My review is totally opposite from Dianne S. from a couple of years ago.
We recently fled the V.I. at Northern and the 101 because the food was never consistent.
I enjoy a good Patty Melt a couple of time per month after a late afternoon or early evening outing at Desert Diamond Casino. I thought I'd found it at the V.I. on Northern, but after a dozen tries I was ready to throw in the towel on Village Inn. Until by chance I found the V.I. on Grand Avenue.
Our past 3 trips have been perfect. I like my Patty Melt on Sourdough, and Parmesan Crusted with a decent serving of grilled onions and they haven't missed yet. Unlike the Northern location where I never knew what to expect. From barely grilled rye, (oops, I forgot to tell the cook), or more grilled onion skin than onion or no grilled onion at all. While my changes to the typical menu preparation are not extraordinary they are well within the doable parameters of a decent grill person.
Why the big difference between these two identical chain eateries? The simple answer is the manager. Tonight it was Cindy. In addition to chatting up the customers, she was also clearing tables and busing dishes. Her work ethic must have be rubbing off on the staff as well, as the place was darned near spotless.
CK