Desi Vega's Prime Burgers & Shakes — Restaurant in Harahan

Not what it used to be... I don't know how many times I've eaten here starting back when it was Phil's Grill, but it's been many times - and some really good times. I've left positive reviews in different places for Desi Vega's in the past. We've done a lot of family events at the long table in the back by the bar, and for years this place was the best. The last few times, however, things weren't as good as they used to be, and today became the, "Let's not eat here again.", day. I know it's hard to find and keep help in the current environment, but it's pretty obvious when a place has given up and stops trying.

Everything started well. Our waitress Emilea was friendly and prompt. Service was great, and we left a good tip. The onion strings took awhile, but were yummy. But a burger joint should have a great burger. Not just a good burger, but a great burger. What we got were burgers that weren't good, and it took quite a while to get them.

I ordered mine well done, but I got medium rare. It was edible, but no seasoning had been applied to the patty at all. It wasn't seared. It was just a plain, dead, flavorless, still bleeding, patty. The bun was obviously yesterday's bun with half a teaspoon of sauce on it. But it was edible, and the fries were OK, and everyone is entitled to a bad day so I let it go.

My partner's burger was actively gross. He ordered it medium well, but got it mostly raw. It was pretty obvious that it was 'cooked' on one side. It had been placed on the grill, a slice of cheese placed on top of the raw patty, and then after some inadequate amount of time it had been pulled from the grill and placed on a day-old, un-toasted, un-loved bun. Again, no seasoning on the patty at all. He didn't want to raise a fuss, so he scraped essentially raw meat off the bun and had a salad 'burger'.

A burger joint with a bad burger is not worth visiting at any price. I'll watch the reviews and see if it ever comes back to what it was, but it's going to be a long time before I am tempted to spend money here again. If nobody cares about the food they're serving, I don't care to eat it.

10/07/2022 Table: 51/1 ...

I've been to both Desi Vega's Steak House and Mr. John's Steak House. They're some of the best meals I've had in the city. Top notch fine dining. So maybe I was expecting too much from Desi Vega's burger place. It's not that the food was bad, it was just underwhelming in nearly every aspect.

To start our service was pretty bad. We were seated by the hostess. Adter about 15 minutes the waitress asked us if anyone had helped us. Nope. At that point she took our drink order and we ordered our 2 yr old's kids slider along with an order of fried pickles.

She came back with the drinks and we ordered the rest of the food.

After about 45 minutes after we ordered the kid's food all of our food came out at once: Kid's food, appetizer and my wife's burger. The waitress forgot to put my burger in. She was very apologetic about it, and i appreciate she didn't try to blame the kitchen.

My burger came out about 15 minutes later. It took forever to get the check and pay. Overall we were there for nearly two hours.

My biggest gripe with this place isn't the food or the service. The food was alright. The service was bad, but the waitress could have been having a bad day.

My problem with this place is just how mediocre it was for having Desi Vega's brand plastered all over it. Desi Vega's and Mr. John's are upscale, fine dining restaurants with amazing food and impecable service. This place was the opposite of every experience I've had at both restaurants.

To top it off, the place is essentially a clone of Phil's Grill. The layout of the restaurant is the same, the menu is nearly identical, including the "build your own" burger. The only thing it's missing is the hot sausage/beef mix and the zapp'd chicken. The table and chairs are even the same. They even have the same booths with ripped seats covered with black tape.

Desi Vega's is such an upscale brand. This place was the opposite of that. If they wanted a casual burger joint so badly, I don't get why they didn't just buy Phil's Grill from the original owner when he got sick. I would have never put Desi Vega's name on this place. It was such a...

This establishment offers an exceptional dining experience with a focus on delectable burgers and an impressive array of side dishes. One notable aspect is their commitment to accommodating allergies, particularly seafood allergies, as their menu does not include any seafood items.

The inclusion of a bar, featuring creatively crafted adult milkshakes, adds to the overall appeal of the establishment. During my visit, I opted for their Desi burger, which is their signature offering. The freshness of the meat, cooked to a medium doneness as per my preference, was evident. The toppings provided a refreshing burst of flavor, and the option to customize them according to personal preference was appreciated.

I must highlight the Crystal hot sauce onion rings, which initially sparked some skepticism. However, they turned out to be the most delightful onion rings I have ever tasted, requiring no additional sauce for enhancement. As an extra treat, I decided to sample their creole garlic aioli, which proved to be a perfect complement to the dish.

In addition to the remarkable onion rings, I indulged in the Desi fries, topped with cheddar, bacon, and ranch. These fries were clearly handmade, possessing a distinct freshness, and the ranch dressing was accompanied by real bacon bits, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

While my overall experience was highly enjoyable, I must note a minor flaw. Upon being seated, the table had not been properly cleared, with remnants of water and debris still present. However, upon bringing this to the attention of our waitress, Sadie, she promptly rectified the situation, exhibiting exemplary customer service.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that this establishment welcomes families and ensures a family-friendly atmosphere. Considering the superb dining experience I had, I would undoubtedly return for...