PRK101 — Restaurant in Carlsbad

This place has a great location and a great atmosphere as a kid friendly bar. The breakfast is really good as well but unfortunately doesn't open until 9 which is super late. We tried the French toast, breakfast sandwich and fritatta and all were great. The lunch and dinner is not good though. It's cafeteria style which is just not a good idea especially when it's priced as a sit down restaurant. The walk-up window was a joke. They didn't even have regular decaf coffer or any appetizing pastries. Just a maple donut and blueberry muffin. And a little bag of granola that was $5.50. We left without getting anything and we really wanted to since we had our kids and they have a nice area for the kids. We then went there again for dinner and I wanted a chicken sandwich. Well they don't have regular lettuce or mayonnaise and only had sun dried tomato but no regular sandwich /burger ingredients. So I ended up with an overpriced dry couple of buns with some chicken. Total bland and a huge disappointment. Also my daughter spilled something and there's really nobody around to ask to clean it or for napkins. Staff is super nice but lacking in quantity. This place has so much potential but I hope they just start making regular food for lunch and dinner and have servers instead of the dumb overpriced cafeteria plan. I also wish they opened earlier for breakfast if they are going to serve it and had better food options at the walk up window. I gave 4 stars for the breakfast and location/kid friendly atmosphere. It would be 5 stars if they can improve their lunch and dinner foods, open earlier for breakfast and have more at the walk...

Service was adequate although pretty clearly understaffed (management is to blame here not the server).

The environment left a lot to be desired. Upstairs the couches were dirty with old torn up cushions.

Downstairs the tables were wobbly and sticky. The seats were again old torn up and sticky.

The speakers were so loud that no one at the table could hear anything anyone said, it's normal to have loud speakers at a sports themed restaurant but this was excessive.

The food was bad. They don't serve fresh BBQ during the week beyond pulled pork, instead they offer dishes made from the leftover tri-tip from the weekend prior. The burger was downright bad: a grey previously frozen low quality meat was placed between a relatively decent bun. The toppings on the burger were old browned out shredded iceberg and a pale pink tomato with a foul sauce. The fries were floppy and undercooked but smothered in a sugar and Lawry's mix (read: inedible).

The kitchen is visible both from the seating area and the street.

Frozen food in plastic bags was laid out all over the entire time we ate, with no consideration for food safety. The surrounding work area was a disheveled mess with lettuce, tomatoes, french fries, rice, beans and boxes littering the floor.

Someone spent a lot of money building this place, but it is being run horribly.

In summary:

The cleaning standards in both the front and in particular the back of the house were substandard and concerning.

The food was very low quality.

The environment was unpleasant.

The service was adequate.

The prices were...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Park 101 in Carlsbad, CA, and I can confidently say that it was an outstanding experience! From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere, friendly staff, and delectable food and drinks on offer.

Let me start by highlighting one of my absolute favorites: the Brussel sprouts appetizer. It was a culinary masterpiece! The sprouts were perfectly roasted to achieve a delightful crispiness on the outside, while retaining a tender and flavorful interior. The addition of complementary ingredients elevated the dish to new heights, resulting in a burst of savory goodness with every bite. If you're a fan of Brussel sprouts, this appetizer is an absolute must-try at Park 101!

The beer selection at Park 101 deserves special mention as well. With an impressive array of brews on tap, there's something for everyone, from hoppy IPAs to refreshing lagers and everything in between. The knowledgeable staff was more than happy to provide recommendations and offer their expertise, making the beer-tasting experience all the more enjoyable. I was truly spoiled for choice and discovered some fantastic new beers during my visit.

Another aspect that sets Park 101 apart is its fantastic location. Situated in the heart of Carlsbad, it is conveniently close to other shops and, best of all, the beach! After enjoying a satisfying meal, I took a leisurely stroll along the coast, basking in the ocean breeze and taking in the breathtaking views. It's the perfect spot to unwind and make the most of a beautiful day...