Dona Jessup experiences Kelsey’s at Pechanga

Dona Jessup checks out Kelsey’s at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, after a $2.5 million renovation.

Canyon Laker Dona Jessup, an ad rep at The Friday Flyer, says she was very excited to re-experience Kelsey’s at the Pechanga Resort and Casino after its $2.5 million and almost four-month renovation.

“Wow! What a facelift this restaurant has received – I didn’t even recognize it,” says Dona. “The Kelsey’s before the renovation was dark and surrounded by slot machines; uninviting, if you ask me. Now it’s more than inviting.”

Dona found the open, “beautifully-lighted” restaurant and pub to have a relaxing but not-too-loud atmosphere, with big screen televisions. On a special visit with other media representatives, she got to look over and try out the menu, which includes a wide variety of hand-cut barbecued meats from tri-tip to baby back ribs to gourmet burgers (Kelsey’s makes its own barbecue sauce).

Appetizers she tried included sliders and bacon-wrapped jalapeños (Dona’s favorite). The menu also features salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, pasta and seafood, along with sides like beer mac and cheese (“yummy”), dirty rice, cornbread, sweet potato fries, baked beans, etc.

“And let’s not even mention the delicious desserts . . .,” says Dona. But of course she does. The dessert menu features chocolate, carrot and red velvet cakes; apple, banana cream and pineapple pies; cranberry-apple, cherry and peach cobblers; and five different types of churros.

Kelsey’s also serves wine and has 48 beers on tap; all except three are craft or microbrews and 23 of the 48 are from Southern California breweries. Dona says, “I tried the Grapefruit Ale and surprisingly liked it!”

She adds, “I highly recommend Kelsey’s at Pechanga. The staff and service are spectacular!”