The Watering Hole- San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Review summary

1. J

   Jordan

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   I proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancé) at the Watering Hole yesterday. The staff was AMAZING and very helpful in pulling it off. I had some friends get there early and the staff helped them find a hiding spot for them until I popped the question. They even asked other guests to stay clear of the outlook for me while I did my thing! The bartender also came up to me and asked if I wanted her to take a video of the event. When we got there, they seated us at a table for 2 (despite my reservation for 8 people), to add to the illusion that it was just the two of us. I did the proposal, my friends came out, we celebrated, then the staff brought us over to our large table and already had champaign poured for us! Absolutely amazing staff that were genuinely excited to help me pull off the proposal. 10/10. The only negative thing I can speak to is the communication beforehand. I tried calling them the day before (I know, it was on me that it was last minute, but there were outside circumstances that lead to that), but no one answered the phone. I left a voicemail explaining the situation, but never received a call back. I was especially worried because on the voicemail line it stated any parties of over 6 people, could not be booked through OpenTable, and had to be reserved over the phone. Seeing as though I had a party of 8, I just had to hope for the best. Fortunately, once my friends got there and verified everything, everything went exceptionally.
   

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2. W

   William

   St. Louis

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Amazing open air dining overlooking the animals of Africa!
   

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3. F

   Frank

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   The best place to dine, have some nice drinks, and a breathtaking view over square miles of open animal habitat! Least expensive trip to enjoy the African Serengeti ...
   

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4. K

   Kathleen

   San Diego

   22 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Miso and salmon salad was fabulous. Views are amazing!
   

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5. D

   Donald

   Palm Springs

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   We were greeted with a smile and cheerful spirit. The host was helpful and polite. The view from our table was terrific. The waitress was friendly and checked on us several times. This was not our first visit nor will be our last.
   

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6. J

   Julie

   San Diego

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   Savanah greeted us warmly and maintained a friendly and professional demeanor throughout the meal. She paid attention to our needs ensuring drinks were refilled promptly and checking in at just the right moments.
   

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7. L

   Linda

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   Beautiful outdoor venue at the Safari Park. Expensive for lunch, but the food was good. Service was a little slow but I think they were short-handed as so many businesses are now. Delightful experience,
   

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8. D

   Dolores

   San Diego

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on November 24, 2024

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

   From this restaurant you can view rhinos, giraffes and other animals at Safari Park. However, it is a very poorly run place. We had reservations and we were seated. Another group in front of us with no reservations was told they had a 45 minute wait or they could sit at a small table on the fake lawn. They were served their food way before us. We waited an hour and half for our lunch. The adult food was good to ok. The kids chicken tenders were mushy and flavorless.They charged plenty for the kids meals and basically it was the same food at any place in the park.We definitely would not return to eat there again. It has great potential, but they need to learn how to be a restaurant and not a fast food establishment with super slow wait times.
   

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9. C

   Catherine

   San Diego

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on November 22, 2024

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

   Our waiter was excellent and the waitress Vu remembered us from last time we were there and came to talk to us. So lovely.
   

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10. A

    Allen

    San Diego

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

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

    Vu provided wonderful service today. We lover dining here and the food was terrific. Thanks to everybody who works there. The greeter was friendly and professional as well.
    

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