Billy Reed's Palm Springs — Restaurant in Palm Springs

UPDATE* I am so VERY happy to update my review and let you know that Billy Reed’s IS the upstanding establishment I thought it was. I returned to the restaurant at 7:20 AM this morning (03/22/25) and, upon arrival, called from the car. Mr. Reed answered and was as kind, sweet and polite as I remember him being in person! 🥹 I asked if David was available and he immediately called him to the phone. I reintroduced myself to David and reminded him of our previous conversation. He not only remembered me said the gift certificate HAD been up front but after a couple of weeks passed he donated it - as he does with unclaimed gift certificates. He then came outside and immediately put $40 in my hand and said “I’m just going to give you $40 to take care of it” which was MORE than what my daughter had paid for my liver and onions and egg custard (you MUST try the EGG CUSTARD! 😮‍💨) that day! I never expected the offer of the gift certificate but I was totally NOT expecting what David did today and am so appreciative of the gesture! David was so personable and polite and I want EVERYONE to know that David AND Billy Reed’s are NOT just OKAY, they are AWESOME and truly worthy of a 5-⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!! I cannot wait to dine at Billy Reed’s again with my family. Thank you and God Bless you, David!! 🥹❤️

My original review posted on 03/21/2025 after attempting to claim a promised gift certificate and in which I gave a 1-⭐️ rating:

My daughter “treated” me to a liver onions breakfast on February 28th. It was my first time ordering liver and onions here but I’d been craving a dish from my youth and my daughter eyed it on the menu. We’ve eaten at Billy Reed’s previously and have NEVER had ANY complaints, however, my second piece of liver was overcooked and laden with grease. I paid it no mind and figured a simple phone call would remedy the problem. There were two vagrants outside and one was harassing patrons - including myself. I called Palm Springs PD but because it took so long we ended up picking up our takeout and had already left by the time officers were available to respond to my call. On March 1st at 8:23 AM I called and told the person who answered about my meal and she had me called a gentleman named David to the phone and said he would leave a gift certificate for me at the front desk. I told him I would claim the gift certificate within the next couple of weeks. Today is Friday, March 21st and at 5:15 PM my son and I went there so I could pick up the gift certificate. The hostess, Camille(?) made a cursory glance in the drawer and told me she saw absolutely nothing for me and said IF David HAD promised me a gift certificate it WOULD be there and I would have to call him TOMORROW. A tall, older man approached the desk and Camille asked HIM if he was aware of any gift certificate and HE said “NO.” I suggested they call David and remind him of our conversation and they both refused. I am livid. My daughter has always spent quite a bit EVERY time she has taken me to Billy Reed’s and February 28th was no different. I truly thought this was a stand-up establishment and am hurt for feeling lied to and angry that neither person I spoke to at the restaurant today made ANY effort to assist me. Since 2018 my daughter and I have celebrated our birthdays here, dined here after medical appointments, and just come to spend Mother/Daughter time. We braved the unknown and continued to patronize Billy Reed’s during Covid when customers were required to show Covid vaccine records or NOT be accommodated like the many regular patrons we observed being refused seating and turned away in anger. I would have accepted what happened today as an oversight - it HAPPENS - if I hadn’t been made to feel I was LYING. The lady even said they’ve had notes stuck on the desk for MONTHS waiting for the patron to come pick up their certificate. I am 61 years old, I have neither the desire nor the inclination to play games or LIE for liver. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Check your CallerID from 8:23 AM on March 1st, Billy Reed’s! Mine is the...

Man, oh man did this place have my number!

One of the best dining experiences of my life and my new favorite restaurant, I just wish it was closer to home.

Everything was awesome. The restaurant itself has its own parking lot. There’s a koi pond at the entrance, and inside is like a time capsule decorated in a ton of stained wood and old stuff with a campy but unpretentious vibe.

Service was prompt and professional.

Calamari appetizer was a cut calamari steak breaded and fried to flaky perfection and served with a house made sweet chili sauce. I was so stoked on this calamari! I order it everywhere hoping for something like this, and I finally got it. I also got a side of tartar.

The clam chowder also was excellent with a thick and creamy base stuffed with giant chewy clams and plenty of potatoes.

Chicken noodle soup was the best I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Would have loved to try their salad with house made dressing.

They have a bunch of yummy and unique bread course options. I had garlic bread and my wife had a banana bread roll.

Prime rib was perfectly roasted and juicy with a ton of rich flavor and delectable texture. The mashed potatoes and gravy were above average, but the baked potato and steamed carrots were nothing special.

My daughter thought the burger was one of the best she has ever had as well.

The wine was great for the ~$6 a glass price, just had them bring the most popular pinot for the first courses and the most popular cab for the steak. The pinot was velvety and flavorful, and the cab was chewy and jammy and paired beautifully with the prime rib.

I finished off with the best boysenberry pie I have ever ordered! And a strong but drinkable irish coffee topped with whip cream.

The best part of all is the price! The prime rib is second only to Lawry’s, but that is like 3x the price. This place is ridiculously affordable for the quality and amount of food and great service and atmosphere.

Everything here was fantastic, loved it all. I really can’t possibly say enough positive things about it. Go eat here whenever near Palm Springs, and you will not be...

UPDATE 6/6/25: Tried again yesterday for breakfast. My friend ordered a ham and cheese omelette. Because they have a ham/cheese and mushroom omelette on the menu he made sure to point out NO Mushrooms (allergic). The server verified he ordered just ham and cheese. I also verified with server, so two times he was told NO mushrooms. Then he served a full on ham, cheese and mushroom omelette. I know he didn’t cook it but since there were mushrooms ON TOP OF THE OMELETTE he should have realized it before he served it. Additionally we both ordered hash browns well done. They barely hit the flat top for moments. Not well done , barely warm instead, left untouched. The server blamed the cooks ( yes their fault but he is ultimately responsible for serving it, mushrooms on top should have been a clue) but then he had the balls to ‘next time we’ll try to make the right food.’

There will be no next time. We split my eggs Benedict without potatoes. ($16.50 for hard poached eggs) We left behind the gift certificate because after eating there since it opened in 1975 with my parents I will never go back. I cannot recommend you eat there either. The place was very slow so that’s no excuse. All in all it was a waste of money two times in a row. I won’t tell you about the time before this except that I was not the first person to have the empty papaya shells served to me in the stuffed papaya chicken salad. You could see the fork marks where the previous diner cleaned out the papaya plus the fruit around that it had started to turn bad. I’m not sure I was the first person to have this whole salad served., I suspected someone sent it back already.

We have dozens of great restaurants in Palm Springs. Billy Reeds used to be one of them, now it’s an overpriced tourist trap and not interested in locals business or return customers. It’s a ‘eat there once on vacation and never go back…” kinda place now. Save your money.

Original review: It’s not what it used to be food wise. Service staff is still excellent. Extra star for staff....