Islands Restaurant

This location has garbage service, the restaurant needs to hire more proactive employees. The quality of the food was mediocre. If you’re in a hurry, the host seats people quickly.

Tommy is THE BEST. If you get a chance to be helped by him, just know that you will be laughing a ton AND you will be cared for. He truly enjoys his work and helping people. This place has become an all-​time favorite family spot because of their food, drinks, and the staff. Thanks Tommy! You keep shining on at work, you certainly made our day. :)

Good burger and french fries here, chicken wraps as well, good service friendly staff and love the island theme décor.

I came in on a Monday and Travis made me a margarita that was hand made instead of from the batch. I really appreciated that he went out of his to make it for me! Thanks Travis I will be back soon with my friends!

I’m super biased, but I ate here often enough during my tenure at UCSD to know that this place is on point! Prices are not that expensive, and unlimited fries always make me want to come back for me. I just like the mood of the entire place as well. It’s casual and tropical feeling.
For a struggling and cheap college student, this was the go-​to place whenever I had Burger Needs. It was close enough to walk and bus to without a car as well.

This place is great. Been here a dozen times. The service here is good too Try the tiki tenders if you’re not convinced. Cocktails are decently strong. Order a shake to go as well. Curbside pickup is also available.

Travis is such a great bartender! He’s always on top of it and has the best costumer service and personality. Definitely makes me want to come back!

Let me sum it up really quick here:
Service was great! Our waiting staff was super attentive and nice. Spacious seating and great for kids!
The food and drink: the burgers were good, but not as good as Red Robins. I find the price to be on the higher side — I wish beers were also a bit cheaper, ~$ 10 for a 22oz.

From Central California so not that well acquainted with Islands or the menu. Overall very good. Cesar salad was great. The Baja tacos were a little scarce on the chicken but very tasty. The Big Wave burger was excellent but for it being a little in the rare side. The service was top notch.

Waiter was awesome and the food was very good I’m not from this area so I wanted a place I know and they didn’t disappoint! Christopher thank you for putting up with my kiddos and keeping our drinks full!

I want to send a thank you out to Carly. She is one of my favorite people at Islands. Even though she was done with her shift she still took time to sit with me. She said I look like I needed a friend. Thank you Carly. I love you

Above average chain food. We loved the Cobb salad, teriyaki chicken sandwich. Great sweet potato fries. Service was excellent as well.

Not too pleased with my choice of the Hawaiian burger. My burger had too much Teriyaki sauce which drowned out the other flavors of the burger. The fries were over baked. Not sure if my choice on the menu was bad or if the rest of the selection is poorly done as well.
As for the service I give it 4 stars. We were greeted promptly by the host and the waitress (Tiffany) was fast, friendly, knowledgable, and efficient.

I’ve been to this Islands location a couple times if I am in the area or meeting up with family. Today was one of those days!
Restaurant wasn’t busy and we were seated fast. Greeted at the door by the hostess was warm and welcoming. Our server was very enthusiastic and friendly. She was on top of her game and quick to serve.
I ordered the lunch special: 2 north shore tacos with a side of beans. She asked if I was ok with the sour cream and Guac on the side, and of course I was. What I was a little concerned about was the fact that they actually charge extra for small guac. I should have known, but the way it was described to me was it came on the side. Not stressing over it since I scarfed it down anyway.
All in all, great experience and I’m sure we will be back if we are ever in the area!

The restaurant is making the transition to being a pub and a restaurant for the neighborhood. Thanks!

I ordered chicken rice bowl with brown rice. It was surprisingly good. The guacamole was good as well.
Our server was very friendly and was constantly refilling our drinks.
The restaurant itself was organized and clean. (Not the bathroom tho)
I have two complaints though:
#1: when we get there, there was a couple ahead of us who got helped. As we were waiting for our turn a lady walked in and cut right in front of us and got seated before us. I thought the host/​hostess should have told her to hold on and seat us first but they didn’t. They went and sat her first.
#2: the bathrooms were gross. And they had the door propped open. It should have been closed so women can have privacy.
** I’d come here again. And would recommend people coming here as well.

I used to love Islands until yesterday! It has been awhile since we have been back so we were thinking cheese fries? ISLANDS!
First of all, our waitress basically did not pay attention to anything. She disappeared for most of the night and only came to drop off food. When we got our fries, she just dropped it off and walked away. Not «Is there anything else I can get you guys» like normal waiters. My fiancé wanted ranch and we were already ¾ done until she popped out again. We literally had to flag her down and wave at her to get ranch.
FOOD
Cheese Fries — These used to be really good but yesterday, they were soggy. It looked like they cut down on the portion as well.
Yaki Tacos — Basically chicken tacos with pineapple salsa. However, I got my tacos and there was just chicken and lettuce in a taco… no salsa. I did not get salsa until I got to my second one but I ended up not even eating it.
Maui Burger — Standard. Fries that came with it… soggy and unseasoned.
Not sure what happened to Islands but after last night, we will not be back.

We were first greeted by a very kind hostess then seated and waited on by a helpful waitress.
The food was good and the ambiance was really cool. There are tvs everywhere but the volume of the room is moderate. Great place I would return.

First time ever at any Island’s! Have I been missing out on life!
Came here on a Wednesday evening with a friend for dinner.
Pro:
–seated quickly! No need to wait so long, even if it’s a big party.
–immediately approached to ask for drinks. Yes to amazing and friendly service!
–clean environment! Also super chill and awesome decorations!
–food took a while to come, but worth the wait!
–I love that you can «mix and match» the meals! Switching meats, types of meat cooked (medium, medium well, well cooked) having the option between white or wheat buns, switching between sides… literally catered to you!
Cons:
–Island fries were not super amazing like others described. The ones we got tasted like the «end of the batch». A bit dry and stuff, but would probably be better if they were piping hot!
–one server was carrying more than he could, and dropped two plates. Luckily the child who was behind him in the seat did not get injured… but seriously– safety first!
–price is a tad bit overpriced in my opinion, but it was a good experience.
-«steamed vegetables» had butter added to it… also, the carrots looked a bit old and dry.
Popular burgers are the Hula Burger (sautéed mushrooms!) or the Bleunami (if you love blue cheese)…and many more!
Definitely would come here again! Come here with family for a relaxing setting and delicious American dinner.

Came here yesterday for dinner around 8 while visiting one of my friends in SD! Didn’t have to wait which was nice. Right when I opened the menu I was so conflicted because all of their burgers sound so amazing.
I ended up ordering a medium Hawaiian burger on a whole wheat bun, which comes with pineapple, teriyaki sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, swiss cheese, and mayo, with a side of fries and ranch. I was thoroughly impressed! The bun was toasted perfectly and the outer edges had that crunch that I love. The burger patty was also HUGE and really filling. The teriyaki sauce wasn’t too sweet or overbearing, though there was a lot of it so my hands were a mess afterwards even after trying to be neat and cutting my burger in half! I didn’t really mind though because the burger was that delicious. The fries they give you on the side are also really good, I wouldn’t call them skinny fries but they’re kinda right in between skinny and fat fries… haha. They’re well-​salted but you can also add some salt/​pepper/​islands seasoning salt if you want.
The service is pretty good, I did feel like we waited for a little longer than expected, but that was probably just because I was super hungry at that time.
Walked out of islands with a happy and full tummy! :) Will prob be back, but most likely in the OC, closer to me.