Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House — Restaurant in Mechanicsburg

So, I’ve read so many wonderful things about Dads Garage, I drive by the place a hundred times a month and I’ve been wanting to try it so bad – but somehow keep forgetting. Made a point to go there for lunch the other day.

Yes, parking is a little tricky – and the place is a little on the small side. Didn’t seem like there were even a dozen tables. Luckily there was one open table and we sat down and waited, and waited – and waited. There were several servers, I have no idea what could have made things so slow. The girl did come and ask us if we wanted drinks – and we gave her the drink order, she brought us drinks – then sometime later she finally brought us menus. Seemed like we were there 30 minutes before we even saw a menu.

My friend and I both ordered specials from the lunch menu – I ordered the regular cheeseburger, straight off the menu, no altercations. He had something that had bacon and avocado on it. We waited forever to get our food!

Right away I didn’t care for it. It comes with this LA Sauce, I asked what it was, she said it was mayonnaise and ketchup mixed together, at first I thought that might be OK – but after tasting it, I didn’t care for it at all. I ordered my burger mid-rare, and it was raw, I mean completely gummy raw uncooked – the outside was seared, but the inside was raw ground beef. My friend said his was raw in the middle too – but didn’t appear as bad as mine was.

The shoestring fries looked delicious – however they were not crispy at all, they were greasy and limp, they were fresh cut obviously and they were ok…good, but I would have appreciated crispier fries.

I eat a lot of raw beef – and I tried to get through this – but I just couldn’t, I ended up leaving half. – I thought about saying something, but I didn’t have the heart – we were in there over an hour for 2 hamburgers and I really just wanted to get back to work.

I thought it was odd that there was no mustard anywhere to be found also – we had to ask for it, there is ketchup on the tables, but no mustard. For a place that serves a lot of burgers and dogs, it seemed strange.

I really want to give this place one or two stars – but I have a feeling this was an off experience. I work right around the corner and we will come back – this time I might tweak my order a little. My friend said his burger was good, even though it was under-cooked also. I was really hoping this would have...

It was a while ago that we ate here but such an impression was left that I still feel like I need to leave a review.

Other reviews have mentioned parking. It’s in a downtown area so parking will be an issue no matter what. We were able to park right in front because it was slow. The one table that was there when we got there left, leaving us as the only patrons in the place. I got a good look around and the decor was cool. Atmosphere was very laid back. Good took a while but was good.

Our problem came part way through our meal. The dishwasher was walking all around with his gloves on and my husband even saw him eating with the same gloves on. If he’s cool with it, okay. Not okay to walk all around like that. Even saw him going into what we presume was the office with them on. Just changes your dang gloves. They are disposable.

Then the server and the manager (owner?) got into a fight. Right there in the dining area. Something to do with a missing pay stub. The manager kept saying it wasn’t her business (funny, since it was her pay stub). He threatened to fire her. She quit. Mid meal. Got her stuff and left. Manager followed her out the door.

Nobody ever came to check on us. Never refilled our drinks. Never said anything such as, “hey, sorry about that.” We finished our meals, went to pay. The very disinterested young lady who checked us out asked how it was and my husband told her it was awkward. Even threw in a little laugh to break the tension. Nothing. No acknowledgement that anything even occurred, despite the fact that it was all very loud and right there in the dining area.

As we left server came back in the door, laughed and said, “told him it wouldn’t last long.” Apparently they had talked and she un-quit. We saw the manager outside as we were leaving. He was on the phone and basically ignored us.

So while the food was good, the overall behavior was unprofessional. Not the kind of place we want...

Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger, 245 E. Main St. Rear, Mechanicsburg, July 15. Fail. Observed two containers of raw chicken being held at internal temperatures of 55.9 F and 52.6 F in the Turbo Air refrigerator, rather than 41 F or below as required; corrected on site. Observed cooked bacon in Turbo Air refrigerator being stored on empty, cardboard flats that held raw eggs and could have potential for cross-contamination; corrected on site. Observed visible evidence of rodent-contaminated foods in the back prep area, such as rodent droppings in large plastic container storing bag of onions; bag of onions was disposed of, corrected on site. Person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. Food facility is not removing dead or trapped pests from control devices frequently, as evidenced by dead mouse in pest-control device in the back storage area; corrected on site. Observed clean food equipment (stainless steel food containers) on storage rack in ware-washing area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air-drying (wet-nesting). Observed loose/deteriorated rubber door gaskets on the Turbo Air refrigerator in back storage area and needs to be replaced. Observed water coming up from grease trap on floor near cooking area and flowing into a floor drain nearby. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair. Observed water leaking from PVC piping below three-compartment sink. Observed the following on food contact surfaces: handles for hand-wash sink with accumulation of old food residue; lid for bus tub storing flour with accumulation of old, caked-on food residue; corrected on site. Floor in the kitchen area is made of tile and is cracked, roughened and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Potential rodent harborage areas inside the food facility observed throughout the entire facility due to numerous rodent...