We are trying to explore places we have longed to visit…read more Because we are already at the Loft Hair Studio for hairstyling this morning, I took my husband out for lunch as part of his birthday week. We got to Gastro grind at around 12 or so and saw a bunch of people on the patio and enjoying some really great looking food and brews. The place is really fun inside with list of some very appetizing drinks and a menu that really excited me for all the variety of burger and sandwiches and salads. Joshua gave us a warm welcome and helped us with our questions. I wanted to try the bistro burger without the bun even though I love brioche. He suggested I make the bistro burger into a bowl. This creation comes with a yummy salad of arugula and fresh tomatoes surrounded by at least a half of an avocado so beautifully arranged. Now, if you put caramelized onions on something you have won my heart. The flavor of the burger was already outstanding, but the onions really elevate this dish. I decided to go with the sweet potato fries as my side order. We both had really great fresh iced tea with lemon. Sweet potato fries were really really good with delicate flavor. My husband zeroed in on the Oinker which includes not only a great burger, but pork belly and fig jam. Fig jam is another one of my passions. When he was nearly finished with his burger, I was hoping there would be a bite for me to try so I know what I'm talking about in my review. My brain was saying, I could never order anything, but the bistro burger, but when I tasted the Oinker, I realized that I could go on and explore some more of these amazing meals because one is just as great as the other. The piece de resistance, for his happiness was the perfect onion rings. You know when onion rings are authentic and made on the spott. He's still talking about the onion rings and he'll probably talk about them for days. I also wanted to bring home something nice for my son who's in school and so we ordered an ABC sandwich which has pork belly and other delights. I'm sure he's going to like this because he's a foodie as well. The ABC has avocado, bacon, cheese, braised pork belly, mozzarella, tomato, arugula, on a grilled sourdough bread. We usually have differences of opinion on our foodie tours but today, I sat in shock as my tough reviewer husband raved on and on about this wonderful lunch. I hope that you will give the sweet little gem in Palm Desert some love and experience some of the amazing food that they produce. It will take us a while to work our way through this crazy menu we admire so much. They are on the north side of CA - 111 and there is plenty of parking.

Disclaimer, this review will be based off a dining in experience on Aug 8th…read more The restaurant was a bit warm as we arrived, we almost debated leaving! Given the weather, we decided to still give it a shot since this location was on our must try list. We were greeted immediately by friendly staff who offered us to seat anywhere we'd like. Cold beer on summer special ($5-$6) fixed my partner back up for a moment until we felt the AC kick back on. lol. We had the Bistro Burger with Truffle Fries and the Oinker with Tater Tots. I was excited to try the Oinker after seeing they had fresh pork belly posted on their instagram that day. The Bistro was DELICIOUS! Unfortunately, I wasn't a huge fan of the Oinker after trying my partner's Bistro burger. The combination of ingredients felt dry, the burger wasn't as hot, and I realized there was no cheese in this either. What's a burger without cheese? :( I wish the server forewarned me! Maybe a grilled onion would also be better suited? I also asked for a side of their lemon aioli for my fries, and ended up adding this to my burger to add some extra sauce. The tater tots and fries were perfectly crisp. And I usually don't finish my fries, but we ate every last bite of these plates. Overall, great! I would return to try more of their various burger offerings.

Paradise Cove Cafe is a small, unassuming breakfast & lunch spot that's punching way above its…read moreweight and scoring a whole bunch of knockouts. Located on Town Center Way, it's got the feel and look of most other diner/coffee shops, though the decor includes some beachy elements, I assume in a nod to the famous Paradise Cove empire in Malibu. Walking in, one might expect the usual breakfast suspects to look and taste as they usually do, but the folks in this kitchen are aiming for more and delivering the unexpected. Service is swift and attentive, and our server, Jahlyn, made sure to check on us quite a bit. They've got a long list of Pancake and Waffle variations to choose from, many of which looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, but my wife went simple: a Buttermilk Pancake with Bacon. Okay, you can get this anywhere, but not THIS! The pancake was large and imposing, but light and fluffy while managing to have pleasingly crisp edges. The flavor smacked of vanilla, and blended nicely with butter and syrup, while the bacon had been slowly rendered before being fried, giving it a crispness throughout that even extended to the fat, which melted on the tongue and delivered maximum bacon-ocity! I ordered the Chorizo Con Papas: eggs with homemade Pork Chorizo, Seasoned Home Fries, Sautéed Onion, & Serrano Peppers with Sour Cream on the side. I asked it be made as a scramble instead of an omelet, and they happily obliged. This was a terrific egg dish, perfectly executed and packed with flavor and spice. The homemade chorizo was lean and amply seasoned, while the sautéed onions and sliced Serrano peppers added a serious hit of heat. Sour cream was a nice, cooling foil for the richness and spice, and the potatoes added heft. Biscuits & Gravy served instead of toast were also phenomenal, the rich, flavorful sausage gravy having both a peppery punch and a slight tang from either citrus or sour cream. Paired with buttery biscuits, this was a very savory and satisfying side. There's no question that this little nook is serving some of the very best breakfast in the area -- and no question that you should be planning your own visit very soon.

Whenever I travel, I like to try the diners and cafés locals recommend. I was in Palm Desert for a…read moretrade show and decided to give Paradise Cove Cafe a try. It did not disappoint. The café sits in a shopping center, so parking was easy--always a welcome change from circling until you're dizzy. Inside, it has the booths and tables you'd expect from a neighborhood diner, plus outdoor seating, a little California sun-and-surf character, and an owner's sense of humor on display in the tower of pancakes on the wall. The music was loud enough to enjoy without making conversation a shouting match. I ordered the country fried steak and eggs and one of the chef's "signature secret recipe" pancakes. My food arrived in about 12 minutes. The steak was covered in flavorful sausage gravy and came with two eggs and home fries that tasted freshly made. The pancake had crisp edges and a moist, sweet center. Add butter and maple syrup, and I can see why the chef keeps that recipe a secret. I'd order it again. Even the tea was brewed in-house. The staff was friendly, and Jacqueline was especially attentive. She kept my glass full and brought extra napkins before I had to ask--a small thing, but she clearly noticed what I needed. The bill was higher than I'm used to paying for breakfast, but it didn't give me heartburn. I left well fed and glad I'd stopped in. My ratings (5 being a great experience) * Parking and atmosphere: 4 out of 5 * Quality of ingredients: 4 out of 5 * Taste of food: 5 out of 5 * Service: 5 out of five * Overall: 4.5 out of 5 If you're visiting Palm Desert and looking for a good breakfast or lunch, don't overlook Paradise Cove Cafe. .

The Little Bar was an unexpected surprise after our previous plans fell through. My group…read morediscovered this hidden gem almost by accident, but we're very glad that we did. Immediately the bartenders (Elexus and Katie) showed us why the Little Bar should have been the originally planned destination. The drinks were not only delicious but they looked like works of art. The word "delicious" does not do the food appropriate justice. After tasting the pozole, we absolutely had to meet the chef (Polama[sic]). The overall experience was so awesome that we promised Elexus and Katie that any time that we're in Palm Desert again we will definitely make plans to visit Little Bar.

This is the cutest, tiniest little bar I done ever been to…read more They don't have a great draft selection, which was a little disappointing.. but the service was lovely, and it seemed like everyone there was a regular, which gave it a nice local feel. Overall, it was cute and worth a visit. I probably wouldn't return, but it definitely seems like a spot the locals enjoy.

SHORT ANSWER: YES a great visit. My first visit and it did not disappoint, great experience for a…read moresimple meal. LOCATION: Retail center with lots of parking, very easy to find. FACILITY: Very clean and well decorated, lots of space and outdoor seating. MENU: Pretty extensive, maybe not super healthy but as long as I do not stuff myself, I am good with it every so often. FOOD PREP: Nicely done for a burger place. FOOD QUALITY: Very good, not just any burger, it had real taste and was enjoyable but no way could I eat a non-mini burger... LIBATIONS: Looks like fun but did not want to drink and drive. WAITSTAFF: Very kind, helpful, and fun. OVERALL VALUE: Pretty good, not super expensive. Look at the menu before your visit. TIP: My visit was on an off peak time so lots of tables but it sounded like their lunch crowd was huge... Expect there to be a wait if you drop in at a peak time.

I was really disappointed with our experience at Grill-A-Burger today. The service was incredibly…read moredisorganized and inattentive from start to finish. My iced tea was completely forgotten, and no one ever checked back to see if we needed drink refills or how we were enjoying our meals. They also forgot to bring out the burger patty we ordered for my dog. We had multiple different servers coming to our table, yet somehow no one seemed to be paying attention to what we actually needed. Instead, we were repeatedly asked if we wanted boxes, as though they were more concerned with getting us out the door than making sure we had a pleasant dining experience. Not once did anyone ask how our food was or whether everything was okay. For a restaurant where you expect good food and friendly service, this was a huge letdown. Very disappointing, especially when basic customer service shouldn't be this difficult.

This sure is not "The Ritz". We came for the Lady Antebellum shows at the Casino - and we had a…read morewonderful time, so good that we even went back after the show again - enjoying a happy hour twice - on a Saturday night. Food and drinks were wonderful. service great. I would lie if I said this was the best place ever, but my wife and I genuinely had a great time.

Received amazing service from Luna who checked on us consistently and made sure we had what we…read moreneeded, during our visit. We ordered The Classic combo to share and a few margaritas. Everything was hot and fresh and we enjoyed our experience at this location. We would definitely come back when we are in the area.

We are from out of state and stopped in based on the photos on the advertisements. The food looks…read moreamazing so we gave it a try. We ordered an omelet and a breakfast bowl, both were phenomenal. Service was great, a combo of fast food and casual dining.

Absolutely delicious lunch! Just had one of the best lunches…read moreI've had in a while. We were just visiting the area. The Chile verde burrito was packed with fresh flavor and perfectly seasoned. Every bite was a delight! Great portions, super fresh ingredients, and friendly service that made the whole experience feel welcoming. Plenty of indoor air conditioned seating. If you're in the area looking for a satisfying, flavorful meal, this place is a must-try. I'll definitely be back soon!

Came here on Monday evening an hour before closing- which is something my family and I make a point…read moreto NEVER do. But after a long day of shopping and driving, this islands is usually our go to for our first day of vacation and was the only thing we could agree on to eat. Despite coming in an hour before closing, we were treated with so much respect and kindness. No cold shoulders, no dirty looks or anybody making it seem like we were inconveniencing them, even though we were. Our server, Daniel was SO kind, attentive, and just over all amazing. One of the best servers we've ever had. He made it a point to let us know we were no trouble at all, and had an overall positive attitude that made us feel so welcome and comfortable. Our food came out very fast and was hot and delicious. Daniel made sure to refill our drinks, had no trouble getting some containers to go, and didn't rush us to pay by bringing the check early, he waited until we asked for it to bring it. We made it out just after closing, I believe closer to 9:10, and although our consciouses felt guilty, none of the staff made us feel this way. Establishment was clean, staff was doing side work, but that's normal for a restaurant almost closing. I was so pleased with this experience. We won't be going In an hour before closing again, but thank you to this islands and most of all, Daniel, for making us feel welcome. With 4 adults and a baby, we were just ready to get some food in us after a long day. And we were not disappointed. Five stars all day long!

Great food selection over the years Happy hour a great plus…read more Quick easy service Staff super friendly Family friendly for kids

I guess the first thing to note is the vibe, because it's very cool. The place feels like the…read morerestaurant version of Cheers. The servers might not know your name, but I've never had a server that wasn't helpful and nice. Parking can be busy, but never difficult. So now the food. I've eaten here a lot over the years and I've never had a bad meal. The garlic fries are awesome and everything from burgers to salads and tacos, delicious. My sole complaint, some burgers are so tall it's impossible to eat them like a regular burger. So, this spot is a solid 5/5. Not crazy expensive, nice staff, good food, easy in and out. Give it a try.

For years, this was one of the top restaurants, in my rotation…read more I find myself going less and less. The issue isn't the food. One of the things I appreciate about Tony's is consistency. The food is exactly the same each time I go. Service has significantly dropped in the past two years. I watch tables get ignored, including my own, while other tables have waiters stop and chat. Requests are "forgotten" or ignored. Either they bring the bill while you're taking your 3rd bite or you are waiting for 10 minutes trying to flag someone down. Everything about service is inconsistent. Tony's isn't cheap. I would expect less service from a less expensive restaurant. I am saddened that the exceptional service I used to get is not happening now. Good food. Great ice! Music isn't too loud. Great selection of options on the menu.

I think the staff here are great. I just want to get that out there first. Yea the line went a…read morelittle slow but they got my order absolutely perfect down to taking off the bacon and including the sauces I wanted. That's really the meat and potatoes of a good drive through experience in my option. I did take a star off for their AI ordering system. I hate it. Other than that? It is a bit slow of a drive through line but my food was perfect so I would go again.

The worst. I got a $6 spicy chicken sand and it was mushy and undercooked. Disgusting. Bad…read morelocation. Do not go to this place

(Dined 04/19/19 FR @ 10:30am... and 04/22/2018 SU @ 7:30am): Just because I was out of town didn't…read moremean I was going to be jacked-out of luck by missing my FREE birthday month tacos! The past two years I found myself in seach of a Jack In The Box in the surrounding Indio area during my pilgrimage to the annual Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival for my FREE birthday month food promo. If you knew anything about me, there was no way I was going to leave FREE food on the proverbial table! I was already a fan of this brand (one of the few fast food joints I frequented mainly because they always had coupons!), so did this seemingly new location do anything to sway my admiration!? PURCHASE Fish Sandwich, Small Fries, & Small Fountain Drink Combo ($4.99): It was my "no-meat Friday", so the only option I had was this item they so perfectly promoted on posters secured to their front windows. Served steaming hot, the sandwich was simple with a generous-sized fried fish patty with sparse dressings and a non-toasted bun. The fries were thin, crunchy, and had the right amount of saltiness. My peach lemonade was more lemon than peach but still went well with my meal. This was my first and probably last time ordering this item as I felt it didn't hold enough value for me https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WHZYOMkndPxCABesmIdV5Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Two Regular Tacos ($1.19): FYI...I broke tradition and ate these, so I tacked on an extra day of no meat the following week. See review below from a previous time. HONABLE MENTIONS [ONION RINGS/STRAWS/STRINGS ALERT - 4.0 of 5.0 STARS] Onion Rings Small Order ($2.19): A collection of generally medium thickness large pieces. They came out hot, the dark brown ridged crunchy batter was lovely and didn't crumble, and each onion ring (not sweet Maui) stayed intact when bitten into. However, I didn't like that most of the pieces were stuck together https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ly3-LPgSMzPFVLvD9lVQcg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Spicy Sriracha Burger ($4.69): A meaty patty slathered in a spicy sriracha mayo sauce combined with chopped jalapenos and shreaded lettuce held together between flaky toasted bread, this surprisingly made my mouth sing and smile with spiciness. Don't feed this to children https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=-MNIgBMZbcB1Uzs8Ut7sKA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Two Regular Tacos ($1.19): back in the day, these were one of my go-to post-drinking foods. Mystery meat coagulated in cheese and lettuce bits encased in hard tortillas and deep-fried shut, there was no telling how potentailly harmful these were to the human body although I loved these to no end; don't judge me https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=EDBWhSoAQd7I3vbKM_PipA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! SERVICE During each visit, I was the only customer, so I had the young staff's undivided attention. With a smile, my respective orders were taken quickly, a number given, and brought to my table within minutes. Please note they had an explicit sign posted on the fountain machine that there were "No Free Refills". Otherwise, all was hunky-dory! PARKING (FREE) Located next to an ARCO gas station and a Hampton Inn, there was plenty of private parking and a drive-thru for those on the go - 'nuff said! ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE An easily recognizable storefront visible from the street https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=6p603vJYM-ilG0joNN52vw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, it was spacious with plenty of comfortable booths and tables throughout https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=X_kTvKneKabYmb8zoyzKPQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, a very clean environment where the promotional posters were kept to a minimum mostly placed on the glass windows. Plenty of natural light came in through all the large glass windows that surrounded the restaurant while ample electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while Top-40 music played in the background. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I was a fan of Palm Desert's Jack In The Box at the corner of Cook St. and Gerald Ford Dr. and would definitely return - probably next year at the same time! As I said, I was already a fan of the brand as a whole, but the service was exceptional, the cleanliness was impeccable (even the restroom), and the location was key. Of course, the food wasn't healthy for you, but it still did the job if you needed to grub (just not the fish sandwich). And don't forget your coupons! I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $7.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS

Absolutely DISGUSTING FOOD!! This was my first (and definitely last) time ordering from Jack in the…read moreBox. I had never tried it before and now I know why -- I should've stayed away. I ordered two Munchie Meals through Uber Eats and was beyond disappointed. Jack's Spicy Chicken was awful -- the chicken was dry, hidden under a thick, burnt layer of breading. It was completely inedible, like chewing on a piece of cardboard. The curly fries were stale, soggy, and far from fresh or crispy. The tacos were even worse -- some mystery meat substitute that didn't taste like actual meat at all. It was more like a processed mush. I really regret not reading Yelp reviews beforehand. This place was a huge letdown. Never again.