Grill-A-Burger - Palm Desert, CA — Restaurant in Palm Desert

The food is as good as described, but the treatment my family received was so bad I cannot in good conscience recommend this restaurant, particularly to persons with disabilities.

My dad is heavily disabled and uses a walker. When my parents and I arrived to meet the family for dinner my mom saw there were not enough chairs and asked a worker (we learned her name was Nancy) if it would be okay to grab a chair from an empty table. “Absolutely you may not! I was told 8. There are 8 chairs.” Mom didn’t ask again and tried to go talk to the family to see what they wanted to do and the woman stepped in front of her and raised her voice. “You cannot sit there!” She blocked Mom from going toward us and talked down to her while she just stood there.

Then Nancy went to the table and fought with the family member who’d arrived first and told her 8 people were coming. “You said 8! Now you want me to accommodate 10 people.” The family member said she thought she had the right number and apologized, she also pointed out that this was 9 people not 10. She asked if it would still be okay to eat here but Nancy walked away. We asked our waiter if the number of people was okay and he said it was fine. When we told him about Nancy’s behavior he just shrugged.

Then Nancy came back and told my dad he couldn’t have his walker inside. We asked if he could sit on his walker at the end of the table since he’d be out of the way and it would take care of the chair issue. She claimed there would not be enough room for people to move. She wanted us to leave it outside the front door.

My mom was taking it outside when Nancy blocked her way and said we could put it in the back. Mom said that was alright and she’d take it to the car, but Nancy blocked the walkway, grabbed the walker, and repeated herself loudly until Mom put it in the kitchen as Nancy directed, and Nancy finally allowed my dad a chair to sit on (which we saw there were plenty of in the back of the restaurant). After this, we had a regular server and didn’t interact with her again.

I’m sure I don’t have to point out that a walker is a medical device and is required for his movement. The treatment we received here was not only incredibly unprofessional and rude, but a violation of ADA. ADA for diners requires establishments to provide an appropriate path of travel “clear space for people using wheelchairs, other mobility aids, or service animals, especially when chairs are pulled out and occupied” as well as provide reasonable accommodations.

Asking him to put his walker out of the walkway is not against ADA, but the request that we leave it outside, touching it, and the aggressiveness was a violation. As for reasonable accommodation, an extra chair so we could get his walker out of the way would be a very reasonable accommodation, and while we eventually got there, the way we got there was full of disrespect. These are all easy things to do, but instead, we were met with aggressive and ignorant behavior from worker Nancy the entire time.

I understand that 9 instead of 8 people was our mistake, but we were calm for every step of this and Nancy was aggressive and extremely rude throughout every moment of the interaction. Not to mention we did check with our server about the party size and would have left if they actually couldn’t accommodate us. My aunt also attempted to speak with the owner of the next week but the employees refused to provide contact or even a time they would be at the restaurant to discuss the issue. So no, I do not recommend this place. No food is worth...

From the moment I stepped up to the restaurant until I left, not once did I experience anything but a delightful burger experience. Before I talk about the food, let me talk about the service. Manny saw to me and he was the epitome of excellent service. He was genuine, prompt, and even anticipated my desires. For example, I had the Mama Mia burger which was served on a focaccia bun. The service was so quick and the kitchen so on it, that I found the bun was not warm as expected, but instead room temperature. That's the only reason I'm giving the food four stars. Manny asked me if everything was alright. Normally I lie and say all is well, but something told me that Manny was genuine and so I responded that everything was perfect except the bun. His response was, "I had a thought it might not be to your liking. Please next time, don't hesitate to say something. That's why I asked you if everything was okay while you were eating."

Indeed, he did ask and right at the perfect time. Right after I had fully taken in the first bite and chewed it completely allowing me if desired to give honest feedback. At the moment, I had given the normal, "oh yes, all is well."

Manny continued to be on it with all the customary follow ups, and was prompt in getting me the check. Honestly, I would say I've spent longer in a In-N-Out than I did here. Now, I could have stayed longer but I was eating by myself and I only was eating half of the food including the onion rings which were also delightful.

Before I wrap up this review, which unfortunately doesn't include a photo as I wasn't feeling in the mood at the time, I will say the decor was cool, sort of an Island setting. By the way, I don't know any Islands in Hawai'i that have monkeys, but since there was some burgers with Hawai'ian names, I was wondering if they were trying to do a Hawai'i Island theme or just some other tropical Island? Still, although the authenticity of the setting may not have been accurate enough for this diner who actually lived in Hawai'i for more than a decade, I still found it charming. Including the references to Diners, Dives, and Drive-In which evidently meant that Guy had eaten there and featured this place at one time. I'd say it's a Guy worthy place.

I plan on coming back next time I'm around and have a hankering for a...

Exceptional Burger Experience at Grill-A-Burger in Palm Desert, CA

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Grill-A-Burger in Palm Desert, CA, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. This establishment has truly mastered the art of crafting amazing burgers that left me craving for more.

The star of the show was, of course, the burgers. The menu boasts a diverse selection of mouthwatering options, each with its unique twist. From classic cheeseburgers to gourmet creations, Grill-A-Burger caters to all taste preferences. The quality of the ingredients is evident, with juicy, flavorful patties cooked to perfection. The buns were fresh and complemented the burgers wonderfully.

What sets Grill-A-Burger apart, aside from their delectable offerings, is the friendly and attentive staff. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. The staff members were knowledgeable about the menu, providing helpful recommendations based on my preferences. Their enthusiasm for their work was contagious, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhanced the overall dining experience.

Another noteworthy aspect was the quick service. Despite the restaurant's popularity, the staff efficiently handled the orders, ensuring that customers received their meals promptly. This is especially impressive considering the consistently high quality of the food. It's evident that the team at Grill-A-Burger prioritizes both speed and excellence.

Parking is often a concern, but Grill-A-Burger has ample parking space, making it convenient for patrons. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, finding a parking spot is stress-free.

In conclusion, Grill-A-Burger in Palm Desert, CA, is a gem for burger enthusiasts. The combination of amazing burgers, friendly staff, quick service, and convenient parking makes it a must-visit establishment. I left Grill-A-Burger thoroughly satisfied and eager to return for another round of...