Burger devotees are discovering something unexpected at Islands Restaurant in Phoenix—a fresh salad bowl that actually competes with their legendary burgers for menu supremacy. 🏝️
The Desert Ridge Marketplace location has quietly built a cult following among health-conscious diners who never expected to find premium greens at a surf-themed burger joint.
These aren’t afterthought side salads tossed together as token healthy options.
They’re legitimate hearty salad entrees that justify the drive across town just as much as the famous burgers do.
When Burger Joints Accidentally Master Salads
Most people walk into Islands expecting nothing more than solid burgers and tropical vibes.
The surprise comes when they discover the kitchen treats salads with the same attention to detail as their signature beef patties.
Fresh ingredients arrive daily, and the kitchen assembles each bowl with care that defies typical burger joint expectations. 🥗
The tropical-inspired decor creates an unexpected setting for enjoying these crisp garden salads alongside surfing videos playing on HD TVs throughout the dining area.
While competitors settle for bagged lettuce and bottled dressings, Islands invests in quality produce that shows in every bite.
The result transforms what could be forgettable rabbit food into something Instagram-worthy and genuinely satisfying.
The Salad That Converts Skeptics
The Chinese Chicken Salad represents everything right about this unexpected excellence.
Grilled and chilled chicken tops mixed greens salad loaded with mandarin oranges, edamame, water chestnuts, and shredded carrots.
Fried noodles add textural contrast while sesame seeds and scallions bring aromatic complexity. 🥢
The sesame dressing ties everything together without drowning the ingredients—a balance many dedicated salad restaurants struggle to achieve.
This isn’t some sad desk lunch situation.
We’re talking about a protein packed salad substantial enough to satisfy someone who arrived planning to demolish a double burger.
The portion size alone surprises first-timers who expect typical restaurant “side salad” portions.
Why These Greens Work at a Burger Restaurant
The secret lies in Islands’ refusal to phone in their non-burger offerings.
Each healthy salad option in Arizona gets the same quality ingredients and preparation standards as their famous Pipeline Burger.
The kitchen grills chicken specifically for salads rather than using leftover protein from other dishes.
Fresh avocado gets sliced to order rather than sitting pre-cut in containers. 🥑
The flavorful dressing salad options include house-made varieties that complement without overwhelming the fresh vegetables.
That kobb dressing—a creamy vinaigrette—has developed its own following among regulars who request extra on the side.
The ranch dressing gets made in-house using real ingredients rather than powder packets mixed with buttermilk.
The Service Philosophy That Elevates Everything
Outstanding salads mean nothing if they arrive wilted or improperly composed.
The staff here understands that timing matters as much for greens as it does for burgers.
Salads hit tables fresh from assembly, with chilled ingredients maintaining their crispness. 🌟
Servers who’ve worked this location for years know which salads pair best with which tropical drinks.
The bartenders mixing mai tais and margaritas also understand how to recommend light lunchtime salads that won’t leave customers feeling sluggish.
Management maintains the same hands-on approach for salad orders as they do for everything else—checking tables, supporting staff during rushes, ensuring quality stays consistent.
Food Highlights
• Chinese Chicken Salad: Grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, edamame, water chestnuts, carrots, fried noodles, sesame seeds, scallions and mixed greens with sesame dressing—this fresh veggie salad plate delivers perfect sweet-savory Asian-inspired flavors that convert burger purists into salad enthusiasts
• Kobb Salad: Grilled chicken, hickory smoked bacon, fresh avocado, bleu cheese crumbles, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, scallions and mixed greens with creamy kobb vinaigrette offers that premium salad creation experience with substantial protein and rich flavors throughout
• Surfboarder Salad: Fried chicken, bacon, avocado, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, scallions, mixed greens, cheddar and jack cheeses with house-made Surfboarder BBQ dressing brings unexpected barbecue flair to the seasonal salad mix concept
• Caesar Salad: Grilled chicken, romaine, parmesan cheese and croutons with caesar dressing proves simplicity wins when ingredients are fresh and the vibrant salad experience comes from quality execution rather than gimmicky additions
• Garden Salad: Mixed greens, shredded carrots, croutons and tomato with choice of dressing serves as the perfect lighter option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or freshness
• Burger Patty Salad: Mixed greens with jack and cheddar, red onions, tomatoes, pickles, scallions topped with sliced burger patty and house-made ranch—the genius compromise that lets burger lovers enjoy greens without abandoning beef entirely
Atmosphere
The California surf theme creates an unexpected backdrop for healthy eating amid Arizona’s desert landscape.
Tiki-inspired touches and beach vibes make salad consumption feel less like virtuous suffering and more like a tropical vacation.
The casual, family-friendly environment welcomes health-conscious diners and burger devotees equally without judgment. 🌺
Happy hour specials mean you can pair your salad with tropical cocktails when the mood strikes.
The Fresh Ingredient Commitment
Island Fries aren’t the only menu items benefiting from daily fresh-cut preparation.
The kitchen sources vegetables with the same attention to quality as their beef selection.
Lettuce arrives crisp, tomatoes come ripe, and avocados hit that perfect ripeness window. ✨
That commitment extends to proteins—grilled chicken gets properly seasoned and cooked to maintain moisture.
Hard-boiled eggs get prepared in-house rather than arriving pre-peeled in plastic bags.
Bacon gets that perfect crispy texture without turning into charcoal fragments.
The edamame in the Chinese Chicken Salad maintains that slight bite rather than turning mushy.
Location Benefits for Health-Conscious Diners
Situated in the Desert Ridge Marketplace, Islands provides the perfect refueling option between shopping excursions.
Finding legitimate healthy salad options in Arizona shopping centers usually means settling for food court mediocrity.
This location breaks that pattern with actual quality that justifies making it a destination. 🚗
Photo Credit: Julia S.
Parking accessibility means no circling blocks or hiking from distant lots.
The neighborhood’s easy highway access makes it reachable for those driving from across the Phoenix metro area.
Surrounding retail options mean you can accomplish errands while treating yourself to quality greens.
What Customers Actually Report
The Yelp reviews reveal a consistent theme—shock that the salads compete with the famous burgers.
Multiple reviewers mention the Chinese Chicken Salad specifically as a standout that rivals dedicated Asian restaurants.
One long-time customer who’s been patronizing Islands since the 1980s praises both burgers and salads equally. 🎯
Another diner called Islands their “absolute favorite restaurant” while highlighting the variety beyond just burgers.
The portions consistently impress—people mention these salads providing enough food for potential leftovers.
Some customers admit arriving for burgers but leaving as salad converts after trying the unexpected quality.
Bottom Line
Visit for crisp garden salads that shock burger restaurant expectations, fresh ingredients prepared with actual care, protein packed salad portions that satisfy completely, tropical atmosphere making healthy eating feel fun, and consistent quality proving salads deserve equal billing with famous burgers.
For more details, you can visit their official Facebook page or website.
Address: 21001 N Tatum Blvd Ste 36-1160, Phoenix, AZ 85050
📞 (480) 513-7231
🕔 Mon-Thu: 11 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat: 11 AM–10 PM, Sun: 11 AM–9 PM