Large family restaurant in Glendale, with a bar in the rear. This is Damon's second location; the original was opened in 1937, and this location opened in 1980. A short list of tropical drinks is offered, and food sticks to old-school, meaty classics. The food quality improved a bit with the arrival of a new owner and chef in 2004. The decor is more on the elegant end of Polynesian Pop, with lots of bamboo and beautiful painted murals, and lighting comes from a number of different styles of traditional Poly-Pop light fixtures. In 2014, Bamboo Ben was brought in to do a "tune-up" of the decor, with some fresh thatch, tapa cloth, and bamboo and rope repair work. In the past, it has been targeted by the city of Glendale for an "update" of its facade, but that danger seems to have passed.

Comments

Tiare

Tiare has visited Damon's.

August 7, 2018, 12:26 PM

We were headed to South California and saw Damon's was on the way. Got there around 9pm on a Saturday night. The place was hopping but plenty of tables. The food was good (homemade rigatoni, mahi-mahi and chopped salad), the mai tai, was well, drinkable? I thought the decor was plentiful and Polynesian. The bar in the back is a many tv affair but there are some nice little tables you can sit at. There was Hawaiian music in the bathroom but couldn't hear any in the dinning room.

The place is very large and I didn't get to walk around to all the areas but I would totally come back to eat if in the area and just stick to a Sprite.

Kewlava

Kewlava is a semi-regular at Damon's.

May 31, 2018, 6:02 AM

Not high on the T.I.P.S.Y factor, but the over-all feel is of a grand 1960s Tiki restaurant. The food is excellent! Most dishes come with a chopped salad, (which in most places is usually not great) but here it is VERY good. The drinks are good overall, but not top-shelf.
Great Tiki lights, and wonderful ambiance!

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited Damon's.

January 20, 2018, 9:07 AM

The trip down from the Bay Area took longer than expected but we did make it to Damon�s around 10:15 on a Friday. Place was maybe half full. I had their �famous� Mai Tai, which is only $8 and ... tastes like it. Middle of the road Hawaiian style Mai Tai (likely made with Bacardi). At least it is fairly strong.
Also sampled was the Dole Whip, including coconut vodka. Which also is just okay but I do love me a Dole Whip.
Hospitality is old school which is mostly a plus. Decor at Damon�s is also old school but amazing. Bamboo everywhere. Lots of masks, Spears, and shields. Hawaiian touches include several detailed murals.
This place could be amazing with a craft cocktail orientation and maybe some musical performers. Still, worth visiting.

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