We left the Roadhouse Grill after being told the wait was going to be 45 minutes. So, we went around the corner to the Longhorn Steakhouse. There, we were told the wait would be 30 minutes. After 40 minutes, we approached the desk and were told four parties were still ahead of us. Another few minutes passed, and two separate couples walked in, and both were immediately seated. By this time, we had been there 45 minutes. We walked up to the desk one more time and asked why other recently arrived couples were seated ahead of us. The hostess replied that she had called us, but we did not respond, so she deleted us. We were at the desk 10 minutes beforehand and could not understand this reply. The manager, John, was called over and, without looking at us or offering any explanation, told the hostess to put us in 31, the table number we supposed, and he briskly walked away, clutching a small microphone in his right hand up by his chest. Once seated, it took another ten minutes for the order taker to come by (Eric) and ask for our drink order. However, we stated we needed to order the meal at that point as we had already been at the restaurant for 50 minutes without eating. There was a brief delay, and he said, "Please take as much time as you need, and I will be back." We did not see him again for another 10 minutes.
We ordered a Steak Filet. We asked him how it was, and he replied he had never eaten at the restaurant and wouldn't know! We additionally ordered asparagus and broccoli. He said the asparagus was an additional $2.99, and were we sure we wanted it? I said, "I can afford it." He waited there at the table, looking at me with a blank face. I asked if there was something wrong. He replied that the question required a yes or no answer. Incredulous! The appetizer and soup came out with only a few minutes delay. Yeah! However, it was after 9:00, and we had been there almost two hours.
After we had finished the appetizer and waited another 20 minutes without seeing the waiter, we again approached the desk. The host explained that the kitchen was backed up with orders and ours would be out shortly. Five minutes later, the main course did arrive, but by that time, it was nine-thirty, and half the patrons had already left. (So why was the kitchen backed up). The asparagus was excellent, but the broccoli was "al dente." The 9oz cuts "of the richest and most succulent cut of meat we offer" were puffed up in the middle as if injected with water, and it was far from juicy and easy to chew. It was a challenging piece of meat. The chef did get the color right; it was the perfect pink inside. The fact that a $35 cut of steak filet doesn't meet $35 standards is almost icing on the cake. But wait, there is more. The waiter flies by without stopping until we say, "Eric, please, the check." It takes him only a few minutes to bring the check. We insert our card, and he grabs it and rushes off without a word. And I lie not; it takes him 15 minutes to return. He delivers it by rushing by the table and throwing it on the table till it slides halfway across. I told my wife, "No tip." The service and food did not meet the most humble of expectations. She insists; so be it. Yes, dear, but I left that restaurant after being subjected to an outrageous over three-hour experience, vowing never to return. read more