Islands Restaurant Long Beach Pike — Restaurant in Long Beach

Our experience was pretty atrocious. The food was ok at best but it was really the service that did us in. We sat in the bar area and things just kind of went downhill. It looked like maybe 3 people floating in the bar area and it's not exactly a huge area so I didn't think service would be a problem. Granted it was fairly busy do to a convention across the street but I'd think they would be used to that by now. Aside from being somewhat attentive to the start of our experience, that was pretty much it. We were asked by two people at the beginning if we were doing good. Order had been place and we were drinking a beer. Not much to be done at that time. My girlfriends burger came out and then 5 minutes later my burrito and fries for the burger came out. Kind of weird to not send it at the same time but whatever. We had a total of 3 expiditors bring us our meal. Dropped off and were gone before we could even say thank you. Not one person asked if there was anything else they could get us or if everything was fine. So we had to take some initiative to get anything else we may need or want. I guess eye contact is a big no no in fear of having to do something. After about 5 minutes we finally flagged someone down after hearing one of the staff chat up the tables and take a long time to take their order. Which it was mostly chit chat and less ordering. It took us about 10 minutes with quarter glass of beers and nothing else on the tables for us to grab someone to ask for the check. Which that took about 5 minutes to get to us. Overall the service was pretty bad and could use some work. Good luck if...

Arrived 7:30pm.. counted 24 empty tables but told I needed to wait 30 min or sit at bar Since crew was shorthanded . I stood in entry area for 25 minutes until I was finally seated . Waiter immediately took my driver's k order and appetizer order of chips and quacamole . Order delivered quickly.. very small order of quack, 2 bowls of salsa and huge pile of chips. Quack was tasteless. Certainly ly not fresh or homemade. Icedvteacwascrefied several times. 3 times asked for straw since no spoon was available to stir sweetener in tea. After 3 tries finally got a waiter to bring me 2 straws. Dinner order place and waiter 30 minutes for burger and tiny side salad and nachos with chicken. I walk to restroom while waiting for food and counted 24 empty boothes. Food finally arrived and order was correct . Waiter did check back after food was delivered, drinks were refilled several times . Check was delivered: $44.78. No apology for senseless wait for table, delay in getting food, tasteless guac, etc . Paid with credit card and left. Certainly never felt welcomed or that we mattered. Since I frequent this place usually twice a week I will look into other eateries in the area...

So we tried to find a restaurant close by the fireworks that was open for the 4th. This place popped up. The wait time was about 40min which was great all things considered. The staff was nice but upon entry to the bar area we only saw one bartender ON JULY 4TH. Then found out he is responsible not only for the bar but the tables surrounding the bar. Ridiculous. Anyway, we finally got our food which was lackluster. To be in the heart of the city next to a main attraction one would think the food would stand out a little. The food was mediocre at best which is really annoying especially after waiting to get a table and waiting again because management had limited staff working on a holiday, even if it wasn't a holiday at the bar you usually have at least 2. And considering they are responsible for the surrounding tables it would only make sense.

The bartender name is Andrew(if I remember correctly) he was really amazing, super friendly and knowledgeable. He is the ONLY reason I'm giving any stars. He deserves 5! But because the good wasnt good at all i can only give 2. Andrew...