Backyard - Desert Ridge — Restaurant in Phoenix

From the moment my family and I entered this establishment, we were greeted not with hospitality, but with a palpable sense of disdain and hostility. Our group, comprised entirely of respectful patrons over the age of 18, was subjected to a profoundly unprofessional and frankly humiliating display of condescension and antagonism — all, it seems, due to the simple fact that none of us were ordering alcohol.

Our server, whose demeanor oscillated between apathetic and openly combative, made her disdain immediately known. After only a few of us had placed our food orders, she returned and — with the grace of a DMV clerk on her worst day — sharply inquired whether the rest of us planned to order, her tone dripping with contempt. It was not a question of curiosity, but of interrogation, as if our very presence in her section was an inconvenience to her evening.

Her relentless pestering continued with unwarranted frequency and increasing hostility. Before we could so much as take a sip of water or enjoy a conversation, we were approached by a manager who might have moonlighted as a failed stand-up comedian. With an unmistakable air of sarcasm, he declared, “We are a for-profit company,” as if we were naïve children in need of a capitalism lesson — all because we had not collectively ordered a feast worthy of royalty. His tone made it abundantly clear that our party was not welcome unless we intended to fund his quarterly bonus.

If the experience had ended there, perhaps I could chalk it up to a bad night. But unfortunately, the indignity only escalated.

Not long after, the same manager returned with a newfound accusation: we were told that anyone under 18 must leave. We politely informed him — with the documentation to prove it — that we were all, in fact, of legal adult age. His response? A dismissive “Oh,” followed by an unceremonious retreat, as though our very presence disgusted him.

Moments later, the server reemerged, this time with a new fabricated policy: we, as individuals under the age of 21, would have to vacate the premises by 8 PM. Strangely, every publicly available resource — including their own website — stated that this supposed age restriction only takes effect after 10 PM. When confronted with this contradiction, the manager once again returned, this time abandoning all pretense of professionalism. He blatantly admitted that the rules were being invented on the spot at the behest of his superior, who allegedly declared he “wouldn’t wanna see people like this.”

Let me be perfectly clear: this was not merely an uncomfortable dining experience — it was a grotesque display of ageism, classism, and unjustified elitism. We were not intoxicated, unruly, or disruptive. We were a group of young adults trying to enjoy a modest meal and conversation, and were instead treated as an unwanted burden to be removed.

In my many years of dining out, I have never encountered such deliberate alienation and outright fabrication of policy to ostracize a paying table. This establishment has not only lost our business but has secured a place in my memory as one of the most flagrantly inhospitable venues I have ever stepped foot in.

Verdict: Avoid at all costs unless you enjoy being lied to, talked down to, and asked to leave simply...

This place was better off as sandbar HORRIBLE service.

They planned two events in one day with a staff who wouldn’t even be able to handle one table all together.

Who seemed to be the female manager was giving people attitude before they even opened.

Went for Mother’s Day brunch because a friend suggested it as a good idea; WORSE IDEA.

Not only did they have Mother’s Day brunch planned but also a school of rock event and zero space to accommodate for both and incompetent that couldn’t even handle checking people in.

We came early for our reservation not realizing it would be so full; we were the third in line; watched as the main host very rudely check everyone in and YELLED at her coworkers while ignoring costumers; the girls at the front ( including the entire wait staff who was just standing there ) spent 10 mins arguing in each other and no one knew what table was where; kindly told the younger light haired host that we were early and it was possible to sit our table of 3 before our reservation if not we understood and would leave ( she was the ONLY nice employee ) She said it wasn’t a problem and as she tried to communicate with her coworkers and manager they all told her to shut up.

Another young host who called over and we asked if they could sit us or not and she snapped at me and said “ COULD YOU WAIT WERE ALL CLEARLY OVERWHELMED “

This was within the first 15 mins of even being open !!! No one but the two people in front of us were seated and they were already overwhelmed …?

I asked if it was possible to be seated if not we could leave; the male who seemed to be the keener or general manger than came over and YELLED at us that we would not be able to take us and basically told us we’re stupid for showing up early i calmly responded saying I understand we’re early that’s why I asked if it was okay or if we should come back to which we were told it was okay. He said wait a min and he would seat us and walked away.

We waited 10 mins again to then have the two host tell us why were we still waiting as they would not accommodate us; we waited because the male who seemed to be in charge told us to wait; one of the host walked over crying saying she was too stressed and didn’t care about our wait; I told her it was going to be a long day and maybe she should take a step away to compose herself as they JUST opened to which she responded to me “ I hope you have a horrible rest of your life “

They clearly hire girls who have zero experience and don’t train them, I have worked in the industry for YEARS and would never talk to a customer like that; I have also never worked with a manger that would treat customers that way.

This was HORRIBLE service all around; we left and will never be back.

If they can’t handle an empty restaurant I can’t imagine...

Came here on a Friday night with a group of friends. We were looking forward to checking out this new spot.

I think they overpriced the menu a bit to make up something??

Maybe they were not expecting construction prices to be as much as they are ( maybe the owner didn’t do the best of job negotiating the lease ) ?? Not sure

But now they are making it back on charging 9$ dollars for a pint of basic beer!!??

12$ for a white claw and ginger beer. ( I mean, God bless these guys 😂)

I personally got a Modelo and their Tinga taco order.

That means 1 pint of Modelo and three tacos about the size of a silver dollars each for a total of $24

Basically, after spending $33 after tax and tip, I was still thirsty and hungry. Thirsty because my beer was empty and my water never got refilled. Hungry because the tacos were quite small.

I would be fine with these price points if I was actually deciding to go to The Mission or Steak 44 it would be expected.

But I am not at a med/high-end restaurant. I am at a themed restaurant in Desert Ridge .

All of us ordered food …every single one of our entrées came out wrong.

Whether we asked for pico de gallo on the side, (which they don’t have, but the waitress said they did anyways ) it didn’t come….Ranch that didn’t come….A chicken sandwich (without lettuce and tomato) the one that came had lettuce and tomato on it. The list goes on. Every single thing we ordered was wrong.

The thing is, Even though the orders were missing the mark it didn’t change the flavor or inconsistency of the actual food

My wife and brother-in-law both ordered a chicken sandwiches. His came golden brown with nice sized fries. Hers came closer to dark brown with little tiny tiny bits of fries.

I tried both of them and neither were really that good …

But to have two of the same exact food items hit the table at the same time and both of them look totally different is completely messed up

I do not like to write bad reviews but even after this, I called the restaurant asking to speak to a manager and discuss these issues as I didn’t want to make a big deal about everything at the table, I was put on hold for so long i’m not sure there was a manager on duty.

In all regards for this company I hope that they succeed. They have an incredible TV selection and a very cool open floor plan.

I mean, if they do succeed, there is a hope for every business out there as disposable income is still available and thriving and our nations younger generation is more concerned with intsagram-able products than quality ones.

I mostly try restaurants twice, so I will be back for a second chance. Hopefully, my next review will be...