What a disappointment our dining experience was. We ordered soups and an appetizer and I almost felt like someone was playing a bad joke on us when they were served. The fritter appetizer was comparable to those you might find at sports bars or fast food chains. My friend's soup chicken corn soup was like a concoction of Campbell's soup and leftovers. My carrot ginger soup was served in a worn mug that could have very well been purchased at a Salvation Army store downtown. Both the soups and appetizers had no flavor or depth. Even the bread that they serve is mediocre. Tacky comes to mind on many levels in this restaurant. The manager was condescending to us as we tried to view the art work which was the only redeeming quality of the experience. The restaurant was less than half filled and we stood looking at the works on the wall (a good distance from any customer) only to hear him say "How would you like to try and eat and have someone standing above you?" We were shocked at his rudeness, particularly since we were also one of those who had just eaten there and absolutely would not come too close to a patron eating their meal to view the artwork. At this rate, I expect to see a new restaurant replace this one in the near future.

Bad Management=bad experience
Although I have been a regular at Adams Avenue Grill over the past year and a half, and have put up with minor inconsistencies in quality, I had an experience today which will end the possibility of future visits to this restaurant. Even though there were only a few tables being occupied, our meal took at least 25 minutes to arrive, a which point we noticed some problems. The bun on the turkey burger was incredibly soggy and our salmon wrap was excessively fishy and unpleasant to the nose and the tongue. When I very politely told the manager that I could not eat the wrap on account of it being too fishy, he quickly took it away. When he returned he rudely informed me that he "had taken the wrap off of our bill but that we should know he had already sold five that day and that it was, after all, fish". The last thing I needed after an unpleasant experience was to be spoken to in a condescending manner by the manager. Friends of mine have had problems with this man in the past, but this experince took the cake. I don't reccommend dining at the Adams Avenue Grill unless you enjoy waiting a long time for food of inconsistent quality, and then being treated badly by the management. It's a shame that he is so awful because the restaurant really does have potential to be wonderful if it was run by someone who cared about the customers.
Food: 2
Service: 2
Ambiance: 8
Overall: 2

seems they've lost what they once had
Perhaps Chef Tim's heart is just not in it these days, who knows for sure? It used to be an excellent place to dine, a casual brunch on weekends, a nice cozy dinner for two, or even a business lunch. Now it seems they are under staffed, you feel bad for how rushed the servers seem and in turn you end up feeling rushed or demanding for asking for a drink refill. The food quality ahd taken a nose-dive, but not as badly as the furnishings. The chairs are filthy! Not to mention how sweltering it can feel at times, over the summer it was almost unbearable. The food used to be very creative but not off the charts so as to scare of the novice. These days things are either EXTREMELY spicy, or entirely too complicated. Whoever creates the specials needs to try having a few meals at the Park House Eatery or the Kensington Grill for a little inspiration. And it would behoove the chef to revamp the menu. Not that all the items are misses. The corn chowder with the crab cake is excellent, the penne pasta w/ artichokes, olives, sun dried tomatoes and chicken makes a great lunch, and the carolina pulled pork is to die for. The yankee pots roast is very good, as are the vegeatrian entrees. Actually the soups all seem to be the no fail items, and the desserts are decadent and delicious! Try the key lime pie if you have the occasion, the best I've ever tried!
Recommended: beligium waffles, grits (weekend special), carolina pulled pork sandwich, pastas, yankee pot roast, vegetarian entrees, salads, excellent soups, and incredible desserts!
Food: 4
Service: 6
Ambiance: 4
Overall: 4
- Normal Hts.

Too Trendy
Someone was trying too hard to make the food creative and lost something in their translation. Comfort food should retain what made it comforting to begin with.
Food: 4
Service: 8
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 4

Failed expectations
Didn't find the food lived up to the descriptions, waitstaff was rushed and didn't bring my requested water, after several requests.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ambiance: 2
Overall: 2

Excellent
I'm surprised at the previous reviewer's comments. My aunt took my wife and me to Adams, and we've eaten there a half dozen times or more, since. We also recommend it to friends who will be in the area. Speaking of recommendations, call ahead for prime times or to make reservations. Sunday mornings, early, and after lunch hour are about the only good times to walk in.
Recommended: dessert
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 8

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!
Adams Ave was a spot I'd never made it to, but living in the area for many years I'd always meant to try it (heard mostly good things). Finally ate there last night and was totally let down. My PORK medallions were pink to the point of being bloody(!!) and my wife's "medium" beef dish wasn't even close (practically rare). We sent both dishes back. Someone comes out and says a quick sorry. Was he the manager? Could have been the bus boy for all we knew, because he didn't even identify himself. My pork came back out cooked-but dry (nice brine!) and my wife's beef still returned way undercooked (they threw the same 'bleu cheese and walnut crusted' piece back on the grill which killed the crust - some foods just can't be tossed back onto the grill - what an insult. When we complained that the beef still wasn't up to snuff, the waitress had the gall to try and tell us that the beef was cooked 'more than medium' adding even more insult to injury. That was it, told her we wouldn't be paying for the dish. Of course, my appetite was gone. Check comes right away. No manager, and less the beef dish from the check. Still payed $40 for my uneaten entree, an appetizer and a couple drinks. No offer to comp even a drink or an appetizer. My wife and I are regular diners and we have NEVER had to send something back twice, refused to pay for a dish, AND stiffed a rude server - all of which happened Oct 24 at the Adams Avenue Grill.
Food: 2
Service: 4
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 2
- BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

2003
Penne Chicken with hot wings sauce tamed down by cream. Was very good but the chicken could have been chunkier as I felt it was barely noticable in the pasta and the hot wing sauce could have been tamed down just a bit as it was still very hot. Overall was very good meal, always highly recommended when I come to San Diego.
Food: 6
Service: 10
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 8

Ummmm
Had the Belgian Waffles with Vanilla Whipped Cream & Fruit topping-UMM! Had me craving Vanilla Whipped cream for days. Went back for dinner last week, had corn chowder with crab cake-Loved it. The spicy kick was nice. I'm calling for take-out tonight.
Recommended: Corn Chowder & the Belgian Waffles
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 8

Excellent food, but too noisy!
Excellent food, but too noisy!
Food: 8
Service: 8
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 6