Betsy M.

The hubs and I visited here this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary after a recommendation from a friend. They take reservations which was nice, but we ended up going at 4PM in the afternoon since I was super hungry and they open at 11AM. This will be one of my more wordy reviews, well just because. The outside is definitely not much to look at ... looks super run down, but for some reason comes across sort of edgy and non-pretentious. When you walk inside the kitchen is immediately to the right and is an open format which is really cool. There is bar seating (done well) along the walkway to where the dining room and outdoor seating areas are. We were seated indoors and that area is somewhat small but cozy. The tables are done with white paper on them, but they utilize nice tableware and it makes it look upscale. So for ambiance, I give this place two thumbs up for cool, fresh and classy as a look. The service was okay. There were two gals working - a blonde and a brunette. We got the younger brunette as our server. It was not very busy when we were there but for some reason the service level did not actually reflect that. The place is small so you hear everything (especially this super chatty patron behind me who would not stop talking on what appeared to be a first date). The blonde gal sort of seemed like she was annoyed. As an example -- when we arrived, I said to the brunette gal "we have a 5:30 reservation but I was starving so we came early" and the blonde gal finishes my sentence as "and now you're here" in a way that seemed sarcastic. When seated, I was surprised that the server did not come over to take a drink order while we were looking at the menu... I basically had to order that with my dinner (strange.) Food came out while I was half way into my salad, and the server asked me if I was finished when it was obvious that I was not and had only had the salad in front of me for maybe 5 minutes. Anyway... I was not overwhelmed by the service - I was not underwhelmed by the service. She was really nice, and did a decent job... I guess I just expected more after reading about this place. Now the food which is what, combined with the atmosphere, gets the four star rating. Amazingly delicious. We ordered the garlic bread to start, which my husband ate 3/4 of himself. We both did the green salads... and I loved that they put shredded carrots and bell pepper in it to make it different, aside from the field greens. I ordered the grilled chicken, the hubs did the BBQ ribs (NM green chile). Both were VERY good... the only odd thing was that the menu had them both coming with Yukon mashed potatoes but we got corn risotto instead (server did not indicate the change, nor did the kitchen which is pretty presumptuous). The corn risotto was SO yummy, I could have eaten it all night -- so trust me I was not annoyed, it was a nice change to just potatoes. Our server recommended the Tiramisu for dessert and she was spot on with how fantastic it is. From start to finish -- the food was great. Really the value for the level of food you are getting is fantastic. This place is a Tucson jewel, not sure why this is the first time I have been here in my 10 years living in Tucson. I will likely come back and try some of the other wonderful menu items. Oh and try the Sangria - it was WONDERFUL!
(4)
Debbie L.

I'd like to give 1.5 stars for the quality of meat that they served and for the far away concept that the food coming out of the kitchen LOOKED good. The rest of the meal was ruined by the service. I saw assistants zooming around the room. A customer was standing looking for his friends' table. An assistant zoomed by him and yelled, "ON YOUR RIGHT." The elderly man jumped from being scared by this guy yelling at him. We saw an assistant take two full water glasses off a table and at the insistence of the woman who sat us, he poured the water back into the pitchers that served all customers. Once you put it on a table, it shouldn't go back out for others. I also wouldn't want anybody's uneaten bread but I don't think they give you bread here. The outdoor seating is "cooled" by a giant misting thing that looks like it was bought second hand off a music festival. This creates a hum and humidity that attract mosquitoes. We ended up well-bitten. And let's also be clear that this "cooler" doesn't cool the room. It was hot and humid in the post-thunderstorm evening. Our table ordered three medium rare burgers. We received three medium well burgers. One of my friends was not happy about this but we all ate them anyway. When the waitress checked on us, my friend said the burger was disappointing. She had been looking forward all week to their medium rare burger but this was overcooked. While my friend was still talking, the waitress said, "I apologize," and walked away. No questions, no solutions, just walked away WHILE she was talking. Despite his manic pace and the number of times he blew by us, the assistant never came back to refill our waters, which sat less than half full for some time. Since I was sitting next to the water pitchers, I just grabbed one and filled up our glasses. Nobody seemed to care. I should have gone and cooked our burgers. At the end of the meal, the waitress came back to clear and asked how it was. My friend said again that although we all finished our burgers, it was disappointing that they weren't cooked how we had asked. Waitress said, "I'm sorry about that," took all the plates, and walked away. The woman who sat us dropped by (maybe she's a manager?) and asked how our meals were tonight. As you might guess, my friend said she was disappointed that her burger was overcooked but we all ate it anyway. The manager couldn't look her in the eye, said, "I'm sorry" to who knows what since the eye contact wasn't there, and walked away. Kudos to the people writing reviews here who got actual care, sympathy, a suggestion that something be re-made, or a free dessert! We got a lot of looking away and walking away. Which was what we did next. Drowned our sorrows in Frost, which always works. :) Despite the really nice meat they seem to have for their burgers, there is no reason to go back here.
(1)
Mikki M.

I have loved ever meal I have ever gotten here. The chef really knows his stuff. He must be classically trained. This is truly a hidden gem. I bring my family and friends here when they come to visit. Nothing is bad here! Don't be turned off by the strange building it is located in, it adds to the charm. The service is top notch, I assume they spend a lot of time getting the front of the house throughly trained. They could actually make the portions a little smaller so that there is room for dessert (this is the only negative thing I can say about WGG). I would make reservations to ensure you have a good seat without waiting.
(5)
Ellie M.

My husband and I went last night for the first time for a celebratory dinner. We were both excited to go as we had heard such great things. Upon out arrival we see a big banner outside that says "All Night Happy Hour". Awesome! Once we're seated and our server, Jessica, asks if we'd like to start off with some drinks. So we ask about happy hour but are told it's only happy if we sit at the bar. What?! The bar is in the same room for Pete's sake. It seems odd and not right but, OK. Whatever... She tells us about the specials and we place our order. We start off with the grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie and grill veggies. It was delicious! Our entrees arrive. My husband's lamb shank was excellent. My rib eye not so much! I asked for it rare but it's completely RAW inside and an extremely poor cut of meat filled with grissle. I had a very difficult time even cutting it. My caramelized onions are completely burnt. With each bite I'm spitting out unchewable pieces. Where's Jessica?! No where to be seen for at least 20 minutes. When she finally does walk into the room and I call her over to complain about my steak she apologizes and asks if I want it cooked more. Why would I want a bad cut of meat cooked more?! I said no and sent my uneaten entrÃ©e back. She then asks if I'd like a complimentary piece of cheesecake. Sure, I've not had anything but half of the appetizer my husband I split. Another 20 minutes go by and again...where's Jessica?! When she finally reappears I call her over say I no longer care about the cheesecake and ask for our check. My husband says if they want to box it to go that would be fine. So she comes back quickly with our check and the cheesecake. WTF? They can do it to go immediately but not when I'm sitting there? Whatever. Our bill came to over $100 which included the $30 rib eye I sent back! No consideration of the fact it was a bad piece of meat which was returned uneaten. So essentially, we paid $30 for that tiny slice of cheesecake! THE WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD AT ANY RESTAURANT!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! OUTRANGEOUS!!! UNIMPRESSED!!!
(1)
Johnny W.

Food -- out of the park-- good-- really good Service- in the basement bad A little pricey for lunch-- but the chef gets kudos- He better get some friendly professional wait staff if he wants return customers-- at these prices we deserve top service---too
(3)
Deidra W.

This place is truly a diamond in the rough. The food is so beautifully presented. Definatley worth the trip. Prices are a little bit on the higher side, but the taste makes it all worth it.
(5)
Don C.

Tomato Soup out of this World. Huge pieces of chunked Tomato Mushrooms Plabano make this a meal in itself. Enjoy. The French Flare is evident from the appetizers through the fresh Tuna plates. Vegetables taste beyond compare Starches taste better than home cooking and the Steaks Beef poultry lamb and Sea food strupendous.
(5)
Heather N.

Delicious food, huge portions, cute ambiance, fantastic service, and affordable prices! I highly recommend Wild Garlic Grill in Tucson. From the exterior, it doesn't seem like it would be the swankiest place, but inside it is decorated very nicely. Meals are very reasonably priced and portioned, and it is very likely that you'll have a to-go box to enjoy the rest of your meal later. I ordered Braised pork shoulder ($12.95) and I have to say it was delicious! The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, with just the right seasonings and flavors. My friend ordered the rosemary and thyme chicken breast which was equally great. I think that you could easily try all of their options, since their menu is pretty small. Further, our waiter was so very nice and courteous. Overall, definitely a great restaurant to visit if you're in Tucson!
(5)
Monica E.

I have been to Wild Garlic Grill a couple of times, so I finally feel I can give a good estimation of what to expect. Location. Given its location, it seems Wild Garlic was a haphazard decision. It seems more fitting that it would be located downtown or in East Tucson. It is located on a main corridor full of small service-orientated businesses and furniture stores, a few fast food restaurants and too many convenience stores. Ambiance. What a hodgepodge. Even the dinning room is somewhat confusing. There doesn't seem to be a solid theme when it comes to the decor, so it doesn't lend itself to the romance once might expect from this type of establishment. The other problem -- the tables located inside are sometimes way too close to one another. Last visit, I felt I was sitting with my neighbor, not the people I came with. Try the patio. There are heated lamps for the cooler weather, and they are quite robust. It is lovely out there. I know all this sounds like major complaints, but I think the restaurant's redeeming factor sits squarely with its food. But before that, let's chat about the service. Service. Well...it's very inconsistent. Last time we worked with a server whose name begins with A and rhymes with timber. She would talk to you as she was coming and going, without giving a full stop at the table. Most times we did not know what she was trying to communicate to us. She also took entirely too long to take drink orders and disappeared for extended periods of time. The host, thank goodness, popped in a few times to reassure us that we would, indeed, get our drink orders and dinners. Food. Mostly heaven sent! The dishes can, at times, have a slight glimmer of too much oil, but I have been mostly over-the-top pleased. Here, you can get oregano wild mushroom soup with cream, roasted beet salad with goat cheese, mesquite honey BBQ chicken salad, a grilled rosemary and thyme chicken breast, a Black Angus hamburger, pork shoulder served with red New Mexico and poblano chilies, and so many more lovely dishes. The Gilroy garlic is very popular here. Try the Swiss fondue, which comes with sourdough. You'll get a good sense of how lovely this garlic is. The garlic shrimp and warm brie was decadent. Perfectly flavored and with a lovely addition of grilled and roasted vegetables. The shrimp was served in a buerre blanc sauce. Light, yet full of flavor. The stuffed salmon. *lip smacks* Sooooo delicious! Served with grilled asparagus and Gilroy garlic potatoes, it was the perfect melding of flavors. So, despite the strange decor and too-tight seating, I'm sure to return.
(4)
Blake G.

Wow, this is my new favorite place in Tucson. I have driven by this restaurant for years and though it was a dive bar/grill. I did not realize it was a super delicious French inspired cuisine like nothing I have experienced. I ordered the soft shell crab special, with sangria. The flavors the chef combined were so unique. Not unique in that weird gastro-snob way. Unique in the way, this is some new mind blowing food. The waitstaff was everything they should be. Friendly, prompt, helpful, and super excited about the menu. Our waiter apparently also cooks at the restaurant, and his passion for the food really shows. If you've got a date, need some food, or just want something different, come here. You wouldn't be disappointed.
(5)
Ryan T.

If restaraunts had human personalities, I would say the Wild Garlic Grill were a teenage boy confused about his identity. From the outside, I saw an old building displaying an image of a purple garlic bulb and another of a pitcher of beer. I figured this would be a place to get a good $9 garlic burger and a pitcher of beer so I tried it out. After figuring out where the entrance was, I found myself in a cramped dive bar. I squeezed through there to find a dining area with a completely different image. It seemed like they were going for a classy feel with wine glasses on all the tables. The menu surprised me with meals being around $15. Seemed like a bold move for this kind of place but I decided to give it a chance. The server recommended specials that weren't on the menu but didn't tell me any prices. I assumed they would be a little cheaper than the menu items since they're specials. I tried the stuffed salmon which was OK. There was a lot of liquid on the plate but it tasted good and was pretty big. I figured it would be a little cheaper than the $16 salmon on the menu, but after the check came, it was actually $26. Who makes specials twice as expensive as everything else without telling you first? I could look past everything else, but this is why I'm not going back.
(2)
Manuel G.

So I just moved to Tucson from Phoenix and I love trying new places. Me and my gf had been rely busy with school and work and we really needed a nice break so we decided to go here for dinner. As you drive by the place looks very plain but as soon as you step in this place is far from ordinary. We were greeted by very friendly staff, our waitress(we sat at the bar) was very friendly she explained the dishes and the specials. We ordered our food had a few drinks before they arrived and once they arrived let me tell you they looked delicious. I ordered a steak and my gf had a pasta dish both were very delicious I would definitely recommend this place
(5)
Jennifer K.

Very tasty and unique ambience. Gourmet good at it's finest without paying for a limb! Prefer the seafood myself seabass and salmon with the rich tasty sauces and accompaniments. But everything looks quite enticing here. Plan to return for the apps.
(5)
Tam G.

Everything taste the same. He uses the same sides for practically every dish. Safe flavor combos to cater to the older crowd, nothing outstanding. Service is mediocre at best. Don't expect your server to know much about food or wine. Interior matches the exterior, run down. Give it a try but don't expect to be wowed.
(3)
Susan C.

Besides the temperate winter climate in Tucson, Wild Garlic is the other thing we look forward to whenever we return. It's been less than a year since we last dined here, and there have been changes -- 1. Restaurant's open from 11am till evening everyday 'cept Monday. I believe it was only open for dinners previously. 2. Inside has been moderately redone, with an al fresco type paint on the walls, some interesting artwork. It no longer looks so much like a Burgermeister - at least from the inside. 3. Staff has increased in number and wear the restaurant industry standard we-mean-business black ensembles. 4. The talented Chef now has one or two assistants in the kitchen and works sequestered away in a part of the kitchen we can't see when seated at the bar. The assistants work non stop cooking up sides, like veggies and the famed taro chips. Some things that didn't change -- 1. False-teeth droppingly reasonable prices: If you sit at the bar, you get $2 off cocktails, wines and appetizers. The drinks and apps are only about $8/ea to begin with, people. For $8-$2=$6 you can pass out over your garlic shrimp app or wild mushroom soup, which brings me to... 2. STRONG drinks: From a woman who's only gotten rip-roaring drunk out once in her life I can certifiably say that, after a few sips of Wild Garlic's signature cocktail, your pubic hair will catch fire. Their Sidecar came in a large martini glass and was still 3/4 full when I've devoured half of my lamb shank. These are not the "cocktails of *ze moment* offered up by the oh la la nouveau drinking establishments popping up everywhere. These are drinks for people who have nothing on their agenda for the rest of the week, except staying at home watching Oprah reruns while trying to find the last shreds of their dignity under month-old newspapers and Chinese take out containers. 3. The taro chip garnishes on every dish: It seems odd to devote a bullet point to something as non descript as taro chips, but these chips deserve mention. Large slabs of taro are deep fried and seasoned perfectly with salt and accompany every entree. We don't yet know why there isn't an app of taro with select salsas, but regardless of whether the chips actually go with every dish, they are awesome. The only disappointment is what we felt was the over-the-top over-garnishing of every dish. The simple seabass we had during our last visit was now accompanied by a mariachi band of salsa with capers, rice pilaf-y thing and creamy sauce, as well as greens cooked in olive oil, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and other things my Sidecar-infused mind won't let me remember. My lamb shank - huge also - was simpler with a nice sauce, but perhaps not the best cut. The lamb also had a menagerie of stuff side greens AND delicious mashed potato. Neither one of us could finish our dishes, and we wondered, looking at everyone else's huge portions - whether the restaurant was making as much profit as they could, and whether it was necessary to *try so hard* to please every palate and fill every beer belly. No entree was priced over $18/each (maybe even lower) - and with that you get a plate as large as my ass filled to the brim with *stuff*. While we TRULY appreciate how Wild Garlic gives its patrons more bang for the buck, we would've preferred something simpler.
(4)
Melissa L.

Absolutely a delight! It was unfortunate that they were sold out inside because outside really is too hot in Arizona when it's 107Â° however the food was still absolutely phenomenal. Especially the presentation of the dishes.
(4)
Cindy N.

I have been looking forward for so long to eat here so many reasons. I heard the chef is amazing. A group of neighbors occasionally go out for dinner so this place was chosen by one of the ladies. We had a reservation for 6.00 PM assuming in 100 degree temp we would be seated in the air conditioned part of the restaurant. This place was converted from an old drive in restaurant and obviously had a lousy A/C system and even in that part of the place where it was air conditioned it still was warm. We were shooed into a large extension which was not A/C. with just a fan the size of a jumbo jet engine and sounded twice as loud. We took out seats. The hostess that seated us expressed that we basically were lucky enough to sit here because this restaurant has been rated number #1 for having the best chef in Tucson. It really sounded pompous the way she put it. Disregarding this statement. We just wanted to have a good time and eat some of the wonderful food. Despite sitting in a wind tunnel with your hair blowing all over the place and the din in the background we ordered our food from a lovely knowledgeable young lady. The menu is very diverse and fairly priced for what they have to offer. I ordered the roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, kale and I believe some red peppers. Someone ordered the ribs and a couple of ladies ordered the Salmon. Everyone's dish was presented artistically and quite large portions big enough to have another meal with the left overs. My chicken was very tasty but because it was the breast so sometimes it is tough. The mashed garlic potatoes were awesome. I tasted the salmon and that too was cooked to perfection. One of the ladies bought a cake from outside and there was some confusion about adding a fee on for cutting and serving the cake. It was a small cake and we easily could have sliced it ourselves. The hostess came over and told us this is their policy and all restaurants do the same thing by charging the patrons for serving the cake. Somehow, it was straightened out. I never knew that. I know I will never come here in the summer for sure. Though the food and presentation were top notch. I could have done without the bragging about the place and let the people who eat here and keep coming back see for themselves. A little humility goes a long way.
(3)
Jennifer D.

I have eaten here about three times already, and each time the food was excellent. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you oder on their menu. I would have given it 5 stars, but this last experience we were seated in their back patio which was one, but the hostest never informed any waiter or waitress that we were sitting in the little conner of the room. I think we wait for more than 15 mins before anyone acknowledged us. We were about to leave when finally someone came. The only reason we stayed is because of what I said earlier, the food is so great!
(4)
Reid W.

Best restaurant in Tucson. Ever since Dish closed its doors, Wild Garlic Grill has taken its place as the most decadent and well thought out destination for food in Tucson. My only caveat would of course be an appreciation for garlic, and umami as practically everything is savory and full. My only complaints may actually be the portions - every time I visit, we order more food than we can eat and end up taking half or so home. But that also speaks to the menu, which is appealing and well thought out. The outside ambiance leaves more than a little to be desired, though the inside is quite nice and cozy. The open kitchen is also nice, especially if you sit at the bar.
(5)
Kim L.

It's been a few years since I've been here, and I was glad to be back tonight for an amazing dinner! My husband and I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the staff and other diners. It just felt so completely homey and intimate, like we were all part of a big family. We spoke with the chef, and watched all the amazing meals being made, it was such an overall wonderful experience! The bread was warm and delicious, the wine was perfect, and the pasta bolognaise with beef, pork, and veal and all those fresh, charred veggies was divine! Oh and the beet and goat cheese salad couldn't have been more perfect, there was even a flower to top it off!! We saw the amazing garlic topped steaks coming out, and can't wait to try one next time, the prices are extremely reasonable for the big portions and yumminess coming out of that kitchen!! I haven't thoroughly enjoyed a meal like this in a long time!!
(5)
Maria G.

Last Saturday we went to dinner at Wild Garlic. I hadn't been to the restaurant in over a year. I have had great dinners and drinks at Wild Garlic in the past. The friend we were taking out has also enjoyed Wild Garlic in the past. I really like the high-quality food and large portions served here. They do a great job cooking seafood. My previous visits have all been on weekdays and I have always sat on the patio or at the bar. I have always liked Wild Garlic. However, this is a strange small restaurant that was formally a hamburger stand. In theory I think the repurposing of the building is great, but in reality it may be an issue. Last Saturday we sat inside in the restaurant. We were lucky to get a table for four because we forgot to make a reservation. On the weekends a reservation is necessary. We were seated at the very last open table, in the corner, with no elbow room. We started by ordering drinks. The service was very slow. We asked the server to recommend a glass of wine. She recommend the Pinot Noir. It was a good glass of wine. The wine cost $11 a glass. I wasn't expecting the price as most of the wines on the list were $8 or less. The pours on the wine are nice big pours and I was really trying to make my glass last through dinner. Unexpectedly dinner ended up lasting three hours. I ordered a second glass so that I could have some wine to drink with dinner. In total our table ordered four glasses of the Pinot Noir. The $44 spent on wine was a large portion of the $132 bill. It took way too long to get our food. We did order an appetizer but it wasn't very good. We ordered the Swiss fondue. It had a consistency of thin soup but it also had big chunks of garlic in it. It wasn't good. They ended up giving us three rounds of bread while we waited. We took the second two rounds of bread home. I ordered the salmon, my favorite dish at Wild Garlic. The salmon was good and it came with a ton of vegetables. The risotto on this visit was too thin and runny, not as good as I remembered it being. We also ordered the caldo and it was good and a huge portion. Sitting at our table got really loud and really hot/warm. I still can't believe how long it took to eat dinner, three hours. We didn't stay even a minute after our check was processed. We skipped desert as it was already getting late. Everybody at our table, except for me, had a takeout box full of food. I ate most of mine, nothing to take home. Because of my good experiences in the past I will try this restaurant again, but it will probably be awhile before I go back, and I will never go back on a Saturday night.
(3)
Jenny S.

if you want HUGE PORTIONS of yummy food, wild garlic grill is your place! my dinner plate was so large i could only finish half & took the other half home HAPPY HOUR means $2 off cocktails, which is supposed to be at the bar only but our waitress was nice enough to let us slide which made up for the slow service! --complimentary french bread w/ butter --garlic fondue: we ordered this to dip the french bread in but it wasn't really anything special --sea bass special: very FLAVORFUL from the fish to the sides, YUM --cheesecake: perfect for the birthday girl, this was good too nice outdoor patio area for when it's nice out NOTE: LIMITED PARKING which would be difficult when the restaurant is packed!
(4)
Stodd B.

This place is in the top five restaurants I have ever tried. Don't let the outside fool you. Inside is the real deal. Service was amazing. Not overbearing and just right. The food broke da mout. Wow. If you are in Tucson you must try this place out. Great beers as well.
(5)
Kevin C.

Mouth Watering Appetizers and XL Portions are 2 reasons this ranks as one of my Favorites in the Old Pueblo. I dine out 4-5 times a week and have always gotten Prompt serivce in the Bar area. For anyone trying to impress based on Atmosphere I would NOT recommend, However for true Food Lovers who can get past the Decor don't hesitate, i wish they had Beer on Tap and wish I could cook as well as Steve and Co. Never been able to even look at the desert Menu. Getting just past the Specials of the night is about all I ever manage to do here. Best meal I ever had here was walking in close to closing. They had a single piece of Seabass left and it was HUGE!
(5)
Garry B.

BLUFF: great food, lousy customer interaction by chef manager. First, let me start by saying the food here is outstanding. It really WAS one of the best restaurants in Tucson. Know what you are getting into though; it will be crowded, loud and you will need to wait quite a while for your food after the order is placed. With that said, and you brave the crowds and noise, you MUST listen to, and order their daily specials. The sea bass is amazing! (As is the duck, venison and steaks!) However, now I must give them 2 stars not for food, but very poor customer service by the owner. We made a dinner reservation for a group of 10 to dine here several weeks ago for a special graduation celebration. Luckily, while bragging about the menu and specials we called up the website and saw they had a planned closure on the night of our reservation! (The very next evening!) What a shock! They did not call to cancel the reservation or attempt a reschedule; nothing! Luckily, we were able to get a reservation elsewhere. Sadly, their plan must have been to let us find out they were closed when we showed up. I love the restaurant but the owner Maudi's only reply by a Facebook to my contact was that I found a good restaurant to have my event at, and she liked my choice. Nothing more. No apology or acknowledgement that I had to scramble to make a new reservation elsewhere. Great food, but if you have a reservation, I HIGHLY suggest you double check the reservation and IF they are open. Don't expect a call if they need to cancel or close.
(2)
Jay B.

One of the best fancy-food restaurants in Tucson. I recommend sitting at the bar, at least to start. It is Happy Hour 24/7 at the bar which means discounted beer, wine, cocktails and 2 dollars off appetizers. They have a great assortment of drinks. I prefer the Nicaraguan lager and to my knowledge, they are the only restaurant to carry it in Tucson. The appetizers are great. The shrimp are tender and tasty. The salads are huge and quite generous. The dinner entrees are also top-notch. Every night they have a series of chef specials ranging from fresh Alaskan salmon to a New Zealand venison steak. The desserts are also great - everything from key lime pie to fresh NY style cheesecake. I will add that the kitchen is entirely open and exposed. No Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmare going on here! This place is super-laid back, local, relaxed, and non-elitist. I highly recommend. Extremely affordable given the quality of the food. My new hot spot.
(5)
Monica G.

The food is great, good taste and very big portion. Just a little bit crowded.
(4)
K J.

Well they were out of Ribeye steaks tonight, so I told Steve to surprise me for my birthday. I got 2 meals in one, with the new Brisket special, and the new Veal meatballs with pasta. Wow was it good. The Brisket was the most tender Brisket I've ever had, and it had an Avocado salad on top that went with the meat very well. The veal meatballs were delicious as well. I still have half of the meal left for a midnight snack. They offer a free dessert for your birthday, but I couldn't begin to eat anymore.
(5)
K O.

The first 3 or 4 times I went there it was amazing. The ribs were great and the mashed potatoes were delicious. My boyfriend is obsessed with their seafood stew. And the service was pretty good. The last 2 or 3 times I've gone were... less than desirable. I took my parents there and they were out of everything we ordered. No bread, potatoes, or the beer my dad ordered. The last time I went my ribs were cold in the middle. I don't even know how that is possible unless they'd been cooked in advance and then re-heated poorly. Pretty disappointed. There are other places I'd rather spend my money nowadays. Maybe if they're still around in a year I'll give them another shot.
(2)
Shijie F.

Our meal here was perfect, absolutely PERFECT. We came here on a Sunday evening. I warned my in-laws that based on past experience, the service could be a bit spotty, but the food would more than make up for everything. I was wrong! We had a great time and there was no service issue. And of course, the food was soooooo soooooo good. The garlic shrimp and brie appetizer was heavenly. My seafood stew was great. Even the chicken salad was delicious. It was also a wonderfully affordable meal! My in-laws were seriously impressed. Keep up the good work WGG!
(5)
Atlantean E.

Decided to check this place out based on yelp reviews. Looks sketchy outside but nice inside. Excellent service. Ordered the linguini... a few bites in im horrified when I realize im chewing on a foreign object!!! A Freakin Metal Wire in my linguini!!!! Freakin Dangerous.. I could have swallowed it! Tore my back gums up pretty good. The waiter brought it to the attention of the owner and cook and told us they knew what it was and were embarrassed by it and comped our meal. As if I would have paid for metal linguini! I know accidents happen but this type of negligence is very dangerous...... Needless to say ill never return.
(1)
Tom F.

This week, we had a spectacular dinner at Wild Garlic Grill. For full disclosure, I was a frequent customer at Luna Bella, and was thrilled to see that Steven Schultz had opened a new restaurant. I am a huge fan of his creative genius. And this dinner proved that he is still the best chef in Tucson! We started with appetizers - grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie and the garlic Swiss fondue. Both were the perfect opening for our evening. The garlic is prevalent, but never overpowers the dish. Such perfect balance. Moving on to the main course, my date ordered the stuffed salmon and I had the venison. Our waitress, Amber, who I knew from Luna Bella, guided us to these main dishes and her recommendations were perfect! The salmon was stuffed with the most wonderful lobster and shrimp. So fresh and done to perfection. The venison was the perfect temperature, tender and glazed beautifully. The greens served as a side had that beautiful flavor of sweet garlic. Absolutely stunning! For desert, we trusted Amber to order for us. She brought us out the cheesecake first. Creamy, perfect level of tart and sweet. Then came the lemon cello cake. The cake was airy, light, and such a great flavor of lemon. The perfect end to an amazing meal. We had the honor of thanking Steve and Maudi in person for a beautiful, romantic, wonderful evening. I've mentioned Amber twice. If you are fortunate enough to have her serve you, please listen to her recommendations. She knows the food so well, and will make your night perfect. And at the bar is Mike, who has forgotten more about great wine than most of us will ever learn. When you combine that amazing level of service with the passion of owners like Steve and Maudi, you are set for one of the best dinners of your life!
(5)
John N.

Another terrific meal at WGarlic in its funky, humble location. Evening was cold on Sunday but the large enclosed patio was heated fully with attractive and efficient propane monsters. Service was slow but friendly and efficient. The place was bustling. Wife and daughter shared super yummy mussels [ see photo ] in delicious sauce, then the cabrillo dinner. Plates were cleaned and lips were smacked. I ate the excellent stuffed salmon special that was larger than the front section of the Titanic. Enough remained for a full lunch on Monday. Plate included soft rice base plus veggies and a salad. Would have appreciated more potatoes and less kale in the hot veg segment, but that's a small grumble. We have dined here many times at lunch and dinner. Will continue to do so. We had a ton of ideas of where to eat on Sunday, and WGarlic was the best choice by a large margin. [ Sorry I took a bite out of my salmon creation before snapping photo below. ]
(5)
David R.

I was a little worried about the parking pulling in, as I had my 84 year old mother with me. Fortunately found a handicapped spot after circling around. A little worried coming into the restaurant too as she is unsure on her feet and the staff were hustling around sort of frenzied in a cramped area. Definitely not for the older crowd IMO. The food is stellar. Perfectly cooked meat and vegetables. Friend's fish stew looked amazing. The garlic shrimp appetizer melted in our mouths. Would more than do for an entrÃ©e with some bread on the side. The garlic bread was delish too. The service was kind of spotty. We waited almost 10 minutes before a server came over to greet us and take a drink order. Bread took 20 minutes. The appetizers came out pretty quickly but there was a pretty big lag before the entrees came out. I've waited tables for a living and so can tell - the staff appears a little stressed and disorganized. Like so many others have noted, it's very loud. Almost like being in a bar. The roof was leaking a tiny bit too and it kept dripping on my hand about every 5 minutes or so. Fortunately, the table was placed so it didn't wind up in my drink or food.
(4)
Frank M.

I've driven by the Wild Garlic Grill (WGG) a number of times but until today have never made the time to stop by. Well today was the day, wanting more than a average burger or burrito it seemed like the perfect place for lunch for my wife and I. My wife, the somewhat picky meat eater of the family had the burger and was very impressed by it. I had the pork caldo and let me tell you, it was truly impressive for a lunch item. The pork was so tender and the rice with corn was the perfect complement. It also came with a side of organic vegetables included red onion, corn and chard... it was a perfect meal
(4)
Andrew A.

I had previously given this restaurant a very negative review. We had a bad experience upon our last visit due to what was perhaps a sewerage back up or something of the sort. We left before ordering and I regretfully gave WGG a poor review before trying their food. I am always the first to admit my mistakes so here is my new review: The menu looked great on line and I've heard pretty good things so we went on down to check it out. Our waiter was INCREDIBLY informative and extremely professional. I think there may have been more specials thst evening than there were items on the actual menu! I went with one of the nightly specials, a shoft-shell crab app that was very very good. It was served kinda salad style and had I eaten all of the salad around it , it would have been enough for my whole meal. I knew I had much more eating to do so I basically just ate the crab parts out of the salad and moved on. I had a braised chili pork dish that was excellent! My gf had a chicken dish and she finished all of it! It was all so good that I went to the trouble to rewrite this review so as to disregard my former....and to announce my new found love for this spot! Good luck to you WGG! We will see you again soon!
(4)
Jay A.

Because the bar is so low restaurant-wise in the old pueblo it's easy to stand out. But The Wild Garlic Grill would stand out in Los Angeles or San Francisco too! Don't let the old A&W building fool you. This place has a wonderful and ambitious menu and they pour a great drink. My wife had chicken with mushrooms a spectacular garlic mashed potatos. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I had the San Francisco stew. All I can say is WOW. We also had the best Ahi Poke I've ever tasted. Don't miss this place. And they serve lunch.
(5)
Eleana H.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. This is one of my favorites here in town and for good reason. The place is beautiful on the inside and their food is simply to die for. Good portions, beautifully presented and downright tasty! I always get their daily specials, and its hard to ever go wrong here because everything will always turn out delicious. The one problem I do have with this place is service, sometimes its a hit or miss.. but oh well! Once it took them 20 minutes to get us drinks which we thought was ridiculous. The food though that came after made up for it, but if this place can get their service to be consistently good.. that would make me more of a repeat customer!
(5)
Danielle E.

This was my second trip here. Ranted and raved about my first awesome dinner so we went last night. What a defeat! Arrived on a whim without a reservation...the place was busy but there were still plenty of tables open. We got seated at a wobbly table smack in the middle of of the enclosed part of the restaurant. Our water was served in a wine glass bc there were no water glasses. Our waitress rattled off only three of the specials which i only came to find out because i overheard the table next to us getting the full schpeel. Fast forward to ONE HOUR that we waited between ordering and checking about our food. I was famished so i asked for more bread. I was told by our waitress that the house was out of bread. They were not as i saw bread coming out in abounds for other tables. Sidenote: after forgetting to bring us our wine and beer for ten minutes she sincerely apologised for it being her first day. Not sure that was the best idea on mgmt's part to try out a newbie on a busy friday night :/ When we finally got our food AN HOUR and ten minutes LATER from when we ordered it my husbands medium steak was well done and leathery. And this point id been patient long enough. They swapped out the steak for him but by the point he got his food i was done with my meal. The mgr offered to buy us another round of drinks but we said no. Id expect that a small compensation on the bill would have reflected our experience but no, not even our first round of drinks were comped. We were not the only table to wait over an hour for our food which shows to me lack of adequate timing or staff in the kitchen. If my first experience hadnt been a total 180 from this id say id never go back. Id try this place one more time just to make a final opinion.
(2)
Ana Lucia N.

Don't judge a book by its cover. This restaurant is a gem - and once inside you will be enticed by the delicious aromas and enjoy the energy! We were super excited about the bolognese dish and the Bass. Look at everyone around us - their meals made is drool.
(5)
Howard C.

This is my number one Choice for date night. Amazing food for incredible prices. The bar is great too for happy hour. Thanks Wild Garlic Grill!!
(5)
Monica C.

Awesome dinner and outstanding service. Wild Garlic is a new find for us. Had some new wines and ordered chefs specials. Served dinner in 20 minutes.
(4)
Toni M.

We met our friend Bleep here tonight for dinner. This place is amazing. The ambiance is not elegant. It's a former A&W Root Beer stand and you can still see its fast food bones, but who cares? We sat out on the patio. Our server was attentive and helpful. She described the night's specials and they all sounded good. Alan and I decided to split a beet salad. Had we known how big the portions were we wouldn't have done that, but it was soooo good! It came unsplit so we asked for an extra plate and split it ourselves. Alan's not a fan of goat cheese, so I got that, but we both loved the beets and the tomato slices and the lightly dressed field greens. Bleep ordered a glass of Chardonnay and I a glass of old vine Zinfandel. The pours were generous. We were brought bread and butter. Alan tasted the bread and confirmed it was as crusty and tasty as it looked. I didn't have any. Bleep ordered the sea bass, Alan ordered the pistachio crusted New Zealand rack of lamb and I ordered the New Zealand venison. I haven't had venison in decades, but remember seeing domestically raised deer in pastures as we drove in New Zealand and decided to try it. All three were specials, so I don't have a menu to check for details, so they will be lacking. Portions were enormous, the mains well cooked and the sides interesting and well seasoned. None of us could finish our meal. Bleep had enough to bring home. Alan left one of his chops, there were so many. My venison was delicious, a large chunk and not gamey in the same way wild venison is. We couldn't even contemplate dessert. Prices were extremely low for the quality and quantity of food. The one off note was the styrofoam containers for leftovers. Living close to Berkeley, which has outlawed styrofoam, I expect containers to be either compostable or recyclable. Styrofoam doesn't fit w/ the excellence or consciousness of the food and I hope the owners will invest in more eco-friendly containers. We would be willing to pay an extra premium for that and I hope others would too. We left mightily impressed w/ this fine addition to the Tucson dining scene.
(5)
miles c.

My wife and I had dinner there about 5:30pm yesterday (9/6/15). You definitely don't want to judge this restaurant by its exterior or you won't go in. But once inside, there's a nice, cozy bar area and then a limited dinner seating area inside and a larger patio seating area. Pleasant ambiance but it can get a bit noisy. Having said all of that, the dinner and service were absolutely excellent! We had the cheesy garlic bread to start--delicious! I followed that with the wild mushroom soup and the rack of lamb--both excellent! I'm a "very rare; black & blue" person for my red meat; many chefs won't cook it that way, but they did at the WGG and the lamb was right on. My wife had the Northwestern salmon dish with the corn risotto--truly a wonderful dish! Our server (Dan) was attentive but not intrusive. Overall, a wonderful dining experience; we will return and we highly recommend it.
(5)
Erin B.

Wild Garlic Grill: I have to give you mad kudos for bringing an (unexpected) eatery to the Grant/1st Ave area! And yes, it is unexpected. The building from the outside resembles a 1950's drive-in greasy burger diner, but once you're inside, it's clear that you're.... well... I don't know where, but it's not a burger joint. Once inside, the restaurant will take you through a long corrodor that looks like a serving station, piled high with cups and glassware before you're even in the dining area. Strange entry --not a good way to be introduced to fine dining. A couple servers bustled by as we stood waiting to be acknowledged or told what to do. A staff person, presumably a hostess or server (?), appeared moments later and demanded if we had a reservation. It felt a bit aggressive and accusatory. What if we didn't have a reservation? Would we not be seated in this half-empty place? Oh well, onward. We opted to be seated on the patio, as we dined inside last time one year before. The patio was very plain and unadorned. Ok lets be real here: it was ugly. No music, no flowers, nada. Ok so ambiance isn't big here, lets get to the meat and potatoes of the meat and potatoes. I remembered liking the Summer Day -- a cocktail of freshly muddled basil and cucumber, made with gin or vodka. I got it with vodka and it satisfied as it did before. Upon receiving our menus, we both noted immediately that nothing on the dinner menu had changed! In a whole year! Checked out the specials and they too were the same! Is it really a special anymore if its been on special for a whole year?! Come ON let's not get lazy now, Wild Garlic Grill! I was sadly put off by our server, who seemed like she was avoiding showing me the courtesy of looking me in the face or asking me directly what I wanted and went to my dinnermate for every check-in instead. Weird, awkward service. We ordered the garlic swiss fondue with freshly baked sourdough bread. I enjoyed the fondue, although it was not quite "on" in the texture department -- rather runny and not holding together very well. But it was very good and very garlicy. I've been spoiled by San Francisco sourdough, and although a freshly baked loaf of bread is one of my favorite vices, this kind of sourdough didnt quite make the mark. Staying with tradition, I ordered the same entree I ordered "on special" the last time -- Seared Ahi Tuna, medium rare with tomato rice, steamed veggies, and a roasted red pepper and caper tapenade. And what tasted like a buerre blanc sauce, but wasn't mentioned on the menu. It tasted good enough, with far too large a portion, and I was not blown away by the flavor combinations. Good, just nothing to rave about. How is this place still in business with such enormous portions? They must be THROWING money away. Sure, I love leftovers and paying $12 for essentially two meals, but my GOD, Chef Gordon Ramsey would have a shit fit. I think my biggest problem with Wild Garlic Grill is the lack of imagination and creativity in food choices. Reading through this menu is like having deja vu over and over and over again. Did I really see the same item on the menu FIVE times?! How many times can buerre blanc be good on everything? Isn't French cooking a LITTLE more diverse than garlic and tomato? End rant. My second big issue with Wild Garlic Grill is the service. From first feeling like a nuisance to seemingly being interrogated about a reservation, to our redheaded server avoiding looking or talking to me during the meal,.. was, well, not the best. At least she knew the "specials" very well; I guess having a whole a year to memorize 5 items helps.
(3)
Steven R.

My wife and I hadn't been back here in a long time, and now I remember why. We had a friend in town and went. For a Wednesday night, it was busy, so we didn't expect to get served immediately. We were seated fairly quickly, but then waited 45 minutes for an appetizer and approximately 90 to get our actual meals. We received bread, but were at that point where we almost left because we just weren't sure we were ever going to get our actual meals. I'm sure many yelpers say "I'm a patient person, but..." but I really mean it. I can't remember ever wanting to walk out of a restaurant due to waiting, but we were almost to that point. I know it's not fast food, but we're not in the French countryside - this meal was never meant to take an eternity. The worst part? I got the filet mignon special and was treated to a very leathery, mediocre filet that was extremely undercooked (ordered med. rare and and received it almost raw). Just weak. We weren't even comped a drink...nothing. Our bill came in less than a minute, which was awfully considerate of them. We will never go again. Ever.
(1)
Mike G.

I typically only write positive reviews on Yelp, but I will do my best to be completely fair with this review. I had heard about this place from some friends, and then I went onto yelp and read some great reviews. I don't care about ambiance as much as good food and that was all I wanted when we went last night. The place was packed and I always take that as a good sign, and we were seated on the patio. To make a long story short the Service left much to be desired. They were obviously busy but we had to wait for over 30 minutes to get a waiter. I had to ask what the specials were because we were never told. Honestly, the best part of Service was the gentleman filling our water glasses and giving us bread. He had a great attitude. The appetizer we had was the garlic shrimp and we were off to a great start. It was really good. After that it was really down hill. We had a simple burger (every solid restaurant should be able to make a decent burger), talapia, and Portabella mushrooms. I really hate to say this but it was all very bland. The presentation was great but the taste did not deliver. My wife's french fries were cold and hard, and my mash potatoes tasted really bad. I can cook both of these things better at home by myself...I am serious. A 2 star review on Yelp means (Meh. I've experienced better) and that about sums it up. The waitress did give us a free piece of cheesecake which I really appreciate. She did say that kitchen was having issues that night. I appreciate that but between the 2 and 1/2 hours we were there and bad service and food it did not redeem the night. I think the restaurant may have been having an off night that night. If I come back and have a good experience I will re-write this review to reflect that. Consistency for any place of business is where the rubber hits the road.
(2)
Christina L.

Came back for a second time for a weekend lunch. The experience felt like a nice dinner out even if it was 3pm. We sat at the bar and even though the restaurant has an odd shape it was fun. Great service. Was even offered a bottle of wine at a lower cost because it was the last one. The kitchen heat was bit warm for sitting by the bar but everyone was very nice. The portions are huge yet again. Try: escargot, sea bass, anything with the risotto Faves: salmon, all the fab salads
(4)
Bleep S.

Should be included in "Best of Tucson"....perfectly prepared Cal-French...large portions and reasonably priced. Efficient, helpful service in a pleasant atmosphere. We will definitely be back. This is our favorite restaurant in Tucson at the moment.
(5)
Scott B.

This is the third time we have been to the restaurants. First two times I would've easily given it four or five stars. Tonight only two stars. The food was not exceptional. The service was excellent. The presentation of the food was excellent. I had to send the artichoke appetizer back because it was not steamed enough. The ribeye special was much too fatty (Fat, not marbleized). The ribs were not cooked like they usually do through and through. The Seabass was excellent. I also find it quirky that they do not honor the happy hour specials unless you are by the bar which seats about 10 people uncomfortably.
(2)
Johnny C.

Been here three times and must say, it has become one of my favorite spots to eat in the neighborhood. Parking can be a problem because there is not much of it for the rush of people this place gets and its a weird diagonal setup for the spaces. I've had to drive around and park in the lot north of the restaurant. Once inside it is a nice place, a bit cramped, the tables are close together and those sitting at the bar can feel a little crowded by those waiting for a table. They enclosed the patio to add more seating which was a great idea. There's art on the wall that I believe is for sale and a center kitchen where you can see your food being prepared if you sit close enough in view. One trip we decided to sit at the bar and watch it all happen. It can get a little hot because you are so close to the action, but its fun. Now to the food... All three times I have been here the food has been excellent. The bread they give to start has a soft middle/ crispy outside feel and always hot and melts the butter upon touch. I have had the meat linguini pasta, the braised rib and a ribeye steak they had as a special. All three were really good, my favorite being the linguini pasta. My girlfriend ordered salmon and really enjoyed it. My mom had a salad and liked it as well. The plates and portions are big and should fill you up. I haven't tried any desserts but my GF order their signature cocktail called the Summer day, if I remember correctly. It is very refreshing, cucumber/mint, lemonade type drink. Very good. Service has always been good and knowledgeable. 4.5 stars.
(5)
Nicole G.

Looked this place up on Yelp while passing through AZ. It's in a dumpy looking building (and it's not exactly a 5 star looking place inside either), but don't let that deceive you. In fact, you'll likely need to make reservations in advance -- we went in around 430PM on a Thursday and by 5PM it was PACKED. The food tasted and looked AMAZING. My husband had a steak and I had some chicken - and both dishes were delicious. We also shared some garlic fries... Yummmm!!! It's not really kid friendly - no children's items on the menu (even though when I called, the woman said they did have kid's items). The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars was that our server was not so great (and in fact, three different servers were constantly checking on us, but not relaying information) and we had to wait a very long time to get our food. Regardless, we'd definitely eat here again!
(4)
Matt B.

Look out for that mug of beer on the Wild Garlic Grill sign when heading down First Avenue. GREAT food, good value, hefty portions, quirky atmosphere, and truly one of my favorite restaurants in town. PS - if they ever have the pistachio/dijon rack of lamb special DO NOT hesitate.
(5)
Maegyn O.

I went there because I pass it everyday to n from work. The server we had was fantastic. Full of energy and very knowledgable of what the dishes and drinks were. The first beverage was too minty so he was nice enough to switch it out for wine that went perfect with the crab stuffed salmon. The second time we were placed outside which was nice for a couple but could use some updating. 1. I don't need to see the kitchen and the cooks running around. 2. The tables should be a bit smaller for more chair n walk space. But never can say anything negative about the food. It's spectacular. Boyfriends ribs were falling off the bone and once again my salmon (not stuff) with the lemon was to die for! Will always return!
(4)
Carianne C.

Excellent early Saturday night dinner at WIld Garlic Grill. I loved all the fresh ingredients, and my steak was actually cooked to the perfect temperature. The service was fabulous. We were seated on the patio next to the wall, which was actually a bit chilly. Our table had a view of the back door of the kitchen, which was actually really distracting for the early part of the meal. Employees loudly dragging trashcans out to the dumpster, running out the back door to cars to tear out of the parking lot (LOL, maybe the ran out of garlic...) The general layout of the restaurant is awkward. Good place, we'll be back, and maybe ask for an indoor table...
(4)
Beth H.

Oh my gosh. What a hidden gem! It doesn't look like much on the outside, but it's cozy and adorable on the inside. This place actually used to be an old burger joint! The tables are kinda close together, but it's a small space. They have great art on the walls that is for sale too. The best part in my opinion is being able to see the kitchen. In fact, if you sit at the bar, you're right next to it. I think this adds a lot of integrity to the restaurant. But the food here is the real show stopper. I started with the garlic soup. It was rich and delicious with the warm (probably homemade) bread. And all four of us shared the Marinated Poke Salad. So good and big enough for a nice meal too! For an entre, I got one of the specials of Scottish Salmon. Mmmm! It was juicy and fresh and served beautifully. The veggies were a unique and tastey mix of rhubarb, purple broccoli, carrots, and some other things. And it came with a creamy corn risotto. Man, I wanted dessert, but I was so full at this point I had to happily take some of mine home.
(5)
Elyse P.

This restaurant is quintessential Tucson. The building itself is a little kitschy, but get seated and I promise you'll enjoy your experience - they know food. I had the caldo (braised pork stew) and it was perfection. Intense, savory flavors that come together so well with a hint of citrus. Mmm mmmm mmmm. The star at the table though, was the swordfish special. Try this place. Seriously.
(5)
Rob N.

This restaurant does not look like anything great outside, but it is truly a gem. Menu doesn't look impressive however the specials are great. I am a chef in the area and I am very critical on food especially if its pricy. I can say it was worth the money. I give it 4 out of 5 because the wait staff could be a bit more professional for the quality of food. For example reaching over the guest. Thats a big no no. The paper on the table a bit tacky, the silverware is outdated. And the restaurant was a bit noisy and crowded. Maybe some linens and a candle would make it better. As for the exterior of yhe building could use a lot of work. But overall, the cuisine is right on point cooked perfectly. Hats of to the chef. Good restaurant. Overall.
(4)
Terry M.

After reading some good reviews, we thought we'd give the Wild Garlic Grill a shot on on Mother's Day. The two ladies had the Sea Bass; I ordered the Rib Eye. Although all three dishes were beautifully presented, the Sea Bass was overlooked and Luke warm. The Rib Eye was full of grizzle and poorly seasoned. One of the Sea Bass was so over cooked we had to send it back for a second try. Have to say it was much better the second time around. Service was lacking. We had high hopes, but were sadly disappointed.
(3)
V F T.

Well....... This would be at least a solid 4 star review because the food itself is actually pretty good, and in some cases great. But the problems are that the entire building, inside and out is a total dive and and the parking lot is a disaster zone, so forget about taking a date their if she's wearing high heels. Also the service isn't exactly top notch either. Mind you that they try, I really think that they do, but they just aren't polished in the least bit. And the dining room is pretty small & LOUD, not somewhere for a romantic evening. Also the entry leads right past a very narrow corridor that flanks a long bar type area that overlooks the open kitchen. So entry & access is awkward. And it's hot in their in the summer, so you're better off avoiding the warmer months. OK what about the food? Been their a couple fo times and I can say that the Mussels in Beure Blanc sauce are excellent, the shrimp appetizer is good despite being served with melted brie cheese, (Sounds gross but it works), the portabello appetizer is hearty, salads are good too. Entrees run the gamut, from standard to artisan. Had the venison last time, rather dry, not much flavor. But the lamb chops were exquisite. Steaks are good and the seafood is fresh. But then the prices are definitely reasonable for upscale food, so aside from the dive bar appearance and less than stellar service this place is OK, why not try it sometime?
(3)
Vanessa W.

Food was superb. Atmosphere was so-so and from outside you wouldn't expect the amazing quality of the dishes. All the specials sounded amazing but I opted for the BBQ ribs and Yukon mashed potatoes. The plating was beautiful and serving was huge. Great flavors and chef clearly knows what he is doing. Will be back!
(4)
Katie S.

I visited Wild Garlic Grill as a party of six last night, specifically for my husbands birthday. We moved from Tucson to Phoenix three years ago, and let me preface this by saying we would visit Tucson just to go to Wild Garlic Grill again. When we got to the restaurant we did not have reservations, so they seated us at the bar. It was a little cramped and warm, because the kitchen back up to the bar, but we didn't make reservations, so that was our fault. However, before we could be served our first round of drinks and our first appetizer, they accommodated us in the dining room. Our server's name was James and he was very personable and attentive. He brought the drinks we ordered at the bar, along with the appetizer. I had the Caribbean Mule (Moscow Mule with rum instead of vodka) and it was GREAT. If I didn't have to drive I would have had another. Our (first) appetizer was an off menu special--the garlic butter artichoke. Well, it was cooked to perfection and was delicious from the leaves to the heart to the garlic and butter left in the bowl (which we greedily and unashamedly sopped up with the hot bread at the table). We then decided to order the Swiss and garlic fondue with fresh sourdough. Again, this was a hit. I mean, who doesn't love bread, cheese and garlic? It was very hard to resist eating the whole thing, and risk ruining our appetite. Then, James read the off-menu specials. We had already seen the rack of lamb served to another table, and my mother and I had already decided to share it. Among the off menu specials were also a seared Ahi Tuna and a ribeye, both with mushroom risotto and fresh vegetables. My father order the Tuna and husband the rib eye. Finally, the other two guests both ordered the Veal Bolognese. The meal took a little bit to prepare but not overly long. We were enjoying each other's company, so it was alright. However, after eating the meal, I would have waited much longer if necessary. No one was disappointed. The fresh vegetables (parsnips, carrots, purple cabbage and spinach) were sautÃ©ed to perfection. And talk about fresh! Our lamb was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were so creamy and garlicky! My dad's tuna was just right and he loved the sauce! Speaking of sauces, the red wine reduction with the ribeye was incredible! The risotto was perfect and creamy and the Bolognese out of this world. We all had a ton of leftovers (which were just as good the next day). Finally, I clued the waiter in to the fact that it was my husband's birthday and he brought us a cheese cake with fresh fruit to share. It was amazing! We will definitely be back!!!
(5)
Allison C.

Really good. Totally unexpected in this neighborhood. Really enjoyed the fish and warm sour dough. The wait staff was energetic and fun. You can tell they both have been doing it for a while. Very considerate.
(4)
Brenda L.

Yes, I am a fan. Why? Becasue the foood is terrific. The place is what seems to be an old drive-in diner. You walk in and see the CHEF and his crew in the kitchen and it is about as good as gets to watching cooking in action. Seat at the bar, but because the kitchen is right there, a little warm. Niice for a glass of wine before dinner. A flatscreen to watch. Dining room is small and congested but a visual sight in local art. Who cares!!! We had the pork caldo, the ribs and beet salads and they were all terrific Chef S is amazing and his food creations are innovative and exciting. .
(4)
Paulina N.

Our first experience was definitely a memorable one. As everyone has mentioned, do not be deterred by the building itself. It's definitely scary from the outside, but a completely different story once you're inside. I suppose it's expected considering the area. The bar situation is interesting, considering the kitchen is the bar? It's different, but fun watching everything that goes on. Plus, there's happy hour at the bar. (: Anyhow, our waitress was very nice and accommodating. She was a little overwhelming, but I think it was just because she was extremely friendly. Their style is definitely personable, not the prim and strictly professional type of service. If this was a restaurant located up north, I think it would have bothered me, but the area lets this place get away with a lot of things that would otherwise not be as acceptable. I do have a gripe though, but I made up an excuse for her I suppose... Sitting at the bar, patrons can see EVERYTHING that happens "in the kitchen." Therefore, I earnestly emphasize the need for being careful when it comes to health code violations. Twice, I saw her cut bread with her bare hands. She also picked them up to plate them with her hands after she picked up the phone or someone's check, etc. I feel for her though, because even though there were two waitresses, she was honestly running the whole restaurant by herself. It still cannot be overlooked, so just a warning to be more careful ! Food on the other hand... Fantastic ! We started with the mussels. They're a must-try. For entrees, we had the Braised Lamb and the Linguini with Clams. Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned wonderfully. Portions are definitely large. I'm pretty sure I had left overs for about two days. Oh, and I LOVED their sangria ! It was dangerous... I swear it didn't taste nearly as potent as it actually was. $75 for lunch was a tad pricey, but the food was worth it in my opinion. We'll be back, for sure. Thanks Steve, the chef (owner?), who definitely knows what he's doing in that kitchen !
(4)
Lisa D.

Garlic french fries to die for! Linguini with 3 meats (beef, veal and sausage) also top-notch. Mesquite honey BBQ chicken, served over greens, with apples, oranges, and candied pecans also very yummy! Server was friendly and helpful for the 4 of us, and even went so far as to tell us a little about how the Linguini with 3 meats was made. It involves making a broth with veal shanks which takes about 7-8 hours, and involves a lot of skill. This dish was so yummy that I'm inspired to get out my French cookbook and try to figure out how to duplicate this, since I don't live in Tucson. The chef must be wonderfully trained, since all the food was delicious. We all shared around little bites of our meals so we could all sample. Inside and outside are less than inspiring, but overall a wonderful food experience. If I ever come through Tucson again, I'll be stopping here!
(5)
Caitlin V.

Relaxing setting, unique food and amazing service. I've been here a few times and haven't been disappointed yet. It's the type of restaurant where you undergo that debate of whether to get the same dish every time or venture out to try something that is probably just as amazing. You might as well bring a coin and flip it, since you can't lose. Bring a date, come by yourself or host a large group- it's the perfect place.
(5)
Charlene F.

With some improvements this could easily be a 3 or better rating. We had dinner here last night and a few things to know. The food was good and I would enjoy it again although I was a bit mislead by the word 'garlic' in the name. You can smell the wonderful scent as you approach the very small place but the taste in the food was minimal at best. It is super small! You walk in at the bar and have to squeeze past those sitting there. The menus are NASTY dirty with food and grease and need to be laminated so they can be cleaned daily. Bad pictures on the wall and servers who talk over you and really don't listen and a super bad shower curtain that separates the kitchen from the dinning area but again, the food was very good.
(2)
Sean A.

A group of friends and I came here tonight to celebrate a couple of birthdays and it was one of the best dining experiences I have had. The portions and the quality of the food are well worth the cost and the service is incredible. But, the most amazing thing was that at the end of our meal, the waitress told us the gentleman who was sitting next to us was from Indianapolis and had paid forward for our entire meal. We couldn't believe it. I am floored, floored with grace by this man's generosity. I don't know how likely it is that your meal will be covered by a kind stranger when you eat here. But, the service and the kindness of the hard-working people at Wild Garlic Grill make this a great place to dine and to share. Kind stranger from Indianapolis! If you see this, THANK YOU!
(5)
Rachel L.

What a gem! The place is pretty small and intimate and the parking lot is small as well, but well worth it! I would suggest calling in reservation, since the place was even packed on a Wednesday night. The food is beautiful and tastes FABULOUS! I had the Tilapia and it was cooked to perfection. It is so hard to get fish cooked right at a restaurant. The chef here is top notch. They have a full bar, wine and beer and especially pleasing to me was a wide selection of beers. You can go casual or dressy! It's kind of loud, so if you're looking for quiet, go elsewhere.
(5)
David Y.

CHECK IT OUT! Good food! A little cramped inside. The noise level accumulates and is rather loud with a full house of diners. I got the Bolognese. Friend got the Seabass and my other friend got the steak. Everything was spot on! Seasoned just right! Great spot to check out if you're in the area! They have daily specials. Would be a 5-Star rating, but the service was a little disappointing and the silverware was dirty when we were seated at our table. Other than that, the food alone was a 5-Star!
(4)
Gene T.

5 star food, 1 1/2 star service! I will be back despite the service. We joked if I were having martini's that we would have had better service but since we noticed other customers complaining I do not think that would be totally true. I had their rack of lamb. Wow. Good. Nice crust. Tasty unique sauce. The whole plate was fabulous. The other dish ordered was the stuffed salmon. Cooked perfectly and the lobster etc stuffing was so good. The combination of flavors was delightful and salmon taste was not lost. The coffee was good. It was Saturday and they did have a guitar player. Not loud but gentle and soothing so you could still talk and relax. Nice touch.
(4)
Supersweet B.

The reviews that state you probably wouldn't stop here based on the exterior were correct, still me and my love entered for a try. My first stop was the ladies room so I could wash my hands. The ladies room needed to be cleaned. On to the service. The staff was very friendly. The waitress didn't get our order right though. We asked for a cup of clam chowder, but received a bowl. My love requested a med-well burger and ended up only eating the outer edge of the burger because most of it was raw. I had a Caesar Salad that was really tasty. I also had the salmon with Risotto that was covered in a lot of stuff as if it was hiding something. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. More middle of the road. Now the price was really cheap for all this food, which are in large portions. Makes me think they are really hiding something.
(2)
Jim P.

Well the first time was 5 stars, tonight it's 3 stars. They seem ill equipped to deal with their own popularity. It took a very long time to get our meals. I had the sea bass which was slightly overcooked. Kinda strange with spinach or kale or whatever it was. Not great, just ok. My wife's barbecue chicken salad was okay, the fruit on it and big chunks of blue cheese was good.
(3)
Jamie S.

This place is amazing! Had the Garlic swiss fondue, mussels & Las Cruces ribs. All were fantastic! Perfect setting for a date night!
(5)
Alysha T.

We found this place through yelp and it had good reviews so we decided to try it out. From the outside it looks like its not going to be very good, but that's deceiving. Once inside you can see the cute decor and casual atmosphere. We went for dinner on a Sunday night, and they were out of a lot of dishes on the menu because they were restocking ingredients on Monday. Once we finally found something to order that they did have, we were fine. We ended up with some delicious cheese fondue appetizer and some steamy muscles. The steak was average. Overall this is a nice place to try if you want a new venue. And don't be fooled by the outside.
(3)
Barbara S.

Too bad the service was so slow. There were four of us with a 6 pm reservation this past Wednesday evening. As soon as we were served bread we were told that we could only have one refill because their bread was not delivered. Think someone needed to run to Beyond Bread and pick some up. We were not served our meal until 7:30. That is unacceptable. By then I lost my appetite. No matter how good the food was I will not return and be subjected to that again.
(1)
Cynde T.

Been there several times and it has always been excellent. Today I had the shrimp salad. The shrimp was fabulous but the grilled vegees were bland and tasteless. I cannot wait to go back and have something else!
(4)
Lisa T.

We have been a fan of Wild Garlic from the beginning. Incredibly great food. However, our experience on Saturday night was far from great. My husband and I took family there for what we thought would be a great dining experience. Gotta say, the service was horrible. We waited close to 90 minutes for our meal. Usually we sit at the bar because our experience of eating in the dining area hasn't been good in the past. Slow service, cold food. We've always been a fan of Eric, the former bartender, very personable and generous pours of wine. The last visit, we went to the bar to wait for the rest of our party to arrive. We ordered two glasses of chardonnay, intially we thought the bartender, Mike, must have gone for another bottle. As our pours were freakishly small. Both glasses barely would have filled a normal pour. When he returned he gave us the bill. My glass had maybe 4 ounces in it. Perhaps they were rationing due to the Gem Show. Our reservations were for the main dining room. As we were being taken to the patio we were informed that they couldn't accomodate a party of 6 in the main dining room. So we were banished to the patio/tent area. The overall decor of Wild Garlic Grill is funky, but the patio - well, it's kind of like eating in a circus tent or closed garage. They have sometype of burlap or canvas covering the windows so it's totally enclosed. No ambience whatsoever. Like eating at the kid's table. Our server, Amber, was very friendly, however she continally tried to upsell us on everything, the wine, the entrees, to the point of being annoying. They were out of a couple of the items, which she said was due to the Gem Show. Guess the chef doesn't know grocery stores were open during the Gem Show. We waited a good 90 minutes for our food to show up. Two of us had the Pier Stew, which begs for a piece or two of bread to sop up the broth. That was going to be an additional 10 minute wait. As we were finishing up our wine, contemplating dessert or coffee, Maudi (owner/hostess) came to the table to ask how everything was. She then informed us there were people who have been waiting 45 minutes for our table. Pretty much it was time for us to leave. We hadn't even finished our wine! Or ordered dessert. If we hadn't waited 90 minutes for our food to arrive, people wouldn't have had to wait 45 minutes for our table! Not exactly our fault. Rude, no other way to describe it.
(2)
George C.

This place looks like a dive from the front. It is not. Inside are the most delicious, huge, beautiful plates with the best service. AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES. My wife and I shared the grilled shared the Grilled Shrimp app and the Sea Bass entree. The best meal I have had anywhere in a very long time. We sat by the bar and had drinks, while watching the Chef with his crew make beautiful food. Such a great time. My wife has been begging to go back.
(5)
Christina C.

The food is fabulous!!! I have been twice. I've had the salmon stuffed with crab and the filet with blue cheese. Both were AMAZING. I'm giving them a 4 instead of a 5 because my boyfriend was upset that he didn't like his burger "that much" (but why did he get the burger??) and also he it took some time for his drink to come out.
(4)
Diane M.

I had read all the reviews so I knew there would be at least 2 issues for me, parking and service. We made a reservation for 6pm on a Wed. hoping to find easy parking and get reasonable service. We found the last semi-legal spot in the lot. Because of the reports of very slow service, we ordered our appetizers and main courses at the same time. After waiting a while (not overly long) our appetizers were delivered to the table by our waiter, Chris. IMMEDIATELY thereafter a young lady came over with our entrees. We sent them away. Not 30 seconds later, Chris showed up with the same entrees and tried to put them on our table at the place a 4th person would have taken. (We were 3.) He should have known better since he had JUST delivered our appetizers! We sent them away again. Need I say more? We rushed through our appetizers. When we were ready for our entrees, they came cold and soggy. They were not replated. Finally, to add insult to injury, there was no decaf. coffee with the dessert. What restaurant doesn't have decaf. available?
(2)
B. Joseph H.

If you're expecting a great ambiance you're gonna have a bad time. If you're expecting great service, you're gonna have a bad time. If you desire amazing food that will make fall out of your chair with joy - this your place! Been here twice (once for lunch and once for dinner) and and both times service was less than mediocre. But both times the food was incredible! Interesting flavor blends that make you wish it was you last meal - because it doesn't get much better than this! I always order one of the specials - the menus is a bit too long for me and I get overwhelmed. Just had the Santa Fe lunch salad: spicy chicken, crisp greens, with TONS of fresh fruit and a brilliant vinaigrette. YUM! I give three stars because the setting is a bit shabby and the service is always off.
(3)
Mathilde A.

WOW. I forgot the fact that I was still on 1st Avenue in Tucson, AZ. Tried a lot of places around here, but this place was fantastic. Our waiter Kris knew that he was talking about, had a great dinner and a fantastic wine next to that. I am normally not a dessert person, but I just had to eat up the lemon cake we had for desert. Not the cheapest place I have been to here in Tucson, but defiantly the best.
(5)
Alden C.

Happened to find this place on yelp on a Saturday night at around 8pm. Walked in to a bar area filled with people laughing having a good time. The hostess was very friendly and greeted myself and my buddy promptly. Opted to sit in the bar area where you can watch the chef work his magic. Appetizer choice was the shrimp. Man the sauce that came with the perfectly cooked shrimp was amazing. Ended up keeping the leftover sauce so that I was able to wipe it up with some fresh bread that they offered. Had the rosemary thyme chicken and mashed potatoes for my main course. The chicken was juicy and moist, and the mashed potatoes were fluffy and light. The vegetable medley consisted of some tasty burssle sprouts (to which I usually don't like, but loved tonight.) The bartender who served us named Mike made the experience even better.
(5)
J N.

Wowsers! I wanna go here all the time. Fabulous food. Service is friendly and unpretentious. Apps were good, we had garlic bread, cerviche and fondue... Filling. Lunch - - large servings. 2nd time here... We were visiting from Phoenix area. Tucson is blessed to have this place. Our server was James, very attentive.
(5)
Gail L.

I may possibly have had some of the best dishes I have ever experienced in restaurants in Tucson at the WG.. Our server was Elyse and she was what I would consider the epitome of Class Service. Ask for her.. ! :) Started titos Martini. Perfect Martini. Appetizer: Grilled Shrimp w/ brie. OFF the chart delicious. The dinner was a Special Filet Mignon with blu cheese, just mouth watering. It took some time to get food but Elyse told us of wait, we were great, if you want quality, have patience because worth the wait here. Pallet was singing. The Lemon cake dessert almost sent us over the edge. I HIGHLY recommend the food. The parking and the small wait area is a work in progress, so be prepared and don't fall in the parking lot. It is a weird outside, deceiving. Inside is the chef treat. Also the noise level is a bit tough, if romance ask for a corner.. ,
(5)
Ashton G.

We had reservations here for a large party after graduation at UA. The table was not ready when we arrived, but we were eventually seated on the outside covered patio area. The wait was somewhat awkward as the entrance hall offers about two feet of space between the people seated at the bar and the people seated at high tops against the wall, and there is no where else to stand while waiting for your table, so people entering and exiting the establishment had to squeeze/push by us to get in or out. The area we were eventually seated in was very refreshing in comparison. A guitarist played along to a soundtrack in the corner and a large swamp cooler kept the space comfortable. The servers were exceptionally kind and animated. We ordered a round of drinks and placed our food orders. The drinks were phenomenal. We ended up having two rounds, but this was also due to the fact that it took over an hour for our food to come out from the time we ordered it. With the booze flowing, it wasn't a big deal at the time, but I considered this wait time unacceptable. The only saving grace for this place besides the good drinks and nice wait staff was the absolutely delicious basket of fresh bread. The entrees on the other hand were disgusting. Collared greens were messily strewn across the plates and the mashed potatoes were randomly adorned with what appeared to be a fistful of salad. One dish was entirely inedible it tasted so badly and funky. The flavor of the food (with the bread being the exception), combined with the time it took for the food to come out, and the high prices earned this place a big THUMBS DOWN! Unless of course you just visit to fill up on bread and alcoholic beverages :)
(2)
Michael B.

This is how restaurants should be. Not only was the food amazing but the service was super sweet. Our waitress accidentally forgot my order but immediately offered to give us a free appetizer for our troubles without us having to say anything. I ordered the linguini which was a nice spin on a classic. The veal was perfectly cooked and the gravy sauce brought the whole dish together. I honesty don't think you can go wrong with a single thing off of the menu.
(5)
Alec T.

Very professional, chef-like ambiance and menu. Food was beautiful. But a tad bit pricey so we got the cheaper end of the entrees so I can just imagine how tastey some of the more extravagant dishes were! Definitely coming back although I should mention not a place for children. This food is Food network Chopped status!
(5)
Clint V.

Chris was a great waiter. we loved everything about this place including the food. this was the best Dairy Queen ever.
(5)
Drew P.

I have eaten here twice. The setup is a little strange taco stand turned fine dining but the food is fantastic! Its a little pricey but I would be willing to go again and again if it was more affordable.
(4)
Susan H.

Wasn't sure if we were going to stay when we drove up. We decided to go in for a quick look and have dinner elsewhere but it was so warm and friendly we decided to stay and have dinner. The grilled shrimp and brie was amazing as was the Beet salad and lamb chops were delicious.
(4)
Kirstin B.

My husband and I have come here a few times and have really enjoyed the food and service at each visit. Our favorite appetizer is the garlic shrimp. Be sure you save some of the complimentary bread that is delivered soon after you sit down to sop up the savory sauce these shrimp are served in!
(4)
Mariann P.

Started with a red zin that was't on the wine list, it was wonderful so ask the waiter what he/she suggests. Food was to die for!!! Had filet with blue cheese and grilled shrimp with risotto would order them again!
(5)
Dawn K.

This is my favorite discovery of 2013. I went for my birthday with friends and can't wait to return. That meal, each table had little brightly colored gerber daisies on each table; charming! My desire to eat more salads over the last 3-4 months, gave me reason to choose two salads off their menu. I choose the Ahi Tuna salad entree with a beet salad ( with warm goat cheese) appetizer. I was really very happy with both. I have gone two more times since this first visit. One thing I've noticed is that although my food is good, seeing and smelling the dishes on route to other tables is also a perk. The tilapia at someone else's table smelled fabulous; next time I'll try that. The desserts are spectacular and flavorful without being too heavy or too sweet; my last visit I had pistachio gelato. When it's hot in the city, gelato with fresh fruit was light and cool. I wish they had a better parking situation; as I'm always a bit worried I will be unable to find a spot. Also the space inside can get crowded. I am not a wine person, but they have a wine menu. As thus far I have had good service, although I did have my left overs boxed only to have it thrown in the midst of a busy dinner service. That was a bummer, as the food was so good, I was thinking about how nice it would be to snack on at work. I have read you can sit on the bar and watch the chef's prepare food. I most definitely will do just that.
(5)
Caleb Y.

I want to love this place so badly but I just can't. The food is excellent but the service is terrible. I have been here a few times trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but it continues to disappoint. Servers are stretched way to thin!
(2)
Sylvia M.

SO disappointed!!!! I've heard nothing but great things and I was so let down. The ambiance was terrible. Our waitress was ten notches below terrible and the food was average. First we sat at a table and my mom decided it would be too cold so we asked to move. The waitress told us it would take her a few minutes to set up our new table. It was a Tuesday night and there were two other tables there. After about 10 minutes she came back and said we could move. She watched me carry 3 of our water cups to the new table and ask my fiancÃ© who was also struggling to carry wine glasses and a bottle to carry the menus. She didn't even offer to help. Then we moved to the new table, she told us the specials and we asked for a refill of water. We ordered appetizers. I got the cheese fondue which was good. Nothing crazy or mind blowing. Then we ordered our meal- and again asked for the refill of water. I got the rosemary chicken with mashes potatoes. It was ok. The potatoes were the strangest texture, really thin and grainy. We again asked for a refill of water and still didn't get one. Basically the food doesn't carry the ambiance or the service. Huge let down.
(1)
Megan B.

Omg, disgusto! I have given this place a few shots and each time was a disaster. I hear great reviews from friends and awful horror stories too! Can't trust a restaurant that's not consistent. The outside looks like a dump(ster), the staff looks half in the bag, the menus, glasses and flatware were covered in a greasy film. Bathroom was like something out of a truck stop cafe. The food is low budget version of 80's fine dining. I'm shocked it hasn't been shit down. What happened to the original Red Sky? Chef's peak.
(1)
Deborah B.

We were in town to visit older relatives and I found this place on a search. The only downside was the noise level in the main room. There was a large group at the time of our visit so it was very noisy. Once they left it did get quieter and we realized there was music playing. When we left, I saw there was another area at the back which if we had realized, we would have asked to be seated away from the noisy area. I will say the noise did not really detract from our enjoyment of this lovely restaurant. Our waitress was attentive and explained the various dishes to us. My aunt and I had the mussels which were phenomenal. I also had a cup of the wild mushroom soup. The flavor of the mushrooms was perfect and balanced with the cream base. My husband and uncle had the salmon. The portions were large on a bed of risotto with glazed carrots and greens on the side. They ate every bite! My husband and I shared the lemon cake for dessert - every bite melted in your mouth. Our aunt and uncle shared a tiramisu and absolutely loved it. They told us this place was a great find and they plan on going here again. When we come back for another visit this place is now a must do on our list!
(5)
Leah B.

Pretty good, actually. The ambiance is pretty simple, but the food made up for it. The bread and butter was a little subpar. The grilled shrimp / brie cheese appetizer was good, yet the buerre blanc sauce was a little sweet. My husband ordered the chicken and mashed, which looked average. I had a fish special that was served with olive tapenade and sundried tomato risotto. They were huge portions!!
(4)
Isabella J.

Oh Wild Garlic Grill.....with your beurre blanc, tropical salsa and rice/risotto making an appearance on almost every dish. Not sure what exactly it is that I'm missing here, but it could be the fair prices and huge portions that excite people the most- Bolognese that could feed 3 people for $14 really is a smokin' deal and a fish special enough for two people sounds nice too, but at the end of the day, I prefer quality over quantity. I waited to have a few meals here to make sure it was just a fluke that I didn't enjoy my first meal at Wild Garlic Grill. EVERYTHING here is served with beurre blanc sauce, tomato rice and a tropical salsa. Basic French cooking with a tropical flare? The menu certainly reads well, with descriptions that instantly spark interest, but for me that's as good as it gets. Perhaps I didn't order correctly, as many reviews point out the lamb shank. I've had the fondue, I found the garlic overwhelming and quite loose for a fondue. Although runny, it was tasty, but it was served with dry cubes of white bread. I've had the ahi tuna, served with rice or risotto, tropical salsa, sauteed kale and beurre blanc. The salmon, served ala Ahi Tuna, which I ordered without beurre blanc and it was delivered to my table covered in beurre blanc. I politely sent it back, and they essentially scooped out the sauce and re-plated, resulting in cold salmon with tomato rice, sauteed kale, and remnants of beurre blanc. I've also had the grilled shrimp appetizer with....wait for it....beurre blanc! And a chunk of cold brie on top....oh...and tropical salsa. Seeing a pattern yet? I ordered the mushroom soup on another occasion and for my taste, it was quite salty, but that could just me. The ribs could easily feed 2-3 people and we found them overpowering and only ate about a quarter of the dish. I commend Wild Garlic Grill for bringing a seemingly upscale eatery to First avenue and for that, they get a third star. The building doesn't bother me. In fact, I think it's quite smart and interesting of them to have moved into this neighborhood. The interior was totally redone and the patio is large and comfortable. The service is still a little rough around the edges. Their signage may be a little misleading on the outside, because they advertise it as a burger/grill joint, so a person coming in expecting a super casual burger experience may be caught off guard by the open kitchen, art on the walls and white paper covers on the tables. Overall, the dining experience was not really my cup of tea. I was hoping for more refined culinary execution. Perhaps, if I saw value in super sized meals I'd probably enjoy this place more, sans beurre blanc on everything.
(3)
Robert M.

Wow what a nice find ! Driving by it didn't look like much but do yourself a favor and don't judge the book by the cover! I've eaten here at least 6 times in the last few months and have never been disappointed. Maybe a different lunch menu would be nice? Try them out, you'll be a fan too!
(4)
Cass K.

We received great service here the moment that we arrived. We were able to sit at the bar facing the open kitchen and enjoyed watching the food preparation. First item: Grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie, grilled vegetables and roasted corn salsa in a beurre blanc sauce. This was our favorite dish. The shrimp were hot and firm, and all the flavors in the dish complemented the fish. Gilroy garlic swiss fondue with fresh baked sourdough bread. The cheese was served super hot and melty. The drawback for us was that the bread was dry and crispy. Perhaps this was intentional to better soak up the cheese, however, we would have preferred our bread a bit fresher and less dry. Overall, this was a great place and we were very happy to find it for a dinner stop while in Tucson.
(4)
Dennis E.

I travel all over North America. This is a fabulous find. It's a made over A&W root bear stand. The drive in is now screened in, just fine for Tucson. It also has an inside area. The food and presentation is divine, and over the top tasty. The chef we know from other locations, but this place allows him creativity and lower overhead. We will eat here often.
(4)
Ricky V.

This place was a great surprise to find. A delicious Las Cruces Ribs paired with a Whiskey Side car and a warm atmosphere made this place a delicious encounter. The potatoes with the ribs were buttery and smooth. The drink menu was filled with interesting concoctions that will pair with most anything well. I sampled my dates Seared Ahi that was on special and it was so well done. I have to say the relatively quick turnaround time was great as well. Be sure to try the fondue appetizer as it was so rich and creamy i almost got another one, good thing my meal came. Carb Overload.
(4)
Kenneth W.

Once again Wild Garlic has more than satisfied. Be sure to try the fondu appetizer. Be prepared for lots of garlic. The pork shoulder caldo is excellent. I had a steak special that was done perfectly and served with great blue cheese. The coffee is honest, which I appreciate.
(5)
Eric M.

Came in early and was accommodated. Seems nice so far will comment on the overall experience latter. So my after meal comments are WOW this place was on target with the lamb shanks. Service was great and the waitress was new. She made us feel comfortable and she did just fine. Back to the lamb shanks. Cooked perfectly and did not have that overbrearing lamb taste you sometimes find with the i dont know how to cook lamb but we have it on the menu resturants. Cant wait for my next business trip to Tucson so i can experience this place at a full on dinner rush. The garlic dip stuff (sorry dont rember exactly) was very tastey. Overall i give it a four good food, large quality poritions, friendly service, nice atmosphere! Good job chef and owner! i will be back.
(4)
Chris B.

For the price this place was worth it. I recommend the lamb anything and the shrimp appetizer. However the waitress confused blue moon for shock top. I get it, it's not top shelf and I shouldn't be picky but when there was a resounding yes we have that and we know how to garnish it, then that is what I expect. The meal did fill me up and was really good. I will most likely go back. Also, best to leave the kids at home and remember the portions are huge.
(4)
Heather M.

Looking for a Sunday night dinner spot, and Vivian K suggests Wild Garlic Grill. Upon checking the Yelp reviews I was intrigued if slightly skeptical. After all, what kind of place gets numerous 4 and 5 star reviews within 30 days of opening? Seriously? Are these reviews the real deal? Reservations were made, and we headed across town at the appointed time. As we pulled into the parking lot, the hubby turns to me and says "oh boy, what kind of place is this?". While I had read the review noting it looked like a burger joint I wasn't prepared for the exterior which still resembles the 70s fast food drive thru it once was. However, this is a classic case of Don't Judge a Book By its Cover. The interior is simple and casual. Not a lot of fluff or atmosphere, but the food, oh the food. We started off with the fondue. I thought it may have been put together a little quickly. It lacked the thick, cohesive quality I expect in a fondue; however, the taste was good. The accompanying bread was great. A bottle of Zinfandel for $30 that we all agreed was a good buy. A decent quality wine for the price. At our table were 2 Lamb Shanks, Linguine Bolognese and a Cabrilla Sea Bass from the specials board along with a Caldo of Braised Pork from the regular menu. I suspect the specials run for a considerable time as they are mentioned in most every review thus far. Everything was absolutely fantastic. Presentation was great. Portions were great. Taste was off the charts good. The flavors are complex and perfectly paired within each dish. Our entrees were served with a side of veggies that include sauteed kale, red chard, snow peas and purple cabbage. I do believe this is the best side dish of veggies that I've had in this town. Serious kudos for original thinking on this one. As with most start ups service is a little rough around the edges. I'm not going into details as I don't think it's fair. It takes a while to work out the kinks, and I always believe some understanding and patience is necessary for the first few months. Other than being a little slow and awkward there were no glaring issues. We will definitely be back, and I've already picked out my next menu choice!
(4)
Kayla N.

I liked it! Good menu with unique options and service that knows what to recommend and how to describe the food. I had the tilapia which was good, not a lot of flavor, but the mashed potatoes were amazing! Ben had the bolognese and it was tasty, the meat had a spicy sausage flavor and the pasta was perfect. I also had the beet salad which I loved! The goat cheese went perfect in it. Ben had a yummy drink called a smurf something or other, I forget the name but I added a pic of it. The only downside was the building, it seems a little outdated, hopefully up to code, it was small and cramped inside and flies when we sat outside. So if you can overlook that and enjoy the food it's a great place. I'm sure we will return once in a while.
(3)
Analia C.

I have to give the wild garlic grill 3 stars out of 5. Their food is absolutely amazing. I had the grilled Ono fish with a tomato risotto. The drinks are also very good. The sangria is light and fresh and the side car is delicious. The reason why I'm giving it 3 stars is because I went with a large group (10). As soon as we walked in the host made a snarky remark of what a large group we were and taking their entire patio space, which is false. At the end of the dinner the waiter refused to split our check and he also gave himself double the gratuity. The food is amazing but not recommended for big parties.
(3)
Shannon K.

Saturday night. 9 p.m. Main dining room was full and tables of people were gradually leaving. No new ones being seated. Patio looked busy. My friend and I entered and stood very awkwardly in the middle there where the bar meets the service station (a very awkward restaurant floor plan, but not their fault since it used to be a fast food joint back in the day). We stood uncomfortably for several minutes as stressed out people in black rushed all around us like we were boulders in a fast moving stream. No one stopped to ask us if we needed a table, or even made eye contact. "How does this thing work?" I said to my friend. Maybe we had come in the wrong way? If we had, no one was helping us to discover that. So, rather than stand there starving, I just grabbed seats at the bar. Waited a while to be acknowledged there as well, but not too long. Bar top was a mess; people had just left, I guessed. Had to request it be wiped down. We ordered drinks and food. All was well. But I was way too hungry to wait for entrees, so I requested bread. The sweaty, very stressed out, almost panicked bartender seemed even more frazzled by our request. She took out some bread from the warmer, started cutting it up, and then ... I have no idea what happened. She vanished and we never saw that bread. After several minutes, I asked another server, who just happened by, for some bread. She pulled hot, fresh loaves out of the oven (we had open view of kitchen from the bar), cut them, and got them to us right away. With butter. But no silverware. Sigh. No big deal. I'll just smear my bread into the butter. Hungry. Yum. Bread was delish! Bartender came back, looking like an EMT on her first day, saw that we had bread and seemed to remember right then that we had asked for some. She didn't notice our empty water glasses, and before I could swallow my bread and ask for more water ... she was off again. Off to the next emergency victim, apparently. Couldn't get anyone's attention for more water for the next five minutes, so ... I got it myself. Just walked right over to the pitchers at the end of the bar and filled up our glasses. Several servers saw us doing this, but no one said a thing. Food came. Still no silverware. We sat for a moment until she got some for us. I got salmon with risotto and veggies, beurre blanc. An entire "mer" of beurre blanc, holy cow! Swimming is not the word! An ocean of butter that made the risotto unrecognizable and more the consistency of watery mashed potatoes. Sad. The salmon tasted good, and the veggies had a nice flavor/spice, in fact it all tasted okay, but boy oh boy was there a ton of butter. I would not order this again for that very reason. Friend had steak. She likes it still mooing, so she ordered it "seared". Amazingly, that's exactly how it came out. And she said it tasted wonderful. Same problem with the risotto, though. Mush and way too much sauce. Again with the water! Empty water glasses for quite a while. Bartender comes by to ask us how the food is and if we'd like more bread. Why, yes! Yes we would. I assumed she saw the empty water glasses and would fix that upon return. Nope. Bread brought. No water. Had to ask her for it as she turned to run again. The next time our glasses were empty ... I just asked for the check. Nice: Menu, food tastes good, bread is awesome, ticket times were pretty good. Not so nice: WATER! For the love of god, please fill our waters. Too much sauce. No silverware. Everyone seems extremely on edge and panicked, as if there's a bomb about to go off. Put a smile on. Wipe the sweat. Take it easy! I got stressed out just watching everyone.
(3)
nora h.

Food is consistently yummy! The rich bolognese is a favorite of my husband's & I like the lamb shank or the mussels (it's an appetizer, but perfect as an entree when I'm not super hungry). We've tried the various specials a few times but tend to go back to our tried and true. Count on generous portions and generous pours on wine, too! The chef has a deservedly high reputation in Tucson, and he & his wife have done a great job turning this little former fast food space into a lively restaurant. The layout can make it hard for the hostess and servers to know who is coming in to be seated and who is just standing at the bar, so don't be shy - let them know you're there and where you'd like to be - indoors or patio! The patio is roomy and screened in and there's usually a trio playing music on the weekends, too. Be sure to check out the work by local artists (for sale) adorning the walls!
(4)
Colleen M.

Aside from the quirky building, Wild garlic grill has some good eats. After a nice rock climbing session, my boyfriend and I decided we were a tad hungry for a late night snack. He had been raving about one of the salads here a week prior, so I decided to go along and try it out. We split the roasted portabello mushroom apetizer, which was good and tasty. I am not a big fan of goat cheese, but I didn't mind it topped on. It added a nice flavor to the meaty portabello. For our entree we split the HUGE linguini bolognaise with braised beef, pork and veal in a nice herb garlic wine sauce. I'm not joking when I say the portion size of this particular dish was huge... the server even said he's only seen one person he served finish it! Speaking of service, the servers there seemed a little casual. Untucked shirts, uncombed hair and overall messy appearance. Something I think they could improve on (hence the lack of one star) However, food and wine rocks, so I will be a repeat diner!
(4)
Shae S.

Rude. The dude who answered the phone tonight with the three-letter name seriously made me want to drop a four-letter word. Total jerk-o. I was looking for a date night place for me and the hubs to reconnect after a week of Kraziness with a Capital K. I called (7pm on a Saturday night) to find out how busy they were and to see if there was a wait. I just shouldn't have. I think no matter how overwhelmed you are at work, you should try to be courteous to a potential customer. I've been pining to try Wild Garlic Grill for months. Now? Not so much. Not so much at all. Ever.
(2)
David G.

Pretty awesome restaurant in an unlikely location...an old burrito fast food joint...now turned upscale eatery. We had the portobello mushroom appetizer and the swiss fondue appetizer. Both excellent blending of flavors. I had the seafood pier stew which was mussels, shrimp and white fish in a tomato sauce. Fabulous! Extremely well done and a bargain at $14. All in all the food and service are top quality...just as Red Sky was before it closed. Let's hope the owner keeps the prices like they are now. It's a wonderful alternative to the now overpriced Cup CafÃ©.
(5)
Clayton A.

As others have noted, getting out of your car upon arrival, you'll be overtaken by the delicious smell of garlic. As I write this, I wonder if this is a tactic to psychologically enslave visitors much in the way McDonald's does with that shitty fry smell or rather a simple byproduct of heavy garlic usage in the kitchen. Maybe it's both. Anyways, the garish outside which clearly is the remnant of some drive-in fast food of another era gives way to a tasteful interior and large, netted patio area in the back. I was actually impressed by the amount of space that was wrung out of what seemed such a small place. We sat on the patio and had plenty of space to keep our daughter in a high chair. Immediately after taking our seats, our server came by asking what cocktail we wanted, part of what I eventually realized was a major push to get us to buy their $8 a pop cocktails. We gave in since the drinks sounded good on the menu and we were living it up a bit, so to speak. Plus, the beer selection was forgettable with AbInBev swill only. The drinks weren't nearly as good as they sounded nor as they were advertised on the menu, and both my wife and I were a bit perplexed by why my drink came in a martini glass and hers in an old-fashioned glass. As for food, every item on the menu sounded delicious and it was difficult to choose. Eventually, my wife opted for a salmon dish and I went for the fish stew. When the food arrived, we were both blown away by the massive servings. Normally, I would have thought "Great" but I'd only days before seen "Forks Over Knives" and so was especially conscious of getting so much food. The generous amount of food immediately caused me to call into question the quality and origin of the contents. Still, I dove in and found a delicious broth to my soup and tasty fish, clams and chunks of chicken. Everything was good, but I wasn't blown away. My wife felt the same way about her salmon. Overall, I can definitely see why people rave about this place and I'm sure there were a number of other items I could've tried and enjoyed. However, I am moving away from massive servings and foods with dubious origins, so this place isn't quite for me. And for the record, I'm not sure of the origins of the meets and veggies served here and they may be organic, local, etc. However, WGG would be wise to make this more clear.
(3)
Jennifer R.

Food was awesome! I didn't like the fondue but everything else was delicious and large portioned. The service was sub-standard but the hostess was nice. And the drinks were great (strong)! I had the stuffed salmon and my honey had sea bass. Both really delicious!
(4)
White R.

Yup, ignore the looks from the outside. This place is awesome. The indoor decor is awesome. The staff is very friendly. The menu is perfect and the food was awesome. It was big portions but perfect sized and tasted great. The drinks were delicious, too. I don't have anything bad to say about this place! I will definitely return.
(5)
Caroline S.

Steve may have changed locations but did not change the quality of his menu. His Rock Bass is excellent. His salads are for tow meals. I am a fish lover so his take on fish is what I grew up with as my Uncle owned a Fish Market. Only the best. Try this out.
(5)
Aaron E.

Whoa, believe the hype about this place it is legit!!! Stopped by here this past weekend after the Gem show and was blown away. Walking up to the place you might think you took a wrong turn somewhere, but let me assure you, good meals are about to be had! We arrived about 3 or 4 on a Friday, so not quite the prime time, but was delighted to see a number of people enjoying meals. The menu has a lot of range from small to large items so everyone should be happy despite their hunger levels. I was able to chomp into some short ribs and HELLO that was some tasty BBQ. My lady had the linguine bolognaise and was as close to Italy as I have ever tasted. My parents had a salad and the braised pork shoulder and surprise, surprise both delicious! 4 FOR 4 you do that it equals a 5 star in my book anytime. The service was quick and friendly and the prices were outstanding. I highly recommend anyone in the area to hit this place up ASAP! Awesome restaurant
(5)
Robert J.

No way you would look at this place from the street and think it would be great. But it is. The cook is not afraid to have flavorful pasta. My wife said the linguini tasted like her grandfather's who was from Naples. The salmon on risotto is an occasional special and it was perfect and a big portion. Good prices too! We WILL go back and take friends with us.
(5)
Ron R.

I really really liked this place! The service and food are excellent! I am going back very soon!
(5)
Amy I.

Rave reviews are what I heard so when I had the opportunity to eat here with co workers I was excited. I enjoyed the pop art on the wall. The server was a bit robotic while listing off at least 4 different specials. When asked to repeat the second one she responded with a very confused face"huh?" As if she is not comprehending just rattling off the specials( robot). For a vegetarian/vegan the options are limited to two items( portobello salad or portobello on a roll). I ordered the salad no goat cheese.Nothing spectacular, just a $13 salad. Half way through I noticed a bread tie in my salad- yum! Although I could think of much worse unwanted things in my salad. The server seemed unphased( she didn't ask if I wanted a new one or anything) so I removed the tie and continued eating. I was a server for 13 years and if this happened to one of my customers I would have been mortified!!!! She did take the salad off my bill. My coworkers stated their meals were *meh* (shrimp salad and a burger). Overall the fine place not vegetarian/vegan friendly. Don't believe the hype.
(2)
Abby W.

We're visiting from NY and made a reservation last night. This place was eagerly recommended by our hosts. When we got there, the hostess wanted to put us at an undesirable table (they wanted to seat us near the bussing station). When we asked about other tables, we were told they were "reserved". Both our hosts explained how we didn't like the seats available. Finally, I stated that we had also reserved a table and we were here and the other parties weren't, so they sat us at a good table. If I were the native, showing guests around, this experience would make me not recommend them again, despite the decent food and prices.
(2)
Frieda S.

I've been wanting to visit this restaurant for a long time now and finally got the chance. I had read about spotty service and potentially long waits, but my friend and I were game to give it a try. We arrived at 6:00 on a Saturday; it was Happy Hour and the bar area by the front door was packed. We squeezed through to the hostess stand (a rather undefined area), where we were noticed fairly quickly. Despite not having reservations, we were still seated within about five minutes. The converted building is really very nice, with wood-beamed ceilings, original artwork, and plenty of strings of garlic hanging on the walls. It's small, and the tables are very close together, but I thought it was a convivial rather than crowded feeling, and I was glad the room stayed cool throughout our visit. It was really noisy, though. We got water and menus right away, but then had to wait a while for the hostess to notice we hadn't been served. The busboy had brought bread and butter, though, so we were in no danger of starvation. The menu is refreshingly short, with about five appetizers and five or six entrees, with a handful of specials. We knew how big the portions were, so we didn't order appetizers. Once we ordered, (ribs and caldo), we did have to wait some time for the food, which is puzzling because both dishes (barbecue and soup) should already have been cooked and just needed plating. But we did eventually get our huge plates of food, which were sizzling hot. The food was fine, with interesting vegetables on the side. Both came with mashed potatoes, which were very straightforward. Despite both entrees being prepared with New Mexican chiles, neither meal was very spicy. We left at 7:30, very pleased by the small price--two entrees and soft drinks, tax and tip--$40. We would have ordered coffee and dessert, but they weren't offered to us.
(3)
Jonathan H.

Can you say, "Over Priced?" The aroma upon entering the restaurant smelled amazing... Everything after that was blah! I went there for GARLIC rich food. Instead I got, BLAND food! I will eat a Smash Burger, Monkey Burger or a Five Guys Burger anytime and any day, before I eat another $10 Angus Burger from The Wild Garlic Grill. This is the literal presentation of the Angus burger, (bun, meat, bacon, cheese). No garnishments, no condiments, no garlic sauce, nada! Where was the garlic flavor? The potatoe salad was delicious, I give them that much! The grilled chicken sandwich was bland. And again I ask, where was the garlic? Nice attempt at elegance and up scale dining, but I suggest Steve Schultz take a lesson or two from Gordon Ramsey. Good Luck staying in business Wild Garlic Grill!
(1)
Erika L.

One of my favorite restaurants EVER! I went to the Wild Garlic Grill this weekend and I will definitely be back. The food was amazing. From the hibiscus tea, to the flavorful garlic shrimp, to the steak that melts in your mouth, to the rich chocolate cake. Not only was I satisfied, I was extremely happy that we chose to eat there. Plus, our waitress was so nice. We had such an amazing experience there.
(5)
Alex W.

Absolutely delicious! Great date night place. Cheese fondue was great along with the seared ahi tuna and the san Francisco pier stew. Good happy hour. You wouldn't this expect this type of food in it's currently location but man is it a great gem! Defiantly recommend it
(5)
E R.

Disappointing experience all around. The room is cramped, tired and dated, which probably allows for slightly lower entree prices. The service was slow and indifferent, although the waiter made time to try to up-sell everything from drinks to appetizers to entrees. The bread and salads were average, only the entree vegetables were tasty. We ordered the duck special. The meat was disappointingly tough. We also ordered the stuffed salmon special which had a small amount of crab mixed with a lot of breading and was not particularly flavorful. The price of either special wasn't mentioned up front. We were charged $10 more than the salmon entree on the regular menu: a very poor value. We had originally ordered an appetizer (soft shell crab), but didn't receive the dish when they ran out. After a long wait for the check, we just handed the credit card to the waiter and asked to get the check. Once the check was received we saw that the never-served appetizer was charged. After a lengthy wait to get the charges corrected, we were assured the initial charge had been reversed and provided a new receipt. Unfortunately the waiter somehow screwed things up and posted the amount on the incorrect check. Bad service, overpriced food. We will not be back.
(1)
Sara M.

Fantastic food from chef Steven Schultz. The mushroom bisque is outstanding. The pasta bolognese is my favorite standby comfort food, for less than $15 for a huge portion.
(5)
Cait K.

A friend told me about this restaurant and since my family like trying small mom and pop places we gave it a try. One word. FABULOUS! I made a reservation two hours before because a previous review recommended it on weekend nights and I would too. Also, parking is limited but if you're they're at night than you can park in the business to the south of its lot. I had the sea bass and it was perfect. My mom loved her San Fran Pier stew and my dad adored the bolenese. And they know how to properly cook ahi!! Our server, Scotty, also made the experience a great one. Can't wait to go back again!!
(5)
Rebecca D.

The shrimp appetizer was amazing and the BBQ chicken salad had a lot of wild and interesting flavors!
(5)
Lis S.

We went on "the" rainest evening for a celebration with a group of 10...they sat us on the patio (enclosed of sorts.) We couldn't sit together account of rain drips thru roof. We order, all meals come except 1, say a server took it to a different table. All of us were done by the time her meal came? I had a cup of cream of mushroom soup, and a hamburger. First instinct was to do soup and salad, should have done that! Soup was great, burger not. Bun was way to dry and had so much flour on the outside had to keep dusting my hands off. Could go on but why? Smelled wonderful walking in, disappointed once we sat down. Don't see a reason to repeat. Sorry.
(3)
Renee R.

We are always looking for a new favorite place, so when we saw the Wild Garlic Grill, we were intrigued by the name, as we are both big fans of garlic. We thought it might be a little dive because it is in a tiny building that looked, at least from the outside, a little rough. Apparently, the original building served as an A&W Root Beer stand. We walked in during the 3:00 PM lull, and found the place to be clean, upscale, and sophisticated. We had the garlic swiss fondue (a must!), and two fish entrÃ©es. Take a look at my photos. We were shocked because the food came out looking amazing, expensive, totally fresh, and crafted. It was obvious that there was a real chef in the kitchen. They have daily specials, and their sides are always changing. If you want food that is as good as Feast without the high price, then this is the place! I must warn you that they get super crowded on the weekend. I would suggest trying the place out for lunch or when they are slow. We have taken a few couples there during their peak hours, and it is totally packed. We actually had a somewhat rude encounter with the hostess/owner because the place was full and we did not have a reservation. We actually decided to leave rather than eat at the bar because we wanted to be able to talk to our friends. That situation was an isolated incident, though, as we have always received wonderful service and attention otherwise. We are regulars, and the staff always tries to seat us where we want to be and goes out of the way for us. One night, we were seated outside on the patio, and despite the heaters, we were chilly. As soon as a table was available, they moved us inside, and the waitresses were not the least bit worried about sharing us. They are all friendly and personable. If something is not to your total satisfaction, then just let them know! Beautiful presentation with the food, and a great experience in Tucson. We are there every week!
(5)
Alex D.

The Wild Garlic Grill is a relatively new establishment to Tucson, but the man behind it (Steve Schultz, head chef) has been serving up fine food here for years. You might think twice about the quality of this place by its location and looks from the outside. But judging the WGG by its cover would be a grave error indeed, as you'd be robbing yourself of trying one of Tucson's hidden gems. I've only been once-- during Happy Hour-- but I got to try more than a few items while I was there, each of them ranging from "Great" to "Exemplary". For starters, you simply must try the Garlic Fondue; it's out-of-this-world good. The sourdough bread they serve with it compliments it perfectly, too. The Garlic Shrimp with Brie Appetizer is also quite fantastic, and the portion size is comparable to a light lunch (when including the complimentary bread). Concerning Entrees, I only got to try a bite of my friend's 1/2lb Black Angus Burger, topped with Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese and (Hickory?) Smoked Bacon, but what I had melted in my mouth and was cooked to juicy perfection. We sat at the bar, which is conveniently located in view of the kitchen, giving us the benefit of watching Mr. Schultz work his magic. He's an excellent chef, and he engaged us in small talk as we ate since it wasn't terribly busy... Very nice guy! My first time at WGG greatly exceeded my expectations, and it most certainly won't be the last time either. If you're reading this and haven't yet stopped in for a meal, I would highly encourage you to change that :) Nice job, Wild Garlic Grill! 5/5
(5)
Don S.

The service was bad, long waiting times, the waiter messed up the order two times, then she said she'll give us the soups for free (when the check came, the soups were there - big surprise, not!), the food was average, the portions were big, though. We had different items from the menu (we were a party of 4) and 2-3 hours after lunch 2 of us started to feel bad and to get stomach aches. Me personally, I didn't have anything until the next morning when my liver started protesting the abuse. It never happened before with any other restaurant. I'm not accusing, but I'm saying. We spent 2 hours and 30 minutes in that place, spent a decent amount of money, and got some bad food. Unforgettable Sunday.
(2)
Norma C.

Sorry, Chef Schultz, but for $30 my filet mignon should have been rare, as ordered, not mostly medium but cooked so unevenly that it had one raw spot. Also, it was dry, not juicy, as if it hadn't been rested.
(2)
R G.

Love the Wild Garlic Grill every time we have gone the food was delicious. We tried already most items described by many and not once had anything wrong. Due to being busy a special was not available during the last visit. The waiters are on their feet and taking care of business. We like the staff and love the meals. Prices are good . Be back soon
(4)
Randi F.

My husband and I came here for dinner. We ordered the Grilled Shrimp with Corn Salsa and Brie Cheese - so delicious and came with a generous amount of shrimp for the both of us. Scrumptious bread. Note that they have RC and not Coke or Pepsi. I got the New York Steak and he got the San Fran Pier Stew. My steak was amazing and so was the red wine sauce on top. It came with mashed potatoes which were disappointing - waaaay too blended; soupy and bland, even needed salt. From the reviews, I'm not the only one feeling that way. However, the stew was great and flavorful! For desert we shared the Strawberry Cheesecake and the Flourless Chocolate Tarte. Both came out chilled - which was a +. The cheesecake was wonderful but the Chocolate Tarte won my heart, sooo worth getting!! Service was quick, nice and helpful.
(4)
Kenyon N.

The food and the ambiance are definitely 4 to 5 star worthy but the service is unfortunately holding them back. They overcharged us, said they had a sea bass special for $18 and charged me $25. Also they disappeared after our food was served, I had to physically go find the server to close out. I called to discuss my issues with a Manager or Owner but no one returned my call. Hopefully they get it together.
(3)
Roya M.

I had never heard of this place but a friend suggested it and we went with a group of people...we got the garlic shrimp appetizer, garlic shrimp salad, a side salad and the pasta bolognese.....everything was absolutely delicious! The service was fantastic as well. Really glad I found this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kay G.

Our daughter was visiting and went hiking with the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club and there was conversation about favorite Tucson restaurants...Wild Garlic Grill,was the first choice so after a matinee at the Arizona Theatre Company four of us headed to the restaurant. The front door leads to a narrow pathway along the bar so we sat at the bar for Happy Hour and the start of an exceptional experience. Jaimie was behind the bar and only works Tuesday and Wednesday so our experience started with her knowledge of wines and speciality drinks..copper cups for the Moscow Mules and wines for everyone's taste. We were looking into the open kitchen as we sat at the bar and loved the activity level then tried several appetizers...mussels and Gilroy Garlic cheese fondue. Chef Steve Schultz visited with us as he was working in the kitchen..remember him from Red Sky. We visited with Maudie, the owner and wife of Chef, and she seated us in the small but well appointed dining room (also another semi-outside area). We had seen entrees come out of the kitchen and had a hard time deciding what to have...choices included but not limited to several lamb dishes, sea bass , beef, salmon. We had the mushroom soup and the rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Others ordered the salmon and the lamb shank and the meals were perfectly prepared and everyone raved during dinner. Our server was a charming U of A student, Claire and Leo assisted her. We are planning to return with two additional groups in the near future. We always say Tucson's locally owned restaurants are on par with any part of the country, including Napa area, and Wild Garlic Grill proves our point. Don't Miss This Restaurant.
(5)
James S.

Different. . .from standard Italian. Definitely has American flair and portion size. The menu is specific and quite small. The garden salad is unique and not not the normal salad with iceberg lettuce. on a side note, table are wobbly and small. . .not enough room to fit your dishes and/or appetizers. Kind of romantic, don't judge based on initial exterior. Has an open patio.
(4)
Kathryn K.

Went on Friday night. Sea bass on risotto was good. Chipotle pork, not so good. Waitstaff seemed to be spread too thin. Forgot our forks and it was awhile before we could get utensils, waited a long time to get check after eating, for examples, even though our server was obviously working hard. Music was loud and table conversation was reduced to charades. I'm glad I tried it, some things good.
(3)
Scott K.

Our group had the steak, fish, and pork which were all nicely seasoned and prepared. the vegetable pairings seemed a bit odd as they were the same for all three dishes. reminiscent of the menu at red sky which was very good but a bit "one note." making each dish a totally unique and different experience would bring us back more often and would earn more of my stars.
(3)
Pat L.

We had a terrible experience at Wild Garlic. We had confirmed reservations specifically for indoors. When we arrived our table was outdoors by a big gap in the canvas wall. It was freezing cold. The hostess said we would have to wait at least an hour to get an inside table. After our protest about the freezing location she reluctantly moved the table about 6 feet away from the gap. We agreed to try it. It was still pretty miserable but we desided to tough it out. After an hour and half, we were shivering and still had only been served bread and drinks. We said we were going to leave. The hostess, again, very reluctantly, moved us inside. We had to wait another 30 minutes for our food. When the food finally arrived after the two hour wait, it was very good. But by that time, we had been eating bread for 2 hours and no one was very hungary. If it hadn't been too cold to drink, we probably would have had too much wine to drive or know what we were eating. The good food was not worth freezing and waiting 2 hours. The hostess was surly, the food service intermably slow, and the whole experience was very bad. Recommend that you give it a miss.
(2)
Pablo V.

So I'm going to start by echoing everyone else by reminding everyone not to judge this place by the outside; yes it looks a bit like a hole in the wall but it's very nicely decorated on the inside. The food is great! Every time I've been here I've been satisfied with what I got. The portions are nice and big and they have great specials so ask about them (though, I'm usually too embarrassed to ask the price so maybe it's not great to do that all the time). They're bread is also something to mention; nice and warm, it's so hard not to just get full on that. I really want to give this place five stars but as someone who likes variety I'm hesitant; their menu is a bit small (though their specials do widen it) and not too much options for vegetarians (I'm not one but just so you all are aware). Of course if I just keep going I'll have no choice but to change my rating
(4)
Rachael W.

Ready for a great tip? Come during happy hour, and sit at the tables near the bar. This means (1) you can watch the open kitchen and the banter between folks sitting at the bar and the chefs, and (2) you get happy hour deals on the appetizers--$2 off any appetizer--just for sitting in this area instead of the main dining room. Woot. Everything at this restaurant comes out HOT. Like, burn your hands if you touch the plate. Love it. I highly recommend the fondue appetizer. It comes with unlimited bread served (you guessed it) piping hot. We also got the mushroom/goat cheese appetizer (good but not amazing), and the linguini bolognese, which is served legit Italian style, which means a focus on meat rather than tomato sauce (don't be expecting Prego). It was fabulous, huge (easily splittable for two people with appetizers), and yes, HOT. If you've driven by this place, you've probably thought it was a greasy diner. But step inside, and there's some swank. A fun find.
(5)
Caroline T.

I really want Steve Schultz to succeed with this location! I loved the Red Sky, and this new restaurant repeats both the good and the bad of that one. The food is delicious (two visits), but the portions are so very large, that after a first visit, most duos are going to decide to share instead of getting two entrees. This would certainly drive down the profit margin. My bbq chicken/blue cheese/apple salad was only $8.50, and I was able to feed two of us with the leftovers. These entrees could be cut in half and still be worth the price. On an earlier visit, the mushroom soup was divine, as was a fish dish I had (don't remember the variety of fish). On this visit, my companion's caldo with pork shoulder was also wonderful.
(4)
Peter G.

One of our favorite places in Tucson. Don't let the street appearance fool you. Inside is a master chef. Low key atmosphere with great food. There are always great specials and you can't go wrong ordering off the menu. The ribs are great, the fish special we had tonight was perfectly cooked. Appetizers are always tasty. Mussels done the way mussels should be. Garlic fondue, portabella mushroom with goat cheese and the shrimp were great! This is truly a great restaurant, it's all about the food and service here.
(5)
Brad M.

This place had really awesome tasting food. You get your money's worth both on an amount and taste level. The hostess was able to seat us without reservations and we were glad as the food is worth the wait. It is recommended eating for anyone who loves food and likes the ambience of relaxing music. I am wish the owner and staff best of luck.
(4)
Stan J.

This was our second visit. First time I had. Sea Bass and it was wonderful. Our waitress was super nice, we'll informed about the menu, and the service was great. This time the service and our waitress was a bit "Spacey". She seemed overtaxed and forgetful, even though it was a Wed. Night and not crowded, and the large table next to us was attended by another server. Said she was bringing us all a complementary cup of their new soup to try. Never arrived. Nor did the water we asked for. I asked if the pasta on the Bolognese dish was home made. Assured me it was. Obviously it was not and tasted straight from a box. The Bolognese was basically flavorless, needed spices, and there was about 3 lbs on the plate. Would have much preferred quality over quantity, and ate only about a quarter of it before giving up. To be fair the three others in our party loved their entrees. The beet salad we shared was very good and my wife's salmon was great. Out friends meals, ribs and salmon, were pronounced excellent. So, I apparently I made a bad choice based on some bad advice. Probably should have gone with the seafood stew. I will return, but this place would benefit greatly from a more knowledgeable and consistent wait staff AND few good beers on tap ( please, no Peroni or Moretti !)
(3)
Andrea G.

Our "Dining Trio" (husband Gary, mom and I) turned out in full force to experience this new restaurant. Let's set you straight up front: You'll get fine and artistic quality here, and goodly portions at reasonable prices. This is now one of my fave restaurants! I've enjoyed chef/owner Steve Schultz' cooking in past restaurants, as well. He has now taken the modest Sanchez Burrito building and has turned it into his own masterpiece of culinary delights. Despite a bit of a squishy narrow entrance due to the existing footprint of the Sanchez building (I consider it part of the charm), this restaurant invites you in to its fold--whether seated at the granite-topped bar where the cooking magic happens, or in the dining room. Look up at the ceiling--all wooden ribs--to give a homey feel to the place (can't remember if that ceiling existed with Sanchez Burrito. Don't think so). We ordered way more than 3 people should, so we could try it all (my mom loves leftovers so she need not cook). THREE appetizers later...ALL YUMMY!!! Off the top of my head: 1) a grilled shrimp with brie and something like pico de gallo 2) their signature garlic-cheese fondue with bread and 3) a balsamic-flavored, huge Portabella mushroom served with goat cheese, red peppers and a red pepper coulis (I think, or sauce of some sort). REALLY GOOD, all of them. The menu choices are wonderful. They also offer an entrÃ©e for a vegetarian (using Portabellas). They use a lot of fresh vegetables, risotto and cheeses, so I bet they could do something for you if you called a few days ahead to plan something. We dug into our beautifully plated and VERY tasty entrees. We all ordered fish, although the menu offers all types of land and sea choices, PLUS a large daily specials menu. Mom had a foil-bagged tilapia (cooks in the bag), I had a FAB large sea bass on risotto (both dishes served with dark greens and mom had garlic mashed potatoes, too). (She drizzled the leftover garlic fondue onto her potatoes.) And Gary had an outstanding Fish Stew (like a cioppino) with PLENTY of salmon, white fish, mussels and shrimp. He loved it and still had plenty to take home. The portions are fair, very tasty, and not puny like some fine restaurants. And if that were not enough, we shared a flourless chocolate cake. (We made sure we did not eat too much of the entree, so we could have a little room.) The cake was a good-sized slice and the BEST flourless cake I ever had. Melted on my tongue like chocolate candy. Oh my! Sinfully good. Service was super (great job, Moriah!). TIP: You could even order two appetizers as a meal. The daily specials seem to be in the general low $20s range, but other items on the regular menu are in the $12-16 range--really reasonable for the portions and the quality you get. TIP2: Make a reservation and if possible, dine earlier rather than later. It really filled up as the time ticked on (and we came early, as my mom is an early diner). The restaurant is on the east side of First, just north of Grant.
(5)
Mark S.

We had lunch. Cheese garlic fondue, excellent. BBQ chicken salad, perfect. Pork caldo, divine. Bottle of zin made it a lunch to remember.
(5)
Hannah L.

Just left this place and I have to express how bad my service was. My waiter literally came to my table twice...once to get drink orders and once to bring the check. Ugh! He was preoccupied with a large table beside us, who had ordered several bottles of alcohol...it was obvious their tip would be higher than mine so I guess that's where he decided to spent his time... Otherwise the food was great! The lamb shank was delish but over pried at $23. The mushroom appetizer with goat cheese was soooo good! My bf had the baby back ribs and those were great too. I give the food a solid 3.5. Ps the smokin sangria was nasty! I wouldn't order it again. Also I saw box wine in there kitchen which makes me think that's what they use for the sangria.....I can't believe I just paid $8 for a glass of box wine!
(3)
Brenda T.

Stacie is fabulous Very knowledgeable , friendly and enthusiastic! Food is excellent and a lot! Drinks wonderful
(5)
Troy E W.

Moved to Tucson and would drive by this place every day. From the outside it looked very simple nothing fancy to indicate what one would find inside. So two days ago I decided I wanted to try something different and decided to go to the Wild Garlic. The inside revealed a cozy restaurant approx 10 tables with a five person bar. Michael was the bartender/almost certified Sommelier. Before I ordered anything to drink I reviewed the specials and menu only to discover that the incredible wordsmithing that was used to described each dish had me salivating worse than Pavlov's dogs. Items served included Salmon, Lamb Shank, Crusted Rib-eye, Sea Bass and I ordered the all veal meatloaf and it was exactly as it was described. My only regret of the entire evening was that no one had told me about this restaurant long ago. The cook is the guy in the middle of the restaurant doing all the cooking and he happens to be the owner. A quiet but polite man who has an incredible gift and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Bernard S.

I give NO stars, none, absolutely none, what a place. We where offered the inside or the patio, we where told, it was quiter. Let me tell you, it wasn't. They had a five foot diameter industrial fan blowing on all the dinners, it was like having dinner with a Cessna, plus they had a poor guy trying to play a guitar over it, but it was under the racket. Service was so slow, the ice melted in my drink twice. We actually played with double ordering, but we thought that might make things worse. The food wasn't worth the two and a half hours I wasted there. The sauce on my ribs was so tangy and had such a vinegar kick it took my breath away. My plate had the ribs, a vegetable Medley, salad, and mashed potatoes. Any time I tried to eat food fell off my plate. I was with two friends, they'd eaten here before and really enjoyed it, but they sat at the bar, better service. But like me, this time was really bad. I won't be back.
(1)
Sarah L.

Large and tasty (reasonably priced) portions amid a small and comfy space- with tables practically abutting each other is the best way I can think of to describe Wild Garlic grill... The location, in a funky former mid-century converted dive drive-thru (on 1st Avenue, just north of Grant) is a bit odd and unexpected, yet perhaps this is part of the unconventional charm that chef/owner Steve Schultz is seeking? I'm sure many long time Tucsonans have other memories of this venue, but I remember it as Sanchez Burrito Company. I used to grab burritos there as a UA student! Funny how times change... The lunch menu is varied and creative (I haven't tried dinner yet). I ordered what I thought was a standard "Linguini bolognaise," ($12) which ended up being anything but standard. I couldn't believe the size of the portion- it was like my Italian mom would serve me! Deliciously flavored and perfectly prepared, with braised meat and snow peas- in a spicy/tangy red wine herb sauce. I have enough left over for two more meals! My friend had the Mesquite honey BBQ chicken salad ($8.50), which was served with chicken, apples, blue cheese, pecans, and field greens. She said it was excellent. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the menu options at Wild Garlic Grill, and the prices won't break you either. They have daily specials including fresh, sustainably-caught fish and they feature locally farmed and organic produce. They have numerous vegetarian options too, which is noteworthy. I noticed a roasted beet salad with goat cheese, and also roasted portobello mushrooms with goat cheese. Both sound amazing. I have a request- iced green tea. On my visit, I ended up drinking water with lemon, but I would love to come back and find out they have a great iced green tea. I also saw that they have pork shoulder with New Mexico chiles. So many choices- it's hard to decide... One thing is for sure, I'll be back soon!
(4)
Stephen S.

You know you're in for a treat even before you walk in the door. The smell of garlic and other spices is obvious and provides a hint of what is to come. Do NOT be put off by the exterior appearance. It may look like the 50s drive-in it once was, but the food is outstanding. I've eaten there three times now (once for dinner, twice for lunch) and have not been disappointed. The garlic shrimp appetizer was awesome and the ribs were the best I've ever eaten. The lunch time salads are enormous and quite interestingly thought out. And the prices are oh so reasonable. This place is a true gem!
(5)
Francisco L.

This is a new gem in town. Elegant food for the common person. All dishes sampled around the table were excellent. The fondue to start is a must. The portions are big enough to share or take some home. From the Portobello salad to the stake the food was superb. I think everybody can find something on the menu that will tickle their tasty bone.
(4)
Wendy V.

I was in the area, starving, and randomly decided to grab a to-go dinner at Wild Garlic Grill. This area of town doesn't have much going for it as far as great fare is concerned other than a nearby Indian restaurant. From the exterior, the restaurant doesn't look like much, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a cozy dining area when I walked in. The interior smelled delicious, and the menu looked stellar. I ordered a lamb shank, which came with braised greens and a veggie-Orzo dish, and portobella mushroom appetizers with goat cheese. I cannot stress enough how delectable and how large the portion sizes were (I shared them with someone and still had enough left over for another meal). The food gets an A+, the service gets an A+, the interior is nice in a simple way so gets a B, and the location is very convenient. The exterior of the restaurant is rather unimpressive, and the neighborhood is pretty bad, but this just makes me feel like I have uncovered a little secret spot, and might be ingenious in its own way, at least gutsy. The prices are moderate, expect to pay at least $25 per person for a 2 course dinner sans beverages. Highly recommended!
(5)
Susie S.

Spendy for what it is, especially when Tucson offers such a wide variety of delicious cheap eats (including at least two excellent Mexican restaurants in the near vicinity). If you're vegetarian, there's not much here for you here other than an initially promising but ultimately monotonous grilled veggie and Portabello mushroom salad, which is drenched in a mediocre balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with a parsimonious blob of goat cheese. Virtually everything else, even things that could easily be vegetarian - the mushroom soup, the risotto....maybe even the mashed potatoes - has chicken broth or some other meat or fish product in it. Very disappointing, especially for our mixed group of veggies and omnivores. For meat eaters, more initially promising but ultimately monotonous fare. The chile barbecue sauce on the ribs was tasty but overly heavy and rich. That said, much here shows promise. The Gilroy garlic and swiss cheese fondue is divine, and the wine our server recommended - a Malbec - was actually somewhat of a bargain, smooth and lovely. And the tiramisu - more of a tiramisu-flavored cake - was a nice finishing touch. The service is rough around the edges. The waitstaff is friendly but needs to get the rhythm and timing down. The bar staffer who served our bottle of wine just popped the cork and poured. The wine glasses were cloudy, my bread plate was not clean, and the after-dinner coffee arrived in mismatched cups....but not mismatched enough to be deliberately quirky, if you know what I mean. Just mismatched enough to demonstrate a lack of attention to the little details. The exterior is less-than-promising, but the interior is quirky, with interesting ceilings and some funky accents. Not really fancy-date-night or special-occasion atmosphere, but certainly impressive considering what was in this space before. I probably won't go to Wild Garlic Grille again, but I might recommend it (with asterisks and caveats galore) to my omnivorous friends.
(3)
Vivian K.

Went to dinner here on a Sunday night with my husband and our good friends. At first, we were taken aback by the exterior of the building. It looked like an old drive-in, which I guess it was in the past. We walked in, and the place was alive with people eating some scrumptious looking dishes, and the three servers were scrambling to take care of everybody. We had reservations, but we were early, and there was a short wait before we were all seated. We kicked things off with a nice bottle of Zin for about $30.00. It was nice, and definitely better than what we have had from other restaurants at that price. The fondue was up next, and while it was a little on the thin side, the flavor was fabulous. One tip here: if the bread runs out, the servers can get you more. This would have been good for my husband to know, because when the bread ran out the first time, he was eating the fondue like a soup and loving it. The entrÃ©es came next. Our table had ordered the lamb shanks, the Linguine, the Pork Caldo, and the Sea Bass. Everybody loved their dishes. Most of the specials were $23.00, but my husband had the Linguine for $14.00. He said it was the best linguine he's ever had. The portion sizes were fairly large, and he was still working on it when the servers came by to ask whether we wanted dessert. He didn't leave a scrap. It was that good. I had the lamb shank, and it was incredible. You know, the service was a little rough at first, but we didn't feel neglected. Our server took care of the entire main dining area by herself, and she was very professional and tried hard to keep up with everything. At the end of the night, I could truly say it was a great dining experience. Good food, good wine, and great company. Kudos to Chef Steve for taking this chance to open a fine dining restaurant with reasonable prices in this part of town.
(4)
joan r.

What can I say - I have never been as pleasantly surprised by the food and the service as I have at this restaurant. Forget what it looks like from the outside. We went there for the first time to celebrate An event. We ordered everything from the unprinted specials. Pricy but oh so worth it. The food was uniquely prepared - imaginative and extremely tasty. The service was the best I had received in an extremely long time. Next time I eat there I plan to enjoy the patio.
(5)
Manu A.

Amazing Diamond in the rough...... From the looks of the outside you would never know what treasures lie inside. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. If you haven't been you are missing out. Get away from the chain restaurants and support local owned and operated Wild Garlic Grill.
(5)
Jennifer W.

Everything we ordered was incredibly flavorful and delicious. We sat at the bar and watched the kitchen with their magic. The Summer Day drink with gin with muddled basil and cucumbers is the perfect refreshing summer drink. We got the garlic swiss fondue as an appetizer & it was the perfect way to start our meal. I ordered the filet mignon that was on the special board. It was cooked perfectly medium rate and covered in a generous helping of blue cheese. It was served with decadent risotto and sauteed vegetables.
(5)
Claire H.

I like the atmosphere here, especially that they took a drive-in and recycled it into a gourmet eatery! The food here actually gets better once you take it home and have it again- also pay attention to the specials, a nice treat! Had the escargot and pork caldron and wish we hadn't been in a hurry so we could have tried desert. Guess I'll have to go back and update my yelp!
(5)
Rachel S.

Was visiting Tucson from Santa Barbara for the last 4 days with my sons high school baseball tournament. I wanted to invite all the parents for a night out to dinner and started looking around for somewhere yummy to go. Based on local opinions and yelpers I made reservations for 8 at Wild Garlic Grill. Our server, Dallas, was very nice and on top of it. He knew the specials off the top of his head down to the last little garnish (and there were a lot of specials!) and paid a lot of attention to us. The wine pour is huge (get a DD!) I ordered the10oz New York with a red wine reduction and mashed Yukon golds while the rest of my table ordered Sea Bass from the Sea of Cortez, rack of lamb x 2 the 12 oz rib eye as well as the veal osso bucco collectively. Everyone was astonished at the huge portions and how perfectly cooked everything was. Quite frankly, I am a salt girl. I like a lot of seasoning on my steak, but this steak was delightful on its own and I didn't add anything! Coming from Santa Barbara, we have a TON of restaurants to choose from and some of the best restaurants are the most quirky. I loved the funk of the outside and opening the door to find a great sit down place with great food. It was a great night with great friends and great food!
(4)
Philip S.

Chief Steve Schultz is back and his dishes are a pleasure, as good as ever! This is the fourth restaurant of his that I've eaten in and the food is still excellent. The restaurant is comparatively small and intimate but also has an outside patio and a kitchen view-counter seating that I enjoyed. (I enjoy cooking and got a kick out of watching a master) The sauces make the food and they are both subtle and complex. I was there for the soft opening and can't speak to a packed house. (But will when I next go). As an appetizer, I had the Gilroy garlic swiss fondue with freshly toasted sourdough bread. Outstanding! A large portion. Well worth 7$. My entree was linguini bolognaise. A tomato based sauce made with beef, pork and veal. As good as I had in Italy, perhaps better! Again a large portion for 12$. I would have tried more but with a very nice glass of Merlot, I was more than full. The menu has enough to keep me coming back again and again. I would consider it a comfortable place, upscale casual dinning at very reasonable prices. Definitly the kind of restaurant that Tucson needs.
(5)
Ray C.

This is like a laidback bar/ restaurant! It is in a great enivornment I had a BBQ chicken salad and it was super delicious! It came with gala apple, feta cheese, lettuce and balm vingear dressing. I believe that it is family owned. The price range is between $10 to $20.
(4)
Robert F.

A great sit-down spot in Tucson with some great regional flavors such as the spicy caldo with pork shoulder and New Mexico peppers, and the honey mesquite BBQ ribs.
(4)
Wendy L.

So - my thinking here is that I'm not the target audience for this restaurant. I suppose my thinking is too colored by the history of the building itself. I've visited it in at least 5 different iterations (Taco bar 1, Jamaican food, Taco bar 2, and most recently a Gilligan's Island themed cafe) - and each one was more casual than the last. Considering that the new owners have kept the "Hires Rootbeer" mug sign intact, I was expecting it to be a little more laid back. Now, compared to the fine dining joints I've visited in the Catalina Foothills or new Downton, it is pretty laid back. But for this part of town, it's pretty high end: wine glasses on the tables at lunchtime and chi-chi wording on nearly every menu item (beurre-blanc, coulis, basalmic reduction). I went in hoping for a simple but flavorful lunch salad - what I got was more ingredients than I could identify or name and flavors that were all over the place. The prices on the menu items were reasonable, though the selection was dramatically different than what was listed on the web (which is more salad-and-sandwich oriented). The specials were pretty pricey at @ $23 each for lunch, but at least they substituted the mashed-potatoes for risotto for the earlier version (I say with a wink). A long review now, but overall a postivie one. Just don't go if you are expecting ANYTHING like the Three and a Half Brothers Cafe or La Fresita, at least not without a few extra dollars in your purse.
(3)
J W.

Delicious cuisine, skillfully prepared. I very much enjoyed the sea bass special that was available. The fondue appetizer was quite good. The chef really knows his garlic. Presentation of the dishes was arranged with a studied skill. Service was friendly, and pleasant. Our server was attentive, and well versed in the menu. "Why didn't this get 5 stars?" you may be asking at this point. Good question. The location itself belies the quality inside. Pulling up to the restaurant I eyed the walk-up service windows still present from the days of the building's career as a greasy burger joint. The entry points seemed rather cramped to me, and as we were waiting to be seated I feared I might be run down by wait staff or other guests. My dining companion and I chose the outdoor seating, which while being well arranged featured a wax-paper tablecloth and paper napkins. Given the prices, I would have expected at least a cloth napkin (call me old fashioned if you must). The overall volume of the discussions around us was rather loud, with no ambient music to offset this. For this reason I'd recommend going at a time when it's not super busy.
(4)
Rachel R.

Oh yes, what a great feel to this place! Quirky? I guess so, but who cares?! Wednesday night, not too busy. It is not a large place inside, so be ready for close quarters. Other reviews noted some service issues, but we had a great waiter. Food was good... I wanted to try everything on the menu. So I'll be back!
(4)
Bonnie W.

First time there - but not our last! WOW what a delicious find! My husband had heard about this place and I had no idea, until we drove up, that it used to be the old A&W! They have done a great job of fixing the place up, but the real surprise is the INCREDIBLE FOOD! Because it was an unusually rainy day here, I opted for the Caldo of Braised Pork...OH MY! What a perfect choice! It was a flavor explosion! My husband picked the Linguine Bolognaise and when he cleaned his plate, our server told him most folks can't do that...he said he couldn't NOT. Service - stupendous... Return Visits - many to come. Cost - amazingly minimal. If you haven't tried this place out, stop waiting and just GO! You will be happy you did.
(5)
Danny V.

Went there for family dinner on Sunday night. Place so small at entrance, need to squeeze to pass the bar at behind the front door !! Sit back in the patio for more room then we got mosquito bites all over !! But foods are awesome , love grill shrimp dish. Prices ok, need remodel the place and upgrade some more like decor.,tv, wifi, menu laminate....finally have to left early and pack all the foods Togo because mosquito , ruin our dinner time !! Maybe next time sit inside.
(3)
Kim M.

T'Was Saturday night in Tucson and we had planned on going here for over two weeks. When finally THE Saturday came around, what an amazing suprise! The restaurant is centrally located so a tiny drive from the East side, ya'll know how I feel about the drive in Tucson, the roads are dreadful. But this hidden treasure of a restaurant was SO AMAZING, I won't mind the drive again soon... The food was so flavorful and colorful and made with good ingredients. Just an EXCELLENT meal. We left feeling very satisfied and happy. I ate the whole thing, and it was a lot! I totally could have taken some home for later, but it was yummy, the kind of yummy, you just don't want to stop... We skipped dessert, so I have no idea about their dessert menus, but I'm sure they are amazing as well. Outside and inside seating available and I'm so glad we sat outside, it was a beautiful night and inside seemed warm & cozy. Seems like this could be a great place to have a rendevous with several friends out on the patio and feel very laid back but with excellent food. GREAT find in Tucson.
(5)
Phil D.

We read about their soft-opening, starting today. Decided to risk going on their first day of business! So glad we did. WGG is small, not fancy at all, but with a great menu of tasty items. We had two starters. (1) Gilroy garlic Swiss fondue, $7, and (2) Steamed PEI Mussels, $10. We shared an entree of Las Cruces chili spiced mesquite honey BBQ ribs, $14.. A nice, reasonably priced wine list too. Sit at the bar and watch Chef Steve Schultz work his magic. Food and value is excellent - we will be going back.
(5)
Eve S.

I've been twice now and it was top-notch and yummy. The first time I went was a Saturday night and they were packed. I was with a large party, and people at my table were complaining about the wait. I work at a restaurant, so I am probably more patient than most and wasn't bothered because we got bread and appetizers in a timely fashion. Everything I've had has been an explosion of flavors, so I can see why some would complain. I think they balance flavors really well however, and find it delicious. Lots of people have already mentioned the portion sizes, they are a bit crazy. I went with a friend and we got a huge bowl of mussels as an appetizer. There had to be like 30 mussels in a bowl with lots of sauce. About 5 of them were closed which bothered me, but my companion cracked them open anyway. We also shared the ahi special, but neither could finish our HALF portion of it so we took it home. No complaints from me, I love leftovers. :)
(5)
A F.

We were asked to move tables in the middle of dinner to make room for a bigger party and waiter forgot our order. Food was good but awful service ruined the experience.
(1)
Les S.

My wife and I stopped in for lunch after we had heard very good things about the WGG from multiple reliable sources. Our experience exceeded our high expectations. The food was superb! The portions were generous, the wine was excellent and the service was the best. We will be back very soon. We heartily recommend that folks stop by The Wild Garlic Grill for lunch, dinner and/or drinks. A great getaway right there just north of Grant on 1st Ave. Les & Carin S.
(5)
Becky H.

I was excited to take my husband to WGG tonight. I had been here several times with girlfriends but my hubby was trying it for the first time. We were seated at an extremely small table and there was some confusion as to who our waitress would be. We ordered the mussels. I am not a big mussels gal but I had them here twice before and they were excellent - no grit, not rubbery, just tender and delish! Not tonight. Every single mussel I ate was filled with sand. Lots of sand. Almost like they had not been rinsed at all prior to steaming. Okay, I gave up after 4 or 5 and just dipped my bread into the wonderful wine/garlic sauce the mussels came in. This is definitely the kitchen's fault. We ordered our meal - a simple meal of roast chicken for me and linguini bolognanese for hubby. The waitress came by a minimum of 3 times to tell us our food would be right out. One hour and 45 minutes later she informs us that our ticket got dropped or lost or something and the chef was making our food right now. Needless to say I was upset and didn't want to spend another hour waiting and eating our very late meal so I said if it is finished to just box it to go. She did and she comped us my wine and hubby's soda. This was totally the waitresses fault. As we pulled out of the overly crowded parking lot my husband said, "I am soooo disappointed." I loved this place and the only reason it isn't getting only 1 star from me is because the other 5 times I have been there everything was great. It will be some time before I return and never again on a Friday night.
(3)
Janet H.

Place was very busy with a long wait line, but we had a reservation that they honored, so we got seated in the back room pretty quickly. It's really an outside area with a cover and sun screen to cut down on the elements and a few gas heaters. Still, where we sat it was a bit chilly. The room is not very attractive. We expected something with more personality, but it was just a big, drafty room with no art to speak of. They had a very good guitar player who added a lot to the ambiance but couldn't overcome it. We waited a good 20 minutes before anyone even looked our way. No water. No bread. No menus. No nothing for 20 minutes. My husband finally spoke up and we were then paid some attention via water, menus and a promise of coming back to take our order. But by the time she returned we didn't even feel like taking the time to hear about the specials, so we quickly ordered off the menu. Started with the fondue, which was served about 20 minutes later. Good news is it was very hot and tasty, albeit thinner than any fondue we have ever had. My beer also came, with no offer of a glass. Still no silverware or napkins, though. Half an hour later we got our entrees. I had the fish stew ($15) and husband had the chipotle ribs and mashed potatoes ($13 I think.) Both were very good and served with very nice sauteed kale. They were large enough for doggy bags and a good lunch today. So, given the good food and bad service would we return? Probably not. Maybe it was just an exceptionally busy night, but during a holiday week and return of snowbirds to Tucson for the winter, they should have been better prepared, especially when busboys and servers are paid less than minimum wage. Seriously, for $50 they could have had two people working customer service in the back room for the evening. It's unconscionable to expect customers to take 2 hours for a 2 course dinner, have to ask for glasses, ask for silverware, and ask for menus. Our server appeared competent, but was overwhelmed and had little or no help. To me, that means a serious, systemic management problem. Can't manage the number of tables and not interested in fully staffing the business? Reduce the number of tables.
(2)
Iryna C.

This place is awesome. One more reason to spend two hours of driving from Phoenix to experience food prepared for gourmets by a professional chef. I got a bowl of wild mushroom soup on the house. The soup was to die for! Northwest salmon risotto is outstanding. I am looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Patrick L.

I go to a restaurant for good food. This place has it and at great prices! They are trying to do a lot in a small space which adds to the chaos that running a restaurant can be. Until I sat down I felt like I was in the way. The food took longer than expected but was far better than expected and very much worth the wait. It was Saturday night and the place was PACKED! We had no reservation, but the got us in anyway. Our waitress Tania was attentive, service was great, food was hot and delicious. I had the tenderloin. Last week I paid more than twice as much for a steak at Del Frisco's that wasn't half as good. Deal with the lack of atmosphere. They put their heart and soul into what's important: the food!
(4)
Vanna C.

Recommend getting reservations on weekends. Best dinner we have had in Tucson: conscious cuisine. What you could find along the Pacific coast. Now I know we don't have a coastline, but we do have seafood, so I think it is fair to say, this is the only restaurant that measures up to southern Calfornia cuisine. While we had a long wait, it was well worth it. This is fine dining -- at a reasonable price. You won't be paying for scenery or snob appeal, just for quality food -- and thats the way I like it. The decor and ambience inside the building are understated but comfortable and wait service attentive and very pleasant. Great restaurant experience.
(5)
Janell M.

Worst experience i have ever had...literally! I had been told several times by a friend that i should give this place a try because chef Steven Schultz previous owner of Red sky cafe and lunabella had opened up a new place...so awhile back my husband and i had gone to Tucson to visit and decided to give it a shot and boy was that a mistake....first off we walked in and were greeted by a short plump woman with an almost condescending attitude but now I'm doing a little more research on this place it looks as though several people have had this same experience with this seeminglymiserable woman that must be their hostess! We were seated even though she made us not want to but we assumed she must be having a bad night...our server came top our table another plump girl with the same demeanor but less personality and asked us if we were ready did not greet us let alone bother to tell us any of the specials we later found out they had by asking the table next to us what they were eating once we had already ordered! We never received bread, offered anything to drink besides water with no ice and floaties in it! As we were waiting for our food we were glancing around and noticed almost everyone that works there looks like they are clearly on some type of drugs and i am pretty naive when it comes to that type of thing but when you see staff with open sores in plain sight looking unkept and basically unsanitary handling the food you are about to consume it can have a tendency to put you off....but that was just one of the few hang ups of this putred place! At the end of our meal we were given our check without being offered dessert and we asked if they served anything chocolate the waitress replied that she thinks they were out but if we wanted some she could go check for some in the shed!! What kind of establishment stores food in a shed!!!?? I could go on and on and on about the horrific experience we had that night but that isn't going to change anything bottom line i would NEVER EVER try this place again and hope to forwarn anyone who may consider it! One other thing my husband went to use their truck stop looking bathrooms and while walking down the corridor glanced in the dish room and noticed a pan full of cooked lamb shank uncovered with flies on them!!!! These were the same lamb shank being served as specials that evening!!!
(1)
Shun L.

We had a dinner, the food was excellent! However, my husband mentioned that this place used to be Bob's Big Boy. Anyway, the service is not so great, the server wasn't very attentive, it took a while for them to take our order, in fact, the girl she was training was serving. Anyway, the parking is bad, when we left, the parking lot was so full and both exits were blocked. If you are having dinner here park somewhere else.
(3)
Susan E.

My new favorite restaurant! Three of us had excellent dinners - the San Francisco Pier seafood dish was filled with mussels and shrimp. The molasses baked ribs with mashed potatoes, real spuds with tiny bits not fully blended, delicious - a wet wipe would help clean off sticky fingers. My portabella salad, which I finished two days later, was a green's dream topped with goat cheese. And, the only garlic dish, which we shared as an appetizer, make our eyes roll with pleasure. The ribbed ceilings and art work give the place, once a burrito joint, a sophisticated appearance. We'll be back to enjoy more of the creative menu and ambiance. Tables are fairly close. Conversation sounds may carry when the restaurant is crowded.
(4)
Tucson C.

We were really pleased by our trip into the Wild Garlic Grill. It's located on First Avenue just North of Grant and First. When you look at the building you think hamburger joint. As far as I know the location has served burgers, Mexican and Caribbean food. But as we walked up and saw the linens on the tables we knew that fine dining was going to be our experience, and we are so glad to have experienced it! The atmosphere can be varied by where you sit. The WGG features a small simple dining room, a large outside patio, and bar seating with a kitchen view that foodies are truly going to love! If you enjoy any of the today's cooking shows on TV, I suggest bar seating! The service was as expected, polite and professional. The staff are friendly, and created a great experience and the desire to return. The food was great! I have had food from the hands of Steven Schultz before. I love his vegetables and mushrooms, I love his sauces. They are just plain done right. Every review I've read has mentioned the pricing to be good. I don't question it. Everyone has a different idea on pricing. I saw what looked like a 1/2 pound burger cooked in front of me that I think was priced at $10. It looked fantastic. I would order it in a nanosecond. I saw a couple of Linguini Bolognese go out that I thought were very well priced considering the size of the portions and when I asked for a rating was told it scored a 10. If I sound tentative, remember, when I walked up I was thinking hamburgers! The Wild Garlic Grill is awesome. We experienced great food, great service, a great experience.
(5)
Kimberly B.

This is a great place to go for an evening supper. I had the pork shoulder and it was a huge plate of stew that was delicious, and I had plenty left over that I took home for my lunch the next day. My friend had the salmon, and he said it was very tasty and well seasoned. His risotto was cooked well and was filling without being heavy. They have a nice wine list and the service was great. The only drawbacks are that for one, the happy hour specials don't apply to the dining room, only the bar. Secondly, the entrance to the restaurant are a little confusing. I walked from the back parking lot to the front entrance, which was a little cramped because it was busy. My friend entered through a side entrance, which might have been for the hostess or waitstaff, but they were cool about it and just helped him to his table.
(4)
Jon R.

My wife and I decided to check out Wild Garlic Grill. The restaurant doesn't have much curb appeal (it looks kind of like a dump), however there were a great deal of cars out front which bodes well in my opinion. The interior was much nicer than I anticipated. It was very busy and cramped inside, so we decided to eat on the patio which was very comfortable despite it being an evening in August. My wife ordered a glass of red wine and I order a cocktail, a Pineapple Smurf. Unfortunately, they ran out of pineapple juice and substituted orange juice without asking me and as my wife said it tasked like children's aspirin. We ordered the garlic swiss fondue as an appetizer, and I was a bit disappointed it didn't have more garlic. It seemed fairly bland. Truth be told I LOVE garlic, like ward off vampires love garlic. So others might not be disappointed with the dish like I was. My wife order the lamb shank which was a special and I ordered the filet mignon which was also a special. My wife found the lamb bland, while I thought the filet was very good. One of the better steaks I've head in town as of late. The portions were good and so was the presentation. If people are concerned about the food being too garlicy given the name of the restaurant, don't be. Overall it was good, not great. I think it's worth another shot and I'd recommend other give it a shot as well.
(3)
Brendan D.

So far so good. I only had the mushroom soup so far, so I intend to add a star when my future expectations are met which I assume they will be. The ambiance is innovative and intimate, as if stepping out of Tucson into a pleasant nook. This is a perfect date place for all you college kids. The chef is right in plain view of the bar and the portions are generous. The menu is creative and fresh. Wild Garlic Grill is an intimate gem just 1.5 years in Tucson. Closed Mondays. visit soon and often so this treasure becomes a Tucson mainstay.
(4)
Saba B.

A former drive-in, Wild Garlic Grill has faced a few design challenges, but I'd crawl through a maze for the food on this menu. We sat at the bar for lunch, and watched jealously as mouth-watering plates piled sky high with a dizzying, colorful array of fresh veggies, plaintain chips, lamp chops and roasted chicken made their way into the dining room. The chefs take great pride in their craft, and it's fun to watch them swirling and flipping like goateed picassos, a pinch of garlic here, a splash of sauce there. I'm just worried they'll go out of business at these prices. I loved the grilled portobello salad, chock full of thick, well-seasoned mushrooms, Willcox tomatoes, goat cheese and tossed in a berry coulis. It was big enough for three meals. My partner had the grilled shrimp salad with warm brie and corn salsa in a sweet, heavenly buerre blanc, a behemoth which he still polished off completely. At under $12, the size of the salads is impressive. Our server was knowledgeable and personable, and she juggled the many tables and bar like a seasoned circus performer. I hope Chef Schultz can muster up a design team to tie in the patio, knock out a few stodgy walls, and modernize this venue. Ride the Wild Garlic, feel its power...
(5)
Tracy C.

This is such a nice restaurant in a rundown location. I almost didn't walk in because from the outside it looks a little suspect. I'm glad I did because the dÃ©cor inside was like a cute French restarant. The food was also lovely, very refined for this area. I hope they survive here but It may be tough for them in this first ave location.
(4)
Peter G.

My wife and I found this place on Yelp, and based on its ratings, went by to have lunch. The outside looks like an old drive-in joint; the inside is a bit better, but not upscale by any means. However, when you look at the menu, and then try some dishes, this place is an absolute gem! My wife had a beet salad, and I a garlic fondue, both were wonderful. Then we both had the caldo de porko (a port stew) that was as good as any we have ever had. We took 2/3 of the caldo home for dinner so we wouldn't miss a drop! We'll be going back.
(4)
Joe L.

Food, GREAT! Service, the WORST I have ever experienced. Service was extremely poor. The staff did not attempt to improve or correct their mistakes even after 3 attempts on my part to politely notify them that we were left unattended. Ruined my evening, and ruined the birthday dinner celebration for my wife. It's truly unfortunate since the food was very good. It would be very difficult for me to recommend or even return. Food deserves 4.5 stars. Service -3.5. That's why it gets a 1* from me.
(1)
Dale D.

Went there for the first time tonight. Was amazed by the service, my drink (Sidecar), and the food. We ate the striped sea bass special. It was perfectly cooked and had a great sauce. We were there early and sat at the bar looking into the kitchen. Will go back soon.
(5)
Robert H.

Saw an ad in the paper about the grand opening of the WGG. Love Garlic so we decided to go. Arrived at 5:30pm Sunday and the parking lot was full so I parked next door in the "Labor Ready" lot. The outside of the place looked like an old Drive In Root Beer stand and that's exactly what it use to be. Went in and the hostess asked if we had a reservation. I said no and we were seated immediately. I ordered the garlic cheese fondue figuring it would take a while for our meal to come due to the full house. The noise in the dinning room was almost too much for us so I checked the patio for seating but the outside patio was filled. The sound level got bearable when the drinkers started eating. Our waitress seemed frazzled and did not pay much attention to our table. Probably because we weren't buying the bottles of wine that I saw on most tables. The cheese fondue had a great flavor to it. We waited a while for our food, watching the attractive dishes being served at other tables. When the two Tilapia's and my Sea Bass arrived, we were starved. WOW, the Bass was fabulous with excellent sauce and the Tilapia was some of the best ever, per my wife and friend. Photos will be posted for your pleasure. You will get a kick out of the sign in front. If you look at the outside and decide not to try it, you will be missing one of the best meal's of your life! Reasonable prices, could be due to the low rent district. Works for me!
(4)
Sonya R.

Omg, so tasty! Had the shrimp for an appetizer then had the salmon so good and my friend had the ahi tuna delicious!
(5)
Andrew R.

Update 4/30/14: Figured I'd mention that I sent an email to the restaurant on 3/21/14 about the mashed potatoes. I just reviewed what I said and it was cordial but I never received a reply. The email went to the address listed on their website. It seems Chef Schultz just doesn't care. Not a good sign. Downgrading from 2 starts to 1 star.
(1)
Deb P.

Awesome food good, service too and the prices where very good. We will be back here for sure. Mushroom soup was good, mussels too and I had the caldo of pork and fondue was good too. We are happy campers. They also have a good beer list not huge but good same with the wine
(5)
J V.

Honestly some of the things on the menu sounded heavenly even some of the specials were REALLY appealing. I will start this out with-I was having a rough day to start with. The server that decided to take my friend and I was nice enough. There were quite a few things in disarray and the excuse was made that they just opened. I'm not sure that is a valid reason for a place serving meals that cost in the upwards of $23 a plate. My friend and I sat on the patio and there were employee conversations going on...sort over our heads with a young woman server that was out on her cell phone when not chatting it up with the co-worker. Our server was trying to be as helpful as he could be and even brought out a sample of the soup of the day. I ordered the tilapia off of the menu and asked if I could have it sans the tomato. The server explained that the tomato, onion, and basil was a pre-made bit of "salsa" that was added so it would be hard to not have the tomato without also getting rid of the other bits. I said "Can we just take out the salsa then?" He said "I'm sure we can do that. Just the wine and butter then?" I said "that's great" He then asked about red peppers. I explained that I was allergic to the nightshade family and that I was sorry for being a pain. He said that he understood because of his own allergies. The food finally came out and he said "There's a red pepper puree on the top." At this point I was down right irritated. I truly thought this had been discussed. He DID promptly remove the plate and promise to fix it but unfortunately I had reached my saturation level. I'm not really sure that the staff match the concept. I would have felt more comfortable with the behavior of the staff at maybe Roccos....which I LOVE but is a little more laid back atmosphere. I walked out after telling them not to bother with re-making my dish and I feel like an asshole for that-and maybe I am-but damn...after a conversation about an ALLERGY to something it didn't make any sense at all for it to be put IN ANY FORM on the plate.
(2)
Jennifer L.

Great food. Wait staff was very pleasant and attentive. Inside decor surprisingly pleasant.
(4)
Scott T.

First time I visited I wasnt impressed, so I thought I should give it another shot. Still the same. Very poor service, so-so food, and very small, crowded, and loud dining area. Tucson has tons of better restaurants. And cmon--lousy service is the easiest change you can make. Train them or fire them!
(2)
Karlen R.

Took a date here the other night. Lots of energy, I had the Sea Bass special and it was one of the best fish specials I've had in town. Service was great and wine was varied but not overwhelming. Would absolutely recommend.
(5)
Tyler F.

I can't begin to explain how delicious & pleasant my experience was. As I stepped into the establishment my friend & myself decided we'd like to watch the Chef cook & talk with the employees so we sat at the Bar. The head Chef Steve comes from a French Culinary School & has over 30 years of fine dining experience. We were greeted by the most congenial woman I've met in Tucson by the name of Stacey. If you go, my best advice is to ask for her & I promise you, you'll be taken care of the right way. As I chatted with her we began talking about her previous endeavors in her career & it was easy to tell she has incredible knowledge not only with her food but also beverages. We started with a Gin/Cucumber/Lime cocktail with fresh basil & mint with the best muscles I've ever had. Be sure to have their delicious bread next to you so you can savior last drop of their muscle's sauce. We then tried their beet salad which for me was an incredible surprise. The flavors of truffle oil, goat cheese, organic vegetables & fresh beets were to die for. By this time my friend & myself were questioning how we were going to last for the main dish, however, our taste glands couldn't say no. We then tried a Salmon dish & also a Lamb dish which took our breathes away. My best advice would to come in & try their food because the staff, food & professionalism can't be explained thru simple text. This is my new favorite spot in Tucson if not the entire state of Arizona! Highly recommend.
(5)
Renee J.

I was pleasantly surprised regarding the food. Everything we had was very good, arrived hot and the portions were very well sized. I think we even had some left for take-home. My only complaint would be the decor. The lack of cohesiveness was a bit over whelming. I feel like working on the inside may go a long ways.
(4)
Yves J.

This is a nice quaint establishment. Don't be fooled by the outside. The server was excellent. The food was not bad. I had the Salmon. It is a good dish for a decent price. The vegetable medley of Kale, red onion, snow peas was a bit salty and the Kale was a bit hard. Nevertheless, it wasn't bad. The mushroom soup is great. The Risotto...very good...a little salty. My wife had the rib selection. I think they boil their ribs prior to cooking them. They had a sort of Tony Romano type of feel but not as good. They were tender but not to tasty. The chili BBQ wasn't bad. I don't think the chili was infused in the BBQ. I tasted a the chili powder on the parts of the ribs that didn't have sauce on them. I will go back to give them another chance.
(3)
J J.

Likely the best restaurant in Tucson currently. Outside the building is a vintage burger drive-in. Inside it's a foodies delight. The space is cozy and well done. The food is exceptional! The menu selection is great. A spectrum of deliberate choices. It's clear the chef knows his craft. Sit in the bar area to watch the chefs work and to enjoy the beautifully plated food as it's prepared. There's always several interesting specials. I'd like to keep it my secret, but judging by the number if cars in the lot, the secret is already out.
(4)
Jennifer D.

My husband will tell you I make the best bolognese, now we both think Wild Garlic Grill does. GREAT evening.
(4)
Danny S.

I'm not sure how many of you had the pleasure of visiting the establishments that preceded the Wild Garlic Grill in this quirky spot on 1st Ave., but if you did, then you're in for quite a shock. Where there once was a divey greasy spoon, and before it a ramshackle Jamaican joint, there is now one of the best new restaurants in town. The interior has been so completely redesigned that I almost couldn't believe I was in the same place, and the food has jumped up a number of levels as well. You owe it to yourself to check this place out. When you go, the first thing you should notice is that they are charging obscenely little for everything on the menu. You can get a big plate of barbecued ribs, delicious homemade potato salad, and some yummy sauteed greens for $14 -- FOURTEEN DOLLARS! They also make an enormous and killer salad with lots of grilled veggies and goat cheese for $12 that fed Amy for two days. We've really enjoyed their grilled salmon dish (which I'm really glad I ordered, given that it doesn't sound that interesting on the menu -- trust me, it's not something you could make at home), and we've also been happy to break the bank for their $24 lamb shank special, which seriously rivals the masterpiece at Tavolino (I should point out that Tavolino's lamb shank is probably my favorite food item in Tucson, so this is not faint praise). We haven't had as much of an opportunity to explore the cocktail menu, though we did adore the Sidecar. So here's the bottom line: the Wild Garlic Grill is serving some of the best food in Tucson, and they're charging about as much for it as you'd pay at Applebees. Go get some before they wise up and start raising their prices!
(5)
Michael L.

This place was awesome! I sat at the bar and Eric the bartender was great. They had a great happy hour with specials. I was also able to eat at the bar. I had fall off the bone ribs and my friend had the sea bass special that was out of this world. I will definitely be back as the food, service and value was awesome. Steve the chef was really nice as well. Give this place a shot!
(5)
Steve C.

A great little place. Friendly wait staff who are attentive to your needs. We were celebrating our anniversary and got a special treat...chocolate, flour less torte. Food was very good and generous. Had the left overs for lunch today. We sat outside on their screened patio and it was very pleasant. Great celebration.
(5)
Megan D.

This place was pretty good. I went with two girlfriends after a long day at work. We all had wine - the pours were huge for a cheap price. Starting off great. Bread and butter served - still delicious. All of the food was delicious. I had the lamb shank, and it was practically falling off the bone. The other friends had the wild sea bass and the pasta. We all shared dinners, and it was almost gone by the end of dinner. I had read that dinner here was pretty cheap - meals range from $12 - 19 on the menu. I was really surprised when my meal and my friends meal ended up being $23 each. They were on the 'specials' list, but knowing the average price of the other meals, and since these were very similar in content, we expected them to be about the same price. All in all, a meal for 3 was over $100 - a little high for my taste.
(3)
Steven R.

My wife and I had a date night today and thoroughly enjoyed the Wild Garlic Grill. Everything about it is wonderful -- the food is positively to die for, the service was terrific, and the setting was totally unpretentious, which we especially appreciated. Whoever owns this place took what appears to have been a dive of a building and converted it into a top-notch restaurant, without all the over-the-top remodeling. The result is truly great food in a totally laid back atmosphere. My wife had a steak and I had the sea bass -- both were BEYOND excellent. For an appetizer, we had the cheese fondue with bread, and the cheese was so good my wife was eating it with a spoon when we got to the bottom of the dish. Insane, totally insane. Anyone who rates this place below four or five stars is way too picky to be writing reviews. We'll be back -- over and over again -- and we live way out in Vail, so it's obviously well worth the drive to us!
(5)
Roberta H.

This place it outstanding. The staff is friendly and geniuely concerned about the customer. We were seated at a table and got up to asked to be moved to a different table. The bartender offered for us to sit at the bar and keep him company. What a great idea. Food is outstanding and the price is very reasonalbe. I will come back and recommend Wild Garlic Grill to everyone.
(4)
Tauhid R.

Fantastic food. Very low key ambience. Just like I like it. Satisfaction to price ratio is fantabulous!
(5)
David B.

I really like the food especially the seafood items but the service has been terrible both times I have been there. Our food has taken over an hour to come out. We had empty water glasses the entire meal and no one ever checked on the table. We spoke with the manager and she didn't really seem to be alarmed by her staffs poor customer service.
(1)
Marla J.

What a great night of food. We ordered the soft shell crab for an appetizer--melt in your mouth with a wonderful sauce underneath.I ordered the mussels with a side of fries for my main dish, my husband ordered the ahi tuna. Steve Shultz the chef continues to amaze us. We have followed him for years throughout Tucson. The staff was great also. On the patio was a great music group to round out our evening. Not the high end atmosphere of some of Steve's places, but for us it is all about great food. Definitely worth your visit. Don't be afraid to sit at the bar either--fun night!
(5)
James T.

Outstanding food and a small but acceptable wine list. We ordered a red zin from the dry erase board and loved it. We started with a portobello and goat cheese appetizer that was elegant and balanced. My companion had the braised pork shoulder and I had the Bolognese. Both were extremely well executed. As an aside, I pride myself on a quite authentic Bolognese and, while different, Wild Garlic's was no less good. Go for the food, not the ambiance. Service was excellent. Food was fabulous. Price was unexpectedly reasonable. I would have paid double for this meal in Portland or Seattle.
(5)
Danielle S.

Ive been there twice (in one week because its that good) and I highly recommend it. The Gilroy Swiss Fondue was perfect. The bowl of mushroom soup was exceptional and is enough for two people. The Linguini Bolognese comes in a huge portion and was delicious. The ribs were the BEST ribs I've ever had anywhere. The steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get. The chef and waitstaff are very personable. If you sit at the bar you can watch the chef make your meal. They also have hibiscus tea and great wine choices. I'm adding Wild Garlic to my list of top favorite places and I'll definitely be coming back. The ribs would be my top recommendation hands down.
(5)
Tom A.

The food is fabulous! We sat at the bar waiting for some friends and enjoyed watching chef Steve and his crew. We felt like we were part of the staff since the bar seats are right next to the kitchen. A fun spot and if we didn't have friends coming, we probably would just have had our meal there! We were seated on the patio for dinner which is a great open space but was a little cold for my wife so we asked to be seated inside. The staff was very accommodating and that's a great sign of a well run restaurant. Four of us had different meals and the portions and quality were excellent. We are looking forward to a return visit. Top note to all the staff who were friendly and thanked us for coming. Made us feel great.
(5)
Julie W.

Simply excellent!!
(5)
Foodie A.

Wonderful food, large portions and great prices! The garlic swiss fondue is delicious!
(5)
Steve C.

A great place with really good service and a friendly wait staff. The outside is nothing to look at and you wonder if you should try it....,definitely do. We ate in the covered outdoor dining area and was most pleasant. We were celebrating our anniversary and got extra nice treatment. Our dessert was to die for...a chocolate flour less torte. It was really yummy.
(5)
Sally S.

Food great. Other average. Lamb, seafood stew and burger great. Fondue great but too thin. Prices reasonable. Our waiter James great. Organization horrible. Front door entry is through a narrow bar area with no hostess station or sign telling you where to wait or sign in. Hostess was doing everything except standing at a hostess station - busing, delivering food, etc. so customers were asking each other what the process was and hoping they didn't get overlooked. It created a lot of anxiety for customers who felt confused and in the way of the wait staff. My daughter hated the chaos and wanted to leave immediately. We talked her into staying but the wait for food was over 45 minutes so she never enjoyed the experience. If 1 out of 3 in our group wanted to leave that may mean that 1/3 of your customers leave or never come back for non-food issues. They also ran out of steak and some alcoholic beverages while we were there. You need a hire someone to run the staff with strong organization skills and even though your space is small - rearrange. Put a hostess stand our front with some benches for people to wait or make a formal hostess stand at the back entrance again with benches for people to wait.
(3)
Steve G.

Big disappointment, we stopped in for lunch last Thursday about 1:30 and asked to be seated in the outdoor section, there was one other couple. I think the bus person took the afternoon off as half the tables were not cleared. It took about 15 minuets to get a menu and it was downhill from there. No water until after we placed our order and what a witch, not very nice. We both ordered the Portobello sandwich, one with fries and the other with potato salad, the potato salad looked like something my dog thru up and did not taste very good, the fries were not much better. The bun on the sandwich's were white Wonder Bread if that. We did not see the server at all during our lunch and we had to go in to the dinning room to get a check. With all the great reviews. possibly we caught them on a bad, will not be back to find out.
(1)
Beth M.

This was a pleasant surprise. Don't let the neighborhood or building scare you off. The food is phenomenal, great prices, outstanding service. I had the ribs with mashed potatoes. Meat fell off the bone. My friend had the cabrilla fish. So delish!
(5)
alan m.

Three of ate there last evening. While the restaurant may lack ambience, the food was exceptionally good. We were all pleased! The menus has many choices plus there were appetizer and entree specials. I had the lamb shank- it was great as was my Caesar salad . Further, the prices were very, very reasonable. We will be back!!
(4)
Dale Y.

I have visited this restaurant 5 times and each time the service has been terrible. They never have enough waiters. Our last visit was for lunch and it took over 45 minutes to get served when only 3 tables were occupied. The food does not make up fpr such poor service.
(2)
Bart H.

Although the physical plant is low budget and the prices quite reasonable, the quality of the food and presentation were as good if not better than found in more expensive $$$ eateries. My salmon was cooked perfectly with a wonderful yet subtle sauce and tasty risotto. Our server was high energy and attentive even though she had a lot to handle. The wine and beer selections were adequate and well chosen. Bottom line - this place should be using cloth napkins and table coverings as the quality of the food deserves it, but then again it's very affordable as it is.
(4)
Ricardo V.

Went in on a Thursday evening. The place was packed so I sat at the bar. I had the salmon and a signature cocktail. The kitchen is open so you can watch the chef prepare the food. The lamb shank looked great and so did the sea bass. I plan on going back for the seafood stew it looked great. The prices are very good as well for the taste, quality and portions.
(5)
Terry S.

Having lived in the neighborhood for years and watched restaurants come and go from this location, we decided to try this incarnation on their first day. We were pleasantly surprised! The menu looks fantastic, the prices are reasonable and the service is good. We had the Gilroy garlic Swiss fondue starter that was tasty but had a hint of burnt garlic to it. The wine/garlic poached tilapia in a bag was delicious as well as the seafood stew. Good winelist. We will be back for sure and have already told friends about our experience.
(4)
Bill D.

Great place! Great food! But if you walk in with a stick up your butt you probably won't enjoy the atmosphere. ;) Loved the grilled shrimp appetizer as well as the cheese fondue. Bread was warm and fresh. Service was perfection. Linguine bolognese was a bargain at $12.00! Full bodied and very meaty! Make a reservation if you don't want to wait on a busy night. However I've been twice on a Friday night without a res and was seated quickly both times. ( just lucky and only two up). Yes they will ask you if you have a reservation. Duh! That way if you do have a reservation they can mark the reservation as arrived! Standard procedure for any busy restaurant. LOVE THIS PLACE! Really enjoy the closeness of the atmosphere and have had interesting conversations with those we are lucky enough to have been seated next to. Have dined inside and outside. Outside had live guitar playing in the background which was a very nice touch.
(5)
Kathryn T.

Oh, where do I start with my new love affair? We live close to Wild Garlic, so we go often. The bar is the place to sit, so you can watch Chef Steve create and what a wizard! He and his kitchen staff have it down pat. The bartender Erik, is really cool and always has some good wine suggestion for me. The food? Oh, man. I am obsessed with the Rosemary Chicken and mashed potatoes. I also love the summer salad that they have been serving lately. Truly, you can't go wrong with anything you order here. I have to admit that I have never had dessert because I am just too full by the time dinner is done. Do yourself a favor and try this the next time you want something new. Oh, did I mention that the prices are AMAZING? Bravo!!!
(5)
Y D.

Since we had been to the Wild Garlic a few times, we felt comfortable to introduce it to friends who had heard us speak of the quality of the food. Well, last night was not a good introduction. Total chaos. Even though we had reservations, it took a very long time to sit our group of six. We had requested a quiet table but we were seated right next to the live music. Appetizers came quickly but we had to wait one hour for the entrees. Actually, one in the group waited one hour and ten minutes... My husband and I ordered the same dish but had different outcomes! Apparently there was a problem with personnel in the kitchen and we paid the price for that. Our waiter was great. No complaints there. He kept bringing us bread and butter but, of course, he had no control over the kitchen. By the way, the back room (a first for us) was cold - it was a cold evening - with absolutely no ambiance. We were quite disappointed. Fortunately, Tucson has many good restaurants. We have other choices.
(2)
Monica F.

The Wild Garlic Grill has the best sea bass I have ever eaten. The risotto is divine. The portions are large so I got two great meals out of it. The fish reheated wonderfully. Definitely will go back. The shrimp appetizer is fantastic. Don't let the outside fool you support local chef Steve Schultz it's worth it.
(5)
S R.

We had reservations to celebrate a birthday party at 6pm, and this was supposed to be a great family-friendly restaurant...but we were very wrong. Despite the food that we actually got 1h and 45 minutes after arriving(one at a time with at least 20 minutes before the entrees that were being brought to the first and last person at our table) was good, overall dining experience was simply terrible. Our server was clueless about service... After our attempts to address what was going on with the owner, she looked at me and said "this is fine dining and not the restaurant for kids"...seriously? Cant believe that the owner was so rude, how can anyone expect anything from the staff given that this is the attitude of the owner herself. We will never go back as there is no food that is worth paying for given such disrespectful, awful and painful experience. There are plenty of restaurants that do their best in regards to the customer service and this one is so far away from them-DONT GO
(1)
Leila V.

I found this restaurant by accident while I was looking for Moroccan. This place was the best food I've had since I ate at Chef Ramsay's in Las Vegas. My husband, son and I drove all the way from Glendale, AZ. Let me tell you, the 2hr drive was worth it. The food is amazing and the waiter, Tom, was so attentive and hard working. We are already making plans for our next drive to the Wild Garlic Grill.
(5)
Holly B.

I love Wild Garlic Grill. I have been many times and have always had good food. I have tried too many dishes put down in this review. Everything I have had has been FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! Whether I come by myself or with a friend I always sit at the bar. I not only get good food and drinks and our server Eric but I like the floor show of the kitchen. I will mention the Blue Smurf is fun and Lemoncello cake is out of this world. I do not have any complaints, well maybe one I just hope that I am always going to be able to get a table. With food like this and a great staff Wild Garlic Grill may run out of room.
(5)
Jackie C.

Amazing fondu, great food overall at reasonable prices. Quaint atmosphere.
(5)
Pilar L.

Always been a fan of Steve Schultz, and was happy to see him in operation once again! Did not disappoint. Location wise, I needed to get over 30 years of memories of past restaurants. Once inside, all bad thoughts went away. Very quaint, tasteful, and comfortable. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the chef in action. Service was efficient and friendly, food was amazing. The mussels were as fresh tasting as could be. Lovely balance of garlic and wine in the mussels, grilled shrimp, and fondue-delish!!! Can't wait to come back for dinner.
(5)
Lauren D.

I am so glad I found this place when looking for a spot for Mothers Day dinner! We started off with a super tasty fondue; our friendly waiter gave us more bread when we had cheese leftover after the first round. The entrees were delicious and the prices were less than what you'll find anywhere else for a dinner of this quality. The atmosphere was inviting and casual yet fancy enough for a special night out!
(5)
J.O. T.

Great food, great drink and great service. The leg of lamb was superb.
(5)
Charles B.

What a great find, Wonderful food good service.
(5)
Binky L.

Must try - WGG is just the place for Tucsonans - casual, with great food.
(5)
Donna Z.

I have been in several times now and have not been disappointed once. You may read that some people dont like the neighborhood, well its my neighborhood and we are very pleased that The Wild Garlic Grill is here. I especially love that they chose a location that is so old here in Tucson. Instead of a yuppy new building, its in a old drive thru burger place that has been empty for a while. They turned the big giant root beer mug into a mug of beer. I love it! I always start with the beet salad, there is no place in town where one can get a beet salad and it has warmed goats cheese! My favorite food is lamb shank but I have never had theirs, I cant get past the fish! When I go to the Wild Garlic Grill, I want fish because this guy really cooks the fish the way I like it. The other day i went in for lunch, had a bbq chicken salad that came with oranges and greens and many yummy things. At first i thought I would hate the oranges but they were sweet, juicy and a perfect mix in that salad. I sat at the bar and watched the chef and his assistant do their thing, lots of fun! It might not be for everyone but it is a special place for me.
(5)
Decker A.

Steve continues his record of serving fantastic food! We had the sea bass, seafood stew and chicken. All were excellent. Service was very good. The only problems are the parking and the noise level.
(5)
Reid W.

Best restaurant in Tucson. Ever since Dish closed its doors, Wild Garlic Grill has taken its place as the most decadent and well thought out destination for food in Tucson. My only caveat would of course be an appreciation for garlic, and umami as practically everything is savory and full. My only complaints may actually be the portions - every time I visit, we order more food than we can eat and end up taking half or so home. But that also speaks to the menu, which is appealing and well thought out. The outside ambiance leaves more than a little to be desired, though the inside is quite nice and cozy. The open kitchen is also nice, especially if you sit at the bar.
(5)
Betsy M.

The hubs and I visited here this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary after a recommendation from a friend. They take reservations which was nice, but we ended up going at 4PM in the afternoon since I was super hungry and they open at 11AM. This will be one of my more wordy reviews, well just because. The outside is definitely not much to look at ... looks super run down, but for some reason comes across sort of edgy and non-pretentious. When you walk inside the kitchen is immediately to the right and is an open format which is really cool. There is bar seating (done well) along the walkway to where the dining room and outdoor seating areas are. We were seated indoors and that area is somewhat small but cozy. The tables are done with white paper on them, but they utilize nice tableware and it makes it look upscale. So for ambiance, I give this place two thumbs up for cool, fresh and classy as a look. The service was okay. There were two gals working - a blonde and a brunette. We got the younger brunette as our server. It was not very busy when we were there but for some reason the service level did not actually reflect that. The place is small so you hear everything (especially this super chatty patron behind me who would not stop talking on what appeared to be a first date). The blonde gal sort of seemed like she was annoyed. As an example -- when we arrived, I said to the brunette gal "we have a 5:30 reservation but I was starving so we came early" and the blonde gal finishes my sentence as "and now you're here" in a way that seemed sarcastic. When seated, I was surprised that the server did not come over to take a drink order while we were looking at the menu... I basically had to order that with my dinner (strange.) Food came out while I was half way into my salad, and the server asked me if I was finished when it was obvious that I was not and had only had the salad in front of me for maybe 5 minutes. Anyway... I was not overwhelmed by the service - I was not underwhelmed by the service. She was really nice, and did a decent job... I guess I just expected more after reading about this place. Now the food which is what, combined with the atmosphere, gets the four star rating. Amazingly delicious. We ordered the garlic bread to start, which my husband ate 3/4 of himself. We both did the green salads... and I loved that they put shredded carrots and bell pepper in it to make it different, aside from the field greens. I ordered the grilled chicken, the hubs did the BBQ ribs (NM green chile). Both were VERY good... the only odd thing was that the menu had them both coming with Yukon mashed potatoes but we got corn risotto instead (server did not indicate the change, nor did the kitchen which is pretty presumptuous). The corn risotto was SO yummy, I could have eaten it all night -- so trust me I was not annoyed, it was a nice change to just potatoes. Our server recommended the Tiramisu for dessert and she was spot on with how fantastic it is. From start to finish -- the food was great. Really the value for the level of food you are getting is fantastic. This place is a Tucson jewel, not sure why this is the first time I have been here in my 10 years living in Tucson. I will likely come back and try some of the other wonderful menu items. Oh and try the Sangria - it was WONDERFUL!
(4)
Debbie L.

I'd like to give 1.5 stars for the quality of meat that they served and for the far away concept that the food coming out of the kitchen LOOKED good. The rest of the meal was ruined by the service. I saw assistants zooming around the room. A customer was standing looking for his friends' table. An assistant zoomed by him and yelled, "ON YOUR RIGHT." The elderly man jumped from being scared by this guy yelling at him. We saw an assistant take two full water glasses off a table and at the insistence of the woman who sat us, he poured the water back into the pitchers that served all customers. Once you put it on a table, it shouldn't go back out for others. I also wouldn't want anybody's uneaten bread but I don't think they give you bread here. The outdoor seating is "cooled" by a giant misting thing that looks like it was bought second hand off a music festival. This creates a hum and humidity that attract mosquitoes. We ended up well-bitten. And let's also be clear that this "cooler" doesn't cool the room. It was hot and humid in the post-thunderstorm evening. Our table ordered three medium rare burgers. We received three medium well burgers. One of my friends was not happy about this but we all ate them anyway. When the waitress checked on us, my friend said the burger was disappointing. She had been looking forward all week to their medium rare burger but this was overcooked. While my friend was still talking, the waitress said, "I apologize," and walked away. No questions, no solutions, just walked away WHILE she was talking. Despite his manic pace and the number of times he blew by us, the assistant never came back to refill our waters, which sat less than half full for some time. Since I was sitting next to the water pitchers, I just grabbed one and filled up our glasses. Nobody seemed to care. I should have gone and cooked our burgers. At the end of the meal, the waitress came back to clear and asked how it was. My friend said again that although we all finished our burgers, it was disappointing that they weren't cooked how we had asked. Waitress said, "I'm sorry about that," took all the plates, and walked away. The woman who sat us dropped by (maybe she's a manager?) and asked how our meals were tonight. As you might guess, my friend said she was disappointed that her burger was overcooked but we all ate it anyway. The manager couldn't look her in the eye, said, "I'm sorry" to who knows what since the eye contact wasn't there, and walked away. Kudos to the people writing reviews here who got actual care, sympathy, a suggestion that something be re-made, or a free dessert! We got a lot of looking away and walking away. Which was what we did next. Drowned our sorrows in Frost, which always works. :) Despite the really nice meat they seem to have for their burgers, there is no reason to go back here.
(1)
Jennifer K.

Very tasty and unique ambience. Gourmet good at it's finest without paying for a limb! Prefer the seafood myself seabass and salmon with the rich tasty sauces and accompaniments. But everything looks quite enticing here. Plan to return for the apps.
(5)
Tam G.

Everything taste the same. He uses the same sides for practically every dish. Safe flavor combos to cater to the older crowd, nothing outstanding. Service is mediocre at best. Don't expect your server to know much about food or wine. Interior matches the exterior, run down. Give it a try but don't expect to be wowed.
(3)
Ellie M.

My husband and I went last night for the first time for a celebratory dinner. We were both excited to go as we had heard such great things. Upon out arrival we see a big banner outside that says "All Night Happy Hour". Awesome! Once we're seated and our server, Jessica, asks if we'd like to start off with some drinks. So we ask about happy hour but are told it's only happy if we sit at the bar. What?! The bar is in the same room for Pete's sake. It seems odd and not right but, OK. Whatever... She tells us about the specials and we place our order. We start off with the grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie and grill veggies. It was delicious! Our entrees arrive. My husband's lamb shank was excellent. My rib eye not so much! I asked for it rare but it's completely RAW inside and an extremely poor cut of meat filled with grissle. I had a very difficult time even cutting it. My caramelized onions are completely burnt. With each bite I'm spitting out unchewable pieces. Where's Jessica?! No where to be seen for at least 20 minutes. When she finally does walk into the room and I call her over to complain about my steak she apologizes and asks if I want it cooked more. Why would I want a bad cut of meat cooked more?! I said no and sent my uneaten entrÃ©e back. She then asks if I'd like a complimentary piece of cheesecake. Sure, I've not had anything but half of the appetizer my husband I split. Another 20 minutes go by and again...where's Jessica?! When she finally reappears I call her over say I no longer care about the cheesecake and ask for our check. My husband says if they want to box it to go that would be fine. So she comes back quickly with our check and the cheesecake. WTF? They can do it to go immediately but not when I'm sitting there? Whatever. Our bill came to over $100 which included the $30 rib eye I sent back! No consideration of the fact it was a bad piece of meat which was returned uneaten. So essentially, we paid $30 for that tiny slice of cheesecake! THE WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD AT ANY RESTAURANT!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! OUTRANGEOUS!!! UNIMPRESSED!!!
(1)
Johnny W.

Food -- out of the park-- good-- really good Service- in the basement bad A little pricey for lunch-- but the chef gets kudos- He better get some friendly professional wait staff if he wants return customers-- at these prices we deserve top service---too
(3)
Deidra W.

This place is truly a diamond in the rough. The food is so beautifully presented. Definatley worth the trip. Prices are a little bit on the higher side, but the taste makes it all worth it.
(5)
Don C.

Tomato Soup out of this World. Huge pieces of chunked Tomato Mushrooms Plabano make this a meal in itself. Enjoy. The French Flare is evident from the appetizers through the fresh Tuna plates. Vegetables taste beyond compare Starches taste better than home cooking and the Steaks Beef poultry lamb and Sea food strupendous.
(5)
Heather N.

Delicious food, huge portions, cute ambiance, fantastic service, and affordable prices! I highly recommend Wild Garlic Grill in Tucson. From the exterior, it doesn't seem like it would be the swankiest place, but inside it is decorated very nicely. Meals are very reasonably priced and portioned, and it is very likely that you'll have a to-go box to enjoy the rest of your meal later. I ordered Braised pork shoulder ($12.95) and I have to say it was delicious! The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, with just the right seasonings and flavors. My friend ordered the rosemary and thyme chicken breast which was equally great. I think that you could easily try all of their options, since their menu is pretty small. Further, our waiter was so very nice and courteous. Overall, definitely a great restaurant to visit if you're in Tucson!
(5)
Monica E.

I have been to Wild Garlic Grill a couple of times, so I finally feel I can give a good estimation of what to expect. Location. Given its location, it seems Wild Garlic was a haphazard decision. It seems more fitting that it would be located downtown or in East Tucson. It is located on a main corridor full of small service-orientated businesses and furniture stores, a few fast food restaurants and too many convenience stores. Ambiance. What a hodgepodge. Even the dinning room is somewhat confusing. There doesn't seem to be a solid theme when it comes to the decor, so it doesn't lend itself to the romance once might expect from this type of establishment. The other problem -- the tables located inside are sometimes way too close to one another. Last visit, I felt I was sitting with my neighbor, not the people I came with. Try the patio. There are heated lamps for the cooler weather, and they are quite robust. It is lovely out there. I know all this sounds like major complaints, but I think the restaurant's redeeming factor sits squarely with its food. But before that, let's chat about the service. Service. Well...it's very inconsistent. Last time we worked with a server whose name begins with A and rhymes with timber. She would talk to you as she was coming and going, without giving a full stop at the table. Most times we did not know what she was trying to communicate to us. She also took entirely too long to take drink orders and disappeared for extended periods of time. The host, thank goodness, popped in a few times to reassure us that we would, indeed, get our drink orders and dinners. Food. Mostly heaven sent! The dishes can, at times, have a slight glimmer of too much oil, but I have been mostly over-the-top pleased. Here, you can get oregano wild mushroom soup with cream, roasted beet salad with goat cheese, mesquite honey BBQ chicken salad, a grilled rosemary and thyme chicken breast, a Black Angus hamburger, pork shoulder served with red New Mexico and poblano chilies, and so many more lovely dishes. The Gilroy garlic is very popular here. Try the Swiss fondue, which comes with sourdough. You'll get a good sense of how lovely this garlic is. The garlic shrimp and warm brie was decadent. Perfectly flavored and with a lovely addition of grilled and roasted vegetables. The shrimp was served in a buerre blanc sauce. Light, yet full of flavor. The stuffed salmon. *lip smacks* Sooooo delicious! Served with grilled asparagus and Gilroy garlic potatoes, it was the perfect melding of flavors. So, despite the strange decor and too-tight seating, I'm sure to return.
(4)
Blake G.

Wow, this is my new favorite place in Tucson. I have driven by this restaurant for years and though it was a dive bar/grill. I did not realize it was a super delicious French inspired cuisine like nothing I have experienced. I ordered the soft shell crab special, with sangria. The flavors the chef combined were so unique. Not unique in that weird gastro-snob way. Unique in the way, this is some new mind blowing food. The waitstaff was everything they should be. Friendly, prompt, helpful, and super excited about the menu. Our waiter apparently also cooks at the restaurant, and his passion for the food really shows. If you've got a date, need some food, or just want something different, come here. You wouldn't be disappointed.
(5)
Ryan T.

If restaraunts had human personalities, I would say the Wild Garlic Grill were a teenage boy confused about his identity. From the outside, I saw an old building displaying an image of a purple garlic bulb and another of a pitcher of beer. I figured this would be a place to get a good $9 garlic burger and a pitcher of beer so I tried it out. After figuring out where the entrance was, I found myself in a cramped dive bar. I squeezed through there to find a dining area with a completely different image. It seemed like they were going for a classy feel with wine glasses on all the tables. The menu surprised me with meals being around $15. Seemed like a bold move for this kind of place but I decided to give it a chance. The server recommended specials that weren't on the menu but didn't tell me any prices. I assumed they would be a little cheaper than the menu items since they're specials. I tried the stuffed salmon which was OK. There was a lot of liquid on the plate but it tasted good and was pretty big. I figured it would be a little cheaper than the $16 salmon on the menu, but after the check came, it was actually $26. Who makes specials twice as expensive as everything else without telling you first? I could look past everything else, but this is why I'm not going back.
(2)
Manuel G.

So I just moved to Tucson from Phoenix and I love trying new places. Me and my gf had been rely busy with school and work and we really needed a nice break so we decided to go here for dinner. As you drive by the place looks very plain but as soon as you step in this place is far from ordinary. We were greeted by very friendly staff, our waitress(we sat at the bar) was very friendly she explained the dishes and the specials. We ordered our food had a few drinks before they arrived and once they arrived let me tell you they looked delicious. I ordered a steak and my gf had a pasta dish both were very delicious I would definitely recommend this place
(5)
Mikki M.

I have loved ever meal I have ever gotten here. The chef really knows his stuff. He must be classically trained. This is truly a hidden gem. I bring my family and friends here when they come to visit. Nothing is bad here! Don't be turned off by the strange building it is located in, it adds to the charm. The service is top notch, I assume they spend a lot of time getting the front of the house throughly trained. They could actually make the portions a little smaller so that there is room for dessert (this is the only negative thing I can say about WGG). I would make reservations to ensure you have a good seat without waiting.
(5)
Susan C.

Besides the temperate winter climate in Tucson, Wild Garlic is the other thing we look forward to whenever we return. It's been less than a year since we last dined here, and there have been changes -- 1. Restaurant's open from 11am till evening everyday 'cept Monday. I believe it was only open for dinners previously. 2. Inside has been moderately redone, with an al fresco type paint on the walls, some interesting artwork. It no longer looks so much like a Burgermeister - at least from the inside. 3. Staff has increased in number and wear the restaurant industry standard we-mean-business black ensembles. 4. The talented Chef now has one or two assistants in the kitchen and works sequestered away in a part of the kitchen we can't see when seated at the bar. The assistants work non stop cooking up sides, like veggies and the famed taro chips. Some things that didn't change -- 1. False-teeth droppingly reasonable prices: If you sit at the bar, you get $2 off cocktails, wines and appetizers. The drinks and apps are only about $8/ea to begin with, people. For $8-$2=$6 you can pass out over your garlic shrimp app or wild mushroom soup, which brings me to... 2. STRONG drinks: From a woman who's only gotten rip-roaring drunk out once in her life I can certifiably say that, after a few sips of Wild Garlic's signature cocktail, your pubic hair will catch fire. Their Sidecar came in a large martini glass and was still 3/4 full when I've devoured half of my lamb shank. These are not the "cocktails of *ze moment* offered up by the oh la la nouveau drinking establishments popping up everywhere. These are drinks for people who have nothing on their agenda for the rest of the week, except staying at home watching Oprah reruns while trying to find the last shreds of their dignity under month-old newspapers and Chinese take out containers. 3. The taro chip garnishes on every dish: It seems odd to devote a bullet point to something as non descript as taro chips, but these chips deserve mention. Large slabs of taro are deep fried and seasoned perfectly with salt and accompany every entree. We don't yet know why there isn't an app of taro with select salsas, but regardless of whether the chips actually go with every dish, they are awesome. The only disappointment is what we felt was the over-the-top over-garnishing of every dish. The simple seabass we had during our last visit was now accompanied by a mariachi band of salsa with capers, rice pilaf-y thing and creamy sauce, as well as greens cooked in olive oil, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and other things my Sidecar-infused mind won't let me remember. My lamb shank - huge also - was simpler with a nice sauce, but perhaps not the best cut. The lamb also had a menagerie of stuff side greens AND delicious mashed potato. Neither one of us could finish our dishes, and we wondered, looking at everyone else's huge portions - whether the restaurant was making as much profit as they could, and whether it was necessary to *try so hard* to please every palate and fill every beer belly. No entree was priced over $18/each (maybe even lower) - and with that you get a plate as large as my ass filled to the brim with *stuff*. While we TRULY appreciate how Wild Garlic gives its patrons more bang for the buck, we would've preferred something simpler.
(4)
Melissa L.

Absolutely a delight! It was unfortunate that they were sold out inside because outside really is too hot in Arizona when it's 107Â° however the food was still absolutely phenomenal. Especially the presentation of the dishes.
(4)
Cindy N.

I have been looking forward for so long to eat here so many reasons. I heard the chef is amazing. A group of neighbors occasionally go out for dinner so this place was chosen by one of the ladies. We had a reservation for 6.00 PM assuming in 100 degree temp we would be seated in the air conditioned part of the restaurant. This place was converted from an old drive in restaurant and obviously had a lousy A/C system and even in that part of the place where it was air conditioned it still was warm. We were shooed into a large extension which was not A/C. with just a fan the size of a jumbo jet engine and sounded twice as loud. We took out seats. The hostess that seated us expressed that we basically were lucky enough to sit here because this restaurant has been rated number #1 for having the best chef in Tucson. It really sounded pompous the way she put it. Disregarding this statement. We just wanted to have a good time and eat some of the wonderful food. Despite sitting in a wind tunnel with your hair blowing all over the place and the din in the background we ordered our food from a lovely knowledgeable young lady. The menu is very diverse and fairly priced for what they have to offer. I ordered the roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, kale and I believe some red peppers. Someone ordered the ribs and a couple of ladies ordered the Salmon. Everyone's dish was presented artistically and quite large portions big enough to have another meal with the left overs. My chicken was very tasty but because it was the breast so sometimes it is tough. The mashed garlic potatoes were awesome. I tasted the salmon and that too was cooked to perfection. One of the ladies bought a cake from outside and there was some confusion about adding a fee on for cutting and serving the cake. It was a small cake and we easily could have sliced it ourselves. The hostess came over and told us this is their policy and all restaurants do the same thing by charging the patrons for serving the cake. Somehow, it was straightened out. I never knew that. I know I will never come here in the summer for sure. Though the food and presentation were top notch. I could have done without the bragging about the place and let the people who eat here and keep coming back see for themselves. A little humility goes a long way.
(3)
Jennifer D.

I have eaten here about three times already, and each time the food was excellent. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you oder on their menu. I would have given it 5 stars, but this last experience we were seated in their back patio which was one, but the hostest never informed any waiter or waitress that we were sitting in the little conner of the room. I think we wait for more than 15 mins before anyone acknowledged us. We were about to leave when finally someone came. The only reason we stayed is because of what I said earlier, the food is so great!
(4)
Atlantean E.

Decided to check this place out based on yelp reviews. Looks sketchy outside but nice inside. Excellent service. Ordered the linguini... a few bites in im horrified when I realize im chewing on a foreign object!!! A Freakin Metal Wire in my linguini!!!! Freakin Dangerous.. I could have swallowed it! Tore my back gums up pretty good. The waiter brought it to the attention of the owner and cook and told us they knew what it was and were embarrassed by it and comped our meal. As if I would have paid for metal linguini! I know accidents happen but this type of negligence is very dangerous...... Needless to say ill never return.
(1)
Kim L.

It's been a few years since I've been here, and I was glad to be back tonight for an amazing dinner! My husband and I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the staff and other diners. It just felt so completely homey and intimate, like we were all part of a big family. We spoke with the chef, and watched all the amazing meals being made, it was such an overall wonderful experience! The bread was warm and delicious, the wine was perfect, and the pasta bolognaise with beef, pork, and veal and all those fresh, charred veggies was divine! Oh and the beet and goat cheese salad couldn't have been more perfect, there was even a flower to top it off!! We saw the amazing garlic topped steaks coming out, and can't wait to try one next time, the prices are extremely reasonable for the big portions and yumminess coming out of that kitchen!! I haven't thoroughly enjoyed a meal like this in a long time!!
(5)
Maria G.

Last Saturday we went to dinner at Wild Garlic. I hadn't been to the restaurant in over a year. I have had great dinners and drinks at Wild Garlic in the past. The friend we were taking out has also enjoyed Wild Garlic in the past. I really like the high-quality food and large portions served here. They do a great job cooking seafood. My previous visits have all been on weekdays and I have always sat on the patio or at the bar. I have always liked Wild Garlic. However, this is a strange small restaurant that was formally a hamburger stand. In theory I think the repurposing of the building is great, but in reality it may be an issue. Last Saturday we sat inside in the restaurant. We were lucky to get a table for four because we forgot to make a reservation. On the weekends a reservation is necessary. We were seated at the very last open table, in the corner, with no elbow room. We started by ordering drinks. The service was very slow. We asked the server to recommend a glass of wine. She recommend the Pinot Noir. It was a good glass of wine. The wine cost $11 a glass. I wasn't expecting the price as most of the wines on the list were $8 or less. The pours on the wine are nice big pours and I was really trying to make my glass last through dinner. Unexpectedly dinner ended up lasting three hours. I ordered a second glass so that I could have some wine to drink with dinner. In total our table ordered four glasses of the Pinot Noir. The $44 spent on wine was a large portion of the $132 bill. It took way too long to get our food. We did order an appetizer but it wasn't very good. We ordered the Swiss fondue. It had a consistency of thin soup but it also had big chunks of garlic in it. It wasn't good. They ended up giving us three rounds of bread while we waited. We took the second two rounds of bread home. I ordered the salmon, my favorite dish at Wild Garlic. The salmon was good and it came with a ton of vegetables. The risotto on this visit was too thin and runny, not as good as I remembered it being. We also ordered the caldo and it was good and a huge portion. Sitting at our table got really loud and really hot/warm. I still can't believe how long it took to eat dinner, three hours. We didn't stay even a minute after our check was processed. We skipped desert as it was already getting late. Everybody at our table, except for me, had a takeout box full of food. I ate most of mine, nothing to take home. Because of my good experiences in the past I will try this restaurant again, but it will probably be awhile before I go back, and I will never go back on a Saturday night.
(3)
Jenny S.

if you want HUGE PORTIONS of yummy food, wild garlic grill is your place! my dinner plate was so large i could only finish half & took the other half home HAPPY HOUR means $2 off cocktails, which is supposed to be at the bar only but our waitress was nice enough to let us slide which made up for the slow service! --complimentary french bread w/ butter --garlic fondue: we ordered this to dip the french bread in but it wasn't really anything special --sea bass special: very FLAVORFUL from the fish to the sides, YUM --cheesecake: perfect for the birthday girl, this was good too nice outdoor patio area for when it's nice out NOTE: LIMITED PARKING which would be difficult when the restaurant is packed!
(4)
Stodd B.

This place is in the top five restaurants I have ever tried. Don't let the outside fool you. Inside is the real deal. Service was amazing. Not overbearing and just right. The food broke da mout. Wow. If you are in Tucson you must try this place out. Great beers as well.
(5)
Kevin C.

Mouth Watering Appetizers and XL Portions are 2 reasons this ranks as one of my Favorites in the Old Pueblo. I dine out 4-5 times a week and have always gotten Prompt serivce in the Bar area. For anyone trying to impress based on Atmosphere I would NOT recommend, However for true Food Lovers who can get past the Decor don't hesitate, i wish they had Beer on Tap and wish I could cook as well as Steve and Co. Never been able to even look at the desert Menu. Getting just past the Specials of the night is about all I ever manage to do here. Best meal I ever had here was walking in close to closing. They had a single piece of Seabass left and it was HUGE!
(5)
Garry B.

BLUFF: great food, lousy customer interaction by chef manager. First, let me start by saying the food here is outstanding. It really WAS one of the best restaurants in Tucson. Know what you are getting into though; it will be crowded, loud and you will need to wait quite a while for your food after the order is placed. With that said, and you brave the crowds and noise, you MUST listen to, and order their daily specials. The sea bass is amazing! (As is the duck, venison and steaks!) However, now I must give them 2 stars not for food, but very poor customer service by the owner. We made a dinner reservation for a group of 10 to dine here several weeks ago for a special graduation celebration. Luckily, while bragging about the menu and specials we called up the website and saw they had a planned closure on the night of our reservation! (The very next evening!) What a shock! They did not call to cancel the reservation or attempt a reschedule; nothing! Luckily, we were able to get a reservation elsewhere. Sadly, their plan must have been to let us find out they were closed when we showed up. I love the restaurant but the owner Maudi's only reply by a Facebook to my contact was that I found a good restaurant to have my event at, and she liked my choice. Nothing more. No apology or acknowledgement that I had to scramble to make a new reservation elsewhere. Great food, but if you have a reservation, I HIGHLY suggest you double check the reservation and IF they are open. Don't expect a call if they need to cancel or close.
(2)
Jay B.

One of the best fancy-food restaurants in Tucson. I recommend sitting at the bar, at least to start. It is Happy Hour 24/7 at the bar which means discounted beer, wine, cocktails and 2 dollars off appetizers. They have a great assortment of drinks. I prefer the Nicaraguan lager and to my knowledge, they are the only restaurant to carry it in Tucson. The appetizers are great. The shrimp are tender and tasty. The salads are huge and quite generous. The dinner entrees are also top-notch. Every night they have a series of chef specials ranging from fresh Alaskan salmon to a New Zealand venison steak. The desserts are also great - everything from key lime pie to fresh NY style cheesecake. I will add that the kitchen is entirely open and exposed. No Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmare going on here! This place is super-laid back, local, relaxed, and non-elitist. I highly recommend. Extremely affordable given the quality of the food. My new hot spot.
(5)
Monica G.

The food is great, good taste and very big portion. Just a little bit crowded.
(4)
K J.

Well they were out of Ribeye steaks tonight, so I told Steve to surprise me for my birthday. I got 2 meals in one, with the new Brisket special, and the new Veal meatballs with pasta. Wow was it good. The Brisket was the most tender Brisket I've ever had, and it had an Avocado salad on top that went with the meat very well. The veal meatballs were delicious as well. I still have half of the meal left for a midnight snack. They offer a free dessert for your birthday, but I couldn't begin to eat anymore.
(5)
K O.

The first 3 or 4 times I went there it was amazing. The ribs were great and the mashed potatoes were delicious. My boyfriend is obsessed with their seafood stew. And the service was pretty good. The last 2 or 3 times I've gone were... less than desirable. I took my parents there and they were out of everything we ordered. No bread, potatoes, or the beer my dad ordered. The last time I went my ribs were cold in the middle. I don't even know how that is possible unless they'd been cooked in advance and then re-heated poorly. Pretty disappointed. There are other places I'd rather spend my money nowadays. Maybe if they're still around in a year I'll give them another shot.
(2)
Shijie F.

Our meal here was perfect, absolutely PERFECT. We came here on a Sunday evening. I warned my in-laws that based on past experience, the service could be a bit spotty, but the food would more than make up for everything. I was wrong! We had a great time and there was no service issue. And of course, the food was soooooo soooooo good. The garlic shrimp and brie appetizer was heavenly. My seafood stew was great. Even the chicken salad was delicious. It was also a wonderfully affordable meal! My in-laws were seriously impressed. Keep up the good work WGG!
(5)
Tom F.

This week, we had a spectacular dinner at Wild Garlic Grill. For full disclosure, I was a frequent customer at Luna Bella, and was thrilled to see that Steven Schultz had opened a new restaurant. I am a huge fan of his creative genius. And this dinner proved that he is still the best chef in Tucson! We started with appetizers - grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie and the garlic Swiss fondue. Both were the perfect opening for our evening. The garlic is prevalent, but never overpowers the dish. Such perfect balance. Moving on to the main course, my date ordered the stuffed salmon and I had the venison. Our waitress, Amber, who I knew from Luna Bella, guided us to these main dishes and her recommendations were perfect! The salmon was stuffed with the most wonderful lobster and shrimp. So fresh and done to perfection. The venison was the perfect temperature, tender and glazed beautifully. The greens served as a side had that beautiful flavor of sweet garlic. Absolutely stunning! For desert, we trusted Amber to order for us. She brought us out the cheesecake first. Creamy, perfect level of tart and sweet. Then came the lemon cello cake. The cake was airy, light, and such a great flavor of lemon. The perfect end to an amazing meal. We had the honor of thanking Steve and Maudi in person for a beautiful, romantic, wonderful evening. I've mentioned Amber twice. If you are fortunate enough to have her serve you, please listen to her recommendations. She knows the food so well, and will make your night perfect. And at the bar is Mike, who has forgotten more about great wine than most of us will ever learn. When you combine that amazing level of service with the passion of owners like Steve and Maudi, you are set for one of the best dinners of your life!
(5)
John N.

Another terrific meal at WGarlic in its funky, humble location. Evening was cold on Sunday but the large enclosed patio was heated fully with attractive and efficient propane monsters. Service was slow but friendly and efficient. The place was bustling. Wife and daughter shared super yummy mussels [ see photo ] in delicious sauce, then the cabrillo dinner. Plates were cleaned and lips were smacked. I ate the excellent stuffed salmon special that was larger than the front section of the Titanic. Enough remained for a full lunch on Monday. Plate included soft rice base plus veggies and a salad. Would have appreciated more potatoes and less kale in the hot veg segment, but that's a small grumble. We have dined here many times at lunch and dinner. Will continue to do so. We had a ton of ideas of where to eat on Sunday, and WGarlic was the best choice by a large margin. [ Sorry I took a bite out of my salmon creation before snapping photo below. ]
(5)
Bleep S.

Should be included in "Best of Tucson"....perfectly prepared Cal-French...large portions and reasonably priced. Efficient, helpful service in a pleasant atmosphere. We will definitely be back. This is our favorite restaurant in Tucson at the moment.
(5)
David R.

I was a little worried about the parking pulling in, as I had my 84 year old mother with me. Fortunately found a handicapped spot after circling around. A little worried coming into the restaurant too as she is unsure on her feet and the staff were hustling around sort of frenzied in a cramped area. Definitely not for the older crowd IMO. The food is stellar. Perfectly cooked meat and vegetables. Friend's fish stew looked amazing. The garlic shrimp appetizer melted in our mouths. Would more than do for an entrÃ©e with some bread on the side. The garlic bread was delish too. The service was kind of spotty. We waited almost 10 minutes before a server came over to greet us and take a drink order. Bread took 20 minutes. The appetizers came out pretty quickly but there was a pretty big lag before the entrees came out. I've waited tables for a living and so can tell - the staff appears a little stressed and disorganized. Like so many others have noted, it's very loud. Almost like being in a bar. The roof was leaking a tiny bit too and it kept dripping on my hand about every 5 minutes or so. Fortunately, the table was placed so it didn't wind up in my drink or food.
(4)
Frank M.

I've driven by the Wild Garlic Grill (WGG) a number of times but until today have never made the time to stop by. Well today was the day, wanting more than a average burger or burrito it seemed like the perfect place for lunch for my wife and I. My wife, the somewhat picky meat eater of the family had the burger and was very impressed by it. I had the pork caldo and let me tell you, it was truly impressive for a lunch item. The pork was so tender and the rice with corn was the perfect complement. It also came with a side of organic vegetables included red onion, corn and chard... it was a perfect meal
(4)
Andrew A.

I had previously given this restaurant a very negative review. We had a bad experience upon our last visit due to what was perhaps a sewerage back up or something of the sort. We left before ordering and I regretfully gave WGG a poor review before trying their food. I am always the first to admit my mistakes so here is my new review: The menu looked great on line and I've heard pretty good things so we went on down to check it out. Our waiter was INCREDIBLY informative and extremely professional. I think there may have been more specials thst evening than there were items on the actual menu! I went with one of the nightly specials, a shoft-shell crab app that was very very good. It was served kinda salad style and had I eaten all of the salad around it , it would have been enough for my whole meal. I knew I had much more eating to do so I basically just ate the crab parts out of the salad and moved on. I had a braised chili pork dish that was excellent! My gf had a chicken dish and she finished all of it! It was all so good that I went to the trouble to rewrite this review so as to disregard my former....and to announce my new found love for this spot! Good luck to you WGG! We will see you again soon!
(4)
Jay A.

Because the bar is so low restaurant-wise in the old pueblo it's easy to stand out. But The Wild Garlic Grill would stand out in Los Angeles or San Francisco too! Don't let the old A&W building fool you. This place has a wonderful and ambitious menu and they pour a great drink. My wife had chicken with mushrooms a spectacular garlic mashed potatos. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I had the San Francisco stew. All I can say is WOW. We also had the best Ahi Poke I've ever tasted. Don't miss this place. And they serve lunch.
(5)
Eleana H.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. This is one of my favorites here in town and for good reason. The place is beautiful on the inside and their food is simply to die for. Good portions, beautifully presented and downright tasty! I always get their daily specials, and its hard to ever go wrong here because everything will always turn out delicious. The one problem I do have with this place is service, sometimes its a hit or miss.. but oh well! Once it took them 20 minutes to get us drinks which we thought was ridiculous. The food though that came after made up for it, but if this place can get their service to be consistently good.. that would make me more of a repeat customer!
(5)
Danielle E.

This was my second trip here. Ranted and raved about my first awesome dinner so we went last night. What a defeat! Arrived on a whim without a reservation...the place was busy but there were still plenty of tables open. We got seated at a wobbly table smack in the middle of of the enclosed part of the restaurant. Our water was served in a wine glass bc there were no water glasses. Our waitress rattled off only three of the specials which i only came to find out because i overheard the table next to us getting the full schpeel. Fast forward to ONE HOUR that we waited between ordering and checking about our food. I was famished so i asked for more bread. I was told by our waitress that the house was out of bread. They were not as i saw bread coming out in abounds for other tables. Sidenote: after forgetting to bring us our wine and beer for ten minutes she sincerely apologised for it being her first day. Not sure that was the best idea on mgmt's part to try out a newbie on a busy friday night :/ When we finally got our food AN HOUR and ten minutes LATER from when we ordered it my husbands medium steak was well done and leathery. And this point id been patient long enough. They swapped out the steak for him but by the point he got his food i was done with my meal. The mgr offered to buy us another round of drinks but we said no. Id expect that a small compensation on the bill would have reflected our experience but no, not even our first round of drinks were comped. We were not the only table to wait over an hour for our food which shows to me lack of adequate timing or staff in the kitchen. If my first experience hadnt been a total 180 from this id say id never go back. Id try this place one more time just to make a final opinion.
(2)
Ana Lucia N.

Don't judge a book by its cover. This restaurant is a gem - and once inside you will be enticed by the delicious aromas and enjoy the energy! We were super excited about the bolognese dish and the Bass. Look at everyone around us - their meals made is drool.
(5)
Howard C.

This is my number one Choice for date night. Amazing food for incredible prices. The bar is great too for happy hour. Thanks Wild Garlic Grill!!
(5)
Monica C.

Awesome dinner and outstanding service. Wild Garlic is a new find for us. Had some new wines and ordered chefs specials. Served dinner in 20 minutes.
(4)
Toni M.

We met our friend Bleep here tonight for dinner. This place is amazing. The ambiance is not elegant. It's a former A&W Root Beer stand and you can still see its fast food bones, but who cares? We sat out on the patio. Our server was attentive and helpful. She described the night's specials and they all sounded good. Alan and I decided to split a beet salad. Had we known how big the portions were we wouldn't have done that, but it was soooo good! It came unsplit so we asked for an extra plate and split it ourselves. Alan's not a fan of goat cheese, so I got that, but we both loved the beets and the tomato slices and the lightly dressed field greens. Bleep ordered a glass of Chardonnay and I a glass of old vine Zinfandel. The pours were generous. We were brought bread and butter. Alan tasted the bread and confirmed it was as crusty and tasty as it looked. I didn't have any. Bleep ordered the sea bass, Alan ordered the pistachio crusted New Zealand rack of lamb and I ordered the New Zealand venison. I haven't had venison in decades, but remember seeing domestically raised deer in pastures as we drove in New Zealand and decided to try it. All three were specials, so I don't have a menu to check for details, so they will be lacking. Portions were enormous, the mains well cooked and the sides interesting and well seasoned. None of us could finish our meal. Bleep had enough to bring home. Alan left one of his chops, there were so many. My venison was delicious, a large chunk and not gamey in the same way wild venison is. We couldn't even contemplate dessert. Prices were extremely low for the quality and quantity of food. The one off note was the styrofoam containers for leftovers. Living close to Berkeley, which has outlawed styrofoam, I expect containers to be either compostable or recyclable. Styrofoam doesn't fit w/ the excellence or consciousness of the food and I hope the owners will invest in more eco-friendly containers. We would be willing to pay an extra premium for that and I hope others would too. We left mightily impressed w/ this fine addition to the Tucson dining scene.
(5)
miles c.

My wife and I had dinner there about 5:30pm yesterday (9/6/15). You definitely don't want to judge this restaurant by its exterior or you won't go in. But once inside, there's a nice, cozy bar area and then a limited dinner seating area inside and a larger patio seating area. Pleasant ambiance but it can get a bit noisy. Having said all of that, the dinner and service were absolutely excellent! We had the cheesy garlic bread to start--delicious! I followed that with the wild mushroom soup and the rack of lamb--both excellent! I'm a "very rare; black & blue" person for my red meat; many chefs won't cook it that way, but they did at the WGG and the lamb was right on. My wife had the Northwestern salmon dish with the corn risotto--truly a wonderful dish! Our server (Dan) was attentive but not intrusive. Overall, a wonderful dining experience; we will return and we highly recommend it.
(5)
Erin B.

Wild Garlic Grill: I have to give you mad kudos for bringing an (unexpected) eatery to the Grant/1st Ave area! And yes, it is unexpected. The building from the outside resembles a 1950's drive-in greasy burger diner, but once you're inside, it's clear that you're.... well... I don't know where, but it's not a burger joint. Once inside, the restaurant will take you through a long corrodor that looks like a serving station, piled high with cups and glassware before you're even in the dining area. Strange entry --not a good way to be introduced to fine dining. A couple servers bustled by as we stood waiting to be acknowledged or told what to do. A staff person, presumably a hostess or server (?), appeared moments later and demanded if we had a reservation. It felt a bit aggressive and accusatory. What if we didn't have a reservation? Would we not be seated in this half-empty place? Oh well, onward. We opted to be seated on the patio, as we dined inside last time one year before. The patio was very plain and unadorned. Ok lets be real here: it was ugly. No music, no flowers, nada. Ok so ambiance isn't big here, lets get to the meat and potatoes of the meat and potatoes. I remembered liking the Summer Day -- a cocktail of freshly muddled basil and cucumber, made with gin or vodka. I got it with vodka and it satisfied as it did before. Upon receiving our menus, we both noted immediately that nothing on the dinner menu had changed! In a whole year! Checked out the specials and they too were the same! Is it really a special anymore if its been on special for a whole year?! Come ON let's not get lazy now, Wild Garlic Grill! I was sadly put off by our server, who seemed like she was avoiding showing me the courtesy of looking me in the face or asking me directly what I wanted and went to my dinnermate for every check-in instead. Weird, awkward service. We ordered the garlic swiss fondue with freshly baked sourdough bread. I enjoyed the fondue, although it was not quite "on" in the texture department -- rather runny and not holding together very well. But it was very good and very garlicy. I've been spoiled by San Francisco sourdough, and although a freshly baked loaf of bread is one of my favorite vices, this kind of sourdough didnt quite make the mark. Staying with tradition, I ordered the same entree I ordered "on special" the last time -- Seared Ahi Tuna, medium rare with tomato rice, steamed veggies, and a roasted red pepper and caper tapenade. And what tasted like a buerre blanc sauce, but wasn't mentioned on the menu. It tasted good enough, with far too large a portion, and I was not blown away by the flavor combinations. Good, just nothing to rave about. How is this place still in business with such enormous portions? They must be THROWING money away. Sure, I love leftovers and paying $12 for essentially two meals, but my GOD, Chef Gordon Ramsey would have a shit fit. I think my biggest problem with Wild Garlic Grill is the lack of imagination and creativity in food choices. Reading through this menu is like having deja vu over and over and over again. Did I really see the same item on the menu FIVE times?! How many times can buerre blanc be good on everything? Isn't French cooking a LITTLE more diverse than garlic and tomato? End rant. My second big issue with Wild Garlic Grill is the service. From first feeling like a nuisance to seemingly being interrogated about a reservation, to our redheaded server avoiding looking or talking to me during the meal,.. was, well, not the best. At least she knew the "specials" very well; I guess having a whole a year to memorize 5 items helps.
(3)
Steven R.

My wife and I hadn't been back here in a long time, and now I remember why. We had a friend in town and went. For a Wednesday night, it was busy, so we didn't expect to get served immediately. We were seated fairly quickly, but then waited 45 minutes for an appetizer and approximately 90 to get our actual meals. We received bread, but were at that point where we almost left because we just weren't sure we were ever going to get our actual meals. I'm sure many yelpers say "I'm a patient person, but..." but I really mean it. I can't remember ever wanting to walk out of a restaurant due to waiting, but we were almost to that point. I know it's not fast food, but we're not in the French countryside - this meal was never meant to take an eternity. The worst part? I got the filet mignon special and was treated to a very leathery, mediocre filet that was extremely undercooked (ordered med. rare and and received it almost raw). Just weak. We weren't even comped a drink...nothing. Our bill came in less than a minute, which was awfully considerate of them. We will never go again. Ever.
(1)
Mike G.

I typically only write positive reviews on Yelp, but I will do my best to be completely fair with this review. I had heard about this place from some friends, and then I went onto yelp and read some great reviews. I don't care about ambiance as much as good food and that was all I wanted when we went last night. The place was packed and I always take that as a good sign, and we were seated on the patio. To make a long story short the Service left much to be desired. They were obviously busy but we had to wait for over 30 minutes to get a waiter. I had to ask what the specials were because we were never told. Honestly, the best part of Service was the gentleman filling our water glasses and giving us bread. He had a great attitude. The appetizer we had was the garlic shrimp and we were off to a great start. It was really good. After that it was really down hill. We had a simple burger (every solid restaurant should be able to make a decent burger), talapia, and Portabella mushrooms. I really hate to say this but it was all very bland. The presentation was great but the taste did not deliver. My wife's french fries were cold and hard, and my mash potatoes tasted really bad. I can cook both of these things better at home by myself...I am serious. A 2 star review on Yelp means (Meh. I've experienced better) and that about sums it up. The waitress did give us a free piece of cheesecake which I really appreciate. She did say that kitchen was having issues that night. I appreciate that but between the 2 and 1/2 hours we were there and bad service and food it did not redeem the night. I think the restaurant may have been having an off night that night. If I come back and have a good experience I will re-write this review to reflect that. Consistency for any place of business is where the rubber hits the road.
(2)
Christina L.

Came back for a second time for a weekend lunch. The experience felt like a nice dinner out even if it was 3pm. We sat at the bar and even though the restaurant has an odd shape it was fun. Great service. Was even offered a bottle of wine at a lower cost because it was the last one. The kitchen heat was bit warm for sitting by the bar but everyone was very nice. The portions are huge yet again. Try: escargot, sea bass, anything with the risotto Faves: salmon, all the fab salads
(4)
Scott B.

This is the third time we have been to the restaurants. First two times I would've easily given it four or five stars. Tonight only two stars. The food was not exceptional. The service was excellent. The presentation of the food was excellent. I had to send the artichoke appetizer back because it was not steamed enough. The ribeye special was much too fatty (Fat, not marbleized). The ribs were not cooked like they usually do through and through. The Seabass was excellent. I also find it quirky that they do not honor the happy hour specials unless you are by the bar which seats about 10 people uncomfortably.
(2)
Johnny C.

Been here three times and must say, it has become one of my favorite spots to eat in the neighborhood. Parking can be a problem because there is not much of it for the rush of people this place gets and its a weird diagonal setup for the spaces. I've had to drive around and park in the lot north of the restaurant. Once inside it is a nice place, a bit cramped, the tables are close together and those sitting at the bar can feel a little crowded by those waiting for a table. They enclosed the patio to add more seating which was a great idea. There's art on the wall that I believe is for sale and a center kitchen where you can see your food being prepared if you sit close enough in view. One trip we decided to sit at the bar and watch it all happen. It can get a little hot because you are so close to the action, but its fun. Now to the food... All three times I have been here the food has been excellent. The bread they give to start has a soft middle/ crispy outside feel and always hot and melts the butter upon touch. I have had the meat linguini pasta, the braised rib and a ribeye steak they had as a special. All three were really good, my favorite being the linguini pasta. My girlfriend ordered salmon and really enjoyed it. My mom had a salad and liked it as well. The plates and portions are big and should fill you up. I haven't tried any desserts but my GF order their signature cocktail called the Summer day, if I remember correctly. It is very refreshing, cucumber/mint, lemonade type drink. Very good. Service has always been good and knowledgeable. 4.5 stars.
(5)
Nicole G.

Looked this place up on Yelp while passing through AZ. It's in a dumpy looking building (and it's not exactly a 5 star looking place inside either), but don't let that deceive you. In fact, you'll likely need to make reservations in advance -- we went in around 430PM on a Thursday and by 5PM it was PACKED. The food tasted and looked AMAZING. My husband had a steak and I had some chicken - and both dishes were delicious. We also shared some garlic fries... Yummmm!!! It's not really kid friendly - no children's items on the menu (even though when I called, the woman said they did have kid's items). The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars was that our server was not so great (and in fact, three different servers were constantly checking on us, but not relaying information) and we had to wait a very long time to get our food. Regardless, we'd definitely eat here again!
(4)
Matt B.

Look out for that mug of beer on the Wild Garlic Grill sign when heading down First Avenue. GREAT food, good value, hefty portions, quirky atmosphere, and truly one of my favorite restaurants in town. PS - if they ever have the pistachio/dijon rack of lamb special DO NOT hesitate.
(5)
Maegyn O.

I went there because I pass it everyday to n from work. The server we had was fantastic. Full of energy and very knowledgable of what the dishes and drinks were. The first beverage was too minty so he was nice enough to switch it out for wine that went perfect with the crab stuffed salmon. The second time we were placed outside which was nice for a couple but could use some updating. 1. I don't need to see the kitchen and the cooks running around. 2. The tables should be a bit smaller for more chair n walk space. But never can say anything negative about the food. It's spectacular. Boyfriends ribs were falling off the bone and once again my salmon (not stuff) with the lemon was to die for! Will always return!
(4)
Carianne C.

Excellent early Saturday night dinner at WIld Garlic Grill. I loved all the fresh ingredients, and my steak was actually cooked to the perfect temperature. The service was fabulous. We were seated on the patio next to the wall, which was actually a bit chilly. Our table had a view of the back door of the kitchen, which was actually really distracting for the early part of the meal. Employees loudly dragging trashcans out to the dumpster, running out the back door to cars to tear out of the parking lot (LOL, maybe the ran out of garlic...) The general layout of the restaurant is awkward. Good place, we'll be back, and maybe ask for an indoor table...
(4)
Beth H.

Oh my gosh. What a hidden gem! It doesn't look like much on the outside, but it's cozy and adorable on the inside. This place actually used to be an old burger joint! The tables are kinda close together, but it's a small space. They have great art on the walls that is for sale too. The best part in my opinion is being able to see the kitchen. In fact, if you sit at the bar, you're right next to it. I think this adds a lot of integrity to the restaurant. But the food here is the real show stopper. I started with the garlic soup. It was rich and delicious with the warm (probably homemade) bread. And all four of us shared the Marinated Poke Salad. So good and big enough for a nice meal too! For an entre, I got one of the specials of Scottish Salmon. Mmmm! It was juicy and fresh and served beautifully. The veggies were a unique and tastey mix of rhubarb, purple broccoli, carrots, and some other things. And it came with a creamy corn risotto. Man, I wanted dessert, but I was so full at this point I had to happily take some of mine home.
(5)
Rob N.

This restaurant does not look like anything great outside, but it is truly a gem. Menu doesn't look impressive however the specials are great. I am a chef in the area and I am very critical on food especially if its pricy. I can say it was worth the money. I give it 4 out of 5 because the wait staff could be a bit more professional for the quality of food. For example reaching over the guest. Thats a big no no. The paper on the table a bit tacky, the silverware is outdated. And the restaurant was a bit noisy and crowded. Maybe some linens and a candle would make it better. As for the exterior of yhe building could use a lot of work. But overall, the cuisine is right on point cooked perfectly. Hats of to the chef. Good restaurant. Overall.
(4)
Terry M.

After reading some good reviews, we thought we'd give the Wild Garlic Grill a shot on on Mother's Day. The two ladies had the Sea Bass; I ordered the Rib Eye. Although all three dishes were beautifully presented, the Sea Bass was overlooked and Luke warm. The Rib Eye was full of grizzle and poorly seasoned. One of the Sea Bass was so over cooked we had to send it back for a second try. Have to say it was much better the second time around. Service was lacking. We had high hopes, but were sadly disappointed.
(3)
Katie S.

I visited Wild Garlic Grill as a party of six last night, specifically for my husbands birthday. We moved from Tucson to Phoenix three years ago, and let me preface this by saying we would visit Tucson just to go to Wild Garlic Grill again. When we got to the restaurant we did not have reservations, so they seated us at the bar. It was a little cramped and warm, because the kitchen back up to the bar, but we didn't make reservations, so that was our fault. However, before we could be served our first round of drinks and our first appetizer, they accommodated us in the dining room. Our server's name was James and he was very personable and attentive. He brought the drinks we ordered at the bar, along with the appetizer. I had the Caribbean Mule (Moscow Mule with rum instead of vodka) and it was GREAT. If I didn't have to drive I would have had another. Our (first) appetizer was an off menu special--the garlic butter artichoke. Well, it was cooked to perfection and was delicious from the leaves to the heart to the garlic and butter left in the bowl (which we greedily and unashamedly sopped up with the hot bread at the table). We then decided to order the Swiss and garlic fondue with fresh sourdough. Again, this was a hit. I mean, who doesn't love bread, cheese and garlic? It was very hard to resist eating the whole thing, and risk ruining our appetite. Then, James read the off-menu specials. We had already seen the rack of lamb served to another table, and my mother and I had already decided to share it. Among the off menu specials were also a seared Ahi Tuna and a ribeye, both with mushroom risotto and fresh vegetables. My father order the Tuna and husband the rib eye. Finally, the other two guests both ordered the Veal Bolognese. The meal took a little bit to prepare but not overly long. We were enjoying each other's company, so it was alright. However, after eating the meal, I would have waited much longer if necessary. No one was disappointed. The fresh vegetables (parsnips, carrots, purple cabbage and spinach) were sautÃ©ed to perfection. And talk about fresh! Our lamb was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were so creamy and garlicky! My dad's tuna was just right and he loved the sauce! Speaking of sauces, the red wine reduction with the ribeye was incredible! The risotto was perfect and creamy and the Bolognese out of this world. We all had a ton of leftovers (which were just as good the next day). Finally, I clued the waiter in to the fact that it was my husband's birthday and he brought us a cheese cake with fresh fruit to share. It was amazing! We will definitely be back!!!
(5)
Allison C.

Really good. Totally unexpected in this neighborhood. Really enjoyed the fish and warm sour dough. The wait staff was energetic and fun. You can tell they both have been doing it for a while. Very considerate.
(4)
V F T.

Well....... This would be at least a solid 4 star review because the food itself is actually pretty good, and in some cases great. But the problems are that the entire building, inside and out is a total dive and and the parking lot is a disaster zone, so forget about taking a date their if she's wearing high heels. Also the service isn't exactly top notch either. Mind you that they try, I really think that they do, but they just aren't polished in the least bit. And the dining room is pretty small & LOUD, not somewhere for a romantic evening. Also the entry leads right past a very narrow corridor that flanks a long bar type area that overlooks the open kitchen. So entry & access is awkward. And it's hot in their in the summer, so you're better off avoiding the warmer months. OK what about the food? Been their a couple fo times and I can say that the Mussels in Beure Blanc sauce are excellent, the shrimp appetizer is good despite being served with melted brie cheese, (Sounds gross but it works), the portabello appetizer is hearty, salads are good too. Entrees run the gamut, from standard to artisan. Had the venison last time, rather dry, not much flavor. But the lamb chops were exquisite. Steaks are good and the seafood is fresh. But then the prices are definitely reasonable for upscale food, so aside from the dive bar appearance and less than stellar service this place is OK, why not try it sometime?
(3)
Paulina N.

Our first experience was definitely a memorable one. As everyone has mentioned, do not be deterred by the building itself. It's definitely scary from the outside, but a completely different story once you're inside. I suppose it's expected considering the area. The bar situation is interesting, considering the kitchen is the bar? It's different, but fun watching everything that goes on. Plus, there's happy hour at the bar. (: Anyhow, our waitress was very nice and accommodating. She was a little overwhelming, but I think it was just because she was extremely friendly. Their style is definitely personable, not the prim and strictly professional type of service. If this was a restaurant located up north, I think it would have bothered me, but the area lets this place get away with a lot of things that would otherwise not be as acceptable. I do have a gripe though, but I made up an excuse for her I suppose... Sitting at the bar, patrons can see EVERYTHING that happens "in the kitchen." Therefore, I earnestly emphasize the need for being careful when it comes to health code violations. Twice, I saw her cut bread with her bare hands. She also picked them up to plate them with her hands after she picked up the phone or someone's check, etc. I feel for her though, because even though there were two waitresses, she was honestly running the whole restaurant by herself. It still cannot be overlooked, so just a warning to be more careful ! Food on the other hand... Fantastic ! We started with the mussels. They're a must-try. For entrees, we had the Braised Lamb and the Linguini with Clams. Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned wonderfully. Portions are definitely large. I'm pretty sure I had left overs for about two days. Oh, and I LOVED their sangria ! It was dangerous... I swear it didn't taste nearly as potent as it actually was. $75 for lunch was a tad pricey, but the food was worth it in my opinion. We'll be back, for sure. Thanks Steve, the chef (owner?), who definitely knows what he's doing in that kitchen !
(4)
Lisa D.

Garlic french fries to die for! Linguini with 3 meats (beef, veal and sausage) also top-notch. Mesquite honey BBQ chicken, served over greens, with apples, oranges, and candied pecans also very yummy! Server was friendly and helpful for the 4 of us, and even went so far as to tell us a little about how the Linguini with 3 meats was made. It involves making a broth with veal shanks which takes about 7-8 hours, and involves a lot of skill. This dish was so yummy that I'm inspired to get out my French cookbook and try to figure out how to duplicate this, since I don't live in Tucson. The chef must be wonderfully trained, since all the food was delicious. We all shared around little bites of our meals so we could all sample. Inside and outside are less than inspiring, but overall a wonderful food experience. If I ever come through Tucson again, I'll be stopping here!
(5)
Charlene F.

With some improvements this could easily be a 3 or better rating. We had dinner here last night and a few things to know. The food was good and I would enjoy it again although I was a bit mislead by the word 'garlic' in the name. You can smell the wonderful scent as you approach the very small place but the taste in the food was minimal at best. It is super small! You walk in at the bar and have to squeeze past those sitting there. The menus are NASTY dirty with food and grease and need to be laminated so they can be cleaned daily. Bad pictures on the wall and servers who talk over you and really don't listen and a super bad shower curtain that separates the kitchen from the dinning area but again, the food was very good.
(2)
Sean A.

A group of friends and I came here tonight to celebrate a couple of birthdays and it was one of the best dining experiences I have had. The portions and the quality of the food are well worth the cost and the service is incredible. But, the most amazing thing was that at the end of our meal, the waitress told us the gentleman who was sitting next to us was from Indianapolis and had paid forward for our entire meal. We couldn't believe it. I am floored, floored with grace by this man's generosity. I don't know how likely it is that your meal will be covered by a kind stranger when you eat here. But, the service and the kindness of the hard-working people at Wild Garlic Grill make this a great place to dine and to share. Kind stranger from Indianapolis! If you see this, THANK YOU!
(5)
Rachel L.

What a gem! The place is pretty small and intimate and the parking lot is small as well, but well worth it! I would suggest calling in reservation, since the place was even packed on a Wednesday night. The food is beautiful and tastes FABULOUS! I had the Tilapia and it was cooked to perfection. It is so hard to get fish cooked right at a restaurant. The chef here is top notch. They have a full bar, wine and beer and especially pleasing to me was a wide selection of beers. You can go casual or dressy! It's kind of loud, so if you're looking for quiet, go elsewhere.
(5)
David Y.

CHECK IT OUT! Good food! A little cramped inside. The noise level accumulates and is rather loud with a full house of diners. I got the Bolognese. Friend got the Seabass and my other friend got the steak. Everything was spot on! Seasoned just right! Great spot to check out if you're in the area! They have daily specials. Would be a 5-Star rating, but the service was a little disappointing and the silverware was dirty when we were seated at our table. Other than that, the food alone was a 5-Star!
(4)
Gene T.

5 star food, 1 1/2 star service! I will be back despite the service. We joked if I were having martini's that we would have had better service but since we noticed other customers complaining I do not think that would be totally true. I had their rack of lamb. Wow. Good. Nice crust. Tasty unique sauce. The whole plate was fabulous. The other dish ordered was the stuffed salmon. Cooked perfectly and the lobster etc stuffing was so good. The combination of flavors was delightful and salmon taste was not lost. The coffee was good. It was Saturday and they did have a guitar player. Not loud but gentle and soothing so you could still talk and relax. Nice touch.
(4)
Supersweet B.

The reviews that state you probably wouldn't stop here based on the exterior were correct, still me and my love entered for a try. My first stop was the ladies room so I could wash my hands. The ladies room needed to be cleaned. On to the service. The staff was very friendly. The waitress didn't get our order right though. We asked for a cup of clam chowder, but received a bowl. My love requested a med-well burger and ended up only eating the outer edge of the burger because most of it was raw. I had a Caesar Salad that was really tasty. I also had the salmon with Risotto that was covered in a lot of stuff as if it was hiding something. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. More middle of the road. Now the price was really cheap for all this food, which are in large portions. Makes me think they are really hiding something.
(2)
Jim P.

Well the first time was 5 stars, tonight it's 3 stars. They seem ill equipped to deal with their own popularity. It took a very long time to get our meals. I had the sea bass which was slightly overcooked. Kinda strange with spinach or kale or whatever it was. Not great, just ok. My wife's barbecue chicken salad was okay, the fruit on it and big chunks of blue cheese was good.
(3)
Jamie S.

This place is amazing! Had the Garlic swiss fondue, mussels & Las Cruces ribs. All were fantastic! Perfect setting for a date night!
(5)
Elyse P.

This restaurant is quintessential Tucson. The building itself is a little kitschy, but get seated and I promise you'll enjoy your experience - they know food. I had the caldo (braised pork stew) and it was perfection. Intense, savory flavors that come together so well with a hint of citrus. Mmm mmmm mmmm. The star at the table though, was the swordfish special. Try this place. Seriously.
(5)
Lisa T.

We have been a fan of Wild Garlic from the beginning. Incredibly great food. However, our experience on Saturday night was far from great. My husband and I took family there for what we thought would be a great dining experience. Gotta say, the service was horrible. We waited close to 90 minutes for our meal. Usually we sit at the bar because our experience of eating in the dining area hasn't been good in the past. Slow service, cold food. We've always been a fan of Eric, the former bartender, very personable and generous pours of wine. The last visit, we went to the bar to wait for the rest of our party to arrive. We ordered two glasses of chardonnay, intially we thought the bartender, Mike, must have gone for another bottle. As our pours were freakishly small. Both glasses barely would have filled a normal pour. When he returned he gave us the bill. My glass had maybe 4 ounces in it. Perhaps they were rationing due to the Gem Show. Our reservations were for the main dining room. As we were being taken to the patio we were informed that they couldn't accomodate a party of 6 in the main dining room. So we were banished to the patio/tent area. The overall decor of Wild Garlic Grill is funky, but the patio - well, it's kind of like eating in a circus tent or closed garage. They have sometype of burlap or canvas covering the windows so it's totally enclosed. No ambience whatsoever. Like eating at the kid's table. Our server, Amber, was very friendly, however she continally tried to upsell us on everything, the wine, the entrees, to the point of being annoying. They were out of a couple of the items, which she said was due to the Gem Show. Guess the chef doesn't know grocery stores were open during the Gem Show. We waited a good 90 minutes for our food to show up. Two of us had the Pier Stew, which begs for a piece or two of bread to sop up the broth. That was going to be an additional 10 minute wait. As we were finishing up our wine, contemplating dessert or coffee, Maudi (owner/hostess) came to the table to ask how everything was. She then informed us there were people who have been waiting 45 minutes for our table. Pretty much it was time for us to leave. We hadn't even finished our wine! Or ordered dessert. If we hadn't waited 90 minutes for our food to arrive, people wouldn't have had to wait 45 minutes for our table! Not exactly our fault. Rude, no other way to describe it.
(2)
George C.

This place looks like a dive from the front. It is not. Inside are the most delicious, huge, beautiful plates with the best service. AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES. My wife and I shared the grilled shared the Grilled Shrimp app and the Sea Bass entree. The best meal I have had anywhere in a very long time. We sat by the bar and had drinks, while watching the Chef with his crew make beautiful food. Such a great time. My wife has been begging to go back.
(5)
Christina C.

The food is fabulous!!! I have been twice. I've had the salmon stuffed with crab and the filet with blue cheese. Both were AMAZING. I'm giving them a 4 instead of a 5 because my boyfriend was upset that he didn't like his burger "that much" (but why did he get the burger??) and also he it took some time for his drink to come out.
(4)
Alysha T.

We found this place through yelp and it had good reviews so we decided to try it out. From the outside it looks like its not going to be very good, but that's deceiving. Once inside you can see the cute decor and casual atmosphere. We went for dinner on a Sunday night, and they were out of a lot of dishes on the menu because they were restocking ingredients on Monday. Once we finally found something to order that they did have, we were fine. We ended up with some delicious cheese fondue appetizer and some steamy muscles. The steak was average. Overall this is a nice place to try if you want a new venue. And don't be fooled by the outside.
(3)
Barbara S.

Too bad the service was so slow. There were four of us with a 6 pm reservation this past Wednesday evening. As soon as we were served bread we were told that we could only have one refill because their bread was not delivered. Think someone needed to run to Beyond Bread and pick some up. We were not served our meal until 7:30. That is unacceptable. By then I lost my appetite. No matter how good the food was I will not return and be subjected to that again.
(1)
Cynde T.

Been there several times and it has always been excellent. Today I had the shrimp salad. The shrimp was fabulous but the grilled vegees were bland and tasteless. I cannot wait to go back and have something else!
(4)
Diane M.

I had read all the reviews so I knew there would be at least 2 issues for me, parking and service. We made a reservation for 6pm on a Wed. hoping to find easy parking and get reasonable service. We found the last semi-legal spot in the lot. Because of the reports of very slow service, we ordered our appetizers and main courses at the same time. After waiting a while (not overly long) our appetizers were delivered to the table by our waiter, Chris. IMMEDIATELY thereafter a young lady came over with our entrees. We sent them away. Not 30 seconds later, Chris showed up with the same entrees and tried to put them on our table at the place a 4th person would have taken. (We were 3.) He should have known better since he had JUST delivered our appetizers! We sent them away again. Need I say more? We rushed through our appetizers. When we were ready for our entrees, they came cold and soggy. They were not replated. Finally, to add insult to injury, there was no decaf. coffee with the dessert. What restaurant doesn't have decaf. available?
(2)
B. Joseph H.

If you're expecting a great ambiance you're gonna have a bad time. If you're expecting great service, you're gonna have a bad time. If you desire amazing food that will make fall out of your chair with joy - this your place! Been here twice (once for lunch and once for dinner) and and both times service was less than mediocre. But both times the food was incredible! Interesting flavor blends that make you wish it was you last meal - because it doesn't get much better than this! I always order one of the specials - the menus is a bit too long for me and I get overwhelmed. Just had the Santa Fe lunch salad: spicy chicken, crisp greens, with TONS of fresh fruit and a brilliant vinaigrette. YUM! I give three stars because the setting is a bit shabby and the service is always off.
(3)
Mathilde A.

WOW. I forgot the fact that I was still on 1st Avenue in Tucson, AZ. Tried a lot of places around here, but this place was fantastic. Our waiter Kris knew that he was talking about, had a great dinner and a fantastic wine next to that. I am normally not a dessert person, but I just had to eat up the lemon cake we had for desert. Not the cheapest place I have been to here in Tucson, but defiantly the best.
(5)
Alden C.

Happened to find this place on yelp on a Saturday night at around 8pm. Walked in to a bar area filled with people laughing having a good time. The hostess was very friendly and greeted myself and my buddy promptly. Opted to sit in the bar area where you can watch the chef work his magic. Appetizer choice was the shrimp. Man the sauce that came with the perfectly cooked shrimp was amazing. Ended up keeping the leftover sauce so that I was able to wipe it up with some fresh bread that they offered. Had the rosemary thyme chicken and mashed potatoes for my main course. The chicken was juicy and moist, and the mashed potatoes were fluffy and light. The vegetable medley consisted of some tasty burssle sprouts (to which I usually don't like, but loved tonight.) The bartender who served us named Mike made the experience even better.
(5)
J N.

Wowsers! I wanna go here all the time. Fabulous food. Service is friendly and unpretentious. Apps were good, we had garlic bread, cerviche and fondue... Filling. Lunch - - large servings. 2nd time here... We were visiting from Phoenix area. Tucson is blessed to have this place. Our server was James, very attentive.
(5)
Vanessa W.

Food was superb. Atmosphere was so-so and from outside you wouldn't expect the amazing quality of the dishes. All the specials sounded amazing but I opted for the BBQ ribs and Yukon mashed potatoes. The plating was beautiful and serving was huge. Great flavors and chef clearly knows what he is doing. Will be back!
(4)
Caitlin V.

Relaxing setting, unique food and amazing service. I've been here a few times and haven't been disappointed yet. It's the type of restaurant where you undergo that debate of whether to get the same dish every time or venture out to try something that is probably just as amazing. You might as well bring a coin and flip it, since you can't lose. Bring a date, come by yourself or host a large group- it's the perfect place.
(5)
Brenda L.

Yes, I am a fan. Why? Becasue the foood is terrific. The place is what seems to be an old drive-in diner. You walk in and see the CHEF and his crew in the kitchen and it is about as good as gets to watching cooking in action. Seat at the bar, but because the kitchen is right there, a little warm. Niice for a glass of wine before dinner. A flatscreen to watch. Dining room is small and congested but a visual sight in local art. Who cares!!! We had the pork caldo, the ribs and beet salads and they were all terrific Chef S is amazing and his food creations are innovative and exciting. .
(4)
Gail L.

I may possibly have had some of the best dishes I have ever experienced in restaurants in Tucson at the WG.. Our server was Elyse and she was what I would consider the epitome of Class Service. Ask for her.. ! :) Started titos Martini. Perfect Martini. Appetizer: Grilled Shrimp w/ brie. OFF the chart delicious. The dinner was a Special Filet Mignon with blu cheese, just mouth watering. It took some time to get food but Elyse told us of wait, we were great, if you want quality, have patience because worth the wait here. Pallet was singing. The Lemon cake dessert almost sent us over the edge. I HIGHLY recommend the food. The parking and the small wait area is a work in progress, so be prepared and don't fall in the parking lot. It is a weird outside, deceiving. Inside is the chef treat. Also the noise level is a bit tough, if romance ask for a corner.. ,
(5)
Ashton G.

We had reservations here for a large party after graduation at UA. The table was not ready when we arrived, but we were eventually seated on the outside covered patio area. The wait was somewhat awkward as the entrance hall offers about two feet of space between the people seated at the bar and the people seated at high tops against the wall, and there is no where else to stand while waiting for your table, so people entering and exiting the establishment had to squeeze/push by us to get in or out. The area we were eventually seated in was very refreshing in comparison. A guitarist played along to a soundtrack in the corner and a large swamp cooler kept the space comfortable. The servers were exceptionally kind and animated. We ordered a round of drinks and placed our food orders. The drinks were phenomenal. We ended up having two rounds, but this was also due to the fact that it took over an hour for our food to come out from the time we ordered it. With the booze flowing, it wasn't a big deal at the time, but I considered this wait time unacceptable. The only saving grace for this place besides the good drinks and nice wait staff was the absolutely delicious basket of fresh bread. The entrees on the other hand were disgusting. Collared greens were messily strewn across the plates and the mashed potatoes were randomly adorned with what appeared to be a fistful of salad. One dish was entirely inedible it tasted so badly and funky. The flavor of the food (with the bread being the exception), combined with the time it took for the food to come out, and the high prices earned this place a big THUMBS DOWN! Unless of course you just visit to fill up on bread and alcoholic beverages :)
(2)
Michael B.

This is how restaurants should be. Not only was the food amazing but the service was super sweet. Our waitress accidentally forgot my order but immediately offered to give us a free appetizer for our troubles without us having to say anything. I ordered the linguini which was a nice spin on a classic. The veal was perfectly cooked and the gravy sauce brought the whole dish together. I honesty don't think you can go wrong with a single thing off of the menu.
(5)
Alec T.

Very professional, chef-like ambiance and menu. Food was beautiful. But a tad bit pricey so we got the cheaper end of the entrees so I can just imagine how tastey some of the more extravagant dishes were! Definitely coming back although I should mention not a place for children. This food is Food network Chopped status!
(5)
Clint V.

Chris was a great waiter. we loved everything about this place including the food. this was the best Dairy Queen ever.
(5)
Drew P.

I have eaten here twice. The setup is a little strange taco stand turned fine dining but the food is fantastic! Its a little pricey but I would be willing to go again and again if it was more affordable.
(4)
Susan H.

Wasn't sure if we were going to stay when we drove up. We decided to go in for a quick look and have dinner elsewhere but it was so warm and friendly we decided to stay and have dinner. The grilled shrimp and brie was amazing as was the Beet salad and lamb chops were delicious.
(4)
Kirstin B.

My husband and I have come here a few times and have really enjoyed the food and service at each visit. Our favorite appetizer is the garlic shrimp. Be sure you save some of the complimentary bread that is delivered soon after you sit down to sop up the savory sauce these shrimp are served in!
(4)
Mariann P.

Started with a red zin that was't on the wine list, it was wonderful so ask the waiter what he/she suggests. Food was to die for!!! Had filet with blue cheese and grilled shrimp with risotto would order them again!
(5)
Dawn K.

This is my favorite discovery of 2013. I went for my birthday with friends and can't wait to return. That meal, each table had little brightly colored gerber daisies on each table; charming! My desire to eat more salads over the last 3-4 months, gave me reason to choose two salads off their menu. I choose the Ahi Tuna salad entree with a beet salad ( with warm goat cheese) appetizer. I was really very happy with both. I have gone two more times since this first visit. One thing I've noticed is that although my food is good, seeing and smelling the dishes on route to other tables is also a perk. The tilapia at someone else's table smelled fabulous; next time I'll try that. The desserts are spectacular and flavorful without being too heavy or too sweet; my last visit I had pistachio gelato. When it's hot in the city, gelato with fresh fruit was light and cool. I wish they had a better parking situation; as I'm always a bit worried I will be unable to find a spot. Also the space inside can get crowded. I am not a wine person, but they have a wine menu. As thus far I have had good service, although I did have my left overs boxed only to have it thrown in the midst of a busy dinner service. That was a bummer, as the food was so good, I was thinking about how nice it would be to snack on at work. I have read you can sit on the bar and watch the chef's prepare food. I most definitely will do just that.
(5)
Caleb Y.

I want to love this place so badly but I just can't. The food is excellent but the service is terrible. I have been here a few times trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but it continues to disappoint. Servers are stretched way to thin!
(2)
Sylvia M.

SO disappointed!!!! I've heard nothing but great things and I was so let down. The ambiance was terrible. Our waitress was ten notches below terrible and the food was average. First we sat at a table and my mom decided it would be too cold so we asked to move. The waitress told us it would take her a few minutes to set up our new table. It was a Tuesday night and there were two other tables there. After about 10 minutes she came back and said we could move. She watched me carry 3 of our water cups to the new table and ask my fiancÃ© who was also struggling to carry wine glasses and a bottle to carry the menus. She didn't even offer to help. Then we moved to the new table, she told us the specials and we asked for a refill of water. We ordered appetizers. I got the cheese fondue which was good. Nothing crazy or mind blowing. Then we ordered our meal- and again asked for the refill of water. I got the rosemary chicken with mashes potatoes. It was ok. The potatoes were the strangest texture, really thin and grainy. We again asked for a refill of water and still didn't get one. Basically the food doesn't carry the ambiance or the service. Huge let down.
(1)
Megan B.

Omg, disgusto! I have given this place a few shots and each time was a disaster. I hear great reviews from friends and awful horror stories too! Can't trust a restaurant that's not consistent. The outside looks like a dump(ster), the staff looks half in the bag, the menus, glasses and flatware were covered in a greasy film. Bathroom was like something out of a truck stop cafe. The food is low budget version of 80's fine dining. I'm shocked it hasn't been shit down. What happened to the original Red Sky? Chef's peak.
(1)
Deborah B.

We were in town to visit older relatives and I found this place on a search. The only downside was the noise level in the main room. There was a large group at the time of our visit so it was very noisy. Once they left it did get quieter and we realized there was music playing. When we left, I saw there was another area at the back which if we had realized, we would have asked to be seated away from the noisy area. I will say the noise did not really detract from our enjoyment of this lovely restaurant. Our waitress was attentive and explained the various dishes to us. My aunt and I had the mussels which were phenomenal. I also had a cup of the wild mushroom soup. The flavor of the mushrooms was perfect and balanced with the cream base. My husband and uncle had the salmon. The portions were large on a bed of risotto with glazed carrots and greens on the side. They ate every bite! My husband and I shared the lemon cake for dessert - every bite melted in your mouth. Our aunt and uncle shared a tiramisu and absolutely loved it. They told us this place was a great find and they plan on going here again. When we come back for another visit this place is now a must do on our list!
(5)
Leah B.

Pretty good, actually. The ambiance is pretty simple, but the food made up for it. The bread and butter was a little subpar. The grilled shrimp / brie cheese appetizer was good, yet the buerre blanc sauce was a little sweet. My husband ordered the chicken and mashed, which looked average. I had a fish special that was served with olive tapenade and sundried tomato risotto. They were huge portions!!
(4)
Isabella J.

Oh Wild Garlic Grill.....with your beurre blanc, tropical salsa and rice/risotto making an appearance on almost every dish. Not sure what exactly it is that I'm missing here, but it could be the fair prices and huge portions that excite people the most- Bolognese that could feed 3 people for $14 really is a smokin' deal and a fish special enough for two people sounds nice too, but at the end of the day, I prefer quality over quantity. I waited to have a few meals here to make sure it was just a fluke that I didn't enjoy my first meal at Wild Garlic Grill. EVERYTHING here is served with beurre blanc sauce, tomato rice and a tropical salsa. Basic French cooking with a tropical flare? The menu certainly reads well, with descriptions that instantly spark interest, but for me that's as good as it gets. Perhaps I didn't order correctly, as many reviews point out the lamb shank. I've had the fondue, I found the garlic overwhelming and quite loose for a fondue. Although runny, it was tasty, but it was served with dry cubes of white bread. I've had the ahi tuna, served with rice or risotto, tropical salsa, sauteed kale and beurre blanc. The salmon, served ala Ahi Tuna, which I ordered without beurre blanc and it was delivered to my table covered in beurre blanc. I politely sent it back, and they essentially scooped out the sauce and re-plated, resulting in cold salmon with tomato rice, sauteed kale, and remnants of beurre blanc. I've also had the grilled shrimp appetizer with....wait for it....beurre blanc! And a chunk of cold brie on top....oh...and tropical salsa. Seeing a pattern yet? I ordered the mushroom soup on another occasion and for my taste, it was quite salty, but that could just me. The ribs could easily feed 2-3 people and we found them overpowering and only ate about a quarter of the dish. I commend Wild Garlic Grill for bringing a seemingly upscale eatery to First avenue and for that, they get a third star. The building doesn't bother me. In fact, I think it's quite smart and interesting of them to have moved into this neighborhood. The interior was totally redone and the patio is large and comfortable. The service is still a little rough around the edges. Their signage may be a little misleading on the outside, because they advertise it as a burger/grill joint, so a person coming in expecting a super casual burger experience may be caught off guard by the open kitchen, art on the walls and white paper covers on the tables. Overall, the dining experience was not really my cup of tea. I was hoping for more refined culinary execution. Perhaps, if I saw value in super sized meals I'd probably enjoy this place more, sans beurre blanc on everything.
(3)
Robert M.

Wow what a nice find ! Driving by it didn't look like much but do yourself a favor and don't judge the book by the cover! I've eaten here at least 6 times in the last few months and have never been disappointed. Maybe a different lunch menu would be nice? Try them out, you'll be a fan too!
(4)
Cass K.

We received great service here the moment that we arrived. We were able to sit at the bar facing the open kitchen and enjoyed watching the food preparation. First item: Grilled garlic shrimp with warm brie, grilled vegetables and roasted corn salsa in a beurre blanc sauce. This was our favorite dish. The shrimp were hot and firm, and all the flavors in the dish complemented the fish. Gilroy garlic swiss fondue with fresh baked sourdough bread. The cheese was served super hot and melty. The drawback for us was that the bread was dry and crispy. Perhaps this was intentional to better soak up the cheese, however, we would have preferred our bread a bit fresher and less dry. Overall, this was a great place and we were very happy to find it for a dinner stop while in Tucson.
(4)
Dennis E.

I travel all over North America. This is a fabulous find. It's a made over A&W root bear stand. The drive in is now screened in, just fine for Tucson. It also has an inside area. The food and presentation is divine, and over the top tasty. The chef we know from other locations, but this place allows him creativity and lower overhead. We will eat here often.
(4)
Ricky V.

This place was a great surprise to find. A delicious Las Cruces Ribs paired with a Whiskey Side car and a warm atmosphere made this place a delicious encounter. The potatoes with the ribs were buttery and smooth. The drink menu was filled with interesting concoctions that will pair with most anything well. I sampled my dates Seared Ahi that was on special and it was so well done. I have to say the relatively quick turnaround time was great as well. Be sure to try the fondue appetizer as it was so rich and creamy i almost got another one, good thing my meal came. Carb Overload.
(4)
Kenneth W.

Once again Wild Garlic has more than satisfied. Be sure to try the fondu appetizer. Be prepared for lots of garlic. The pork shoulder caldo is excellent. I had a steak special that was done perfectly and served with great blue cheese. The coffee is honest, which I appreciate.
(5)
Eric M.

Came in early and was accommodated. Seems nice so far will comment on the overall experience latter. So my after meal comments are WOW this place was on target with the lamb shanks. Service was great and the waitress was new. She made us feel comfortable and she did just fine. Back to the lamb shanks. Cooked perfectly and did not have that overbrearing lamb taste you sometimes find with the i dont know how to cook lamb but we have it on the menu resturants. Cant wait for my next business trip to Tucson so i can experience this place at a full on dinner rush. The garlic dip stuff (sorry dont rember exactly) was very tastey. Overall i give it a four good food, large quality poritions, friendly service, nice atmosphere! Good job chef and owner! i will be back.
(4)
Chris B.

For the price this place was worth it. I recommend the lamb anything and the shrimp appetizer. However the waitress confused blue moon for shock top. I get it, it's not top shelf and I shouldn't be picky but when there was a resounding yes we have that and we know how to garnish it, then that is what I expect. The meal did fill me up and was really good. I will most likely go back. Also, best to leave the kids at home and remember the portions are huge.
(4)
Heather M.

Looking for a Sunday night dinner spot, and Vivian K suggests Wild Garlic Grill. Upon checking the Yelp reviews I was intrigued if slightly skeptical. After all, what kind of place gets numerous 4 and 5 star reviews within 30 days of opening? Seriously? Are these reviews the real deal? Reservations were made, and we headed across town at the appointed time. As we pulled into the parking lot, the hubby turns to me and says "oh boy, what kind of place is this?". While I had read the review noting it looked like a burger joint I wasn't prepared for the exterior which still resembles the 70s fast food drive thru it once was. However, this is a classic case of Don't Judge a Book By its Cover. The interior is simple and casual. Not a lot of fluff or atmosphere, but the food, oh the food. We started off with the fondue. I thought it may have been put together a little quickly. It lacked the thick, cohesive quality I expect in a fondue; however, the taste was good. The accompanying bread was great. A bottle of Zinfandel for $30 that we all agreed was a good buy. A decent quality wine for the price. At our table were 2 Lamb Shanks, Linguine Bolognese and a Cabrilla Sea Bass from the specials board along with a Caldo of Braised Pork from the regular menu. I suspect the specials run for a considerable time as they are mentioned in most every review thus far. Everything was absolutely fantastic. Presentation was great. Portions were great. Taste was off the charts good. The flavors are complex and perfectly paired within each dish. Our entrees were served with a side of veggies that include sauteed kale, red chard, snow peas and purple cabbage. I do believe this is the best side dish of veggies that I've had in this town. Serious kudos for original thinking on this one. As with most start ups service is a little rough around the edges. I'm not going into details as I don't think it's fair. It takes a while to work out the kinks, and I always believe some understanding and patience is necessary for the first few months. Other than being a little slow and awkward there were no glaring issues. We will definitely be back, and I've already picked out my next menu choice!
(4)
Kayla N.

I liked it! Good menu with unique options and service that knows what to recommend and how to describe the food. I had the tilapia which was good, not a lot of flavor, but the mashed potatoes were amazing! Ben had the bolognese and it was tasty, the meat had a spicy sausage flavor and the pasta was perfect. I also had the beet salad which I loved! The goat cheese went perfect in it. Ben had a yummy drink called a smurf something or other, I forget the name but I added a pic of it. The only downside was the building, it seems a little outdated, hopefully up to code, it was small and cramped inside and flies when we sat outside. So if you can overlook that and enjoy the food it's a great place. I'm sure we will return once in a while.
(3)
Analia C.

I have to give the wild garlic grill 3 stars out of 5. Their food is absolutely amazing. I had the grilled Ono fish with a tomato risotto. The drinks are also very good. The sangria is light and fresh and the side car is delicious. The reason why I'm giving it 3 stars is because I went with a large group (10). As soon as we walked in the host made a snarky remark of what a large group we were and taking their entire patio space, which is false. At the end of the dinner the waiter refused to split our check and he also gave himself double the gratuity. The food is amazing but not recommended for big parties.
(3)
Shannon K.

Saturday night. 9 p.m. Main dining room was full and tables of people were gradually leaving. No new ones being seated. Patio looked busy. My friend and I entered and stood very awkwardly in the middle there where the bar meets the service station (a very awkward restaurant floor plan, but not their fault since it used to be a fast food joint back in the day). We stood uncomfortably for several minutes as stressed out people in black rushed all around us like we were boulders in a fast moving stream. No one stopped to ask us if we needed a table, or even made eye contact. "How does this thing work?" I said to my friend. Maybe we had come in the wrong way? If we had, no one was helping us to discover that. So, rather than stand there starving, I just grabbed seats at the bar. Waited a while to be acknowledged there as well, but not too long. Bar top was a mess; people had just left, I guessed. Had to request it be wiped down. We ordered drinks and food. All was well. But I was way too hungry to wait for entrees, so I requested bread. The sweaty, very stressed out, almost panicked bartender seemed even more frazzled by our request. She took out some bread from the warmer, started cutting it up, and then ... I have no idea what happened. She vanished and we never saw that bread. After several minutes, I asked another server, who just happened by, for some bread. She pulled hot, fresh loaves out of the oven (we had open view of kitchen from the bar), cut them, and got them to us right away. With butter. But no silverware. Sigh. No big deal. I'll just smear my bread into the butter. Hungry. Yum. Bread was delish! Bartender came back, looking like an EMT on her first day, saw that we had bread and seemed to remember right then that we had asked for some. She didn't notice our empty water glasses, and before I could swallow my bread and ask for more water ... she was off again. Off to the next emergency victim, apparently. Couldn't get anyone's attention for more water for the next five minutes, so ... I got it myself. Just walked right over to the pitchers at the end of the bar and filled up our glasses. Several servers saw us doing this, but no one said a thing. Food came. Still no silverware. We sat for a moment until she got some for us. I got salmon with risotto and veggies, beurre blanc. An entire "mer" of beurre blanc, holy cow! Swimming is not the word! An ocean of butter that made the risotto unrecognizable and more the consistency of watery mashed potatoes. Sad. The salmon tasted good, and the veggies had a nice flavor/spice, in fact it all tasted okay, but boy oh boy was there a ton of butter. I would not order this again for that very reason. Friend had steak. She likes it still mooing, so she ordered it "seared". Amazingly, that's exactly how it came out. And she said it tasted wonderful. Same problem with the risotto, though. Mush and way too much sauce. Again with the water! Empty water glasses for quite a while. Bartender comes by to ask us how the food is and if we'd like more bread. Why, yes! Yes we would. I assumed she saw the empty water glasses and would fix that upon return. Nope. Bread brought. No water. Had to ask her for it as she turned to run again. The next time our glasses were empty ... I just asked for the check. Nice: Menu, food tastes good, bread is awesome, ticket times were pretty good. Not so nice: WATER! For the love of god, please fill our waters. Too much sauce. No silverware. Everyone seems extremely on edge and panicked, as if there's a bomb about to go off. Put a smile on. Wipe the sweat. Take it easy! I got stressed out just watching everyone.
(3)
nora h.

Food is consistently yummy! The rich bolognese is a favorite of my husband's & I like the lamb shank or the mussels (it's an appetizer, but perfect as an entree when I'm not super hungry). We've tried the various specials a few times but tend to go back to our tried and true. Count on generous portions and generous pours on wine, too! The chef has a deservedly high reputation in Tucson, and he & his wife have done a great job turning this little former fast food space into a lively restaurant. The layout can make it hard for the hostess and servers to know who is coming in to be seated and who is just standing at the bar, so don't be shy - let them know you're there and where you'd like to be - indoors or patio! The patio is roomy and screened in and there's usually a trio playing music on the weekends, too. Be sure to check out the work by local artists (for sale) adorning the walls!
(4)
Colleen M.

Aside from the quirky building, Wild garlic grill has some good eats. After a nice rock climbing session, my boyfriend and I decided we were a tad hungry for a late night snack. He had been raving about one of the salads here a week prior, so I decided to go along and try it out. We split the roasted portabello mushroom apetizer, which was good and tasty. I am not a big fan of goat cheese, but I didn't mind it topped on. It added a nice flavor to the meaty portabello. For our entree we split the HUGE linguini bolognaise with braised beef, pork and veal in a nice herb garlic wine sauce. I'm not joking when I say the portion size of this particular dish was huge... the server even said he's only seen one person he served finish it! Speaking of service, the servers there seemed a little casual. Untucked shirts, uncombed hair and overall messy appearance. Something I think they could improve on (hence the lack of one star) However, food and wine rocks, so I will be a repeat diner!
(4)
Shae S.

Rude. The dude who answered the phone tonight with the three-letter name seriously made me want to drop a four-letter word. Total jerk-o. I was looking for a date night place for me and the hubs to reconnect after a week of Kraziness with a Capital K. I called (7pm on a Saturday night) to find out how busy they were and to see if there was a wait. I just shouldn't have. I think no matter how overwhelmed you are at work, you should try to be courteous to a potential customer. I've been pining to try Wild Garlic Grill for months. Now? Not so much. Not so much at all. Ever.
(2)
Erika L.

One of my favorite restaurants EVER! I went to the Wild Garlic Grill this weekend and I will definitely be back. The food was amazing. From the hibiscus tea, to the flavorful garlic shrimp, to the steak that melts in your mouth, to the rich chocolate cake. Not only was I satisfied, I was extremely happy that we chose to eat there. Plus, our waitress was so nice. We had such an amazing experience there.
(5)
Alex W.

Absolutely delicious! Great date night place. Cheese fondue was great along with the seared ahi tuna and the san Francisco pier stew. Good happy hour. You wouldn't this expect this type of food in it's currently location but man is it a great gem! Defiantly recommend it
(5)
Clayton A.

As others have noted, getting out of your car upon arrival, you'll be overtaken by the delicious smell of garlic. As I write this, I wonder if this is a tactic to psychologically enslave visitors much in the way McDonald's does with that shitty fry smell or rather a simple byproduct of heavy garlic usage in the kitchen. Maybe it's both. Anyways, the garish outside which clearly is the remnant of some drive-in fast food of another era gives way to a tasteful interior and large, netted patio area in the back. I was actually impressed by the amount of space that was wrung out of what seemed such a small place. We sat on the patio and had plenty of space to keep our daughter in a high chair. Immediately after taking our seats, our server came by asking what cocktail we wanted, part of what I eventually realized was a major push to get us to buy their $8 a pop cocktails. We gave in since the drinks sounded good on the menu and we were living it up a bit, so to speak. Plus, the beer selection was forgettable with AbInBev swill only. The drinks weren't nearly as good as they sounded nor as they were advertised on the menu, and both my wife and I were a bit perplexed by why my drink came in a martini glass and hers in an old-fashioned glass. As for food, every item on the menu sounded delicious and it was difficult to choose. Eventually, my wife opted for a salmon dish and I went for the fish stew. When the food arrived, we were both blown away by the massive servings. Normally, I would have thought "Great" but I'd only days before seen "Forks Over Knives" and so was especially conscious of getting so much food. The generous amount of food immediately caused me to call into question the quality and origin of the contents. Still, I dove in and found a delicious broth to my soup and tasty fish, clams and chunks of chicken. Everything was good, but I wasn't blown away. My wife felt the same way about her salmon. Overall, I can definitely see why people rave about this place and I'm sure there were a number of other items I could've tried and enjoyed. However, I am moving away from massive servings and foods with dubious origins, so this place isn't quite for me. And for the record, I'm not sure of the origins of the meets and veggies served here and they may be organic, local, etc. However, WGG would be wise to make this more clear.
(3)
Jennifer R.

Food was awesome! I didn't like the fondue but everything else was delicious and large portioned. The service was sub-standard but the hostess was nice. And the drinks were great (strong)! I had the stuffed salmon and my honey had sea bass. Both really delicious!
(4)
White R.

Yup, ignore the looks from the outside. This place is awesome. The indoor decor is awesome. The staff is very friendly. The menu is perfect and the food was awesome. It was big portions but perfect sized and tasted great. The drinks were delicious, too. I don't have anything bad to say about this place! I will definitely return.
(5)
Caroline S.

Steve may have changed locations but did not change the quality of his menu. His Rock Bass is excellent. His salads are for tow meals. I am a fish lover so his take on fish is what I grew up with as my Uncle owned a Fish Market. Only the best. Try this out.
(5)
Aaron E.

Whoa, believe the hype about this place it is legit!!! Stopped by here this past weekend after the Gem show and was blown away. Walking up to the place you might think you took a wrong turn somewhere, but let me assure you, good meals are about to be had! We arrived about 3 or 4 on a Friday, so not quite the prime time, but was delighted to see a number of people enjoying meals. The menu has a lot of range from small to large items so everyone should be happy despite their hunger levels. I was able to chomp into some short ribs and HELLO that was some tasty BBQ. My lady had the linguine bolognaise and was as close to Italy as I have ever tasted. My parents had a salad and the braised pork shoulder and surprise, surprise both delicious! 4 FOR 4 you do that it equals a 5 star in my book anytime. The service was quick and friendly and the prices were outstanding. I highly recommend anyone in the area to hit this place up ASAP! Awesome restaurant
(5)
Robert J.

No way you would look at this place from the street and think it would be great. But it is. The cook is not afraid to have flavorful pasta. My wife said the linguini tasted like her grandfather's who was from Naples. The salmon on risotto is an occasional special and it was perfect and a big portion. Good prices too! We WILL go back and take friends with us.
(5)
Ron R.

I really really liked this place! The service and food are excellent! I am going back very soon!
(5)
Amy I.

Rave reviews are what I heard so when I had the opportunity to eat here with co workers I was excited. I enjoyed the pop art on the wall. The server was a bit robotic while listing off at least 4 different specials. When asked to repeat the second one she responded with a very confused face"huh?" As if she is not comprehending just rattling off the specials( robot). For a vegetarian/vegan the options are limited to two items( portobello salad or portobello on a roll). I ordered the salad no goat cheese.Nothing spectacular, just a $13 salad. Half way through I noticed a bread tie in my salad- yum! Although I could think of much worse unwanted things in my salad. The server seemed unphased( she didn't ask if I wanted a new one or anything) so I removed the tie and continued eating. I was a server for 13 years and if this happened to one of my customers I would have been mortified!!!! She did take the salad off my bill. My coworkers stated their meals were *meh* (shrimp salad and a burger). Overall the fine place not vegetarian/vegan friendly. Don't believe the hype.
(2)
Abby W.

We're visiting from NY and made a reservation last night. This place was eagerly recommended by our hosts. When we got there, the hostess wanted to put us at an undesirable table (they wanted to seat us near the bussing station). When we asked about other tables, we were told they were "reserved". Both our hosts explained how we didn't like the seats available. Finally, I stated that we had also reserved a table and we were here and the other parties weren't, so they sat us at a good table. If I were the native, showing guests around, this experience would make me not recommend them again, despite the decent food and prices.
(2)
Frieda S.

I've been wanting to visit this restaurant for a long time now and finally got the chance. I had read about spotty service and potentially long waits, but my friend and I were game to give it a try. We arrived at 6:00 on a Saturday; it was Happy Hour and the bar area by the front door was packed. We squeezed through to the hostess stand (a rather undefined area), where we were noticed fairly quickly. Despite not having reservations, we were still seated within about five minutes. The converted building is really very nice, with wood-beamed ceilings, original artwork, and plenty of strings of garlic hanging on the walls. It's small, and the tables are very close together, but I thought it was a convivial rather than crowded feeling, and I was glad the room stayed cool throughout our visit. It was really noisy, though. We got water and menus right away, but then had to wait a while for the hostess to notice we hadn't been served. The busboy had brought bread and butter, though, so we were in no danger of starvation. The menu is refreshingly short, with about five appetizers and five or six entrees, with a handful of specials. We knew how big the portions were, so we didn't order appetizers. Once we ordered, (ribs and caldo), we did have to wait some time for the food, which is puzzling because both dishes (barbecue and soup) should already have been cooked and just needed plating. But we did eventually get our huge plates of food, which were sizzling hot. The food was fine, with interesting vegetables on the side. Both came with mashed potatoes, which were very straightforward. Despite both entrees being prepared with New Mexican chiles, neither meal was very spicy. We left at 7:30, very pleased by the small price--two entrees and soft drinks, tax and tip--$40. We would have ordered coffee and dessert, but they weren't offered to us.
(3)
Jonathan H.

Can you say, "Over Priced?" The aroma upon entering the restaurant smelled amazing... Everything after that was blah! I went there for GARLIC rich food. Instead I got, BLAND food! I will eat a Smash Burger, Monkey Burger or a Five Guys Burger anytime and any day, before I eat another $10 Angus Burger from The Wild Garlic Grill. This is the literal presentation of the Angus burger, (bun, meat, bacon, cheese). No garnishments, no condiments, no garlic sauce, nada! Where was the garlic flavor? The potatoe salad was delicious, I give them that much! The grilled chicken sandwich was bland. And again I ask, where was the garlic? Nice attempt at elegance and up scale dining, but I suggest Steve Schultz take a lesson or two from Gordon Ramsey. Good Luck staying in business Wild Garlic Grill!
(1)
David G.

Pretty awesome restaurant in an unlikely location...an old burrito fast food joint...now turned upscale eatery. We had the portobello mushroom appetizer and the swiss fondue appetizer. Both excellent blending of flavors. I had the seafood pier stew which was mussels, shrimp and white fish in a tomato sauce. Fabulous! Extremely well done and a bargain at $14. All in all the food and service are top quality...just as Red Sky was before it closed. Let's hope the owner keeps the prices like they are now. It's a wonderful alternative to the now overpriced Cup CafÃ©.
(5)
E R.

Disappointing experience all around. The room is cramped, tired and dated, which probably allows for slightly lower entree prices. The service was slow and indifferent, although the waiter made time to try to up-sell everything from drinks to appetizers to entrees. The bread and salads were average, only the entree vegetables were tasty. We ordered the duck special. The meat was disappointingly tough. We also ordered the stuffed salmon special which had a small amount of crab mixed with a lot of breading and was not particularly flavorful. The price of either special wasn't mentioned up front. We were charged $10 more than the salmon entree on the regular menu: a very poor value. We had originally ordered an appetizer (soft shell crab), but didn't receive the dish when they ran out. After a long wait for the check, we just handed the credit card to the waiter and asked to get the check. Once the check was received we saw that the never-served appetizer was charged. After a lengthy wait to get the charges corrected, we were assured the initial charge had been reversed and provided a new receipt. Unfortunately the waiter somehow screwed things up and posted the amount on the incorrect check. Bad service, overpriced food. We will not be back.
(1)
Sara M.

Fantastic food from chef Steven Schultz. The mushroom bisque is outstanding. The pasta bolognese is my favorite standby comfort food, for less than $15 for a huge portion.
(5)
Cait K.

A friend told me about this restaurant and since my family like trying small mom and pop places we gave it a try. One word. FABULOUS! I made a reservation two hours before because a previous review recommended it on weekend nights and I would too. Also, parking is limited but if you're they're at night than you can park in the business to the south of its lot. I had the sea bass and it was perfect. My mom loved her San Fran Pier stew and my dad adored the bolenese. And they know how to properly cook ahi!! Our server, Scotty, also made the experience a great one. Can't wait to go back again!!
(5)
Rebecca D.

The shrimp appetizer was amazing and the BBQ chicken salad had a lot of wild and interesting flavors!
(5)
Lis S.

We went on "the" rainest evening for a celebration with a group of 10...they sat us on the patio (enclosed of sorts.) We couldn't sit together account of rain drips thru roof. We order, all meals come except 1, say a server took it to a different table. All of us were done by the time her meal came? I had a cup of cream of mushroom soup, and a hamburger. First instinct was to do soup and salad, should have done that! Soup was great, burger not. Bun was way to dry and had so much flour on the outside had to keep dusting my hands off. Could go on but why? Smelled wonderful walking in, disappointed once we sat down. Don't see a reason to repeat. Sorry.
(3)
Renee R.

We are always looking for a new favorite place, so when we saw the Wild Garlic Grill, we were intrigued by the name, as we are both big fans of garlic. We thought it might be a little dive because it is in a tiny building that looked, at least from the outside, a little rough. Apparently, the original building served as an A&W Root Beer stand. We walked in during the 3:00 PM lull, and found the place to be clean, upscale, and sophisticated. We had the garlic swiss fondue (a must!), and two fish entrÃ©es. Take a look at my photos. We were shocked because the food came out looking amazing, expensive, totally fresh, and crafted. It was obvious that there was a real chef in the kitchen. They have daily specials, and their sides are always changing. If you want food that is as good as Feast without the high price, then this is the place! I must warn you that they get super crowded on the weekend. I would suggest trying the place out for lunch or when they are slow. We have taken a few couples there during their peak hours, and it is totally packed. We actually had a somewhat rude encounter with the hostess/owner because the place was full and we did not have a reservation. We actually decided to leave rather than eat at the bar because we wanted to be able to talk to our friends. That situation was an isolated incident, though, as we have always received wonderful service and attention otherwise. We are regulars, and the staff always tries to seat us where we want to be and goes out of the way for us. One night, we were seated outside on the patio, and despite the heaters, we were chilly. As soon as a table was available, they moved us inside, and the waitresses were not the least bit worried about sharing us. They are all friendly and personable. If something is not to your total satisfaction, then just let them know! Beautiful presentation with the food, and a great experience in Tucson. We are there every week!
(5)
Alex D.

The Wild Garlic Grill is a relatively new establishment to Tucson, but the man behind it (Steve Schultz, head chef) has been serving up fine food here for years. You might think twice about the quality of this place by its location and looks from the outside. But judging the WGG by its cover would be a grave error indeed, as you'd be robbing yourself of trying one of Tucson's hidden gems. I've only been once-- during Happy Hour-- but I got to try more than a few items while I was there, each of them ranging from "Great" to "Exemplary". For starters, you simply must try the Garlic Fondue; it's out-of-this-world good. The sourdough bread they serve with it compliments it perfectly, too. The Garlic Shrimp with Brie Appetizer is also quite fantastic, and the portion size is comparable to a light lunch (when including the complimentary bread). Concerning Entrees, I only got to try a bite of my friend's 1/2lb Black Angus Burger, topped with Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese and (Hickory?) Smoked Bacon, but what I had melted in my mouth and was cooked to juicy perfection. We sat at the bar, which is conveniently located in view of the kitchen, giving us the benefit of watching Mr. Schultz work his magic. He's an excellent chef, and he engaged us in small talk as we ate since it wasn't terribly busy... Very nice guy! My first time at WGG greatly exceeded my expectations, and it most certainly won't be the last time either. If you're reading this and haven't yet stopped in for a meal, I would highly encourage you to change that :) Nice job, Wild Garlic Grill! 5/5
(5)
Don S.

The service was bad, long waiting times, the waiter messed up the order two times, then she said she'll give us the soups for free (when the check came, the soups were there - big surprise, not!), the food was average, the portions were big, though. We had different items from the menu (we were a party of 4) and 2-3 hours after lunch 2 of us started to feel bad and to get stomach aches. Me personally, I didn't have anything until the next morning when my liver started protesting the abuse. It never happened before with any other restaurant. I'm not accusing, but I'm saying. We spent 2 hours and 30 minutes in that place, spent a decent amount of money, and got some bad food. Unforgettable Sunday.
(2)
Norma C.

Sorry, Chef Schultz, but for $30 my filet mignon should have been rare, as ordered, not mostly medium but cooked so unevenly that it had one raw spot. Also, it was dry, not juicy, as if it hadn't been rested.
(2)
R G.

Love the Wild Garlic Grill every time we have gone the food was delicious. We tried already most items described by many and not once had anything wrong. Due to being busy a special was not available during the last visit. The waiters are on their feet and taking care of business. We like the staff and love the meals. Prices are good . Be back soon
(4)
Randi F.

My husband and I came here for dinner. We ordered the Grilled Shrimp with Corn Salsa and Brie Cheese - so delicious and came with a generous amount of shrimp for the both of us. Scrumptious bread. Note that they have RC and not Coke or Pepsi. I got the New York Steak and he got the San Fran Pier Stew. My steak was amazing and so was the red wine sauce on top. It came with mashed potatoes which were disappointing - waaaay too blended; soupy and bland, even needed salt. From the reviews, I'm not the only one feeling that way. However, the stew was great and flavorful! For desert we shared the Strawberry Cheesecake and the Flourless Chocolate Tarte. Both came out chilled - which was a +. The cheesecake was wonderful but the Chocolate Tarte won my heart, sooo worth getting!! Service was quick, nice and helpful.
(4)
Kenyon N.

The food and the ambiance are definitely 4 to 5 star worthy but the service is unfortunately holding them back. They overcharged us, said they had a sea bass special for $18 and charged me $25. Also they disappeared after our food was served, I had to physically go find the server to close out. I called to discuss my issues with a Manager or Owner but no one returned my call. Hopefully they get it together.
(3)
Roya M.

I had never heard of this place but a friend suggested it and we went with a group of people...we got the garlic shrimp appetizer, garlic shrimp salad, a side salad and the pasta bolognese.....everything was absolutely delicious! The service was fantastic as well. Really glad I found this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kay G.

Our daughter was visiting and went hiking with the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club and there was conversation about favorite Tucson restaurants...Wild Garlic Grill,was the first choice so after a matinee at the Arizona Theatre Company four of us headed to the restaurant. The front door leads to a narrow pathway along the bar so we sat at the bar for Happy Hour and the start of an exceptional experience. Jaimie was behind the bar and only works Tuesday and Wednesday so our experience started with her knowledge of wines and speciality drinks..copper cups for the Moscow Mules and wines for everyone's taste. We were looking into the open kitchen as we sat at the bar and loved the activity level then tried several appetizers...mussels and Gilroy Garlic cheese fondue. Chef Steve Schultz visited with us as he was working in the kitchen..remember him from Red Sky. We visited with Maudie, the owner and wife of Chef, and she seated us in the small but well appointed dining room (also another semi-outside area). We had seen entrees come out of the kitchen and had a hard time deciding what to have...choices included but not limited to several lamb dishes, sea bass , beef, salmon. We had the mushroom soup and the rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Others ordered the salmon and the lamb shank and the meals were perfectly prepared and everyone raved during dinner. Our server was a charming U of A student, Claire and Leo assisted her. We are planning to return with two additional groups in the near future. We always say Tucson's locally owned restaurants are on par with any part of the country, including Napa area, and Wild Garlic Grill proves our point. Don't Miss This Restaurant.
(5)
James S.

Different. . .from standard Italian. Definitely has American flair and portion size. The menu is specific and quite small. The garden salad is unique and not not the normal salad with iceberg lettuce. on a side note, table are wobbly and small. . .not enough room to fit your dishes and/or appetizers. Kind of romantic, don't judge based on initial exterior. Has an open patio.
(4)
Kathryn K.

Went on Friday night. Sea bass on risotto was good. Chipotle pork, not so good. Waitstaff seemed to be spread too thin. Forgot our forks and it was awhile before we could get utensils, waited a long time to get check after eating, for examples, even though our server was obviously working hard. Music was loud and table conversation was reduced to charades. I'm glad I tried it, some things good.
(3)
Scott K.

Our group had the steak, fish, and pork which were all nicely seasoned and prepared. the vegetable pairings seemed a bit odd as they were the same for all three dishes. reminiscent of the menu at red sky which was very good but a bit "one note." making each dish a totally unique and different experience would bring us back more often and would earn more of my stars.
(3)
Pat L.

We had a terrible experience at Wild Garlic. We had confirmed reservations specifically for indoors. When we arrived our table was outdoors by a big gap in the canvas wall. It was freezing cold. The hostess said we would have to wait at least an hour to get an inside table. After our protest about the freezing location she reluctantly moved the table about 6 feet away from the gap. We agreed to try it. It was still pretty miserable but we desided to tough it out. After an hour and half, we were shivering and still had only been served bread and drinks. We said we were going to leave. The hostess, again, very reluctantly, moved us inside. We had to wait another 30 minutes for our food. When the food finally arrived after the two hour wait, it was very good. But by that time, we had been eating bread for 2 hours and no one was very hungary. If it hadn't been too cold to drink, we probably would have had too much wine to drive or know what we were eating. The good food was not worth freezing and waiting 2 hours. The hostess was surly, the food service intermably slow, and the whole experience was very bad. Recommend that you give it a miss.
(2)
Pablo V.

So I'm going to start by echoing everyone else by reminding everyone not to judge this place by the outside; yes it looks a bit like a hole in the wall but it's very nicely decorated on the inside. The food is great! Every time I've been here I've been satisfied with what I got. The portions are nice and big and they have great specials so ask about them (though, I'm usually too embarrassed to ask the price so maybe it's not great to do that all the time). They're bread is also something to mention; nice and warm, it's so hard not to just get full on that. I really want to give this place five stars but as someone who likes variety I'm hesitant; their menu is a bit small (though their specials do widen it) and not too much options for vegetarians (I'm not one but just so you all are aware). Of course if I just keep going I'll have no choice but to change my rating
(4)
Rachael W.

Ready for a great tip? Come during happy hour, and sit at the tables near the bar. This means (1) you can watch the open kitchen and the banter between folks sitting at the bar and the chefs, and (2) you get happy hour deals on the appetizers--$2 off any appetizer--just for sitting in this area instead of the main dining room. Woot. Everything at this restaurant comes out HOT. Like, burn your hands if you touch the plate. Love it. I highly recommend the fondue appetizer. It comes with unlimited bread served (you guessed it) piping hot. We also got the mushroom/goat cheese appetizer (good but not amazing), and the linguini bolognese, which is served legit Italian style, which means a focus on meat rather than tomato sauce (don't be expecting Prego). It was fabulous, huge (easily splittable for two people with appetizers), and yes, HOT. If you've driven by this place, you've probably thought it was a greasy diner. But step inside, and there's some swank. A fun find.
(5)
Caroline T.

I really want Steve Schultz to succeed with this location! I loved the Red Sky, and this new restaurant repeats both the good and the bad of that one. The food is delicious (two visits), but the portions are so very large, that after a first visit, most duos are going to decide to share instead of getting two entrees. This would certainly drive down the profit margin. My bbq chicken/blue cheese/apple salad was only $8.50, and I was able to feed two of us with the leftovers. These entrees could be cut in half and still be worth the price. On an earlier visit, the mushroom soup was divine, as was a fish dish I had (don't remember the variety of fish). On this visit, my companion's caldo with pork shoulder was also wonderful.
(4)
Peter G.

One of our favorite places in Tucson. Don't let the street appearance fool you. Inside is a master chef. Low key atmosphere with great food. There are always great specials and you can't go wrong ordering off the menu. The ribs are great, the fish special we had tonight was perfectly cooked. Appetizers are always tasty. Mussels done the way mussels should be. Garlic fondue, portabella mushroom with goat cheese and the shrimp were great! This is truly a great restaurant, it's all about the food and service here.
(5)
Brad M.

This place had really awesome tasting food. You get your money's worth both on an amount and taste level. The hostess was able to seat us without reservations and we were glad as the food is worth the wait. It is recommended eating for anyone who loves food and likes the ambience of relaxing music. I am wish the owner and staff best of luck.
(4)
Stan J.

This was our second visit. First time I had. Sea Bass and it was wonderful. Our waitress was super nice, we'll informed about the menu, and the service was great. This time the service and our waitress was a bit "Spacey". She seemed overtaxed and forgetful, even though it was a Wed. Night and not crowded, and the large table next to us was attended by another server. Said she was bringing us all a complementary cup of their new soup to try. Never arrived. Nor did the water we asked for. I asked if the pasta on the Bolognese dish was home made. Assured me it was. Obviously it was not and tasted straight from a box. The Bolognese was basically flavorless, needed spices, and there was about 3 lbs on the plate. Would have much preferred quality over quantity, and ate only about a quarter of it before giving up. To be fair the three others in our party loved their entrees. The beet salad we shared was very good and my wife's salmon was great. Out friends meals, ribs and salmon, were pronounced excellent. So, I apparently I made a bad choice based on some bad advice. Probably should have gone with the seafood stew. I will return, but this place would benefit greatly from a more knowledgeable and consistent wait staff AND few good beers on tap ( please, no Peroni or Moretti !)
(3)
Andrea G.

Our "Dining Trio" (husband Gary, mom and I) turned out in full force to experience this new restaurant. Let's set you straight up front: You'll get fine and artistic quality here, and goodly portions at reasonable prices. This is now one of my fave restaurants! I've enjoyed chef/owner Steve Schultz' cooking in past restaurants, as well. He has now taken the modest Sanchez Burrito building and has turned it into his own masterpiece of culinary delights. Despite a bit of a squishy narrow entrance due to the existing footprint of the Sanchez building (I consider it part of the charm), this restaurant invites you in to its fold--whether seated at the granite-topped bar where the cooking magic happens, or in the dining room. Look up at the ceiling--all wooden ribs--to give a homey feel to the place (can't remember if that ceiling existed with Sanchez Burrito. Don't think so). We ordered way more than 3 people should, so we could try it all (my mom loves leftovers so she need not cook). THREE appetizers later...ALL YUMMY!!! Off the top of my head: 1) a grilled shrimp with brie and something like pico de gallo 2) their signature garlic-cheese fondue with bread and 3) a balsamic-flavored, huge Portabella mushroom served with goat cheese, red peppers and a red pepper coulis (I think, or sauce of some sort). REALLY GOOD, all of them. The menu choices are wonderful. They also offer an entrÃ©e for a vegetarian (using Portabellas). They use a lot of fresh vegetables, risotto and cheeses, so I bet they could do something for you if you called a few days ahead to plan something. We dug into our beautifully plated and VERY tasty entrees. We all ordered fish, although the menu offers all types of land and sea choices, PLUS a large daily specials menu. Mom had a foil-bagged tilapia (cooks in the bag), I had a FAB large sea bass on risotto (both dishes served with dark greens and mom had garlic mashed potatoes, too). (She drizzled the leftover garlic fondue onto her potatoes.) And Gary had an outstanding Fish Stew (like a cioppino) with PLENTY of salmon, white fish, mussels and shrimp. He loved it and still had plenty to take home. The portions are fair, very tasty, and not puny like some fine restaurants. And if that were not enough, we shared a flourless chocolate cake. (We made sure we did not eat too much of the entree, so we could have a little room.) The cake was a good-sized slice and the BEST flourless cake I ever had. Melted on my tongue like chocolate candy. Oh my! Sinfully good. Service was super (great job, Moriah!). TIP: You could even order two appetizers as a meal. The daily specials seem to be in the general low $20s range, but other items on the regular menu are in the $12-16 range--really reasonable for the portions and the quality you get. TIP2: Make a reservation and if possible, dine earlier rather than later. It really filled up as the time ticked on (and we came early, as my mom is an early diner). The restaurant is on the east side of First, just north of Grant.
(5)
Mark S.

We had lunch. Cheese garlic fondue, excellent. BBQ chicken salad, perfect. Pork caldo, divine. Bottle of zin made it a lunch to remember.
(5)
Hannah L.

Just left this place and I have to express how bad my service was. My waiter literally came to my table twice...once to get drink orders and once to bring the check. Ugh! He was preoccupied with a large table beside us, who had ordered several bottles of alcohol...it was obvious their tip would be higher than mine so I guess that's where he decided to spent his time... Otherwise the food was great! The lamb shank was delish but over pried at $23. The mushroom appetizer with goat cheese was soooo good! My bf had the baby back ribs and those were great too. I give the food a solid 3.5. Ps the smokin sangria was nasty! I wouldn't order it again. Also I saw box wine in there kitchen which makes me think that's what they use for the sangria.....I can't believe I just paid $8 for a glass of box wine!
(3)
Brenda T.

Stacie is fabulous Very knowledgeable , friendly and enthusiastic! Food is excellent and a lot! Drinks wonderful
(5)
Troy E W.

Moved to Tucson and would drive by this place every day. From the outside it looked very simple nothing fancy to indicate what one would find inside. So two days ago I decided I wanted to try something different and decided to go to the Wild Garlic. The inside revealed a cozy restaurant approx 10 tables with a five person bar. Michael was the bartender/almost certified Sommelier. Before I ordered anything to drink I reviewed the specials and menu only to discover that the incredible wordsmithing that was used to described each dish had me salivating worse than Pavlov's dogs. Items served included Salmon, Lamb Shank, Crusted Rib-eye, Sea Bass and I ordered the all veal meatloaf and it was exactly as it was described. My only regret of the entire evening was that no one had told me about this restaurant long ago. The cook is the guy in the middle of the restaurant doing all the cooking and he happens to be the owner. A quiet but polite man who has an incredible gift and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Bernard S.

I give NO stars, none, absolutely none, what a place. We where offered the inside or the patio, we where told, it was quiter. Let me tell you, it wasn't. They had a five foot diameter industrial fan blowing on all the dinners, it was like having dinner with a Cessna, plus they had a poor guy trying to play a guitar over it, but it was under the racket. Service was so slow, the ice melted in my drink twice. We actually played with double ordering, but we thought that might make things worse. The food wasn't worth the two and a half hours I wasted there. The sauce on my ribs was so tangy and had such a vinegar kick it took my breath away. My plate had the ribs, a vegetable Medley, salad, and mashed potatoes. Any time I tried to eat food fell off my plate. I was with two friends, they'd eaten here before and really enjoyed it, but they sat at the bar, better service. But like me, this time was really bad. I won't be back.
(1)
Sarah L.

Large and tasty (reasonably priced) portions amid a small and comfy space- with tables practically abutting each other is the best way I can think of to describe Wild Garlic grill... The location, in a funky former mid-century converted dive drive-thru (on 1st Avenue, just north of Grant) is a bit odd and unexpected, yet perhaps this is part of the unconventional charm that chef/owner Steve Schultz is seeking? I'm sure many long time Tucsonans have other memories of this venue, but I remember it as Sanchez Burrito Company. I used to grab burritos there as a UA student! Funny how times change... The lunch menu is varied and creative (I haven't tried dinner yet). I ordered what I thought was a standard "Linguini bolognaise," ($12) which ended up being anything but standard. I couldn't believe the size of the portion- it was like my Italian mom would serve me! Deliciously flavored and perfectly prepared, with braised meat and snow peas- in a spicy/tangy red wine herb sauce. I have enough left over for two more meals! My friend had the Mesquite honey BBQ chicken salad ($8.50), which was served with chicken, apples, blue cheese, pecans, and field greens. She said it was excellent. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the menu options at Wild Garlic Grill, and the prices won't break you either. They have daily specials including fresh, sustainably-caught fish and they feature locally farmed and organic produce. They have numerous vegetarian options too, which is noteworthy. I noticed a roasted beet salad with goat cheese, and also roasted portobello mushrooms with goat cheese. Both sound amazing. I have a request- iced green tea. On my visit, I ended up drinking water with lemon, but I would love to come back and find out they have a great iced green tea. I also saw that they have pork shoulder with New Mexico chiles. So many choices- it's hard to decide... One thing is for sure, I'll be back soon!
(4)
Stephen S.

You know you're in for a treat even before you walk in the door. The smell of garlic and other spices is obvious and provides a hint of what is to come. Do NOT be put off by the exterior appearance. It may look like the 50s drive-in it once was, but the food is outstanding. I've eaten there three times now (once for dinner, twice for lunch) and have not been disappointed. The garlic shrimp appetizer was awesome and the ribs were the best I've ever eaten. The lunch time salads are enormous and quite interestingly thought out. And the prices are oh so reasonable. This place is a true gem!
(5)
Francisco L.

This is a new gem in town. Elegant food for the common person. All dishes sampled around the table were excellent. The fondue to start is a must. The portions are big enough to share or take some home. From the Portobello salad to the stake the food was superb. I think everybody can find something on the menu that will tickle their tasty bone.
(4)
Wendy V.

I was in the area, starving, and randomly decided to grab a to-go dinner at Wild Garlic Grill. This area of town doesn't have much going for it as far as great fare is concerned other than a nearby Indian restaurant. From the exterior, the restaurant doesn't look like much, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a cozy dining area when I walked in. The interior smelled delicious, and the menu looked stellar. I ordered a lamb shank, which came with braised greens and a veggie-Orzo dish, and portobella mushroom appetizers with goat cheese. I cannot stress enough how delectable and how large the portion sizes were (I shared them with someone and still had enough left over for another meal). The food gets an A+, the service gets an A+, the interior is nice in a simple way so gets a B, and the location is very convenient. The exterior of the restaurant is rather unimpressive, and the neighborhood is pretty bad, but this just makes me feel like I have uncovered a little secret spot, and might be ingenious in its own way, at least gutsy. The prices are moderate, expect to pay at least $25 per person for a 2 course dinner sans beverages. Highly recommended!
(5)
Susie S.

Spendy for what it is, especially when Tucson offers such a wide variety of delicious cheap eats (including at least two excellent Mexican restaurants in the near vicinity). If you're vegetarian, there's not much here for you here other than an initially promising but ultimately monotonous grilled veggie and Portabello mushroom salad, which is drenched in a mediocre balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with a parsimonious blob of goat cheese. Virtually everything else, even things that could easily be vegetarian - the mushroom soup, the risotto....maybe even the mashed potatoes - has chicken broth or some other meat or fish product in it. Very disappointing, especially for our mixed group of veggies and omnivores. For meat eaters, more initially promising but ultimately monotonous fare. The chile barbecue sauce on the ribs was tasty but overly heavy and rich. That said, much here shows promise. The Gilroy garlic and swiss cheese fondue is divine, and the wine our server recommended - a Malbec - was actually somewhat of a bargain, smooth and lovely. And the tiramisu - more of a tiramisu-flavored cake - was a nice finishing touch. The service is rough around the edges. The waitstaff is friendly but needs to get the rhythm and timing down. The bar staffer who served our bottle of wine just popped the cork and poured. The wine glasses were cloudy, my bread plate was not clean, and the after-dinner coffee arrived in mismatched cups....but not mismatched enough to be deliberately quirky, if you know what I mean. Just mismatched enough to demonstrate a lack of attention to the little details. The exterior is less-than-promising, but the interior is quirky, with interesting ceilings and some funky accents. Not really fancy-date-night or special-occasion atmosphere, but certainly impressive considering what was in this space before. I probably won't go to Wild Garlic Grille again, but I might recommend it (with asterisks and caveats galore) to my omnivorous friends.
(3)
Vivian K.

Went to dinner here on a Sunday night with my husband and our good friends. At first, we were taken aback by the exterior of the building. It looked like an old drive-in, which I guess it was in the past. We walked in, and the place was alive with people eating some scrumptious looking dishes, and the three servers were scrambling to take care of everybody. We had reservations, but we were early, and there was a short wait before we were all seated. We kicked things off with a nice bottle of Zin for about $30.00. It was nice, and definitely better than what we have had from other restaurants at that price. The fondue was up next, and while it was a little on the thin side, the flavor was fabulous. One tip here: if the bread runs out, the servers can get you more. This would have been good for my husband to know, because when the bread ran out the first time, he was eating the fondue like a soup and loving it. The entrÃ©es came next. Our table had ordered the lamb shanks, the Linguine, the Pork Caldo, and the Sea Bass. Everybody loved their dishes. Most of the specials were $23.00, but my husband had the Linguine for $14.00. He said it was the best linguine he's ever had. The portion sizes were fairly large, and he was still working on it when the servers came by to ask whether we wanted dessert. He didn't leave a scrap. It was that good. I had the lamb shank, and it was incredible. You know, the service was a little rough at first, but we didn't feel neglected. Our server took care of the entire main dining area by herself, and she was very professional and tried hard to keep up with everything. At the end of the night, I could truly say it was a great dining experience. Good food, good wine, and great company. Kudos to Chef Steve for taking this chance to open a fine dining restaurant with reasonable prices in this part of town.
(4)
joan r.

What can I say - I have never been as pleasantly surprised by the food and the service as I have at this restaurant. Forget what it looks like from the outside. We went there for the first time to celebrate An event. We ordered everything from the unprinted specials. Pricy but oh so worth it. The food was uniquely prepared - imaginative and extremely tasty. The service was the best I had received in an extremely long time. Next time I eat there I plan to enjoy the patio.
(5)
Manu A.

Amazing Diamond in the rough...... From the looks of the outside you would never know what treasures lie inside. Would highly recommend this place to anyone. If you haven't been you are missing out. Get away from the chain restaurants and support local owned and operated Wild Garlic Grill.
(5)
Jennifer W.

Everything we ordered was incredibly flavorful and delicious. We sat at the bar and watched the kitchen with their magic. The Summer Day drink with gin with muddled basil and cucumbers is the perfect refreshing summer drink. We got the garlic swiss fondue as an appetizer & it was the perfect way to start our meal. I ordered the filet mignon that was on the special board. It was cooked perfectly medium rate and covered in a generous helping of blue cheese. It was served with decadent risotto and sauteed vegetables.
(5)
Claire H.

I like the atmosphere here, especially that they took a drive-in and recycled it into a gourmet eatery! The food here actually gets better once you take it home and have it again- also pay attention to the specials, a nice treat! Had the escargot and pork caldron and wish we hadn't been in a hurry so we could have tried desert. Guess I'll have to go back and update my yelp!
(5)
Rachel S.

Was visiting Tucson from Santa Barbara for the last 4 days with my sons high school baseball tournament. I wanted to invite all the parents for a night out to dinner and started looking around for somewhere yummy to go. Based on local opinions and yelpers I made reservations for 8 at Wild Garlic Grill. Our server, Dallas, was very nice and on top of it. He knew the specials off the top of his head down to the last little garnish (and there were a lot of specials!) and paid a lot of attention to us. The wine pour is huge (get a DD!) I ordered the10oz New York with a red wine reduction and mashed Yukon golds while the rest of my table ordered Sea Bass from the Sea of Cortez, rack of lamb x 2 the 12 oz rib eye as well as the veal osso bucco collectively. Everyone was astonished at the huge portions and how perfectly cooked everything was. Quite frankly, I am a salt girl. I like a lot of seasoning on my steak, but this steak was delightful on its own and I didn't add anything! Coming from Santa Barbara, we have a TON of restaurants to choose from and some of the best restaurants are the most quirky. I loved the funk of the outside and opening the door to find a great sit down place with great food. It was a great night with great friends and great food!
(4)
Philip S.

Chief Steve Schultz is back and his dishes are a pleasure, as good as ever! This is the fourth restaurant of his that I've eaten in and the food is still excellent. The restaurant is comparatively small and intimate but also has an outside patio and a kitchen view-counter seating that I enjoyed. (I enjoy cooking and got a kick out of watching a master) The sauces make the food and they are both subtle and complex. I was there for the soft opening and can't speak to a packed house. (But will when I next go). As an appetizer, I had the Gilroy garlic swiss fondue with freshly toasted sourdough bread. Outstanding! A large portion. Well worth 7$. My entree was linguini bolognaise. A tomato based sauce made with beef, pork and veal. As good as I had in Italy, perhaps better! Again a large portion for 12$. I would have tried more but with a very nice glass of Merlot, I was more than full. The menu has enough to keep me coming back again and again. I would consider it a comfortable place, upscale casual dinning at very reasonable prices. Definitly the kind of restaurant that Tucson needs.
(5)
Ray C.

This is like a laidback bar/ restaurant! It is in a great enivornment I had a BBQ chicken salad and it was super delicious! It came with gala apple, feta cheese, lettuce and balm vingear dressing. I believe that it is family owned. The price range is between $10 to $20.
(4)
Robert F.

A great sit-down spot in Tucson with some great regional flavors such as the spicy caldo with pork shoulder and New Mexico peppers, and the honey mesquite BBQ ribs.
(4)
Wendy L.

So - my thinking here is that I'm not the target audience for this restaurant. I suppose my thinking is too colored by the history of the building itself. I've visited it in at least 5 different iterations (Taco bar 1, Jamaican food, Taco bar 2, and most recently a Gilligan's Island themed cafe) - and each one was more casual than the last. Considering that the new owners have kept the "Hires Rootbeer" mug sign intact, I was expecting it to be a little more laid back. Now, compared to the fine dining joints I've visited in the Catalina Foothills or new Downton, it is pretty laid back. But for this part of town, it's pretty high end: wine glasses on the tables at lunchtime and chi-chi wording on nearly every menu item (beurre-blanc, coulis, basalmic reduction). I went in hoping for a simple but flavorful lunch salad - what I got was more ingredients than I could identify or name and flavors that were all over the place. The prices on the menu items were reasonable, though the selection was dramatically different than what was listed on the web (which is more salad-and-sandwich oriented). The specials were pretty pricey at @ $23 each for lunch, but at least they substituted the mashed-potatoes for risotto for the earlier version (I say with a wink). A long review now, but overall a postivie one. Just don't go if you are expecting ANYTHING like the Three and a Half Brothers Cafe or La Fresita, at least not without a few extra dollars in your purse.
(3)
J W.

Delicious cuisine, skillfully prepared. I very much enjoyed the sea bass special that was available. The fondue appetizer was quite good. The chef really knows his garlic. Presentation of the dishes was arranged with a studied skill. Service was friendly, and pleasant. Our server was attentive, and well versed in the menu. "Why didn't this get 5 stars?" you may be asking at this point. Good question. The location itself belies the quality inside. Pulling up to the restaurant I eyed the walk-up service windows still present from the days of the building's career as a greasy burger joint. The entry points seemed rather cramped to me, and as we were waiting to be seated I feared I might be run down by wait staff or other guests. My dining companion and I chose the outdoor seating, which while being well arranged featured a wax-paper tablecloth and paper napkins. Given the prices, I would have expected at least a cloth napkin (call me old fashioned if you must). The overall volume of the discussions around us was rather loud, with no ambient music to offset this. For this reason I'd recommend going at a time when it's not super busy.
(4)
Rachel R.

Oh yes, what a great feel to this place! Quirky? I guess so, but who cares?! Wednesday night, not too busy. It is not a large place inside, so be ready for close quarters. Other reviews noted some service issues, but we had a great waiter. Food was good... I wanted to try everything on the menu. So I'll be back!
(4)
Bonnie W.

First time there - but not our last! WOW what a delicious find! My husband had heard about this place and I had no idea, until we drove up, that it used to be the old A&W! They have done a great job of fixing the place up, but the real surprise is the INCREDIBLE FOOD! Because it was an unusually rainy day here, I opted for the Caldo of Braised Pork...OH MY! What a perfect choice! It was a flavor explosion! My husband picked the Linguine Bolognaise and when he cleaned his plate, our server told him most folks can't do that...he said he couldn't NOT. Service - stupendous... Return Visits - many to come. Cost - amazingly minimal. If you haven't tried this place out, stop waiting and just GO! You will be happy you did.
(5)
Danny V.

Went there for family dinner on Sunday night. Place so small at entrance, need to squeeze to pass the bar at behind the front door !! Sit back in the patio for more room then we got mosquito bites all over !! But foods are awesome , love grill shrimp dish. Prices ok, need remodel the place and upgrade some more like decor.,tv, wifi, menu laminate....finally have to left early and pack all the foods Togo because mosquito , ruin our dinner time !! Maybe next time sit inside.
(3)
Kim M.

T'Was Saturday night in Tucson and we had planned on going here for over two weeks. When finally THE Saturday came around, what an amazing suprise! The restaurant is centrally located so a tiny drive from the East side, ya'll know how I feel about the drive in Tucson, the roads are dreadful. But this hidden treasure of a restaurant was SO AMAZING, I won't mind the drive again soon... The food was so flavorful and colorful and made with good ingredients. Just an EXCELLENT meal. We left feeling very satisfied and happy. I ate the whole thing, and it was a lot! I totally could have taken some home for later, but it was yummy, the kind of yummy, you just don't want to stop... We skipped dessert, so I have no idea about their dessert menus, but I'm sure they are amazing as well. Outside and inside seating available and I'm so glad we sat outside, it was a beautiful night and inside seemed warm & cozy. Seems like this could be a great place to have a rendevous with several friends out on the patio and feel very laid back but with excellent food. GREAT find in Tucson.
(5)
Phil D.

We read about their soft-opening, starting today. Decided to risk going on their first day of business! So glad we did. WGG is small, not fancy at all, but with a great menu of tasty items. We had two starters. (1) Gilroy garlic Swiss fondue, $7, and (2) Steamed PEI Mussels, $10. We shared an entree of Las Cruces chili spiced mesquite honey BBQ ribs, $14.. A nice, reasonably priced wine list too. Sit at the bar and watch Chef Steve Schultz work his magic. Food and value is excellent - we will be going back.
(5)
Eve S.

I've been twice now and it was top-notch and yummy. The first time I went was a Saturday night and they were packed. I was with a large party, and people at my table were complaining about the wait. I work at a restaurant, so I am probably more patient than most and wasn't bothered because we got bread and appetizers in a timely fashion. Everything I've had has been an explosion of flavors, so I can see why some would complain. I think they balance flavors really well however, and find it delicious. Lots of people have already mentioned the portion sizes, they are a bit crazy. I went with a friend and we got a huge bowl of mussels as an appetizer. There had to be like 30 mussels in a bowl with lots of sauce. About 5 of them were closed which bothered me, but my companion cracked them open anyway. We also shared the ahi special, but neither could finish our HALF portion of it so we took it home. No complaints from me, I love leftovers. :)
(5)
A F.

We were asked to move tables in the middle of dinner to make room for a bigger party and waiter forgot our order. Food was good but awful service ruined the experience.
(1)
Les S.

My wife and I stopped in for lunch after we had heard very good things about the WGG from multiple reliable sources. Our experience exceeded our high expectations. The food was superb! The portions were generous, the wine was excellent and the service was the best. We will be back very soon. We heartily recommend that folks stop by The Wild Garlic Grill for lunch, dinner and/or drinks. A great getaway right there just north of Grant on 1st Ave. Les & Carin S.
(5)
Becky H.

I was excited to take my husband to WGG tonight. I had been here several times with girlfriends but my hubby was trying it for the first time. We were seated at an extremely small table and there was some confusion as to who our waitress would be. We ordered the mussels. I am not a big mussels gal but I had them here twice before and they were excellent - no grit, not rubbery, just tender and delish! Not tonight. Every single mussel I ate was filled with sand. Lots of sand. Almost like they had not been rinsed at all prior to steaming. Okay, I gave up after 4 or 5 and just dipped my bread into the wonderful wine/garlic sauce the mussels came in. This is definitely the kitchen's fault. We ordered our meal - a simple meal of roast chicken for me and linguini bolognanese for hubby. The waitress came by a minimum of 3 times to tell us our food would be right out. One hour and 45 minutes later she informs us that our ticket got dropped or lost or something and the chef was making our food right now. Needless to say I was upset and didn't want to spend another hour waiting and eating our very late meal so I said if it is finished to just box it to go. She did and she comped us my wine and hubby's soda. This was totally the waitresses fault. As we pulled out of the overly crowded parking lot my husband said, "I am soooo disappointed." I loved this place and the only reason it isn't getting only 1 star from me is because the other 5 times I have been there everything was great. It will be some time before I return and never again on a Friday night.
(3)
Janet H.

Place was very busy with a long wait line, but we had a reservation that they honored, so we got seated in the back room pretty quickly. It's really an outside area with a cover and sun screen to cut down on the elements and a few gas heaters. Still, where we sat it was a bit chilly. The room is not very attractive. We expected something with more personality, but it was just a big, drafty room with no art to speak of. They had a very good guitar player who added a lot to the ambiance but couldn't overcome it. We waited a good 20 minutes before anyone even looked our way. No water. No bread. No menus. No nothing for 20 minutes. My husband finally spoke up and we were then paid some attention via water, menus and a promise of coming back to take our order. But by the time she returned we didn't even feel like taking the time to hear about the specials, so we quickly ordered off the menu. Started with the fondue, which was served about 20 minutes later. Good news is it was very hot and tasty, albeit thinner than any fondue we have ever had. My beer also came, with no offer of a glass. Still no silverware or napkins, though. Half an hour later we got our entrees. I had the fish stew ($15) and husband had the chipotle ribs and mashed potatoes ($13 I think.) Both were very good and served with very nice sauteed kale. They were large enough for doggy bags and a good lunch today. So, given the good food and bad service would we return? Probably not. Maybe it was just an exceptionally busy night, but during a holiday week and return of snowbirds to Tucson for the winter, they should have been better prepared, especially when busboys and servers are paid less than minimum wage. Seriously, for $50 they could have had two people working customer service in the back room for the evening. It's unconscionable to expect customers to take 2 hours for a 2 course dinner, have to ask for glasses, ask for silverware, and ask for menus. Our server appeared competent, but was overwhelmed and had little or no help. To me, that means a serious, systemic management problem. Can't manage the number of tables and not interested in fully staffing the business? Reduce the number of tables.
(2)
Iryna C.

This place is awesome. One more reason to spend two hours of driving from Phoenix to experience food prepared for gourmets by a professional chef. I got a bowl of wild mushroom soup on the house. The soup was to die for! Northwest salmon risotto is outstanding. I am looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Patrick L.

I go to a restaurant for good food. This place has it and at great prices! They are trying to do a lot in a small space which adds to the chaos that running a restaurant can be. Until I sat down I felt like I was in the way. The food took longer than expected but was far better than expected and very much worth the wait. It was Saturday night and the place was PACKED! We had no reservation, but the got us in anyway. Our waitress Tania was attentive, service was great, food was hot and delicious. I had the tenderloin. Last week I paid more than twice as much for a steak at Del Frisco's that wasn't half as good. Deal with the lack of atmosphere. They put their heart and soul into what's important: the food!
(4)
Vanna C.

Recommend getting reservations on weekends. Best dinner we have had in Tucson: conscious cuisine. What you could find along the Pacific coast. Now I know we don't have a coastline, but we do have seafood, so I think it is fair to say, this is the only restaurant that measures up to southern Calfornia cuisine. While we had a long wait, it was well worth it. This is fine dining -- at a reasonable price. You won't be paying for scenery or snob appeal, just for quality food -- and thats the way I like it. The decor and ambience inside the building are understated but comfortable and wait service attentive and very pleasant. Great restaurant experience.
(5)
Janell M.

Worst experience i have ever had...literally! I had been told several times by a friend that i should give this place a try because chef Steven Schultz previous owner of Red sky cafe and lunabella had opened up a new place...so awhile back my husband and i had gone to Tucson to visit and decided to give it a shot and boy was that a mistake....first off we walked in and were greeted by a short plump woman with an almost condescending attitude but now I'm doing a little more research on this place it looks as though several people have had this same experience with this seeminglymiserable woman that must be their hostess! We were seated even though she made us not want to but we assumed she must be having a bad night...our server came top our table another plump girl with the same demeanor but less personality and asked us if we were ready did not greet us let alone bother to tell us any of the specials we later found out they had by asking the table next to us what they were eating once we had already ordered! We never received bread, offered anything to drink besides water with no ice and floaties in it! As we were waiting for our food we were glancing around and noticed almost everyone that works there looks like they are clearly on some type of drugs and i am pretty naive when it comes to that type of thing but when you see staff with open sores in plain sight looking unkept and basically unsanitary handling the food you are about to consume it can have a tendency to put you off....but that was just one of the few hang ups of this putred place! At the end of our meal we were given our check without being offered dessert and we asked if they served anything chocolate the waitress replied that she thinks they were out but if we wanted some she could go check for some in the shed!! What kind of establishment stores food in a shed!!!?? I could go on and on and on about the horrific experience we had that night but that isn't going to change anything bottom line i would NEVER EVER try this place again and hope to forwarn anyone who may consider it! One other thing my husband went to use their truck stop looking bathrooms and while walking down the corridor glanced in the dish room and noticed a pan full of cooked lamb shank uncovered with flies on them!!!! These were the same lamb shank being served as specials that evening!!!
(1)
Shun L.

We had a dinner, the food was excellent! However, my husband mentioned that this place used to be Bob's Big Boy. Anyway, the service is not so great, the server wasn't very attentive, it took a while for them to take our order, in fact, the girl she was training was serving. Anyway, the parking is bad, when we left, the parking lot was so full and both exits were blocked. If you are having dinner here park somewhere else.
(3)
Susan E.

My new favorite restaurant! Three of us had excellent dinners - the San Francisco Pier seafood dish was filled with mussels and shrimp. The molasses baked ribs with mashed potatoes, real spuds with tiny bits not fully blended, delicious - a wet wipe would help clean off sticky fingers. My portabella salad, which I finished two days later, was a green's dream topped with goat cheese. And, the only garlic dish, which we shared as an appetizer, make our eyes roll with pleasure. The ribbed ceilings and art work give the place, once a burrito joint, a sophisticated appearance. We'll be back to enjoy more of the creative menu and ambiance. Tables are fairly close. Conversation sounds may carry when the restaurant is crowded.
(4)
Tucson C.

We were really pleased by our trip into the Wild Garlic Grill. It's located on First Avenue just North of Grant and First. When you look at the building you think hamburger joint. As far as I know the location has served burgers, Mexican and Caribbean food. But as we walked up and saw the linens on the tables we knew that fine dining was going to be our experience, and we are so glad to have experienced it! The atmosphere can be varied by where you sit. The WGG features a small simple dining room, a large outside patio, and bar seating with a kitchen view that foodies are truly going to love! If you enjoy any of the today's cooking shows on TV, I suggest bar seating! The service was as expected, polite and professional. The staff are friendly, and created a great experience and the desire to return. The food was great! I have had food from the hands of Steven Schultz before. I love his vegetables and mushrooms, I love his sauces. They are just plain done right. Every review I've read has mentioned the pricing to be good. I don't question it. Everyone has a different idea on pricing. I saw what looked like a 1/2 pound burger cooked in front of me that I think was priced at $10. It looked fantastic. I would order it in a nanosecond. I saw a couple of Linguini Bolognese go out that I thought were very well priced considering the size of the portions and when I asked for a rating was told it scored a 10. If I sound tentative, remember, when I walked up I was thinking hamburgers! The Wild Garlic Grill is awesome. We experienced great food, great service, a great experience.
(5)
Kimberly B.

This is a great place to go for an evening supper. I had the pork shoulder and it was a huge plate of stew that was delicious, and I had plenty left over that I took home for my lunch the next day. My friend had the salmon, and he said it was very tasty and well seasoned. His risotto was cooked well and was filling without being heavy. They have a nice wine list and the service was great. The only drawbacks are that for one, the happy hour specials don't apply to the dining room, only the bar. Secondly, the entrance to the restaurant are a little confusing. I walked from the back parking lot to the front entrance, which was a little cramped because it was busy. My friend entered through a side entrance, which might have been for the hostess or waitstaff, but they were cool about it and just helped him to his table.
(4)
Jon R.

My wife and I decided to check out Wild Garlic Grill. The restaurant doesn't have much curb appeal (it looks kind of like a dump), however there were a great deal of cars out front which bodes well in my opinion. The interior was much nicer than I anticipated. It was very busy and cramped inside, so we decided to eat on the patio which was very comfortable despite it being an evening in August. My wife ordered a glass of red wine and I order a cocktail, a Pineapple Smurf. Unfortunately, they ran out of pineapple juice and substituted orange juice without asking me and as my wife said it tasked like children's aspirin. We ordered the garlic swiss fondue as an appetizer, and I was a bit disappointed it didn't have more garlic. It seemed fairly bland. Truth be told I LOVE garlic, like ward off vampires love garlic. So others might not be disappointed with the dish like I was. My wife order the lamb shank which was a special and I ordered the filet mignon which was also a special. My wife found the lamb bland, while I thought the filet was very good. One of the better steaks I've head in town as of late. The portions were good and so was the presentation. If people are concerned about the food being too garlicy given the name of the restaurant, don't be. Overall it was good, not great. I think it's worth another shot and I'd recommend other give it a shot as well.
(3)
Brendan D.

So far so good. I only had the mushroom soup so far, so I intend to add a star when my future expectations are met which I assume they will be. The ambiance is innovative and intimate, as if stepping out of Tucson into a pleasant nook. This is a perfect date place for all you college kids. The chef is right in plain view of the bar and the portions are generous. The menu is creative and fresh. Wild Garlic Grill is an intimate gem just 1.5 years in Tucson. Closed Mondays. visit soon and often so this treasure becomes a Tucson mainstay.
(4)
Saba B.

A former drive-in, Wild Garlic Grill has faced a few design challenges, but I'd crawl through a maze for the food on this menu. We sat at the bar for lunch, and watched jealously as mouth-watering plates piled sky high with a dizzying, colorful array of fresh veggies, plaintain chips, lamp chops and roasted chicken made their way into the dining room. The chefs take great pride in their craft, and it's fun to watch them swirling and flipping like goateed picassos, a pinch of garlic here, a splash of sauce there. I'm just worried they'll go out of business at these prices. I loved the grilled portobello salad, chock full of thick, well-seasoned mushrooms, Willcox tomatoes, goat cheese and tossed in a berry coulis. It was big enough for three meals. My partner had the grilled shrimp salad with warm brie and corn salsa in a sweet, heavenly buerre blanc, a behemoth which he still polished off completely. At under $12, the size of the salads is impressive. Our server was knowledgeable and personable, and she juggled the many tables and bar like a seasoned circus performer. I hope Chef Schultz can muster up a design team to tie in the patio, knock out a few stodgy walls, and modernize this venue. Ride the Wild Garlic, feel its power...
(5)
Tracy C.

This is such a nice restaurant in a rundown location. I almost didn't walk in because from the outside it looks a little suspect. I'm glad I did because the dÃ©cor inside was like a cute French restarant. The food was also lovely, very refined for this area. I hope they survive here but It may be tough for them in this first ave location.
(4)
Peter G.

My wife and I found this place on Yelp, and based on its ratings, went by to have lunch. The outside looks like an old drive-in joint; the inside is a bit better, but not upscale by any means. However, when you look at the menu, and then try some dishes, this place is an absolute gem! My wife had a beet salad, and I a garlic fondue, both were wonderful. Then we both had the caldo de porko (a port stew) that was as good as any we have ever had. We took 2/3 of the caldo home for dinner so we wouldn't miss a drop! We'll be going back.
(4)
Joe L.

Food, GREAT! Service, the WORST I have ever experienced. Service was extremely poor. The staff did not attempt to improve or correct their mistakes even after 3 attempts on my part to politely notify them that we were left unattended. Ruined my evening, and ruined the birthday dinner celebration for my wife. It's truly unfortunate since the food was very good. It would be very difficult for me to recommend or even return. Food deserves 4.5 stars. Service -3.5. That's why it gets a 1* from me.
(1)
Dale D.

Went there for the first time tonight. Was amazed by the service, my drink (Sidecar), and the food. We ate the striped sea bass special. It was perfectly cooked and had a great sauce. We were there early and sat at the bar looking into the kitchen. Will go back soon.
(5)
Robert H.

Saw an ad in the paper about the grand opening of the WGG. Love Garlic so we decided to go. Arrived at 5:30pm Sunday and the parking lot was full so I parked next door in the "Labor Ready" lot. The outside of the place looked like an old Drive In Root Beer stand and that's exactly what it use to be. Went in and the hostess asked if we had a reservation. I said no and we were seated immediately. I ordered the garlic cheese fondue figuring it would take a while for our meal to come due to the full house. The noise in the dinning room was almost too much for us so I checked the patio for seating but the outside patio was filled. The sound level got bearable when the drinkers started eating. Our waitress seemed frazzled and did not pay much attention to our table. Probably because we weren't buying the bottles of wine that I saw on most tables. The cheese fondue had a great flavor to it. We waited a while for our food, watching the attractive dishes being served at other tables. When the two Tilapia's and my Sea Bass arrived, we were starved. WOW, the Bass was fabulous with excellent sauce and the Tilapia was some of the best ever, per my wife and friend. Photos will be posted for your pleasure. You will get a kick out of the sign in front. If you look at the outside and decide not to try it, you will be missing one of the best meal's of your life! Reasonable prices, could be due to the low rent district. Works for me!
(4)
Sonya R.

Omg, so tasty! Had the shrimp for an appetizer then had the salmon so good and my friend had the ahi tuna delicious!
(5)
Andrew R.

Update 4/30/14: Figured I'd mention that I sent an email to the restaurant on 3/21/14 about the mashed potatoes. I just reviewed what I said and it was cordial but I never received a reply. The email went to the address listed on their website. It seems Chef Schultz just doesn't care. Not a good sign. Downgrading from 2 starts to 1 star.
(1)
Deb P.

Awesome food good, service too and the prices where very good. We will be back here for sure. Mushroom soup was good, mussels too and I had the caldo of pork and fondue was good too. We are happy campers. They also have a good beer list not huge but good same with the wine
(5)
J V.

Honestly some of the things on the menu sounded heavenly even some of the specials were REALLY appealing. I will start this out with-I was having a rough day to start with. The server that decided to take my friend and I was nice enough. There were quite a few things in disarray and the excuse was made that they just opened. I'm not sure that is a valid reason for a place serving meals that cost in the upwards of $23 a plate. My friend and I sat on the patio and there were employee conversations going on...sort over our heads with a young woman server that was out on her cell phone when not chatting it up with the co-worker. Our server was trying to be as helpful as he could be and even brought out a sample of the soup of the day. I ordered the tilapia off of the menu and asked if I could have it sans the tomato. The server explained that the tomato, onion, and basil was a pre-made bit of "salsa" that was added so it would be hard to not have the tomato without also getting rid of the other bits. I said "Can we just take out the salsa then?" He said "I'm sure we can do that. Just the wine and butter then?" I said "that's great" He then asked about red peppers. I explained that I was allergic to the nightshade family and that I was sorry for being a pain. He said that he understood because of his own allergies. The food finally came out and he said "There's a red pepper puree on the top." At this point I was down right irritated. I truly thought this had been discussed. He DID promptly remove the plate and promise to fix it but unfortunately I had reached my saturation level. I'm not really sure that the staff match the concept. I would have felt more comfortable with the behavior of the staff at maybe Roccos....which I LOVE but is a little more laid back atmosphere. I walked out after telling them not to bother with re-making my dish and I feel like an asshole for that-and maybe I am-but damn...after a conversation about an ALLERGY to something it didn't make any sense at all for it to be put IN ANY FORM on the plate.
(2)
Jennifer L.

Great food. Wait staff was very pleasant and attentive. Inside decor surprisingly pleasant.
(4)
Scott T.

First time I visited I wasnt impressed, so I thought I should give it another shot. Still the same. Very poor service, so-so food, and very small, crowded, and loud dining area. Tucson has tons of better restaurants. And cmon--lousy service is the easiest change you can make. Train them or fire them!
(2)
Karlen R.

Took a date here the other night. Lots of energy, I had the Sea Bass special and it was one of the best fish specials I've had in town. Service was great and wine was varied but not overwhelming. Would absolutely recommend.
(5)
Tyler F.

I can't begin to explain how delicious & pleasant my experience was. As I stepped into the establishment my friend & myself decided we'd like to watch the Chef cook & talk with the employees so we sat at the Bar. The head Chef Steve comes from a French Culinary School & has over 30 years of fine dining experience. We were greeted by the most congenial woman I've met in Tucson by the name of Stacey. If you go, my best advice is to ask for her & I promise you, you'll be taken care of the right way. As I chatted with her we began talking about her previous endeavors in her career & it was easy to tell she has incredible knowledge not only with her food but also beverages. We started with a Gin/Cucumber/Lime cocktail with fresh basil & mint with the best muscles I've ever had. Be sure to have their delicious bread next to you so you can savior last drop of their muscle's sauce. We then tried their beet salad which for me was an incredible surprise. The flavors of truffle oil, goat cheese, organic vegetables & fresh beets were to die for. By this time my friend & myself were questioning how we were going to last for the main dish, however, our taste glands couldn't say no. We then tried a Salmon dish & also a Lamb dish which took our breathes away. My best advice would to come in & try their food because the staff, food & professionalism can't be explained thru simple text. This is my new favorite spot in Tucson if not the entire state of Arizona! Highly recommend.
(5)
Renee J.

I was pleasantly surprised regarding the food. Everything we had was very good, arrived hot and the portions were very well sized. I think we even had some left for take-home. My only complaint would be the decor. The lack of cohesiveness was a bit over whelming. I feel like working on the inside may go a long ways.
(4)
Yves J.

This is a nice quaint establishment. Don't be fooled by the outside. The server was excellent. The food was not bad. I had the Salmon. It is a good dish for a decent price. The vegetable medley of Kale, red onion, snow peas was a bit salty and the Kale was a bit hard. Nevertheless, it wasn't bad. The mushroom soup is great. The Risotto...very good...a little salty. My wife had the rib selection. I think they boil their ribs prior to cooking them. They had a sort of Tony Romano type of feel but not as good. They were tender but not to tasty. The chili BBQ wasn't bad. I don't think the chili was infused in the BBQ. I tasted a the chili powder on the parts of the ribs that didn't have sauce on them. I will go back to give them another chance.
(3)
J J.

Likely the best restaurant in Tucson currently. Outside the building is a vintage burger drive-in. Inside it's a foodies delight. The space is cozy and well done. The food is exceptional! The menu selection is great. A spectrum of deliberate choices. It's clear the chef knows his craft. Sit in the bar area to watch the chefs work and to enjoy the beautifully plated food as it's prepared. There's always several interesting specials. I'd like to keep it my secret, but judging by the number if cars in the lot, the secret is already out.
(4)
Jennifer D.

My husband will tell you I make the best bolognese, now we both think Wild Garlic Grill does. GREAT evening.
(4)
Danny S.

I'm not sure how many of you had the pleasure of visiting the establishments that preceded the Wild Garlic Grill in this quirky spot on 1st Ave., but if you did, then you're in for quite a shock. Where there once was a divey greasy spoon, and before it a ramshackle Jamaican joint, there is now one of the best new restaurants in town. The interior has been so completely redesigned that I almost couldn't believe I was in the same place, and the food has jumped up a number of levels as well. You owe it to yourself to check this place out. When you go, the first thing you should notice is that they are charging obscenely little for everything on the menu. You can get a big plate of barbecued ribs, delicious homemade potato salad, and some yummy sauteed greens for $14 -- FOURTEEN DOLLARS! They also make an enormous and killer salad with lots of grilled veggies and goat cheese for $12 that fed Amy for two days. We've really enjoyed their grilled salmon dish (which I'm really glad I ordered, given that it doesn't sound that interesting on the menu -- trust me, it's not something you could make at home), and we've also been happy to break the bank for their $24 lamb shank special, which seriously rivals the masterpiece at Tavolino (I should point out that Tavolino's lamb shank is probably my favorite food item in Tucson, so this is not faint praise). We haven't had as much of an opportunity to explore the cocktail menu, though we did adore the Sidecar. So here's the bottom line: the Wild Garlic Grill is serving some of the best food in Tucson, and they're charging about as much for it as you'd pay at Applebees. Go get some before they wise up and start raising their prices!
(5)
Michael L.

This place was awesome! I sat at the bar and Eric the bartender was great. They had a great happy hour with specials. I was also able to eat at the bar. I had fall off the bone ribs and my friend had the sea bass special that was out of this world. I will definitely be back as the food, service and value was awesome. Steve the chef was really nice as well. Give this place a shot!
(5)
Steve C.

A great little place. Friendly wait staff who are attentive to your needs. We were celebrating our anniversary and got a special treat...chocolate, flour less torte. Food was very good and generous. Had the left overs for lunch today. We sat outside on their screened patio and it was very pleasant. Great celebration.
(5)
Megan D.

This place was pretty good. I went with two girlfriends after a long day at work. We all had wine - the pours were huge for a cheap price. Starting off great. Bread and butter served - still delicious. All of the food was delicious. I had the lamb shank, and it was practically falling off the bone. The other friends had the wild sea bass and the pasta. We all shared dinners, and it was almost gone by the end of dinner. I had read that dinner here was pretty cheap - meals range from $12 - 19 on the menu. I was really surprised when my meal and my friends meal ended up being $23 each. They were on the 'specials' list, but knowing the average price of the other meals, and since these were very similar in content, we expected them to be about the same price. All in all, a meal for 3 was over $100 - a little high for my taste.
(3)
Steven R.

My wife and I had a date night today and thoroughly enjoyed the Wild Garlic Grill. Everything about it is wonderful -- the food is positively to die for, the service was terrific, and the setting was totally unpretentious, which we especially appreciated. Whoever owns this place took what appears to have been a dive of a building and converted it into a top-notch restaurant, without all the over-the-top remodeling. The result is truly great food in a totally laid back atmosphere. My wife had a steak and I had the sea bass -- both were BEYOND excellent. For an appetizer, we had the cheese fondue with bread, and the cheese was so good my wife was eating it with a spoon when we got to the bottom of the dish. Insane, totally insane. Anyone who rates this place below four or five stars is way too picky to be writing reviews. We'll be back -- over and over again -- and we live way out in Vail, so it's obviously well worth the drive to us!
(5)
Roberta H.

This place it outstanding. The staff is friendly and geniuely concerned about the customer. We were seated at a table and got up to asked to be moved to a different table. The bartender offered for us to sit at the bar and keep him company. What a great idea. Food is outstanding and the price is very reasonalbe. I will come back and recommend Wild Garlic Grill to everyone.
(4)
Tauhid R.

Fantastic food. Very low key ambience. Just like I like it. Satisfaction to price ratio is fantabulous!
(5)
David B.

I really like the food especially the seafood items but the service has been terrible both times I have been there. Our food has taken over an hour to come out. We had empty water glasses the entire meal and no one ever checked on the table. We spoke with the manager and she didn't really seem to be alarmed by her staffs poor customer service.
(1)
Marla J.

What a great night of food. We ordered the soft shell crab for an appetizer--melt in your mouth with a wonderful sauce underneath.I ordered the mussels with a side of fries for my main dish, my husband ordered the ahi tuna. Steve Shultz the chef continues to amaze us. We have followed him for years throughout Tucson. The staff was great also. On the patio was a great music group to round out our evening. Not the high end atmosphere of some of Steve's places, but for us it is all about great food. Definitely worth your visit. Don't be afraid to sit at the bar either--fun night!
(5)
James T.

Outstanding food and a small but acceptable wine list. We ordered a red zin from the dry erase board and loved it. We started with a portobello and goat cheese appetizer that was elegant and balanced. My companion had the braised pork shoulder and I had the Bolognese. Both were extremely well executed. As an aside, I pride myself on a quite authentic Bolognese and, while different, Wild Garlic's was no less good. Go for the food, not the ambiance. Service was excellent. Food was fabulous. Price was unexpectedly reasonable. I would have paid double for this meal in Portland or Seattle.
(5)
Danielle S.

Ive been there twice (in one week because its that good) and I highly recommend it. The Gilroy Swiss Fondue was perfect. The bowl of mushroom soup was exceptional and is enough for two people. The Linguini Bolognese comes in a huge portion and was delicious. The ribs were the BEST ribs I've ever had anywhere. The steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get. The chef and waitstaff are very personable. If you sit at the bar you can watch the chef make your meal. They also have hibiscus tea and great wine choices. I'm adding Wild Garlic to my list of top favorite places and I'll definitely be coming back. The ribs would be my top recommendation hands down.
(5)
Tom A.

The food is fabulous! We sat at the bar waiting for some friends and enjoyed watching chef Steve and his crew. We felt like we were part of the staff since the bar seats are right next to the kitchen. A fun spot and if we didn't have friends coming, we probably would just have had our meal there! We were seated on the patio for dinner which is a great open space but was a little cold for my wife so we asked to be seated inside. The staff was very accommodating and that's a great sign of a well run restaurant. Four of us had different meals and the portions and quality were excellent. We are looking forward to a return visit. Top note to all the staff who were friendly and thanked us for coming. Made us feel great.
(5)
Julie W.

Simply excellent!!
(5)
Foodie A.

Wonderful food, large portions and great prices! The garlic swiss fondue is delicious!
(5)
Steve C.

A great place with really good service and a friendly wait staff. The outside is nothing to look at and you wonder if you should try it....,definitely do. We ate in the covered outdoor dining area and was most pleasant. We were celebrating our anniversary and got extra nice treatment. Our dessert was to die for...a chocolate flour less torte. It was really yummy.
(5)
Sally S.

Food great. Other average. Lamb, seafood stew and burger great. Fondue great but too thin. Prices reasonable. Our waiter James great. Organization horrible. Front door entry is through a narrow bar area with no hostess station or sign telling you where to wait or sign in. Hostess was doing everything except standing at a hostess station - busing, delivering food, etc. so customers were asking each other what the process was and hoping they didn't get overlooked. It created a lot of anxiety for customers who felt confused and in the way of the wait staff. My daughter hated the chaos and wanted to leave immediately. We talked her into staying but the wait for food was over 45 minutes so she never enjoyed the experience. If 1 out of 3 in our group wanted to leave that may mean that 1/3 of your customers leave or never come back for non-food issues. They also ran out of steak and some alcoholic beverages while we were there. You need a hire someone to run the staff with strong organization skills and even though your space is small - rearrange. Put a hostess stand our front with some benches for people to wait or make a formal hostess stand at the back entrance again with benches for people to wait.
(3)
Steve G.

Big disappointment, we stopped in for lunch last Thursday about 1:30 and asked to be seated in the outdoor section, there was one other couple. I think the bus person took the afternoon off as half the tables were not cleared. It took about 15 minuets to get a menu and it was downhill from there. No water until after we placed our order and what a witch, not very nice. We both ordered the Portobello sandwich, one with fries and the other with potato salad, the potato salad looked like something my dog thru up and did not taste very good, the fries were not much better. The bun on the sandwich's were white Wonder Bread if that. We did not see the server at all during our lunch and we had to go in to the dinning room to get a check. With all the great reviews. possibly we caught them on a bad, will not be back to find out.
(1)
Beth M.

This was a pleasant surprise. Don't let the neighborhood or building scare you off. The food is phenomenal, great prices, outstanding service. I had the ribs with mashed potatoes. Meat fell off the bone. My friend had the cabrilla fish. So delish!
(5)
alan m.

Three of ate there last evening. While the restaurant may lack ambience, the food was exceptionally good. We were all pleased! The menus has many choices plus there were appetizer and entree specials. I had the lamb shank- it was great as was my Caesar salad . Further, the prices were very, very reasonable. We will be back!!
(4)
Dale Y.

I have visited this restaurant 5 times and each time the service has been terrible. They never have enough waiters. Our last visit was for lunch and it took over 45 minutes to get served when only 3 tables were occupied. The food does not make up fpr such poor service.
(2)
Bart H.

Although the physical plant is low budget and the prices quite reasonable, the quality of the food and presentation were as good if not better than found in more expensive $$$ eateries. My salmon was cooked perfectly with a wonderful yet subtle sauce and tasty risotto. Our server was high energy and attentive even though she had a lot to handle. The wine and beer selections were adequate and well chosen. Bottom line - this place should be using cloth napkins and table coverings as the quality of the food deserves it, but then again it's very affordable as it is.
(4)
Ricardo V.

Went in on a Thursday evening. The place was packed so I sat at the bar. I had the salmon and a signature cocktail. The kitchen is open so you can watch the chef prepare the food. The lamb shank looked great and so did the sea bass. I plan on going back for the seafood stew it looked great. The prices are very good as well for the taste, quality and portions.
(5)
Terry S.

Having lived in the neighborhood for years and watched restaurants come and go from this location, we decided to try this incarnation on their first day. We were pleasantly surprised! The menu looks fantastic, the prices are reasonable and the service is good. We had the Gilroy garlic Swiss fondue starter that was tasty but had a hint of burnt garlic to it. The wine/garlic poached tilapia in a bag was delicious as well as the seafood stew. Good winelist. We will be back for sure and have already told friends about our experience.
(4)
Bill D.

Great place! Great food! But if you walk in with a stick up your butt you probably won't enjoy the atmosphere. ;) Loved the grilled shrimp appetizer as well as the cheese fondue. Bread was warm and fresh. Service was perfection. Linguine bolognese was a bargain at $12.00! Full bodied and very meaty! Make a reservation if you don't want to wait on a busy night. However I've been twice on a Friday night without a res and was seated quickly both times. ( just lucky and only two up). Yes they will ask you if you have a reservation. Duh! That way if you do have a reservation they can mark the reservation as arrived! Standard procedure for any busy restaurant. LOVE THIS PLACE! Really enjoy the closeness of the atmosphere and have had interesting conversations with those we are lucky enough to have been seated next to. Have dined inside and outside. Outside had live guitar playing in the background which was a very nice touch.
(5)
Kathryn T.

Oh, where do I start with my new love affair? We live close to Wild Garlic, so we go often. The bar is the place to sit, so you can watch Chef Steve create and what a wizard! He and his kitchen staff have it down pat. The bartender Erik, is really cool and always has some good wine suggestion for me. The food? Oh, man. I am obsessed with the Rosemary Chicken and mashed potatoes. I also love the summer salad that they have been serving lately. Truly, you can't go wrong with anything you order here. I have to admit that I have never had dessert because I am just too full by the time dinner is done. Do yourself a favor and try this the next time you want something new. Oh, did I mention that the prices are AMAZING? Bravo!!!
(5)
Y D.

Since we had been to the Wild Garlic a few times, we felt comfortable to introduce it to friends who had heard us speak of the quality of the food. Well, last night was not a good introduction. Total chaos. Even though we had reservations, it took a very long time to sit our group of six. We had requested a quiet table but we were seated right next to the live music. Appetizers came quickly but we had to wait one hour for the entrees. Actually, one in the group waited one hour and ten minutes... My husband and I ordered the same dish but had different outcomes! Apparently there was a problem with personnel in the kitchen and we paid the price for that. Our waiter was great. No complaints there. He kept bringing us bread and butter but, of course, he had no control over the kitchen. By the way, the back room (a first for us) was cold - it was a cold evening - with absolutely no ambiance. We were quite disappointed. Fortunately, Tucson has many good restaurants. We have other choices.
(2)
Monica F.

The Wild Garlic Grill has the best sea bass I have ever eaten. The risotto is divine. The portions are large so I got two great meals out of it. The fish reheated wonderfully. Definitely will go back. The shrimp appetizer is fantastic. Don't let the outside fool you support local chef Steve Schultz it's worth it.
(5)
S R.

We had reservations to celebrate a birthday party at 6pm, and this was supposed to be a great family-friendly restaurant...but we were very wrong. Despite the food that we actually got 1h and 45 minutes after arriving(one at a time with at least 20 minutes before the entrees that were being brought to the first and last person at our table) was good, overall dining experience was simply terrible. Our server was clueless about service... After our attempts to address what was going on with the owner, she looked at me and said "this is fine dining and not the restaurant for kids"...seriously? Cant believe that the owner was so rude, how can anyone expect anything from the staff given that this is the attitude of the owner herself. We will never go back as there is no food that is worth paying for given such disrespectful, awful and painful experience. There are plenty of restaurants that do their best in regards to the customer service and this one is so far away from them-DONT GO
(1)
Leila V.

I found this restaurant by accident while I was looking for Moroccan. This place was the best food I've had since I ate at Chef Ramsay's in Las Vegas. My husband, son and I drove all the way from Glendale, AZ. Let me tell you, the 2hr drive was worth it. The food is amazing and the waiter, Tom, was so attentive and hard working. We are already making plans for our next drive to the Wild Garlic Grill.
(5)
Holly B.

I love Wild Garlic Grill. I have been many times and have always had good food. I have tried too many dishes put down in this review. Everything I have had has been FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! Whether I come by myself or with a friend I always sit at the bar. I not only get good food and drinks and our server Eric but I like the floor show of the kitchen. I will mention the Blue Smurf is fun and Lemoncello cake is out of this world. I do not have any complaints, well maybe one I just hope that I am always going to be able to get a table. With food like this and a great staff Wild Garlic Grill may run out of room.
(5)
Jackie C.

Amazing fondu, great food overall at reasonable prices. Quaint atmosphere.
(5)
Pilar L.

Always been a fan of Steve Schultz, and was happy to see him in operation once again! Did not disappoint. Location wise, I needed to get over 30 years of memories of past restaurants. Once inside, all bad thoughts went away. Very quaint, tasteful, and comfortable. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the chef in action. Service was efficient and friendly, food was amazing. The mussels were as fresh tasting as could be. Lovely balance of garlic and wine in the mussels, grilled shrimp, and fondue-delish!!! Can't wait to come back for dinner.
(5)
Lauren D.

I am so glad I found this place when looking for a spot for Mothers Day dinner! We started off with a super tasty fondue; our friendly waiter gave us more bread when we had cheese leftover after the first round. The entrees were delicious and the prices were less than what you'll find anywhere else for a dinner of this quality. The atmosphere was inviting and casual yet fancy enough for a special night out!
(5)
J.O. T.

Great food, great drink and great service. The leg of lamb was superb.
(5)
Charles B.

What a great find, Wonderful food good service.
(5)
Binky L.

Must try - WGG is just the place for Tucsonans - casual, with great food.
(5)
Donna Z.

I have been in several times now and have not been disappointed once. You may read that some people dont like the neighborhood, well its my neighborhood and we are very pleased that The Wild Garlic Grill is here. I especially love that they chose a location that is so old here in Tucson. Instead of a yuppy new building, its in a old drive thru burger place that has been empty for a while. They turned the big giant root beer mug into a mug of beer. I love it! I always start with the beet salad, there is no place in town where one can get a beet salad and it has warmed goats cheese! My favorite food is lamb shank but I have never had theirs, I cant get past the fish! When I go to the Wild Garlic Grill, I want fish because this guy really cooks the fish the way I like it. The other day i went in for lunch, had a bbq chicken salad that came with oranges and greens and many yummy things. At first i thought I would hate the oranges but they were sweet, juicy and a perfect mix in that salad. I sat at the bar and watched the chef and his assistant do their thing, lots of fun! It might not be for everyone but it is a special place for me.
(5)
Decker A.

Steve continues his record of serving fantastic food! We had the sea bass, seafood stew and chicken. All were excellent. Service was very good. The only problems are the parking and the noise level.
(5)

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Address : 2530 N 1st Ave
Tucson, AZ, 85719
Phone (520) 206-0017
Website https://www.wildgarlicgrill.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Wild Garlic Grill

2530 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719

Wild Garlic Grill Menu

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