Bauer's 66 1/2 — Restaurant in Modesto

I was super excited about the garlic burger (I'm a garlic lover), but the burger was dry and burnt and the buns were soggy.

When she asked if I liked it and I explained why I didn't she said "well have you had our burgers before?" With a condescending smirk. I replied with no because that was the truth. Basically she tried to blame it on me. They did ask if they could make me anything else and I said no because I didn't want to be disappointed again I just wanted to get out of there and get something else to eat.

To add on top of that, I ate one small bite out of my burger and maybe half the fries. But they charged me for the WHOLE meal.

Also, they gave incorrect change.

Would give zero stars if I could but that's not possible.

They tried to get us to come back by saying we should try their burgers a different way (I got medium well) so that maybe it didn't taste burnt.

I LOVE burgers and I have had quite a few and there is no need for a medium well burger to taste burnt unless you don't know what you're doing.

I was truly disappointed that this place has so many good reviews but our experience was so bad.

Won't...

We spent all day at Disney and we were looking for a restaurant close to our hotel with a minimal wait. I called a few restaurants nearby and Buca was the one restaurant that told me there was about a 20-25 min wait but it could change and they don't accept reservations. I was in their parking lot when I hung up with them. I walked in no more than 5 min that it took me to walk from my car to their hostess desk and the wait was 40+ min. I was upset that in those quick minutes of my walk the wait went up 20 min and I explained to the host that I literally just got off the phone with them and he was smug about his answer and how things can change etc etc. I put our name down but didn't give them the respect of removing it when we decided to not eat there.

I will never return because choosing a restaurant is not just about the meal it is about the experience and with that lousy of service and first impressions, the meal...

Get to Bauer's early. Yes, the doors open at 5 pm, but the line. Wow. This place is popular in the 209. Maybe it's time for Bauer's to get bigger (LOT'S bigger).

The good. Anything I've ordered from Bauer's has been scrumptious. I love the food here. The Lamb burger is the best in the 209 (maybe in all of NorCal). I love a tall glass of Sangiovese with the Lamb burger (nothing better).

The specials, the burgers...all to die for. The prices are good, and the service is respectable--even if you to have to wait. Well worth it.

The only thing I don't like (it's just my opinion): the sugar on the French fries. I understand the American palate and the sugar fixed attached thereto. But get some garlic on those fries--skip the sugar concoction.

And like I said, get there...