Melissa's MisSteak — Restaurant in Banff

This is the first time I’ve ever felt truly compelled to leave a public review — and sadly, it’s because of how disappointing and upsetting our experience at Melissa’s Miss Steak was.

My partner and I made a reservation with one very specific goal: to try the bison filet mignon. It was the entire reason we chose this restaurant. We both ordered it clearly and with intention. However, when the food arrived, we were instead presented with steak burgers. Confused, we politely informed the server that this was not what we had ordered.

Rather than calmly resolving what we assumed was a simple miscommunication, the server became defensive and immediately insisted that the bison filet mignon was not even on the menu. We were taken aback by his tone — dismissive, sharp, and accusatory. Hoping to clarify, we asked to see the menu again. He brought it over but handed us the wrong side of a double-sided menu. We turned it over, and there it was — the bison filet mignon, exactly as we had remembered.

Even when faced with proof, the server continued to deny responsibility, stating coldly, “That’s a completely different order — that’s not what you asked me for.” It was an incredibly uncomfortable and unnecessarily hostile exchange.

Though he eventually went to put in the correct order, by that point, the atmosphere had shifted completely. We felt unwelcome, judged, and dismissed. The energy was tense, and while other staff clearly noticed what was happening, no one came over to check in or offer support. My partner ultimately got up and went to the bar to request our server so we could leave. We explained that we no longer wished to stay and simply wanted to pay for our drinks. The server returned, processed the bill, and that was it. Not a single staff member asked if something had gone wrong or whether we were okay.

This situation may have started with a simple mix-up, but it was handled in a way that left us feeling belittled and deeply uncomfortable. As someone who has dined in restaurants across many countries, I’ve never encountered such an aggressive and unprofessional response to a basic service issue — let alone one that could have easily been resolved with grace and accountability.

We left feeling not just disappointed, but truly disrespected and humiliated. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone who values hospitality, professionalism, or even just being treated with...

Dear Bunny Julius / Management of Melissa's Missteak,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the unsatisfactory experience my family and I encountered at your establishment on 28 Sep 2024.

I made a reservation in person at 4PM to make the reservation for a table at 6:30 pm and at no time was I informed of a two-hour limit on our dining experience. We arrived promptly at 6:30 PM, and while we were enjoying our meal, we were approached by a manager at 8:00 PM. The manager notified us that we had only 15 minutes remaining due to another reservation for the table at 8:30 PM. This information was never communicated to me at the time of booking, which I find highly unprofessional.

Furthermore, while I was recording my mother dancing in the designated area, the manager rudely interrupted and presented the payment machine, insisting that I settle the bill immediately. I explained that I was in the middle of capturing a cherished moment, yet the manager continued to demand payment in an aggressive manner.

What compounded the experience was the observation that several tables remained vacant during our time at the restaurant. I felt that the treatment I received was disproportionate and, regrettably, I cannot dismiss the possibility that my being the only Chinese patron may have influenced the manager's behavior.

I trust that you will take this matter seriously and consider implementing measures to improve communication and customer service protocols within your restaurant. It is essential for all patrons to feel respected and valued, regardless of their background.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a prompt...

Breakfast was fine, but had a very weird and unfortunate experience with the server. Went to pay the bill and pulled out a discover card. The waiter said something we didn’t hear, but we assumed it was that the credit card wouldn’t work, which is totally fine. We pulled out another card to pay and while it was loading/processing he asked where we were from. We said Phoenix, Arizona, and then I asked where he was from. He said the east coast. Based on conversational context clues like the fact that nearly everyone we had interacted with in Banff was international, we had just talked about the US, and that the east coast is used widely in both Canada and the US, I asked him“oh cool, the east coast of Canada or the US?”. He just stared at us like I had deeply insulted him. I said, I’m sorry, was that a stupid question on my part? He then went on a mean spirited rant about how if he had visited Las Vegas, and the waiter said they were from the east coast, he would obviously think they meant the USA. So which country did we really think he was from if he said the east coast and we were in Canada?

The whole interaction was rude. And to answer his question, if I were a waiter in Vegas (where practically everyone there is international) and we had just talked about Canada, and then I said “I’m from the east coast”, it would be equally confusing if that meant the east coast of Canada or the US.

Not sure where the hostility was coming from, but I’m 5 months pregnant, was trying to be polite with small talk, and left the restaurant crying. Won’t be back to this restaurant and can’t...