Bob's Burgers & Brew - Yakima — Restaurant in Yakima

I hadn't been here in years because I remembered the food being lackluster the last couple of times I visited. However, I wanted to give them another chance - which I now regret.

The restaurant wasn't busy. We were sat near the kitchen, and while I don't begrudge employees enjoying their work or the time with their co-workers, it seemed their loud personal conversations (which could be heard very clearly) took priority over the customers. Overall, I didn't mind the long wait times until I saw it resulted in overcooked/burnt food. The most obvious example was the order of potato skins, which, aside from burnt, had zero seasoning and minimal toppings (for the record, I scooped up the onions that were on the plate and topped the one in the picture). I was shocked they even brought that to the table. My burger tasted alright, although dripping to the point that some of the bun was soggy (partly my fault I suppose as I asked for it to have pink), and while only some of the onion rings were burnt, they all tasted burnt. My daughter's food wasn't up to par either, but she mainly commented on the lack of seasoning. Neither of us finished our meal.

The service was better than the food, but there were some uncomfortable moments, like when I had to call the server back to ask to place our entree order because she just set down the potato skins and bolted (once she left again and I got a good look, I realized why), and then when she brought the bill she stood there to wait for my card, which made me feel pressured to give it to her immediately... only to have her bring it back with a tap-friendly machine - had I known I could tap, I would have used another payment method. Plus it would have been nice to feel like I had time to review the bill.

I completed the short survey asking my thoughts on the food and service, and when I rated the food low, it asked if I wanted to be contacted, and I elected yes, providing my info. That was two weeks ago, and I've heard nothing. Could I have said something to our server? Probably, but she already looked flustered and was about the only one on the floor; it appeared she had to work on the other side of the restaurant as well - she also hardly walked by once the food was delivered. Could I have talked to someone else? Doubtful. Hardly anyone else came out of the kitchen area. There was a person who appeared to be a manager who walked by a time or two, but they wouldn't make eye contact and always rushed by us, seemingly purposefully looking the other way. I don't expect to be fawned over or treated like I'm a VIP when I go somewhere to eat, but I do expect my food to be edible and to be treated as more than an afterthought.

As for ambiance, the main reason we could hear the conversations from the kitchen (aside from the next nearest customer being about 4 tables away) was due to the fact that their sound system was either having issues or someone was messing with it. I'm not sure we heard a single song start to finish the whole time we were there. One would start, then after a while, it would cut out... after a period of silence, another would start, often a different genre at that.

Overall, the visit was just disappointing, bizarre, and uncomfortable; and after shelling out over $70 for this experience, I don't expect to be back...

This is one of the most horrible experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. I've been to many Bob's and always been able to order more than 3 drinks - this place says theres a limit because it's a family restaurant. Which is absolutely ridiculous. Is Applebees a family restaurant? I've never encountered this problem there. And I have been here at this very location years in the past and not had that happen and been to multiple Bob's restaurants where that was not an issue. If you have a 3 drink limit, please illustrate that on your menu. Which honestly, I think is bull because the hostess did not know that and only after going to the bartender was that drink denied. It took about a half hour between those three drinks, so honestly I think it was that the bartender was just unbelievably incompetent. I've never had to wait a half hour between drinks anywhere. They clearly were having significant issues when it wasn't even busy. This was back in June and I have felt too traumatized to post until now. I have extreme social anxiety and this was a very special occasion going out. If this was such a dire issue, it should be explained on the menu.

Edit: I knew the manager or whoever would have a nasty review acting like they don't do anything wrong ever because I've seen them do with other people multiple times. I would ask what in the heck made you uncomfortable with me ordering another drink when the hostess that took the order didn't see any problem? It was only when taking the order to the bartender that there was a problem - which is interesting when the bartender never saw us for two seconds, so what was making them SO uncomfortable???????????? Also interesting that your response doesn't acknowledge any 3 drink rule -- so apparently that was a COMPLETE LIE.

I mean at the SAFETY AND ENJOYMENT??????????? What in the heck did I do wrong!?!? TELL. ME. We were LITERALLY just SITTING there. Nice that you DON'T REMEMBER and are ready to accuse us of everything. That tells me everything that should be noted about you. Wow. Wow.

What staff didn't feel comfortable???????? The hostess didn't have ANY problem taking our order - it was the bartender that never saw us in their life. Which is exactly what tells me that it was arbitrary and they just were too lazy to make anything else. TELL ME EXACTLY what we did to make you SO uncomfortable????????? that is BULL SHIT.

You actually just mean if you're bartender if too lazy to make another drink. Obviously there was a problem more than being 'uncomfortable' if there was a HALF HOUR between drinks. Hire a new bartender that isn't...

I did need to reply to the management reply because I found the comments to be dismissive. As I mentioned, no one checked on me until I was well into the meal. I don't blame the server, I think he was trying to cover too much at the time, I tipped him well for his efforts. So the comment of "a kind mention to any of our servers" was dismissive. If the steak had been cooked properly in the first place, we wouldn't be here talking.

The tots were not a happy medium, they were overcooked, all flavor was fried out. There's a difference between crispy and crunchy. Tot aren't supposed to be crunchy. They were not done properly. Shrimp: I know shrimp. This was not "restaurant quality". The reality is for this much money, I shouldn't even be here commenting in detail about the mediocrity of the food.

Now my original review.

I've been to Bob's three times and been underwhelmed consistently. Not terrible, mind you. Just...underwhelming. And for the cost, disappointing.

This visit I spent almost $50 for a 10 oz NY Prime steak, three jumbo prawns and overcooked tots.

The steak was just barely ok. I requested medium rare and got medium. Almost medium well. Still the steak was juicy, if a bit bland. Just overcooked. I sat and mostly mourned over the lost opportunity!

The prawns were definitely large but just as definitely not jumbo. And they tasted suspiciously like something I've got from Costco frozen section. Definitely frozen, not fresh, chewy and little flavor. Probably microwaved.

The tots were just not edible because they were overcooked as well. Hard to tell in the picture but trust me. See those crispy bits? That not the yummy kind of crispy that I like so much.

The Pepsi was good. Service was ok but a bit slow to check on me so I didn't get to tell them about the problems until the food was getting cold.

So, there is something to say about consistency. Even if it's consistent mediocrity. For $50 for one person, I'd expect a lot more even with overpriced restaurant...