Raissa's Site

I have been hearing about this restaurant from from siblings, from my cousins back in the Philippines. All of them really good reviews. As they savor in the dishes that they have tasted, I am left to wonder when I would actually be able to taste it. I was content in the thought that when I go home, I will make sure to eat there. Then, while in the Bay Area early this year I saw that there's already a Gerry's Grill there. But, I was still not able to eat there. No time plus with all that relatives it didn't make any sense going to a restaurant when we can have home-cooked meals. Then, a few months back, I saw the banner that they will be opening a restaurant in Southern California. Yay! And my good luck continues because it will be in the place that is so accessible to me. Its actually in the same location as my favorite Thai restaurant. Anticipation was brewing each time I would go to the Thai place and see the developments that were happening in the place. Last week, I was told that they were already open. What? How come I didn't know about this? Its only a soft opening. But soft or grand opening, I knew I had to plan a day to eat there. So finally we did last Sunday.

The place was packed and we were lucky enough to still be included in the lunch list. I think they only took two more after us. My sister was informed that it would be a 45 minutes to an hour wait. Oh my! We were all hungry since it was past noon already. My cousin, who has eaten there said that they usually just say that its a 45 minutes to an hour wait but in reality its quicker that that. True enough, we didn't stay under the cold and rain for long and we were called.

The layout of the restaurant is spacious. There is good enough room for people to move around in between tables. So thats a good sign. We were helped as soon as we were seated. Since we already knew what we wanted, we made it easy for our server (Kelly) when we just gave him the list of what we wanted: sizzling gambas, grilled squid, sizzling sisig, adobong spinach, pork barbeque and garlic rice. The food came in record time and all at the same time. Great service. My only complain is the tables are narrow for a family style way of eating. We only ordered five kinds and we had to be creative in such a way that we don't end up with broken plates or what have you. The sizzling gambas was a bit spicy but has a good taste. There was a good enough number of shrimps to serve five people. The grilled squid was perfect. It was grilled to my liking, just enough that it wasn't gummy. The marinade and the sauce that came with it were really good too. The sizzling sisig to which I have been told Gerry's Grill is known for was flavorful. Initially, another cousin said that it was dry but ours wasn't. I guess because my cousin B worked her magic by adding some Knorr seasoning. The spinach was good as well. Now, the pork barbeque, I have been used to ordering pork barbeque and getting a load of fat or they come really tiny. This one though is different. It was lean and the cuts of meat were pretty big. The marinade was really good as well. One cup of the garlic rice was big but since we were all hungry, we got 6 cups instead of just having each one of us get one cup. As if all that food wasn't enough, we had some dessert: buco pandan salad. The service was impeccable. My hot tea and that of my cousin was refilled constantly. Two servers actually ended up catering to us. I don't have pictures because we were really hungry to stop and take pictures. Next time perhaps. The prices are really reasonable and considering that I was still full until dinner time and I only paid that much for five people is really something.

We were stuffed after our meal. The food was really good and we didn't wait really long for our meal considering that there were a lot of people. How did we end up having this really great service? well, time to fess up. I think what made us get a good service from the staff was because my cousin, B who went there a week before didn't have a really good experience. Yes, the food was good but the service was not that satisfactory. The vegetable dish she ordered came late or didn't come at all. The crab rice she ordered came in late as well but they did give her a discount for this dish. Despite all these, she still gave a pretty good tip but without letting the staff know in a nice way that she would have left more had the service been better. She added that the food is good but the service needs some improving. So when we went last Sunday, some of the staff recognized her and they did pretty much everything to make our visit this time a pleasant one. They sure made up for the dismal service she got. Made up for it so much that our dessert was actually compliments of the server (Ramil) that B knew. Not only that, B asked for this special sauce that the executive chef makes and sure enough the executive chef, Sheryl made it for her.

Should we expect the same impeccable service? Sure! They made our experience a really nice one, we are more than willing to go back and bring our family and friends along. I think, since we were really appreciative of the service they gave us rather than looking at it as something owed to us, hopefully endeared us to the staff. Besides, the food is really, really good.

Lesson is, there is nothing wrong in complaining or leaving comments or suggestions as long as its given in the most constructive way possible. I think restaurants appreciate that. And I think as long as it wasn't a horrifying experience, give them another chance. I am glad we did. After this experience, I realized that everyone deserves a second chance so I am willing to give this Japanese restaurant another chance if only it was a bit closer to where I live.

Try Gerry's Grill but be prepared to wait and well don't expect too much the first time. They are still finding their bearing. We were just lucky and very grateful. Gerry's Grill USA The link doesnt include the one in Artesia yet. It has the one in the Bay Area but the menu is the same.

Gerry's Grill- Artesia
11710 South Street
Artesia CA
(562) 403-1000

*Lunch and dinner only