Greater Palm Springs Offers Discounts Via Its Summer Eats Pass
I’m not sure if you have heard, but it is HOT in the Coachella Valley—and although out-of-towners still seem to be flocking here, now is the perfect time to check out one of those restaurants you have been meaning to try (presuming it didn’t close for the summer).
And here’s how you can possibly get discounts while doing so: The Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is offering its Summer Eats Pass!
Why heat the kitchen at home when you can eat out and take advantage of someone else’s air conditioning, as well as dining deals—like a free dessert or 10% off your meal? The same day I signed up, I found myself at French Rotisserie Café (44489 Town Center Way, Palm Desert; frenchrotisseriecafe.com) and scored a complimentary and delicious Belgian chocolate mousse; it was a perfect ending to my lunch (a delicious rotisserie chicken sandwich topped with fennel slaw).
By checking in at a participating restaurant, you will also be entered into a weekly drawing to win restaurant gift cards. Sign up and learn more at www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/summer-eats-gps.
In Brief
In Indio, Pablo’s Tacos and Beer, 42425 Jackson St., has replaced Los Pablos Taqueria. The new owners have remodeled the space and are serving Mexican standards—and staying open late! Learn more at www.facebook.com/Pablos-Tacos-Beer-110576527895883. … More and more chains are setting up shop here. SoCal staple Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened its first location in the Coachella Valley, at 42213 Jackson St., in Indio. Dave’s specializes in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with seven spice levels, ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper,” as well as sides like a house-made kale slaw and creamy mac ’n’ cheese. What began as a parking-lot pop-up in L.A. has become a 20-or-so-restaurant juggernaut, with more locations on the way; in fact, the second area location is slated for Cathedral City, at the Date Palm Plaza. Visit www.daveshotchicken.com to learn more. … And now some annoying chain news: Coachella Valley will soon be home to a Chick-fil-A. The popular Atlanta-based restaurant will open just off Interstate 10, at Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive. The fact that Chick-fil-A’s sandwiches are served with a side of anti-LGBTQ bigotry is well-documented, so we’ll just say we encourage you to spend your hard-earned dollars at non-discriminatory businesses, and leave it at that. … It seems chicken is the Big Thing at the moment, because SoCal Mexican-style rotisserie chicken chain Juan Pollo opening its second area location (the other is in Coachella, at 50225 Harrison St.), at 69160 Ramon Road, No. 101, in Cathedral City. This is rotisserie chicken people are willing to drive miles for, we’ve heard; details at juanpollo.com. … Grocery Outlet, the bargain grocery-store chain, has opened yet another new location, at 30025 Date Palm Drive, in Cathedral City. If you like to add a treasure-hunt element to your grocery shopping, this is the place for you. Visit www.groceryoutlet.com to learn more. … New: Taste the World Bar and Grill has opened in the Caliente Tropics Hotel, at 411 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, where Evzin once reigned. Offering flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean like baba ghanoush, falafel and Lebanese stews, this place serves desert food to sustain you through the summer. Learn more at tastetheworldpalmsprings.com. … The Ace Hotel and Swim Club, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is bringing back its annual Craft Beer Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7 and 8. More than 30 local, regional, national and international craft breweries will keep the golden elixir flowing, while attendees enjoy live music and unique vegan and meat-based barbecue. Tickets are $75 per day at acehotel.com/craftbeer. … And now, back to chain news: A Wahlburgers is opening at the Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, in Cabazon. The popular casual-dining concept, founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and executive chef Paul Wahlberg, features a menu emphasizing made-to-order food inspired by favorite family recipes. The burgers include Mark’s Choice: a plant-based patty with smoked cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, house-made chili-spiced tomatoes and Paul’s Wahlsauce. More details at wahlburgers.com. … Ring them bells, because Michael Holmes’ Purple Room is slated to reopen its doors on Aug. 31! This gem of a restaurant/entertainment venue has been dearly missed during the pandemic. Expect a fabulous happy hour with live entertainment every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and headliners Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday nights showcase the crown jewel of Palm Springs entertainment: The Judy Show. Get the full schedule at purpleroompalmsprings.com/home.
Got a hot tip? Email me: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
When is Shake Shack going to open in the desert? It’s a long drive to Santa Monica for cheeseburger fries and shake, but still do it twice a month.