nice & crisp. We'd forgotten to ask for Ranch dressing, so when these beauties were delivered to our table, our server asked if we'd like some Ranch with them. I nodded, & Kelly rushed back 4 containers of their yummy white dressing, to our table.

We ordered a Bleunami Burger, Lettuce-Wrapped, with Grilled Onions instead of the Red Onions that come with it. Our burger was cooked perfectly Medium-Well, just as we'd ordered it. The grilled onions were a great addition, & this burger also comes with a nice spread of chunky Bleu Cheese on it. On the plate as well, was a small container of Bleu Cheese dressing, so we could add as much as we liked, to make sure this Bleunami Burger was riding a Tidal Wave of flavor, right into our mouths.

Kelly provided us with awesome service the whole time we were here, getting refills for our teas, at least 3 times, each.

I got a Caesar Salad with the Bleunami Burger, as we'd filled up on fries, earlier. Islands Caesar Salad Dressing is one of the better Caesar dressings I've tried.

Great burger, fries & drinks, plus superior service at Islands Carlsbad on...