Magpie's Grill — Restaurant in La Cañada Flintridge

When I first glanced at the menu, I was excited to see that they had Modelo Negra on tap. One of the very few places I have found that has that. I then ordered the sampler appetizer with Sweet & Spicy wings, Fried mushrooms, and spinach and artichoke dip. The wings were delicious, as were the fried mushrooms. The dip, however was fairly bland and the chips were stale. My waiter was on it, however as he told me they were just making fresh ones and he'd be more than willing to swap them out. I also ordered the Hot Boagie with coleslaw. Sandwich was great, coleslaw was bland. Overall food was decent and my waiter was great. However the reason for the low rating and reason I will never return came when I received my bill. 2 separate prices. 1 price for cash, 1 price for card. I don't recall seeing anything about a card upcharge on the menu, when I ordered, and even so, I believe that practice to be very unethical. Businesses claim those fees as deductions when they do their taxes, so they get that money back and therefore, I view it as double billing. If it is an insurmountable expense, then just slightly raise your prices, across the board. Hope that fee was worth me...

Average ambiance, good food. Cranberry, Almond chicken salad very tasty. Very bad experience with one waiter Vic. Though the menu listed the price of that salad at $13, he charged $16. He explained that asking for spinach instead of iceberg lettuce added a dollar; a “little” extra blue cheese added a dollar, and that the computer listed the price at $15. (I get the Math). I explained that I had been in the restaurant the day before, with the identical order, and was charged $13. He had no explanation but wouldn’t budge. Dear Diner, I never raised my voice, nor was hostile. When I said it wasn’t worth losing me as a customer, and that I would post this review, he said the restaurant “didn’t need customers like me.” Btw, I’ve been a customer at Magpies many times. The day before, with a different waiter, I left a 20% tip and specifically complimented the chef for the salad. Other staff have always been attentive and polite. Hate to put down a restaurant and staff for the actions of one waiter. I’ll take my business down the street to Hill Street Cafe. The service is always...

Love this place. Have loved it since I was a kid and still love it as an adult. Fantastic food, great atmosphere, and extremely friendly staff. I come in once a week to get takeout for me and my grandparents and I always stay for a drink at the bar while I wait. Arnie is a super cool dude and makes a great cocktail. Cannot recommend this place enough. Fair prices for good food with a very diverse menu. You can take a big group here and there is something on the menu for everyone.

While everything on the menu is great, the one thing you must try is their Steak Picado. This is one of my favorite dishes from any restaurant. It is chopped up pieces of steak simmered in a Spanish tomato sauce with bell peppers and onions and it tastes magnificent. I go here once or twice a week and frequently tell myself I’ll order something else besides the steak Picado and everything I end up ordering the steak Picado.

My one suggestion is that they add a gluten free bread or bun option for their burgers and sandwiches, but otherwise this...