I've been a loyal customer of Al Biernat's ever since moving to Texas, and it has always been my favorite steakhouse. Whenever friends visit from out of town, I tell them this is the place they must experience. That's why I chose Al Biernat's to celebrate my 40th birthday--a milestone that carries deep meaning for me, especially as I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy for the second time. Chemo has been really rough, and because of that we had to move the reservation twice. On the day of the dinner, I even called to confirm, but for some reason they had me down for Saturday instead of Wednesday. Thankfully, they were able to accommodate us despite the busy holiday season, which I truly appreciated.
I'm a big foodie, and considering what I'm going through, I rarely have moments where I can truly enjoy a meal. That's why this night mattered so much to me. We arrived early for our 7:00 reservation and enjoyed sitting at the bar. Unfortunately, the drinks were disappointing--the espresso martini was poorly made, and the dirty martini with blue cheese olives looked rushed and messy.
Once seated, service was attentive and warm, but the food was inconsistent. The mussels arrived with several still closed, which should have been caught before serving. My fiancé's scallops were outstanding--truly the best we've ever had. My steak, however, had to be sent back twice: first for being overcooked, then for being raw. I had requested medium-rare, but the kitchen couldn't get it right. What surprised me most was that the steak wasn't taken care of after being sent back twice--it took a third attempt before it finally came out correctly.
For over 20+ years, I worked in every aspect of the restaurant industry--from serving to bartending and even managing before I left about five years ago. I understand that mistakes happen, but when a dish is sent back multiple times, it deserves extra care and attention. That's why this experience stood out to me.
When it came to dessert, I asked for crème brûlée with the warm caramelized top but without the extra powdered sugar that usually comes with it. My body doesn't respond well to powdered sugar in raw form, so I was clear about that request. The first one arrived cold, and the second was no better. By that point, I was ready to call it a night. As I was leaving, one of the servers even recognized me as someone who used to be in the industry. On the other hand, another staff member wished me a happy anniversary instead of a happy birthday--a small but telling detail on a night that was meant to be special.
Considering Al Biernat's was just voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the country a few weeks ago, and given that I've been dining here regularly for the last 10 years, I expected at least the consistent level of service I've always received--or ideally, a little more for such a milestone occasion. While the service was commendable, the booth was excellent and certain dishes shined, the execution in the kitchen and attention to detail fell short. As someone who has always championed Al Biernat's, I left honestly disappointed. Which is why I'm writing this review now. For this milestone occasion, I can only rate the experience a 6 out of 10. I'll be back hopefully one day, but I'll have to seriously consider it before I do. read more