(Dined/Drank 06/07/26 SU @ 3:45pm): Congrats to Kaiser and Lee for their landmark grille in the…read morePalm Springs desert!
I finally checked in at the nearby Hilton Palm Springs, but I didn't want to miss the daily happy hour (3pm-6pm) for some dining savings at Kaiser Grille. I've had this place on my bookmark list for a couple of years, so I was excited to finally be here. Opened on March 17, 1992 (St. Patrick's Day) in a former premium women's boutique, it has become an institution since then. Was it worth the wait to stuff my grille with their drinks and food!?
PURCHASE(S)
Coachella Valley Brewing Co. CDMX Mexican Lager 5.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($8.00 HH): Bright amber color, malty salty aroma, light body, malty salty sweet flavor, clean crisp finish, and malty sweet aftertaste.
The Chop House Burger + Substitution Fries ($19.50 HH + $4.50 HH): A truly simple 8oz burger with minimal fixings, the patty was juicy, lightly seasoned, and tender between a gently-toasted bun. The spud sticks were a good portion, golden, crispy, steamy, and just tasty.
Pomegranate Lemon Drop Cocktail ($16.00): Citrusy sweet with a slight syrupiness to it, this was a lovely elixir while the pomegranate added some thickness to the overall consistency.
BBQ Pork Ribs w/Coleslaw 3pc ($19.00 HH): On the smallish side with a nice sweet and tangy sauce, the meat was tender and fell off the bone as I sucked each rib dry. The coleslaw acted as a nice palate cleanser. But, at $6.00/rib, I found this a bit pricey.
Goose Island Beer Co. Goose IPA Beer 5.9% ABV 12floz Bottle ($9.50): Bright amber color, hoppy aroma, light body, slight fruity hoppy flavor, smooth finish, and light hoppy aftertaste.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Pils Pilsner Beer 4.7% ABV 16floz Draft ($9.50): Bright amber color, earthy malty aroma, light body, earthy malty piney flavor, crisp finish, and malty piney aftertaste.
10" The Spicy Italian Pizza 6pc ($26.00): Generally considered the standard "small" pizza, this wood-fired pie was made with genoa hard salami, capicola ham, calabrese sausage, zesty sauce, Italian mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, on an airy crispy crunchy chewy slightly charred lovely crust. Aesthetics aside, the meats were wonderful with a tinge of saltiness while it could've used more sauce (I was a sauce guy). I enjoyed this pie although it was rather pricey for what you got.
SERVICE
Warmly greeted by a middle-aged gentleman with menus, he walked me over to the bar where I was equally greeted by a female bartender/server. I quickly yet methodically placed my orders throughout my time there, enjoyed a casual chatting with her, and everything arrived in a timely manner. It was a pleasurable time well spent - cheers!
PARKING
(FREE; N/A this instance): I took the roughly ten-minute walk from the Hilton Palm Springs, so this wasn't an issue for me. Otherwise, there appeared to be several garages and lots with plenty of spots along the main drag of Palm Canyon Dr. and other side streets. However, please carefully read all posted signs as many are timed parking - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A beautiful clean modern airy open restaurant that maintained most of its original 1956 charm of that era's architectural design. With a ton of seating throughout the interior among several rooms and the exterior patio with little to no decorations, you had room to roam. I saddled-up to a bar area where I always found more comfort chatting with strangers. Plenty of natural lighting both inside and on the patio while an assortment of electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were several muted TVs at least at the bar while I couldn't recall any background music since I was chatting with the bartender the entire time.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was very happy to finally try Kaiser Grille, and I would gladly return the next time I was in the area. I wasn't a fan of the touristy pricing, the food was good but not great, but the impeccable service and gorgeous place and surroundings made it worthwhile. Again, there was a daily happy hour albeit a somewhat pricier one. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $122.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS