Kettle Restaurant — Restaurant in Tucson

Cross posted from Yelp. For full review, search “Kettle Restaurant Tucson” on Yelp.

Let me start by first saying that we all know Yelp is a platform where a majority of people flock to when things go awry or only have negative things to say about a business. Sometimes, these situations can lead to unfair and unjust ratings.

Such is the case for Kettle Restaurant.

Being in town for the Tucson Gem Show, and recovering from a recent illness, I decided to stay in the hotel tonight to rest and continue recuperating. Of course, I got an overwhelming urge to eat--thanks to the unpredictable side effects of the medication I'm taking--and a lack of will to continue my groggy, med induced slumber.

I did what most do when traveling, and hit up one of my map apps for nearby eateries. I'm without vehicle, and I'd be damned if I wandered around the area in this frosty climate (keep in mind that I'm Hawaiian, anything below 80 is frigid). Nor did I have specific craving for Mexican food and the dozen or so Mexican restaurants that popped up.

Kettle Restaurant was one of two eateries within my capability and desire to walk to. The Yelp reviews gave me a bleak expectation. However, being the adventurer that I am, I said, "screw it," and promptly walked downstairs and into the cold winter night.

Running through the door for heat, I was promptly greeted by a friendly waitress. As we walked to my table, I looked around and noticed the buffet. It was ravaged. Not that I minded, since I wasn't very hungry, and had my mind set on just a soup or sandwich. I only really sought to satiate my little bit of hunger and quell the uprising caused by my earlier ingestion of medication.

Perusing the menu, I noticed one of my staples--the gyro. I asked my waitress, Luisa, what they were known for. She replied, "the buffet," with a smile. I inquired to the gyro, and she gave me a very truthful, "I love gyros, but not here. Try the buffet."

Long convo cut short. I settled on the buffet.

Four pieces of chicken thighs, and two robust and tender piece of succulent rib later, she asked me if I would like to try the lamb shank, as it was included with the buffet. Having already eaten a huge portion of food at a speed as if it were the first time I've ever eaten, I nodded my head excitedly. The ribs and chicken from the buffet had stoked my engine, like a shark getting a whiff of that first drop of blood. I was ready for more. My previous expectation of this place swayed by past reviews were shot--I was upset and disappointed that Kettle Restaurant didn't have higher, more true-to-life ratings average.

Hence, this review to attempt to right that injustice....

Visit Yelp for the full review or just...

It was the worst place to eat breakfast. Myself and my wife went in this morning to enjoy a nice Saturday meal but it was far from that. As we arrived the manager or owner that was outside with a customer opened the door and recieved us which was really nice of her. We decided to have the buffet style set up since it looked so very fresh. As the waitress took our drink orders. We started to fill our plates with food. I added eggs,hashbrowns,beans,and sausages to my plate. Well first the coffee was less than luke warm. The eggs were not to good due to that some of them were getting hard around the edges because they were scrambled. The beans teasted of can flavor. The hashbrowns had no flavor and were a little burnt and not at all hydrated the way they are supposed to be. I decided to leave this plate and try some other stuff. So I cut a biscuit in half and put some gravy over it. The gravy was not completly cooked and the flour mix all in it. So I left that also on the table and thought that they could not mess up the grits. But I was so wrong. They were very chunky and hard. Not creamy the way grits are suppose to be. So my wife had already left two of her plates full and didnt want to try anthing else. She has never been the picky type person to eat. She rarely leaves her plate unless its that nasty. But for her to leave two full plates was a new one on me. I then said for us to try something from the kitchen. So herself and I ordered some oatmeal with brown sugar that came with raisins. The waitress brought one of them out so I told her to give it to my wife. As my wife stuck her spoon in the oatmeal. It was raw and not cooked. The waitress then looks at me and says. "I'll go and make you another because I didn't know you guys wanted two of them". My wife asked her to please take this bowl back because it was under cooked. I then told her I didn't want mine. She says but I already made it. Anyways we then asked for the bill so we could high tail it out of there. It took her another ten to fifteen minutes to act like she was doing that. As we waited me and my wife ate a banana each. After that we finally just went to the counter and asked the person there for our bill. The sevice was bad I never got my coffee refilled but topped off once by the other waitress there. The bill was 27.45 and the waitress said and I took off the oatmeals. I told her I hope so I didn't eat mine and my wife sent hers back. LONG STORY SHORT NOT A GOOD EXPERIANCE EATING HERE. SERVICE AND FOOD WAS REALLY BAD. HOPE YOU GUYS GET...

Been eating here for over 15 years Every Gem show I get a kettleburger soon as I check in next door I gotta tell you I wish I had taken a picture of the one I ordered last night Unbelievable how GOOD it was I mean GOOD !!! And absolutely AMAZING with the price of hamburger that it prbly was over a quarter pound When I say it was cooked to perfection Thick Juicy Tasty I mean unbelievable !!! Fries were very good as always But the burger was just phenomenal Mr Sam ( The Owner ) as always at least the last 15:years was in the restaurant I've eat the buffet several times over the years It's very good for what it is ( An ALL you can eat buffet ) Some cooks at times just better than others But it was never bad Never heard or knew of anyone getting sick from there And being part of the Gem Show workers community We woulda heard of it Mention this cause I read some reviews claiming somebody got sick and died That my Good Friends was some low life lie I by some uh Disgruntled non patrons Far as could be determined The food is and always has been acceptable to wonderful ( not all entrees are equal of course ) The Famous Kettle Burgers and breakfast deals Have been consistently Good to Phenomenal for the last 15 years Taste GREAT Plenty HUGE ( can't see eating two ) and most importantly Really stick to your ribs if you get my meaning Id say Mr Sam's Kettle Burgers. are the best old fashion Hamburger for ANY money in Tucson and yes I've eat at Chilis and Applebee's Coffees Great Everything else is good and The wait staff is and always has been Top Notch Atmosphere It's a great Buffet with a Themed restaurant and interesting and fun decor ( what about all those Clocks with all those time zones y'all ! I can honestly tell you After getting a Kettle Burger here 10 bucks with fries in 2025:??!!!! You won't waste money at any fast food place I don't know why or how Mr Sam can still give the value he does If the kettle Burger and Fries was 15 dollars it would be a very good deal at 10 DOLLARS it is easily the best deal in Tucson Mr Sams Kettle Restaurant is part of what makes the Gem show here just a Wonderful thing . Do yourself a Favor Try the Kettle Burger ( secrets out now !! ) Try the Buffet And Enjoy yourself Friends Folks and Family Thank Me next time you see me Tucson Gem Show South Freeway 2025: Welcome Home Thank You Mr Sam Thank You...