Wally's Desert Turtle

Review summary

1. H

   Howard

   Palm Springs

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   I have been going to Wally's for decades and believe it is the best restaurant in the Coachella Valley. The food and service are consistently excellent, and the ambience is unparalleled.
   

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2. J

   Jill

   Palm Springs

   11 reviews

   4.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Last Christmas, I dined at Wally’s and had an incredible experience, which was why I decided to once again get a reservation for dinner on Christmas day. We chose a later reservation time and perhaps that was part of the issue, but I will say that between my experience last year and this year, there was a great difference. We had to wait to be seated both years, but that was not an issue as the restaurant does an incredible job with turnover. We were immediately greeted once we receded, and our drinks came immediately which I appreciated. Our waiter came to take our order and we waited a very reasonable amount of time before our delicious salads came to our table. We were given water, but never received any bread until I asked for it halfway through eating my salad, and it was never delivered until after our salads were off the table. Not really a big deal but interesting that with everything else being so on time that the bread service was so slow I ordered the same exact meal last year because I enjoyed it so much which meant that I was again having Scottish salmon. The problem this year is that it was a very small piece of salmon that had clearly been cooked quite a while ago and had sat under the heat lamps before being delivered to our table. The salmon was dry , and the tiny amount of couscous was barely edible as it was over dry and very small. There were two tiny potato wedges that came with the meal that really made no sense, but were at least a little bit of a carbohydrate. The best part of the meal, was the dessert which the chocolate lava cake. It’s outstanding! I only add this review because to pay $90 for that meal. I do not feel that I got $90 worth of food. I have a feeling I will be making other reservations for Christmas dinner next year. .
   

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3. S

   Steve

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Classic. Just wonderful. Warm crowd, elegant setting, live music-entettainment, prompt service with a smile, fair price.
   

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4. J

   June

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   28 reviews

   5.0

   28 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Christmas day experience delightful! The restaurant was busy. However, we were never rushed and the staff gracious, professional, and very attentive. The preset menu options were varied, and the food presentation was perfect. Thanks to everyone at Wallys for going over the top.
   

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5. C

   Charles

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   29 reviews

   5.0

   29 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Excellent menu selections and a filet mignon for which I didn't need a steak knife. Perfectly prepared to order. And warm bread and butter. Doesn't get much better.
   

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6. G

   Greg

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   14 reviews

   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   First rate from start to finish. The food, service and ambiance were all exceptional.
   

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7. S

   Suzi

   Palm Springs

   8 reviews

   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Not as great as last year. We arrived early for our 1 o'clock reservation and had to wait in line quite a long time to be seated. I think they should consider opening at noon. The food, however, was great. My husband especially enjoyed his Dover sole almandine .
   

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8. J

   Javier

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Service was excellent. The food was not what I expected for a restaurant of this caliber.
   

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9. B

   Bill

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   55 reviews

   5.0

   55 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Another excellent dinner at Wally’s. The food was special as usual and the service is always amazing.
   

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10. M

    Mark

    Palm Springs

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

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

    Holiday 3-course prix fixe food was good (not great) but the service was awful. Waiter never came to our table after taking the order. Fortunately the non-wait staff pitched in to help us. The appetizer course arrived fairly promptly (considering how busy the restaurant was) but then we had to wait nearly an hour for the entrees. After 2 hours at the table we succeeded in ordering the desserts to go from the manager. My 97-year old mother was getting pretty tired after sitting waiting for so long so we decided to leave. Several nearby parties that were seated after us had finished all 3 courses and left before our entrees even arrived. I’ve never felt so ignored and disrespected. My holiday was ruined.
    

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