Damon's Grill — Restaurant in Sugarloaf Township

I honestly cannot believe how awful this place was from start to finish, and I’m not even exaggerating when I say this was hands down the worst dining experience I’ve ever had, and I’ve eaten at sketchy roadside diners that were cleaner, faster, and tastier than this disaster of a restaurant. We walked into Damon’s Grill in Hazleton thinking we’d get a decent sit-down dinner, maybe some ribs since that’s what they’re supposed to be known for, but the second we stepped inside I should’ve known we’d made a mistake because the place looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks — sticky floors, torn booths, menus with grease stains, crumbs all over the tables, and a smell that was a mix of fryer oil and something sour that I couldn’t even identify. We stood at the host stand for ten minutes while employees pretended not to see us, then finally got seated at a table that was still sticky and had old straw wrappers under it. It took another fifteen minutes just to see a server, and when she showed up she acted like we were ruining her night by being there. We ordered drinks and it took forever, when they came one was wrong, the sodas were flat, and one glass had a hair in it. When the food finally came out after what felt like an eternity, it was actually worse than the wait. My ribs were cold and dry on the outside but raw near the bone, literally unsafe to eat, the steak my husband ordered medium rare came out well done and gray, chewy like a piece of shoe leather, and the burger was a sad gray patty on a soggy bun with slimy lettuce and a tomato slice that looked like it had been pulled from the trash. The fries were limp and greasy, the baked potato was shriveled and tasted like it had been microwaved multiple times, the salad was wilted lettuce drowning in watery dressing, and the kids’ pasta was basically ketchup on mushy noodles that my daughter couldn’t even eat without gagging. The whole place was disgusting, the bathrooms were worse than a gas station — overflowing trash, smeared mirrors, no soap in the dispenser — and the service was nonexistent, the server barely checked on us, ignored empty glasses and dirty plates, and when we politely mentioned the food problems she just shrugged and said “that’s how it comes sometimes.” The manager came over once, clearly annoyed, offered us a coupon for next time, as if there would ever be a next time, and refused to take anything off the bill. And speaking of the bill, it was nearly ninety dollars for food that we couldn’t even finish because it was so bad and we left not only angry and hungry but also nauseous, and by the time we got home both of us felt sick. Damon’s Grill in Hazleton is not a restaurant, it’s a scam, a place that survives only because people don’t know better until they’ve wasted their money, and honestly the fact that they charge full price for food this bad is insulting. If you value your money, your time, and your health, do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all costs, because it is absolutely the definition of a one-star experience and I wouldn’t wish it on my...

Well my receipt says rate us on Google so here goes! Last fall I moved to the Hazleton area from Philadelphia for work. I started to hang out at the local sports bar/diner which recently closed down. The people I met there during football season used to always bash Damon's and recommended I never go there. I have been to Damon's several times for dinner later at night on dates etc. and have never had an issue, so I assumed they had some grudge. This Sunday the Eagles were not on local TV, for whatever reason, so I figured I would try Damon's....How bad can it really be? Well now I can see why no one ever wanted to go there on Sunday for football. This horrible woman they all talked about is really as bad if not worse than the stories they told. I have never felt so uncomfortable or been treated so poorly in my life. Instead of providing "Customer Service" you get CONTROLLING service. She tells you where you can and can't sit, makes you feel like you are taking up "her" space and left me feeling so uncomfortable about not ordering food. This place is a bar right? You are allowed to have just a drink or two, or so I thought. I was not the only one she treated this way. Some of the locals that I used to see at the diner were there too, and they didn't stay too long as this crazy woman was screaming at them because they asked to have a different game on that their whole group wanted to see. I am an older guy myself in my 40's so I hate to say this but I think this lady is just too old to be working as a bartender. I feel like she hates her job and I felt like she hated all of us for being there that day. Thank god the eagles are usually on local TV because I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE to go to this sport bar for a game. It's a shame because it's a really cool place and food is usually decent when I go for dinner. I truly pitty the poor girl who was working with her, I don't know how this woman keeps a job. I would not even hire her as a table busser, maybe more suited to be a dishwasher.... kept far away from the guests. She was a rotten "B" to her co workers too, guess they just feel bad for her so they just smile and walk away. Obviously ownership/management just doesn't care. If you walk in a see an older woman behind the bar, turn around and go back out the...

Please read the edit at the end. We will no longer go here!

My wife and I have eaten there on several occasions, we have been happy with the food each time. We have had the baby back BBQ ribs and they are fall off the bone tender and delicious. This time I ordered the mushroom Swiss burger without a bunch and for 99 cents substituted coleslaw for the fries. The burger came spot on medium and the flavors were very good. The coleslaw was great also, not too sweet and very creamy. My wife ordered the grilled chicken queso which is huge! Stuffed with cheese and took up the entirety of a large serving plate. Her only negative remarks was she wished there was a bit more of the chicken. Otherwise is was splendid. We opted for no desserts this trip. Our server was friendly and amicable, was very helpful and attentive. She checked back almost immediately to make sure my order (since I had a special request) was made correctly and to my liking.

Unfortunately, I have to edit this post. Upon our last visit, we had our grandson, an infant in a carrier. We sat down and asked for a high chair. The server gave us one and we put the car seat on it. As he's just 2 months old. We proceeded to order some drinks and an appetizer which were delivered in a timely manner, however, this guy, im assuming a so called manager came to our table and said it was "illegal" to put the carrier on the highchairs. I've worked in the restaurant industry for many years and have never heard of such a thing. He was rude, condescending and rather than risk causing a scene we left before ordering our meals. We hadn't started our drink or appetizer but paid the bill and left. About $37... we left it all... and left the restaurant to go down the road to Applebee's where we were treated with courtesy and respect. I will NEVER GO BACK TO THIS RESTAURANT! since my first review the service, especially the management...