I am the first to admit, Denny's is not an instant choice of mine when it's time to grab some grub. I hadn't been to this particular location in about eight years, until a friend wanted some cheap late-night eats last month. And while the meal went well enough, it admittedly had some hiccups.
Service was mediocre, with our waitress coming and going at an inconsistent pace. Sometimes we were checked on often, sometimes we were left waiting for a chance to place an order or to ask for a refill. The place didn't seem particularly busy either, but in fairness, perhaps something else was going on and keeping her busy behind the scenes?
The food was sadly just as "hot and cold" as the service. My friend and I split our meals that night: a burger, a side salad, party nachos, and a grilled steak skewer. The burger and skewer were actually pretty good - I would say my skewer was even great, featuring well cooked and seasoned steak, all served on a lovely stack of hot fresh vegetables and crispy potatoes. My friend called her burger "fine", so, an average burger it must have been. But as for the salad, I could only enjoy a single bite before turning it over to my friend; it was dripping in dressing. Most disappointing, however, were the nachos, as the chips tasted stale - so stale that their pile of meat and toppings could not make up for it. Something that stake has no place in any kitchen.
Disappointments there may have been, but as I mentioned, the main courses were actually pretty good. I felt that Denny's delivered an a-ok experience overall. Plus, I also got a large, cheap meal out of the deal. Fine dining it is not, but I'd consider returning for a budgeted meal again, now that I know more about what to expect (and avoid). Perhaps next time I can see how a breakfast course compares!