Kona Grill - Desert Ridge

Kona Grill - Desert Ridge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. P

   Pamela

   Phoenix / Arizona38 reviews

   5.0

   Dined today

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

   My Poke Bowl was amazing but that french dip sandwich was……..Highly Recommend 🥰🥰
   

   Is this helpful?

2. H

   Heidi VIP

   Phoenix / Arizona2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   Service was great. Unfortunately, the food was overpriced and subpar. My daughter said her steak “tasted like feet smell”. When my sea bass sliders came out, almost cleared the table they were so overpoweringly fishy. My other daughter’s meal also came out way ahead of everyone else’s, kitchen timing definitely off. So disappointed, as this chain used to be consistently good but this is my second underwhelming experience at this location, will not be back for a third try.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. J

   John

   Phoenix / Arizona1 review

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   Was way, way overpriced and the 80's beat . music didn't help either. At 6:30 on a Friday night the place was empty. No need for a reservation. The food was very pricey and lack luster at best. The menu was way to expensive, so maybe that's why the food was just ok. No real focus on any type of Hawaii food, so the Kona grill is just a name. I have been to all the Hawaii islands and I am assure you there are no restaurants like this, well maybe I'm name at one of the big hotel chains. Left hungry at over a $100 dollars. To be honest we have eaten at the Keg next store and though even pricer we left feeling we got our money's worth. Also the night before we ate at the islands bar and grill and the food was better and it was more Hawaii than Kona . Also half the price.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. R

   Russell VIP

   Phoenix / Arizona43 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Kitchen was very slow producing. We were told an hour after being there they were out of lettuce wraps. Almost made us late for a show at the MIM. Food was good. Flavorful, but something wasn’t working well in the kitchen.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. P

   Pat

   Phoenix / Arizona7 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 26, 2025

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

   We went for restaurant week. First the server told us it was over. Then we heard another server telling their table about it. We pointed that out and she brought us the right menu. I had salmon, which was good but the rice with it was not My husband had steak, which was full of gristle and it was overcooked. I asked for a refill of water twice and she kept forgetting. They did not have the advertised dessert (brownie) so offered to substitute butter cake. We both agreed. One was delivered after 10 minutes and the second didn’t arrive for another 10 minutes. Very disappointing experience and we will never go back.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. RF

   RyanF

   Phoenix / Arizona3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on May 24, 2025

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

   It was Restaurant Week and we ordered from the Pre Fixe Menu. After waiting 30 minutes for our first drink to arrive, our waiter came back at 45 minutes to let us know they were out of the item we ordered. We didn’t receive our first course until 75 minutes after we sat at our table. Second course didn’t arrive until about 2 hours and 15 minutes after being seated. Dessert course arrived at 2 hours and 45 minutes into our meal. We left after 3 hours (the restaurant was half empty most of the night) only receiving a 50% discount on our bill. Never going back to Kona Grill ever again after this terrible experience.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. J

   John

   Phoenix / Arizona2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 23, 2025

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

   First time back to Kona Grill in awhile. Not sure if I would go back again. Food was just ok. Service was painfully slow in a very uncrowded restaurant (2pm). We went for $33 Restaurant Week Special. The 6 oz serving of NY strip was thin and on the dry side. Fries were hot and crispy so no complaints there. Meatball appetizer was ok. Best part of the lunch was the brownie a La mode.
   

   Kona Grill - Desert RidgeResponded on May 26, 2025

   Hey John, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Kona Grill - Desert Ridge. We're sorry to hear that your visit didn't quite hit the mark this time around. We're always aiming for consistency in our food and service, and we apologize if we fell short. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the brownie and found our service to be prompt. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again soon. Best, The Management Team
   

   Is this helpful?

8. I

   Ira

   Phoenix / Arizona29 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 23, 2025

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

   We often eat at Kona Grill, at least every month or so. We dined here on Thursday to take advantage of Arizona Restaurant Week. I ordered the upgraded meal of a 7ounce filet with the shrimp skewer which I was told came with chips. The server brought out my meal and it was a thin piece of overcooked prime rib which was dry and fatty along with a scoop of mashed potatoes. When I told him I ordered the filet he told me “I was upgraded.” Time prevented me from sending it back as we had an appointment and dined early to ensure we would be on time. I was really disappointed with our dinner there.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. K

   Kathleen

   Phoenix / Arizona7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 21, 2025

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

   Excellent service for restaurant week. Everyone attentive. Food was delicious. Sound system too loud but they did turn it down for us.
   

   Kona Grill - Desert RidgeResponded on May 22, 2025

   Hello Kathleen, Thank you for choosing Kona Grill - Desert Ridge for your restaurant week celebration! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and we're glad the sound system was able to enhance your experience. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best regards, The Management Team
   

   Is this helpful?

10. B

    Barney

    Phoenix / Arizona4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 21, 2025

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

    Was seated right away. Waiter was nice but, fragmented and overwhelmed. My girlfriend ordered 2 rolls with no cucumbers. Rolls came out with cucumber. 1/2 the rolls were eaten. Server took 45 min to Check to see how we were enjoying our meal. He apologized for the cucumber. Manager came over to check on us. Manager did take off 1 roll which was appreciated. Waiter took over an hour to circle back to check on us. Took another 30 minutes or, do to bring us to go plates and an extra Order of green beens to go. I had a gift card that was not activated. Took another 30 to activate card. My girlfriend and I were not in a rush but, we did feel like the Staff was not attentive to our table. Regardless, we will go back to dine. Hopefully, our experience will be better next time 🙏🏼
    

    Is this helpful?