Late night stop as it might be the only place in Capitola with an open kitchen at 9:45 PM! New mom and daughter owners have remodeled the place and the menu. I appreciate how much cleaner it is inside. The onion rings and burgers (fav is #3 and #7) are soooo good, if you like crispy onion rings, nothing like it was before the makeover. The service is also different than before, clearly more professional read more

This had to be the most disappointing thing I've ever gotten from Dairy Queen. The dipped cone looked absolutely awful--lumpy, uneven, and full of weird frozen chunks instead of being smooth and creamy. It honestly looked like it had been dropped, refrozen, and then served anyway. And the pretzel? Embarrassing. It looked like a shriveled-up sea slug someone forgot in a heat lamp--dry, misshapen, and honestly kind of disturbing to even look at. It snapped like cardboard and tasted just as stale. The case of sauce was also sour... I hope it was over due or left in the sun. I don't know what happened back there, but this was less of a treat and more of a regret. Total waste of money and appetite. read more

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Dipper cone - Fast Food Near Me - Capitola, California

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I've been going to the Bay Ave DQ for Decades, but not happy recently. They changed their Hot Fudge, it's TERRIBLE. Then there's false advertising on the menu: It says "upgrage your sundae to a small blizzard for $2", but was charged $2.89. They said "Sorry but it's $2.89 even though the menu says $2" That being said, the staff seems really nice read more

Update on this DQ, service is lacking , the people who work there seem pist off, they make the ice cream like crap but I get it the company puts them on a dumb timer and make them focus on door dash orders and completely ignore customers in the line. The food it could be better if they just get rid of them fry cooks who give you stale recycled microwave food, plus they always argue with bad attitude it throws the ambiance out the door. The actual restaurant if you want to call it that should be up kept better.., but yeah that whole no refills sign wow that's low. Meh will see what changes next time maybe?!.. read more

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I just did something I've never done before. In the middle of a drive-thru order at this Dairy Queen, I got so frustrated with the girl taking my order that I just drove away. I'm a pretty patient guy, and this was a very simple order of four basic menu items. But, for some reason, I had to go through this order multiple times, which I did with patience, imagining that she might be new and learning the register. But even after numerous times, she still got it wrong, and her attitude was pretty crappy. It would've been one thing if she was gracious or even slightly apologetic, but she was neither. Then when I finally said, "Ok... let's take a step back, take a deep breath, and let's start again," she continued to cop an attitude, as if it was me who was screwing up. I knew what I wanted. It was not a complicated order, so I figured she was new - and while mistakes made during a training period are acceptable, copping an attitude is just wrong. So I drove away. I was so annoyed at this interaction that I tried to call the manager, but it went to voicemail. The Dairy Queen on Bay usually has a fine staff, but they'd better start training their employees, or they'll lose their edge in an industry that requires excellent service to survive in this ultra-competitive industry. I don't know what was going on that day, but she'd definitely benefit from training in the proper way to handle customers in the drive-thru. read more

They have the best onion rings in town and their blizzards are fantastic. Their employees are very friendly and courteous. read more

Shocking to hear this location no longer serves Chili cheese fries but they still serve chili cheese dogs? When we just ordered it a few days before. Also, we ordered a plain cheeseburger and they still managed to get it wrong twice! So disappointing read more

The medium ice cream cone is priced up there with Marianne's. OK but my complaint is with the customer service. The young lady on the intercom is rude, cannot understand a simple order for 2 medium vanilla ice cream cones and acts as if it's my fault! I've been patronizing this Dairy Queen for decades. The last year I've noticed a definite change. The staff is not customer friendly anymore. I guess it's a sign of the times. read more

Been reading so many bad reviews & I don't get that. A new owner & her daughter have turned this place around. Much cleaner than before & the food is great. Also, they hire people that enjoy the job, unlike the employees of the previous ownership. Tom read more

Must stop for blizzards , peanut butter cookie and fav. Brownie batter was blah Peach cobbler not at all peachy Skip the food read more

Good ole' DQ. So many locations have been closing so I'm taking full advantage of this one while it's still around. I typically come here for their blizzards and I get the same one every time, their cookies and cream blizzard it's so damn good (it's unreal, you should try it) so I can't really speak about the overall menu since I only come here for one specific item. I would like to say the employees here are very fast and efficient. I've never had a bad experience. Thank DQ you're awesome! read more

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Cookies and cream blizzard - Fast Food Near Me - Capitola, California

This use to be my family's go to spot, but as of late it's service has rapidly declined. I've also noticed if you go during the day and weekends around lunchtime to be the best times to go. The young men and women who operate the restaurant during those hours either enjoy their job or the environment because you can taste the difference in the cooking and as well as the ice cream treats. These were supposed to be BLIZZARDS!!! I've never seen one with a lid! The young lady handed it to me dripping out of the sides. Normally I'm greeted with an upside down BLIZZARD and an eager smile. Today not so much. There was only 1 car ahead of me and the restaurant wasn't busy at all. But you sure enough can hear them all gossiping in the back kitchen area. I wish they paid more attention to their jobs like they do the gossip. Maybe then the food service and quality will go back up.. read more

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I went in here a few weeks ago and had a hard time with the Chicken strips. AI asked for BBQ and got some other awful sauce. Talked to the new owner. Said she was canning the cook. Went today got the same lousy service and same lousy cook. I asked for the BBQ strips again but got packets to do it my self and stale French fries.Service not much better. Maybe the new owner could use help running a restaurant.Probably won't go again. Disgusted with all of it. read more

We have made this one of our favorite places for a quick bite. It's under new mangers, they are friendly. The Chili cheese dogs , French fries and onion rings are good and the service is super! read more

They charge eight dollars for a cone here which you can get at the location in Campbell for four-seventy. Pretty insane, you'd think it would be less here given costs. And not as much soft-serve either on the cone. Pretty remarkable given the product isn't even considered ice cream legally and is between 70 and 80% air. read more

The Service was awful at the front counter. The hamburger tasted like it was cooked yesterday ( and microwaved) it was not FRESH. The French fries were COLD. The Ice Machine did not work AND the bathroom was out of order. I could not wash my hands. Steer clear of this place TERRIBLE food. read more

My boys had the urge for a little bit of sugar, so we stopped at DQ's drive though. I haven't been to a DQ in years, and I was surprised to see their other offerings: burgers, chili cheese dogs, corn dogs, onion rings...YUM! We ordered a mint chip shake, vanilla shake, and an Oreo blizzard. My kids were in heaven. They were fast and staff was friendly. read more

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Yesterday Madison and Michael really came through for my son's graduation party. I ordered through the app to pick up in store. Arriving at the store the cake I thought I ordered was not one that was available. They admitted the app gets it wrong a lot. They were able to accommodate me and make the cake I wanted right away even though it was a special order. Madison personally text after a bit saying the cake they just made for me wasn't up to their standards and they made a whole new cake making sure it was perfect...and was ready in time for the party that same afternoon. Cake was delicious, service was ABOVE AND BEYOND. Kids were happy :) ~ Thank you Madison and Michael!! read more

World's best customer service. A few months ago I came to Dairy Queen, I'm not sure if it was this one but maybe one close to it. It was busy on a Thursday night, and the drive thru guy forgot our fries. We didn't know, so we continue driving down the second line. And who do I see? The guy from the drive-thru, giving us our forgotten friends. He would've died giving us those fries. He would've dove under our wheels if it meant giving us what was once forgotten. 10/10. read more

Went through the empty drive thru on a Friday night. Now I know why it was empty. The regular chicken sandwich is no longer on the menu. All they have is a chicken strip sandwich. I ordered a small meal. Which came with small fries and a medium drink. My husband ordered a small blizzard. When we got to the window, she told us it was $24.99. We for sure thought they accidentally put two meals on there. But the cashier told us that was the price. Unbelievable. We got home and the chicken sandwich was not even lukewarm. I asked for no mayo and there was mayo on it. The sandwich was obviously already made. $24.99 for that garbage is beyond insulting. Never again. Who would even go there and pay those prices? Is it privately owned? read more

Terrible service. We showed up at 9:45 waiting to order until 9:55 they ignored us for 10 mins drove up to the window before 10 and they said we are closed . The gentleman working the window was rude and started telling us he didn't care they close at 10 . We let him know we were waiting since 9:45 and told us not his problem . read more

Came here for a cone and a blizzard with cookie dough. Which is pretty standard on its own but Sean was cracking jokes and seemed pretty happy to be there. A+ for service and for Sean. read more

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - Fast Food Near Me - Capitola, California

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Rude employee, locked bathroom and once they allowed you in there was a huge sign saying only go #1, really?

service here sucks and i ordered a meal that came with icecream they didn't even give me my icecream and i ordered a plain cheese burger and they put everything on it, the staff is so slow and it honestly sucks here would not recommend going. read more

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they literally have 2 1/2 stars on yelp. I would say they need to work on their customer service. I picked up a blizzard for my daughter today. The young black girl who works there definitely needs to work on her customer service. , I get that you're young but a job is a job act professional . If you don't like the job they're definitely is a lot of jobs out here in Santa Cruz. read more

Was greeted by the owner personally. She is an amazing leader and I enjoyed sitting with her and enjoying the onion rings and peanut buster parfait, which I have not had since I was a kid. I will be back soon. read more

ordered hot fudge sundae no fudge no whip cream or cherry on top! what the heck wont go back

$17+ for two medium blizzards plus tax and then a tip. Ridiculous and criminal at the same time. Last time going to DQ.

Basic fast food: rancid seed oils, CAFO meat, high-fructose corn syrup, mystery toxic sludge - but we're not talking Michelin stars here, and I don't know anyone who eats fast food for their health. But my review is about the workers. The vast majority of us have worked in fast food and it is pretty much the worst. I really feel for those who have to support families on the crappy wages, explosion of Karens, and general working conditions. I have never had a bad experience with any of the workers - they're all friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and they do their best to get the food out as fast as they can. Every time I've been in there to expand my fat ass, I've been greeted with a friendly face and sense of humor. read more

Went there today to get a burger, no one at the drive-through. Drove to the window, sign said, "closed till 6:30 for lunch." Knocked on the drive-through window, loud enough for a present employee to hear me, and was ignored. Just wanted to suggest moving one of the two signs, that said the same thing... over to the actual drive-through so I wouldn't sit there with no idea of what is going on. Called and asked if they knew how to stagger breaks. The employee replied " it's called being short staffed you fucking moron", and hung up on me. Maybe start hiring some nice kids again and get rid of these jackasses. Oh, and the food is pretty fucking garbage also . read more

Man who is running this place it is such a joke! I was in the drive-through for 30 minutes. The lady ahead of me just ordered one drink. I ended up leaving the drive-through line because I was so pissed off close your doors if you can't get your act together. read more

Ice cream was good. But this is the most horrendous burger ever. The service was decent, although the drive-thru window was closed. read more

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - This is the 2 cheese deluxe. There is way too much tomato and onion. Horrendous. - Fast Food Near Me - Capitola, California

They close at 10. The hours are incorrect. I don't understand why the hours say open until 11 but it closes before 10? This needs to be changed. read more

The website and app says they close at 11. Yet when I arrive at 9:50 they shut the light off and proceeded to tell me they close at 10, but shut down the kitchen at 9:40 and stop serving ice cream at 9:50. I said well it's 9:50 and he tells me it's 9:50 and 40 seconds. WTF haha. I guess one more Blizzard is too much to ask for... during business hours. Won't be going back here. read more

Oh my! I have never been sniped at because the worker got the order wrong. When I pointed out the mistake, she threw the blizzard on the counter and huffed off. Her temper tantrum induced blizzard to fix the problem was half melted (How did she do that?). I will say thank you to the teenage Karen for giving me a good laugh because of all the melted ice cream on my husband's pants. And how dare she ruin a blizzard! Sacrilege I say! Worst attitude ever! read more

Just sat in the drive-thru in a line only to have lights turned off all while we and a line of cars were waiting. Their hours claim 11pm closing on google and here but they shut down before 10pm? The girl at the window was counting her drawer at 9:50pm when we finally drove up to the window after no response on the speaker. She said "we close at 9:50pm per the owners rules". Ummmmm okay? We, along with many other cars just sat in line long before 9:50pm. If the owner is making them close early, they need to have some sort of sign letting customers know they will not accept any customers after that time even if you've been sitting in line. Just basic business in my opinion. While we waited we got to see the mice/rats running crazy in their dumpster area and on the roof. Haha read more

I REALLY don't like being a complainer, but today's experienced cannot go unnoticed. So, I'll start with the fact that I spent like 20 mins in the drive thru when there were only three cars ahead of me. That part's not a huge problem, just seemed a bit excessive. Again though, not such a big deal...moving on. 1) I get to the speaker to place my order and the dude was clearly not paying attention, it took us like 3 minutes to get my order right and it wasn't that complicated (a 4 pc chicken strip basket w/queso dip. No Texas toast, and a small hot fudge shake). 2) I get to the window and am sitting there for a full four minutes and some change before the man even opens the window to take my payment. So I pay and he gives me my receipt back. I check it to see if I was given .39 cents off (because there are stickers at the speaker box saying if you pay by card, you get a .39 cent discount). There was no discount. No biggie, tho! 3) So then....I notice that the man charged me like $7.50+ for my 4 pc chicken strip basket. I say to him "I thought the 4 pc. Chicken strip baskets are on special right now for $4.99 (they ARE, by the way). He goes on some tangent about how some baskets are $4.99 but "the rest are regular price"....huh?!?! I got the exact basket that's in the deal. But again, I said "okay, no problem". 4) THEN I notice the receipt says "no dip." So I tell him..."Sir, this says no dip, but I asked for the Queso dip" at which point he gets super snappy with me and tells me "yea, that's because we don't have a button for queso yet, so I had to type it in" now, let me say....Queso dip is not typed in anywhere on my receipt. If it HAD been, I wouldn't have said a word. But I tell him "okay, no problem, just wanted to make sure I get some dip." 5) THEN, and I cannot make this up....I see that he had charged me .79 for EXTRA Texas Toast. I had asked for NO TEXAS TOAST, which he repeated back to me when I ordered. Soooo, I say to him "Sir, this says you charged me for xtra toast, but I wanted NO toast". At this point, he sighs LOUDLY and rolls his eyes and extends his hand, i'm not sure what he wanted because he was not using his words, I still hadn't even gotten my food yet...but I tell him "no, it's fine, I'll just eat the toast...you don't need to refund .80". He says "fine". 6) So I get my food and my shake finally. There is NO WHIPPED CREAM on the shake. I didn't ask for no whipped cream...I WANTED that creamy deliciousness. Also, you won't believe this, but there was NO TOAST in my box. It's incredible. I feel like the universe was really testing me. I just took it and left. It took everything in me to not say anything but at this point I realized I was fighting a losing battle. No big surprise, but the food was cold when I got it. I will be copying this post and sending to corporate as well because having worked in both the food industry AND the service industry in my life, this sort of unapologetic incompetence cannot go unnoticed. I love DQ and I really hope they can turn this location around :) read more

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill - See any Texas toast here? Me either. And he charged me for EXTRA. - Fast Food Near Me - Capitola, California

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I was lucky enough to be the last order on a Saturday night and I felt absolutely truly blessed. I was practically in tears from jubilation - we had stopped there the night before and missed that crucial cutoff time and we were just hopping to make it in! - The food was amazing - everyone that was working that night was so kind and so awesome about letting us be that last order. The service here is unparalleled in my experience. I think everyone here deserves the biggest raise. DQ needs more places like this - easy 5 stars. read more

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Great service and food.. so clean inside as well. The food was great. Will definitely be coming back again!

These fives stars go directly to Sean from the drive through. Sean has amazing customer service skills and does an amazing job running the drive through. Previously, we had some pretty bad experiences with the drive through employees having bad attitudes. We are happy to come back time after time and have pleasant interactions! read more