Dave & Buster's Milpitas - San Jose — Restaurant in Milpitas

I was SO excited to FINALLY get here. It's far, far away from my home and I'm not near any D&B location. So this was my VERY. FIRST. TIME. in any D&B. Sadly, it was disappointing. The way they handled a food error and the final bill left a LOT to be desired. IF I'm near another D&B, AND it's my best option in the area, I'd return. But I'm more likely to look elsewhere to spend my dining dollars in the future. Detailed review & pics follow.

IF this review was limited to food and environment I'd give this place a 4, even 5. The flavor, selection, and variety of food choices was excellent! Three words that started me off happy: Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Curds Yum. Yum & YUM!! NOT usually in my food plan, but these were a "must try"! & yes, they WERE delicious! A hearty portion, definitely shareable! So often, appetizers are too little food for too much money! Not these. Perfect!

Then, it was onto the entrees: BBQ ribs with fries & apple slaw for the hubs; Bistro Steak & shrimp alfredo with ZOODLES - NOT PASTA - for me. Add $2.25, please! Sigh... OK. Since I'd had my weekly allotment of carbs via the cheese curds, I was willing to take the $$ hit...

This is where things went sour. 1st, the kitchen did NOT initially make my requested item, and pasta arrived instead of the zoodles. So, they sent it back to the kitchen to be corrected. It took SO LONG to be re'made that my husband was DONE with his dinner before MINE ARRIVED! I also asked for spinach instead of mushrooms, which WAS listed on the final bill, and at least they left off the mushrooms. But NO spinach added!!

And because it was a special night, we looked at dessert options. Ok choices, but limited items to choose from. Asked to substitute a flavored ice cream on an item instead of the plain vanilla it came with; NOPE, wouldn't do it. Stupid. LOST. SALE!! We didn't order anything, because we didn't WANT the limited choices.

Then, the bill came; TWO. GLARING. ERRORS! 1)The bill had MY entree listed TWICE!! The order as I'd requested (with that $2.25 upcharge for zoodles!) AND the order as normal. Then it a "credit" of the altered order. Considering their mistake and LENGTHY delay in bringing my meal, at 1st we thought they did the RIGHT thing and removed my entree from the bill. NOPE! No, they did NOT! That would have been the SMART customer service action, but guess that SAME manager who didn't want to make a dessert sale didn't have any interest in making a customer happy, either!

2. They CALCULATED the "suggested tip" WRONG!! They added the tip % based on the FINAL, POST-TAX TOTAL!! WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. WRONG!! Tip %'s are to be based on the FULL COST OF THE MEAL PRE-TAX!!! I has to "teach" my server this, and wrote the CORRECT amounts with a note next to the suggested ones. I KNOW he wasn't pleased when I informed him of the "computer error". Oh well...I* wasn't pleased that he failed to acknowledge the problem with my meal OR do anything about it!! And he STILL got MORE of a tip than what the correct % was!! Less than the "suggested", but MORE than the % warranted!! I ALWAYS do my own tip calculations because LOTS of businesses are making this mistake. There's even a class action law suit making it's way through the judicial system because of it! Highly recommend YOU do the same!!

So, while delicious, can't say I was all that impressed OR that I'd make a point to return...D&B is probably a "1 &...

I purchased the Unlimited Play card last Friday, looking forward to bringing my 6 year old back to enjoy the arcade games, something we were both genuinely excited about. Today, we returned before watching Gabby’s Dollhouse, a special outing I had promised her all week.

To our surprise, we were told we’d need to pay an additional $10 per person due to a UFC fight being shown at the venue. We had absolutely no intention of watching the fight we were just there for the arcade and food. It’s incredibly frustrating to be charged for something completely unrelated to our visit, especially after already buying a premium play card.

There was no clear communication about this extra fee at the time of purchase. When I raised this concern, the manager, Steven Nguyen, claimed a poster had been up since last Friday. Honestly, even if I had seen it, I wouldn’t have thought it applied to us since we weren’t there for the fight. This policy feels unfair and poorly implemented.

If you're going to host special events, it would make far more sense to separate them from the general experience for example, show the fight in a dedicated area and only charge those who are there for it. Families coming in for arcade games and food shouldn’t be penalized. This experience has left me seriously reconsidering whether I’ll return or recommend this place to others. A little more transparency and thoughtfulness would go a long way.

After reading past reviews, it’s clear we’re not the first to encounter this issue. There was a similar complaint three months ago. Steven, as the manager, if multiple customers are voicing the same concern, it’s time to speak up. Telling me “this is business” isn’t a solution. If anything, this policy is likely losing you business especially from families who would spend far more on food, drinks, and games than the $10 entrance fee you’re charging just to get in.

I truly hope management reconsiders this approach. A more customer focused policy would make for a better experience and a stronger longterm business

Note: The poster the manager, Steve Nguyen repeatedly pointed to does not clearly indicate that all guests would be required to pay an entry fee. It simply says “$10 Watch Like a Champ,” which implies an optional fee for those watching the fight not a blanket cover charge for everyone walking...

I recently visited Dave & Buster’s in Milpitas, California, and while no restaurant is perfect, this location truly stands out—thanks to Elisa and her exceptional leadership.

As my party and I sat waiting for service, nearly ten minutes passed with no attention. Just as we were about to leave for another restaurant, Elisa turned around, recognized the issue, and immediately stepped in to assist. That moment proved why she is a leader—not just by title, but by action. Some people are destined to be leaders, and others are meant to follow, but when someone is truly living in their purpose, it shows. Elisa was meant to lead.

Leadership isn’t just about delegating; it’s about stepping in when needed, being engaged, and making sure every guest feels valued. Elisa made me feel important, not because I hold any special status, but simply as a customer. She embodies the kind of service that makes a business thrive, not just function.

We can critique and criticize all we want, but the truth is, no restaurant can perfectly meet every expectation. However, what truly matters is when a business hires the right people—those who are dedicated to making a difference. If you're reading this, I encourage you to visit this location and experience it for yourself. Add it to your list of family-friendly places to enjoy, because it’s not just about the food or games—it’s about the service and the people who make the experience memorable.

Whoever made the decision to bring Elisa on board made an outstanding choice. She is an asset to this location, and I hope leadership recognizes her dedication. If any team members ever have complaints about her, it’s likely because she holds them to a higher standard—one that ultimately benefits everyone.

Thanks to Elisa, my experience at Dave & Buster’s Milpitas was truly exceptional. I’ve been a longtime guest at the Daly City location for over five years without a single bad experience, and now I consider this location my second home. I look forward to returning and highly recommend it to others, all thanks to Elisa’s outstanding...