Islands’ September Offerings + Giveaway

In terms of burger joints, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks seems to have fallen off the list of possible contenders. Why go to Islands when there’s a host of other possible candidates? Well, Islands is upping their game by offering a host of seasonal selections starting this month, most notableably with the introduction of their Point Break sliders and — for the burger-weary like me — Chicken Beach Bowl.

Islands’ Point Break Sliders ($5.95) are miniature versions of the Point Break Burger ($10.95). Four mini burgers are included in one order and like their hefty counterpart, are topped with blue and Gruyere cheese with a large helping of caramelized bacon and onion relish. It’s a flavor-packed burger, but for the onion-wary, it may be a too much. It’s optimum for sharing especially when Islands’ Endless Fries are ordered.

While Islands touts their burgers in their name, they also offer alternatives: tacos, salads, tortilla soup, rice bowls and chicken wings.

As part of Islands’ conscientious efforts to offer healthier options, there are several menu items weighing in less than 600 calories. (Many of their burgers top more than 1,000 calories.) The most well-balanced of the selection are the rice bowls.

With a choice of grilled chicken or mahi-mahi, the Beach Bowl ($9.49) includes short grain brown rice, steamed veggies, pineapple with hoisin sauce to tie it all together. As a companion to an often eager burger fiend, it’s nice to know that alternatives to sandwiches exist at Islands. It’s a very hearty and healthy meal.

Also premiering at Islands this month for a limited time are a selection of drinks to wet your whistle: Jager Bay ($8.25), Maker’s Wedge ($8.65) and Paradise’s Mai Tai ($7.35). Each drink has a distinctive flavor profile and caters to a different segment of drinkers. The Jager Bay encompasses Jagermeister, coconut rum and pineapple juice (my personal favorite) with no strong alcohol aftertaste, compared to the sock-it-between-your-eyes Maker’s Wedge (Maker’s Mark, ginger liquor, pineapple juice and agave nectar). But if calories are of importance and you still want to indulge, the refreshing Paradise Mai Tai comes in at a mere 149 calories.

With football season just starting up, Happy Hour deals are offered on weekdays with specials on some of their regularly price items including a big plate of fresh-cut fries ($1.95) to supplement any of their drink deals and food items. The Happy Hour prices are only available in the bar area.

Based in Carlsbad (California), Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks has several locations in California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.

Now for the giveaway. Leave a comment before Friday, September 21 about your favorite item at Islands and I’ll randomly select one person to receive a $25 gift card to the restaurant, an Islands t-shirt, beach towel, can cozy AND an insulated backpack with speakers. (Items are pictured above.)

This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. Good luck!

 

Using Random.org, comment number 5 was selected. Congratulations, Morgan! Please email me your address and I’ll get this package off to you soon.

The meal and products were provided compliments of Islands Restaurant. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are my own.