Sullivan's Steakhouse - Palm Desert

Review summary

1. R

   RICHARD

   Los Angeles

   8 reviews

   1.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Our Xmas Night dining experience may be the worst in my 69 years. We are staying in Palm Desert for a short year-end getaway. Over a week ago, we made a reservation on OpenTable for dinner at Sullivan’s on December 25. We showed up for our 7:15 reservation a few minutes early. The hostess acknowledged our presence on the reservation list, and then proceeded to tell us that tables were running 15-30 minutes behind reservation times and that orders, once placed, were taking approximately 90 minutes to fulfill. At first, I thought it was a bad joke, but since she told us the news without a smile or an iota of empathy, I realized it wasn’t a joke at all. Notably absent was ANY sort of apology or statement of regret. I asked if we could see a menu to order prior to being seated (and thus, get into the queue for entrees earlier), and she said, loudly, “I’m not going to stand here and take your order!” My wife wanted to go elsewhere, but at 7:15 on Christmas night, there were no alternatives available, although we did check. We also noticed that she was giving the same speech to the numerous diners who came in after we did. Soon, the waiting area of the restaurant was absolutely packed. I mentioned to the hostess that an apology or display of empathy on her part would go a long way, and she said “That goes both ways.” I reminded her that I wasn’t being paid to be there. We decided to take two seats that opened up at the packed bar. The bartender, who was friendly and helpful, suggested that ordering salads or appetizers would result in a shorter wait. We followed his suggestion, and got shrimp cocktail, some onion soup and some seared ahi. They were okay, but not why we came to Sullivan’s STEAKhouse! Service at the bar was great, but couldn’t make up for the incredibly curt and dispassionate “greeting” that we received from the hostess. This morning at breakfast, speaking to a stranger….she mentioned that a friend waited two hours for their entree on Xmas Eve. Ugh!!
   

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2. D

   Dawn

   Las Vegas

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Hour and half after being seated to eat, the steak was thinner than a hamburger patty and zero flavor. My husband's steak was raw and gross. The manager took off his steak and side dish so that part was good.
   

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3. T

   Tyra

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Christmas night dinner with my grandsons turned into a nightmare. We were told that there would be a one hour wait for our food. We waited two hours and when we got our food, one “medium” steak was raw and cold, one meal for one grandson was missing, a needed plate never came. My reservation was made a few weeks prior and we were given a holiday menu. We planned with the Grandsons what we would order only to arrive at the restaurant to learn there was no holiday menu. Ordering off of the regular menu cost us extra money! Too bad as we have always loved Sullivan’s but now will not go back. I am a local since 1989.
   

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4. S

   Steve

   Phoenix

   4 reviews

   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   We had reservations at 5:30pm didn’t get in until 6:15pm. The restaurant was completely packed. It took almost an 2 hours to get our food. We love Sullivan’s would absolutely go back, but never on a holiday. What saved our experience was Morgan the waiter and one of the managers gave us a glass of champagne two appetizers free but the staff was incredible. Morgan did an outstanding job under the circumstances we would definitely go back.
   

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5. L

   Lorraine

   Sacramento

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   Our 5:15 pm reservation for 3 had us seated at 5:25. The noise level was almost unbearable, accompanied by loud music. The restaurant was crowded and all the tables were occupied. Upon being seated, we were informed by the waitress that all entrès would be at least a 45-minute wait because the kitchen was behind. We ordered the cheesesteak eggroll for an appetizer. We then ordered the steak salad as an entrè, filet mignon, cilantro lime salmon, asparagus, and spinach salad. 1 hour and 10 minutes after being seated, the food arrived. The salmon was the wrong order it had a sweet glaze, not lime or cilantro and extremely over cooked. The filet was not presented well, a small steak on a large white plate. Overall this was a very disappointing establishment from beginning to end.
   

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6. J

   Jim

   Palm Springs

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   30 minutes late getting seated then 1 hour ask my waiter if he was my waiter he hasn't checked back on me didn't offer us another drink and we told him we needed a different person then the lady that took over was great
   

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7. P

   Pam

   Denver

   4 reviews

   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   Disappointing experience. I find this difficult to say, because I am typically quite positive in my comments, but in the case of Sullivan’s, the service was lacking as well as food quality. The risotto and bread pudding were the highlights of the evening (which is disappointing when at a steakhouse). Our waiter did comp us a glass of wine and a desert because of the delay.
   

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8. N

   Nancy

   Palm Springs

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   They were very busy on Christmas day for dinner! While we were waiting to be seated they gave us a glass of wine. That was very nice! Our waiter was very courteous and let us know dinner would be awhile. All the food was very good and worth the wait! Service was very friendly and excellent from Jerimiah. Will go back again!
   

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9. J

   Joe

   Minneapolis

   9 reviews

   1.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 1

   Horrible! this is second time at this restaurant where they were not equipped to handle even reservations. We waited two hours after ordering and finally had to cancel order! For the price, much rather go somewhere else. Not acceptable! Waiter brought us some soup since we waited so long which was nice gesture. Never again- spent $80 and each had 2 drinks . Similar experience before and thought would give it a second chance.
   

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10. C

    Colleen

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3

    We normally love Sullivans. And I’m giving them grace on the review because it was Christmas and I think they really over committed themselves with reservations and walk-ins. Reservations were for 3ppl at 4:30. Arrived at hostess stand, gave my name to one of the two hostesses there where she said she will help you. Okie dokie. No problem except I stood and waited with no acknowledgement while she was on her iPad. And waited. And waited! Ok finally gave name, she said ok. And that was it. No, we’ll be right with you or have a seat in the bar. It was a weird interaction. And after stepping out of the way, and watching that same interaction was over and over with other guests and it’s just kind of odd not to be greeted or acknowledged, we waited about 15 minutes for our table. We had an amazing server and she was the highlight of our evening. Ordered drinks and appetizers that came out pretty quickly. We ordered our entrees at the same time. The manager came around and advised that the kitchen was a little backed up and were running about 20 minutes or so after ordering. Thought that was a nice touch managing expectations. We had ordered two steaks and an order of crab cakes. The runner brought the crab cakes only. So that person waited for the others to get their steaks and they never came. For about 15 minutes we waited. Server took crab cakes back and went to check on steaks. We finally got our entrees about 6:15. (Ordered at 5) Yippee! One steak was severely undercooked and the crab cakes were the original order they had sent out and were ice cold. Back they went to the kitchen. So one person in our group sat and ate alone while we two waited again. They brought back those same darn crab cakes with the original bite taken out and still not hot! Steak came back out and was cooked nicely but by that time the sides were cold. Oh well! It’s Christmas. Not the end of the world. But just not the experience we were expecting or paying for.
    

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