L
Laura
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley1 review
- Overall 1
- Food 1
- Service 1
- Ambience 3
Disappointing service and missed expectations, especially for families
I chose Duke’s hoping for a kid-friendly spot with the winning trio of good food, ocean views, and an easygoing vibe. Unfortunately, from the moment we checked in, almost everything fell short.
Reservation confusion despite empty tables
We booked ahead and arrived to see walk-ins being quoted a 45-minute wait, even though there were more than enough empty tables. At check-in I confirmed we’d reserved an outdoor table with ocean views, but the host asked us to “wait in the hallway” until our exact reservation time. When the confirmation text finally came, the same host, visibly irritated, told us to go upstairs and “ask the other host” if our table was ready.
Upstairs there was no host. When he appeared, he asked my name, and guided us to a table wedged between the interior and patio with only a sliver of the ocean in sight, hardly what we’d requested.
Basic family touches were missing. No crayons were available anywhere, and no one offered to look. The kids’ menu lists “cheddar” but arrives with a white cheese that most picky eaters won’t touch. Small detail, big headache.
Staff interactions ranged from curt to openly annoyed. Our server took 20 minutes just to bring water and then vanished. Throughout the meal, neighboring tables voiced similar frustrations.
Thursday’s advertised surf-and-turf special didn’t match what the kitchen was willing to serve, and the suggested “substitution” conveniently cost more. Between that and the kids’ cheese swap, it felt like accuracy, and value, weren’t priorities.
If you want genuine hospitality, reliable menu descriptions, and the ocean view La Jolla is famous for, spend a little more and head to Eddie V’s. Duke’s has potential, but until the hosting, service, and menu honesty improve, it’s not worth the hassle, especially with kids.