Totally underwhelming...unless you're there for happy hour.
I never understood how Diamondback's passes for fine dining. Sure, the food is decent, the bar is top notch and they sometimes have a nice jazz quartet in the corner, but I always just feel like I'm eating in an annex to Cricket's. Maybe it's the sort of rustic decor. If you want a quiet place to have a special meal, you're going to loathe the high ceilings and loft-like feel to this place. I always find myself talking a bit louder than I'd like to be in a place like this because it's such an open space.
The food on the main menu is pricey--a bit too much so outside of happy hour. My steak was good, but not exactly memorable. I think I enjoyed the side caesar I got with it more since I think I could taste a little hint of anchovy in there.
Happy hour is where Diamondback's shines. All the appetizers are $3, if my memory serves me right--and they're all very yummy. At $3 a plate, it's hard to go wrong.
The bar, as stated earlier, is top notch. I judge bars by how they make my martini. I want decent gin. Very dry. Shaken, not stirred (tee hee), and keep your dang olives and olive juice out of it. So, it's basically gin with a couple drops of vermouth in there. Not only do they have a decent selection of gin (among other things), but the bartender complied with my list of unreasonable requests just fine. (No, I don't actually ask for it shaken, but I will get all "son, I am disappoint" if I don't see a shaker come out shortly after my order goes in. There's just some things you DON'T do, man. Stirring martinis--which end up less cold as a result--are one of 'em.)
Anyway, I got deliciousness, therefore, I was happy.
My only complaint on the bar side would be with those stupid metal martini glasses. They're cute, they're rustic, we get it, you're trying to be "Texan," but stop it. You've got to draw a line somewhere, and this is where I'd do it. Why? Because I can't see the water line in my drink very well. Even though I'm just spilling clear liquid on myself, Betty Bowhead with her frou-frou Pineapple Mango Cranberry Appletini is going to inevitably drizzle radioactive hued booze all over something she doesn't want to, and then we've got a sticky mess on our hands. I keep intending to order my drinks in a nice, clear lowball glass (hopefully these aren't metal, too?), but I always forget. Curse you, bizarre steel glasses. CURSE YOU.
I love Diamondback's Thursday happy hour of $4 select appetizers and $4 select drinks. The service is usually sub-par if you sit outside on the upper deck, but considering it's so cheap, it is not usually a huge problem. I have been twice during non-happy hour times, and felt like the food was average but overpriced. Would HIGHLY recommend happy hour, but I would not recommend regular hour times.
By no means an exaggeration, my assertion that Diamond Backs has the best cocktail bar in town is backed by two simple factors: their liquor quality is unparalleled, and their bartenders know how to make their drinks. I went in there recently for the happy hour specials and ordered El Martini, a familiar style of drink which gives the traditional gin martini a Mexican twist. I've seen this same scene repeated at bar after bar across the state, a bartender or bar-owner decides to offer a drink that combines the delicate balance of the martini with the raw sour shot to the face that is a typical margarita. The results are, predictably, somewhat akin to teaching a hippo to tapdance. Overcompensation for the bright flavors of the lime juice and the strength of the tequila means that the last few dregs of the hybrid drink are almost exclusively olive juice and Cuervo Gold.
Not so at Diamond Backs. The mexican martinis were delicious, and potent enough to make me start to think about the 25 year old Single Malt Scotch (in and of itself a sign of a great bar) batting its' eyes at me from the back row.
Whether I'm going on a very rare hot date to Diamondbacks or enjoying the fabulous Happy Hour, I never leave unsatisfied. You seriously cannot beat the drink and food specials. Even if you cannot afford to have a meal here, you can still enjoy some tasty h'ordeurves.
The service is great and the atmosphere is always a delight. If you catch it at the right hour, you can even enjoy some live jazz guitar.
Lastly, if you ever get the chance, order the bananas fosters. You'll understand what I mean when you do.
But seriously I did see the crew from one of those decorative home improvement shows when my wife and I were at an anniversary dinner. Oh, the food was awesome. I had the filet and it was buttery and tender, cooked to perfection. The sides were also (as far as I remember) not just a side dish, but really complimented the overall taste of the dish. I must say that I appreciate a restaurant that THINKS about its menu and pairings. So if you are in the mood for some smart cuisine, and the possibility of random semi-celeb chance meetings...take a chance, lean back and enjoy some really great food!
Nothin' like getting crunk on some appletinis (just like JD!)
I only like drinking martinis every once in awhile. They aren't my favorite drink, and they don't make me feel classy, necessarily. But, there is something about recessed lighting, light piano jazz, and sliders at the ready that make me want to drink a caramel appletini or two (literally, OR TWO. More than that makes me woozy). If you're thinking about laying out some cash for some steak, I know (from experience when my parents are in town) that the steak lives up to its reputation. Plus, I ordered asparagus with it that time, and I was pleasantly surprised at their buttery crunchiness.
Another great appetizer to enjoy with half off on the day of the martinis is the spinach dip. Okay, I'm kind of hungry now. Good job, Diamondbacks!
I have to agree that Diamond Backs does offer one of the best happy hours in town. Their Thursday specials of $4 signature martinis and half-price appetizers (that are pretty much a meal for me) are great deals - not to mention the atmosphere and live music is pretty great. BUT for a regular meal, or even special occasion dinner, I have to say that the food is NOT worth the price you pay.
I have only had the prime rib and some tortilla soup and salad off the regular menu, and they were good - but not as good as they SHOULD be for the price I paid. My meat was bland (of course, I'm all for bold flavors) and cooked incorrectly - I ordered medium-rare and got well-done (no pink left)- and the side of potatoes was what I expect from a chain restaurant.
I hate to give a negative review, and maybe I hit them on a bad evening, but I have heard many people (some of which WORKED at DBs previously) agree that the food is good, but not as upscale as they try to portray.
The Diamond Backs all night Happy Hour on Thursday is one of the best in Waco. $4 appetizers and $mixed drinks have a wide variety and they are scrumptious! I recommend the Sunshine sushi roll and the Portobello Mushroom quesadillas! You have to eat in the bar section, and sometimes the live music can be too loud for conversation, but overall it is a great night out!
