That was the worst burger I have ever eaten! First the guy bringing our two burgers asked if we had the turkey burger. I said I ordered the malibu. He said, yeah malibu and left it in front of me. I could clearly see that it was a white meat and not beef. Our waitress saw and said that wasn't the malibu and took it away. She re-appeared 30 seconds later with a malibu burger. I thought, that was fast. Here is where it goes downhill. I took a bite. The patty was way over cooked. The menu says all the burgers are cooked medium pink throughout and the waitress confirmed that medium was okay when I ordered. Mine was ash grey throughout. It tasted as if it had been cooked a few days ago and either frozen or refridgerated and reheated in a microwave. I grill burgers. I eat burgers from In-N-Out and occasionally from Carl's or Wendy's. There is no way that island's burger was cooked the same day I ate it. Â I guess they thought I wouldn't notice? For 10.50 it should at least taste as good as a 3 dollar burger. Save your money. I will never go back
Review Source:Islands... what happened??? Â We're regulars to this Islands and have always had amazing service. Â Glass half full? Â Another drink arrives without asking. Â Food delivered... here have some extra napkins. Â Well, not this time. Â We went this past Sunday and the place was practically empty. Â Our waitress kept disappearing. Â Never offered any drink refills. Â Had to get up and get our own extra napkins. Â When we asked for a To-Go box, we had to wait a full 5 mins before she returned with it. Â Â Understandable when the place is packed and the wait staff is juggling... but kid you not, there were a total of 4 other tables that had folks in them. Â
The basket of fries that we got while waiting for our food hardly had any fries and the were barely warm. Â Huh???
Our burgers arrived, luckily they were yummy and the fries were hot and tasty.
Overall, such a surprising disappointment. Â :-(
I really enjoy their food, especially the shore bird sandwich. Customer Service is not the most outstanding. I've probably been 8 times in the last year for lunch-- sometimes just with family, sometimes for business. It is always clean. Some days are REALLY busy. Service is the same, just middle of the road no matter how many customers.
Review Source:Craving a Burger  or an excellent Margarita must say Island can pull it off . Went in on a Thursday evening our waiter Steve was friendly & polite. His  side kick Rachelle got our order in manager Al brought out our meals. However my husband was not feeling the brown rice at all and was completely turned off. Not to fear it was taken off our bill .I have to say I didn't expect to experience anything special @ Island's. But the service was above average and my burger was delicious.  I have visited many Island Locations and this one surpass them all hand down.shout outs to Steve great idea recommending the Margareta over the root beer float
Review Source:This location is ridiculous. Ordered sliders,frys,and a salad.....after asking multiple times about not receiving our order...after 50 minutes I asked for the check for our drinks and said we were leaving....manager came over to say their "printer ran out of ink and our order was never started" Â ......it's like Hell's Kitchen except their is no Chef Ramsey.....complete FAIL.....
Review Source:We were pleasantly surprised at the excellent service we experienced today. I don't have the highest of expectations for most businesses in Carmel Mountain these days but was craving the Yaki tacos so we decided to go here for lunch. Our server (unfortunately, I forgot her name) was GREAT!!! She was pleasant and professional yet friendly and conversational. Our server was at our table within a minute of being seated and our sodas never got empty before she brought a new one. And the restaurant was busy - she had plenty of other tables to take care of and each one received the same service. Even the other staff were polite and helpful throughout our experience. The tables were cleaned and turned very quickly.
We will definitely be back again based on this experience!
We have been going to this Island's for years & I think there has only been 1 time we weren't happy. Â We always get good service & good food. Â My husband is in love with the Kilauea burger (but gets it with a regular patty). Â I try different things but I love their tuna sandwich. Â Lots of choices for kids so it's a place all 5 of us love to go to, which is hard to find.
It does get really busy on Fri & Sat nights but what place doesn't?
For a "fancy" burger joint I will recommend you try something different: The menu is interesting, but the food wasn't good (at least was edible!: dry fries, "flat" flavor burgers-meat wasn't seasoned, they don't even use salt and pepper on the meat like other places).
Service was friendly but slow. The ambiance is good and excellent for kids but do not expect the best burgers.
Okay...I promised our fabulous server of two weeks ago - BRIAN - a special shout-out for doing such a great job. (You thought we had forgotten you; didn't you?; NO WAY).
We came in with a party of 7; half of our group had just arrived to San Diego from Germany for Thanksgiving week. Brian was super friendly and attentive; got all of our drinks + waters delivered in record time as well as appetizers and meals exactly as ordered to a hungry (okay maybe starving) group.
We still wish Islands would take a page from other local restaurants and either take reservations; allow you to call your name in on your way over to avoid a l-o-n-g wait and/or not completely start to panic when you say you're with a group of anything more than 4 (e.g., oh gosh, 7? well, would you be okay if we put you at a table with a chair on the end? we don't care if you feed us in the lobby; we're just hungry and it's cold outside).
Overall though, great job Brian! Thanks to you and Islands!
It's a chain, you should get what you expect, and we did. I love/hate that they give you the calorie count for all items. Good to know that I will be hiking Kilamanjaro to work off the fries!
This is a great place to come with kids, we never leave hungry. Actually, we usually leave a little overstuffed with to-go boxes.
Is it ok to draft the same review for every Islands restaurant I've been to? Their service and food has been consistent no matter where I go. Yay! Here goes...
-------
Kilauea Kilauea Kilauea Kilauea Kilauea.
Best onion rings.
And full bar.
FTW.
Yummy, toasted wheat bun, fried onions, spicy cheese and mayo. I could never finish any spicy burger myself because I can't handle that much heat. But i can't help liking this burger.
/enter sig other to finish for me :)
I had been for two interviews and was starving. I craved a big juicy burger!
Thankfully hubby was happy to oblige and we headed here to give it a go.
The waitress- I cant remember her name but she was pregnant was super helpful and friendly seated us and took our drink orders. We just went for water, I was dehydrated.
Loved the decor straight away (and dreamt one day of having a hawaiian themed room in my house because you know, I am weird like that!)
We took some time looking over the menu, hubby went for the Hawaiian whilst I chose the Hula. I felt a little Meh about the fact I couldnt have it medium rare, medium was as low as they would go so ordered it that way.
The burger was good despite not being how I would normally like it, but then not everywhere even allows you to choose the way its cooked.
The fries however, I disliked them, they were really oily and it seemed (I may be wrong) that they had either been fried twice or the oil needed changing.
It was an ok meal, not somewhere I would be craving to go again though.
Like so many reviewers before me, I used to really like this place.
Not sure if my tastes have changed or the venue has declined in quality. Â
Last few visits (mainly Carmel Mt Ranch location) quality is sub-par.
1) Food most often cold
2) Mexican fare is a joke (ie the salsa, tortillas...)
3) Always a long wait for the food (understandable if hot and/or good)
4) Got to hunt and ask for more napkins, EVERY TIME
5) Fries are substandard (probably why they are bottomless!)
7) Was "KIDS EAT FREE TUESDAYS" no longer.
  (some locations do, most don't  -including Cml mt)
8) kids won't touch the food. Â
  (like to say there picky, but they will eat at allot of other venues)
On a positive note though, Good atmosphere and well themed.
Service is decent.
Prob never going back. Â Too many other burger choices around.
My wife and used to like Islands a lot. Â Not so much anymore.
The food has gone downhill dramatically. Â Time before the last, my wife found a glass marble in her salad. Â WHAT? Â Yes, I said, a GLASS MARBLE. Â They comp'd her salad and gave us a $10 gift card, but when we came back, the food wasn't any better. Â Grilled fish was too fishy and too salty. Â
Islands is now on my permanent Do Not Eat list.
My wife is an Islands fanatic. Â She can't get enough of their fries. Â That doesn't mean that we don't enjoy Islands in moderation however.
This location is always quick to seat us and even though we have two small children (one a toddler and the other an infant), they are always accommodating to the highest degree.
The atmosphere is what you would expect from an Islands; surf/skate/snow sports on the televisions (unless NFL football is on, then a game is on). Â Tiki-ish decorations and the staff are always friendly, prompt and considerate of clientele.
I would highly recommend this restaurant or any one in the chain for that matter as a great place to eat if you're looking for a quick getaway in town.
I am editing my previous review because the management came through beautifully to rectify my previous unfortunate experience. I was really impressed with the customer service and efforts to make me happy. (I didn't think that kind of service existed anymore!)
So, we went back and ordered the wings, the Blue Point Burger and the Longboard Burger. The kids had chicken strips and hot dogs The Blue Point Burger was really good! . Everyone was happy with their food. The service was great, friendly, very attentive and prompt.
Thanks guys!
We went here Saturday night because it is a favorite of my daughters. and Islands seems to be a comfort place for us.
So we get there and order some appetizers and our dinner items. The appetizers come out (not by our server) and we were asked if there is anything else that they could bring us. I asked for some silverware and napkins. Not an unreasonable request in my opinion. So we waited and waited, received neither one and finally dug in and finished our appetizers. Then our waiter comes up to us and says he's going on break and "Johnny" will be taking over for him. Well low and behold, "Johnny" was the guy I asked to bring us silverware and napkins. In my mind I was thinking the rest of this meal might not be so good. I asked once again for my request and all of a sudden he became "Johnny on the Spot"
The rest of the dining experience turned out to be ok, the Hula burger always has plenty of mushrooms and of course, I will be back to Islands.
Islands you make me fat.
The food is ok, its like a downgraded Red Robin with Hawaiin crap everywhere. The burgers are just ok, the drinks sketchy and fries divine. I kind of understand putting the calories on the menu but lets be honest, do you really go to a burger place and expect it to be healthy? Id prefer not knowing what im stuffing my fat face with.
The place is staffed with goofy teenagers.
The 7 dollar 670 calorie turkey burger lite.
Many years ago when they opened an Islands on Balboa Avenue it was THE place to go before going out with the guys on the weekend. It was always burgers and gooey cheese fries. Now, the franchise has expended across the west and my mature palate has taken me to new and different places. After a long hiatus, I've come back to Island.
Today I tried the "lite" turkey burger. I knew going into this that I probably wasn't going enjoy this lunch. It's usually not the turkey that gives me troubles, it's always the dry heavy wheat bread that's always paired up with Turkey burgers. To make up for high caloric condiments, the cooks rely heavily on mustard to give this burger taste . Rather than fries they give you steamed carrots and broccoli.
If you're on a reduced calorie diet this will work. If not just get a  regular burger and eat half :)
- Chicken Breast Burgers might be a good middle ground if you're looking for something lighter.
- Shangri la iced tea
- Lunch Specials make it worth a visit.
OK, so going to Island's used to be a very rare occasion for me since my wife didn't like their burgers. About a year ago however, she reluctantly went with me and tried their Baja Tacos and now my luck has changed! I enjoy Island's as often as I'd like these days.
You can't beat the endless basket of fries and their brewed passion fruit iced tea is excellent. The real reason I go though is for their Hawaiian Burger... it's meaty deliciousness with swiss cheese, teriyaki sauce and a pineapple slice. Mmmm... excuse me while I wipe the drool from my lips. It's one of the best burgers you'll ever eat!
They also have some good drink specials during happy hour and a pretty decent kids menu. I wouldn't necessarily mix those two.... I'm just telling ya!
So, when you're in the mood for a great burger, some yummy fries and refreshing passion fruit iced tea, you certainly can't beat Islands!
Being from Hawaii, I get the biggest kick out of their attempt to name burgers, drinks, etc. after Hawaiian paraphernalia (ie: Hula burger) If you have not brushed up on your Hawaiian, you may easily walk into the wrong bathroom here...Wahine & Kane? LOL
We eat here about once a week, for ONE simple reason.....they pour STIFF drinks in the bar! No joke, who woulda thought, right? Â Happy hour gets you $1 off drinks and free chips and salsa (they don't offer, you always have to ask) in the bar only. Â The chicken tenders on the appetizer menu are 1/2 price and always fill me up. Â
Typically, the service is slow. Â They could remedy this by removing some of the 12 year old girls acting as "hostesses" and get some food servers!
Interesting.
I really wasn't that something but had to have something to eat and they were on the way home.
Arrived around 7:30 PM on a Saturday to people waiting outside for tables. Head straight to the bar to snag a bar table and found the last remaining one.
I only had the cheese fry appetizer. It was uninspiring. The chili on the fries looked like it was made at 5:00. The fries were soggy and the cheese instantly congealed on the top.
While I didn't get food poisoning it wasn't the most inviting meal either.
This place was weird. Almost the whole bar emptied out by 8 and we were the last people up there. The crowd in front instantly vanished by 7:45 and only some stragglers were coming in at 8.
Now that I read the reviews of this location I can a) see why and b) be thankful I didn't have any more of the ground beef than the chili on the fries. I lived to tell about it.
Not one of the better locations. Hell it makes the Balboa location look good and that's been converted to an Applebee's now.
PS - Some reviews say there is no beer license yet when I went there the bar had beer taps and was selling beer so they must have received one between the review in 12/08 and my visit.
I've been to this Islands a bunch of times and it is still yet to impress me. Â I think it's cool that you finally get fries with your burger, but you've still got better options around town. Â In this area though, this may be the best you can do unfortunately. Â
What's it gonna take to improve this place? Â Lower prices and the ability to get your burger rare or medium rare. Â If I'm gonna spend this much on a burger, I better get it MY way.
You go here when you've no longer had a hankering for a "Big Mac Attack" or going "Animal" on your Double Double. All you want is to just sit down amongst fake tropical trees, a constant looping of played out surfer TV videos and the blaring of Top 40 80's music.
The lady servers are friendly and attractive. Their hawaiian patterned button down shirts and tight black shorts are eye catching. I suggest you don't stare at their tight black shorts very long or you'll get a nice back fist from the wifey.
All the burgers are choice, the onion rings and fries...tasty. I'd avoid the chili fries if you can help it. The milkshakes are top shelf and the drinks...bottomless.
Want to take another gander at those hot short shorts? Tell the wifey you need to go to the restroom. Take your time brother!
Aloha!
Food was OK here. The starters we had were a couple baskets of (pretty darned tasty) cheese fries. The burger I got was way overcooked, and drowning in sauce, but it wasn't too bad.
The kids menu was pretty limited, standard fare there. They could have done a lot more there.
The prices weren't bad. Service was OK, although visits by the waitress weren't as frequent as I'd have liked, so refills had to wait a few times. They weren't really busy, so no excuse there either.
Probably wouldn't go here again, as there are so many places to eat in SD that merit my time that this.
Ahhh, the Islands chain --- the staple of the newest outlying suburban community's shopping and dining development.
And so I ended up with four old friends and one fiance in this particular one a couple of weeks back on a Sunday morning, after a Christmas/house warming party at said about-to-be-married friend's place, tightly tucked between other tightly tucked houses in a nearby brand new development. Â
It was about 10.30, and no wait. Â We are seated in a booth. Â We order drinks, before deciding on a food order, that take about 15 minutes get there, maybe more. Â We have lots to discuss, but are thirsty. Â Just how much effort does it take to bring an assortment of six Cokes, those Coke smoothie things, and some waters over to a table? Â A long time at this Islands, a long time. (I just found the receipt, and am more than willing to out our server, one Dave B.)
We finally order, about 20 min after we are seated. Â The place is almost full, but not nearly to capacity. Â The Coke smoothie thing is kinda lame. Â The chicken sandwich is fine for an Islands. Â It is one of those safe places in which you know what you will be getting, whether in Los Angeles or the outskirts of San Diego. Â Safe, but completely uninspiring. Â Plus, the slight handover from the previous night is not helping. Â (The second half of the sandwich, taken to go, went down much better a couple of hours later.) Â Also shared the uneventful platters of the fries, one with cheese on top. Â They were not very hot. Â And got to make faces at a little baby and see an entire girls' high school lacrosse team come in to eat, in uniforms.
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