Mr. Lester's Steakhouse — Local services in Franklin

As a top 10% restaurant reviewers and 15+ year Google contributor, I have never given below a 3 star review. As I know honest reviews are what make Google great. Tonight I wished that zero stars was an option. That's the only reason this place got a 1 star. Because 0 wasn't an option. As we stopped at this place after a long day on the Gulf, where I was observing and documenting a traditional hunt in this area, My brother, his wife, and myself chose Lester's as a place to get a meal. Soon after we entered we were informed that we would not get table and we could make a reservation by calling at 930pm.. We inquired about the empty tables and if we could be seated at the bar. We were denied and told to call at 930. The restaurant closes at 10 pm. I have never made a reservation 30 mins before closing anywhere. I will say that my "Business Casual" I was wearing was a little windblown.. I would have accepted being told that I was not within the dress code. I also wear my hair in a traditional style of my ancestors.. To be lied to about no available tables and to make reservations 30 minutes before closing was an insult to our intelligence and in no way acceptable. My brother and wife, who are local business owners assured me this was not the normal hospitality and treatment around here. I have always attempted to support my fellow tribes' communities and economy on my travels. I advocate for indigenous peoples rights and recognition. This is a large part of why I even found myself at this restaurant. If my windblown Tommy Bahama shirt was too wrinkled for "business casual" , I should have been told that. But I was not.

To be blatantly lied to and told to make a reservation 30 mins before closing leaves me to wonder if it was the traditional way I wear my hair or the pigments of my skin that got me denied a meal or a drink. Even though this was a steakhouse, it smelled like 🍗🐔 chicken. What a rotten way to be treated. I didn't eat any food, but I surely had a bad taste...

Good afternoon, I have been a customer/client of Mr. Lester's for approximately 16-17 years. Let me start with their (dress code) which is business casual or business. Also, Mr. Lester's is expensive and their menu is a' la carte. However, continue reading and you will understand why and why it's worth the additional cost. Besides the (very rare exceptions) the food is fantastic, the service is second to none, and the atmosphere is also amazing!

I mentioned (very rare exceptions) and want to expand. In the many years my family, friends, clients, and I have been dinning at Mr. Lester's there has only been a couple times we had issues with our food. However, I want to make clear, "we were contacted a few days later from the Chief directly and the matter was discussed. The matter was rectified and we were offered a private dinner as guests of the Chief as well as meals compted."

I simply explain so that no one has any worries about giving this fabulous restaurant a try, "I can promise you won't be disappointed," and likely dinning at Mr. Lester's will become a part of your dinning through the year either just because or reserved for special occasions i.e. anniversaries, B-days, holidays, etc. Also, the service you will receive will be great so please keep that in mind when it comes time to pay your bill and have the opportunity to (tip your servers), they deserve...

An amazing experience. The last time (all the other times) I visited, Carolyn was the manager. We were seated where we could see in the prep area of the kitchen. We ordered Corn & Carb Bisque, Classic Caesar, Chateaubriand, Twice Baked Potatoes, Lyonnaise Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus Hollandaise. Complimentary basket of bread with three different flavors of butter. Had the brown bottom chocolate cake. Blood sugar went above 200. Then with your check complimentary chocolate covered strawberries, red velvet cake squares, & pralines. Sweet tea & water. No half full glasses here. $200 including tip. Friday night dinner at 5 pm. No kids allowed (located inside of Cypress Bayou Casino). Has a piano bar. The dinning area for the hour or so we were there was never more than 20% full. I would imagine the reason is, the casino has very little traffic even on the weekends. Maybe 5% capacity. Parking lot next to Casino is only 10%. Something seriously wrong...