Town & Country Steakhouse — Restaurant in Barrie

I never rate restaurants but after this experience, I definitely wanted to say something. We came in for a date night seeing that there was a Sunday prime rib special on their website. Walking in, the décor appeared very old school like prior to 2000's kind of restaurant. We quickly noticed that the menu is very old which hasn't been updated in quite a while. With their exorbitant prices on their menu, you would think they would be able to get something a bit nicer without the plasticky film covers. Menu aside, I asked two different waiters if they still had the Sunday prime rib special, to which they both replied, "yes we do have it." Great! We proceeded to order it and the waiter suggested oysters as appetizers. We asked what they had and their price. The waiter kept on saying that it is fresh oysters and that they are great, emphasizing very fresh. I didn't get an answer for the price but its what my partner wanted to have so I didn't press on it. Oysters came and they were alright. A little bit smaller in size but you don't really expect too much honestly. We received very oily garlic bread which kind of made my partner a bit sick so we didn't eat too much of it. I had also ordered a French onion soup in which you would think that it would pretty hard to mess up, I stand corrected. What I received was French onion soup, of course, but I noticed that there was orange cheese mixed in with the white cheese on top. Definitely out of the norm but I tried it nonetheless. To our surprised, the cheese tasted similar to that of American processed cheese. My partner had a bit and some of the soup and then left it. I on the other hand was extremely hungry so I ate it regardless. Then the big disaster came which was the Sunday prime rib special. Take my advice and always be skeptical when a restaurant tried to smother their entire plate with a mountain of gravy. Gravy tasted great by the way, but the prime rib that we received was extremely tough and dry. Because of the huge amount of gravy slathered on it, I didn't realize the texture of the steak. My partner prefers not to eat saucy things and pushed the gravy to the side before cutting into the prime rib. Her first bit of the meat was extremely chalky and basically disintegrated into a mushy texture. After she told me, I did the same and tried it without the gravy. I also had the same textured meat that she did. Please note that my partner and I have both worked in professional kitchens and mean this quite literally. The meat tasted like it was taken right out of the freezer, out of its packaging and thawed by running it under water. We told the waiter what our experience was and he apologetically said that he will let the chef know and asked if we wanted it cooked over the grill instead. My partner lost her appetite completely but I wanted to give them a second chance. Maybe it would be better this time. We then received a grilled prime rib with the same chalky texture and called it quits right then and there. I asked for the bill and said that I did not want those dishes anymore. Here is what I ordered, half dozen of oysters, 1 French onion soup, and a bottle of water. The grand total of this bill was $45, to which $10 was to the bottle of water. Perhaps it was my fault for ordering a special that wasn't listed on their menu, but there are many discrepancies that can be seen between their actual menu and what is listed on their website. Honestly would give 0/5 but 1 star for that ridiculously huge pepper mill that made me laugh. Never...

ALLERGY ALERT!!!! Tonight we came in for dinner for 6 at 4:30. This has been my favorite place for special dinners for the last 10 years. When ordering, we explained to the maitre d that my husband had a lobster allergy as the last time we went he had illness due to cross contamination. It took me a long time to convince him to come there again and that we just had to inform them when ordering. We have in the past ordered the ultimate platter for 2 several times without issue before the last time. When our food arrived, although the crab was served separately, his steak was on the platter with the lobster in the juices. I immediately informed him that he would not be able to eat it. He took the steak and said he would get a new one. In hindsight, we realized that his steak returned within a few minutes, less time than it would take to recook a medium steak. At 9:30 my husband started feeling ill and shortly after has been throwing up and diarrhea. It is going to be a very long night for him. I am just glad that his allergy isn't so severe as to put him into shock, but we never know what degree it will hit and 1 of these times it might. It is our belief that the original steak was just lightly thrown back on the grill and then back to our table. I am hoping that management will see this review and investigate this situation that happened. Hopefully it does not happen to anyone else. I would have called them tonight, but they are already closed. EDIT TO THIS REVIEW!!!!! Please read After posting this review and also forwarding a copy directly to the restaurant, I was very happy to receive a response directly from the owner/manager, Steve, before morning. We spoke directly on the phone the following evening. We had a really good conversation about what may have happened. Although we are unsure of the exact way it happened, (we believe there was a communication error as to what the allergy was) he was very apologetic about this and stated that he had thoroughly communicated with his staff in front and back concerning this issue and about ensuring that the proper protocols be followed when allergies are presented to make sure that all customers feel confident that all is done to ensure their enjoyment in their experience dining there. I am very satisfied with the outcome of our conversation, and although it may take a little more convincing to get my husband to return with me again...I will still return regularly, as it has been my favorite place for a long time.

The only reason I am not changing my stars is so that others with allergy concerns will read this in whole to see that they can be confident in...

Went for dinner at this restaurant yesterday. I have eaten here many times over the years and have usually been quite pleased with the food and service. But things have changed for the worst since my last dining experience at Town & Country.

I ordered a Greek Salad yesterday evening and requested that a filet of salmon accompany it. My server said no problem. Food was tasty. But the bill give me heartburn!!

They charged me $8.00 for the pickle and bread tray that is supposed to accompany the dinner entree as part of the meal price. Waitor claimed my lettuce leaves were essentially more expensive then the vegetables and potatoes that accompany the usual salmon entree dish for only $28.00. So he claimed "I had to do something" which was his excuse for billing me that 8 bucks.

By the way - the salmon that was placed on my salad this past evening was a visibly smaller portion size, than what I have eaten when I have ordered the salmon dinner on numerous occasions over the years! I think I received the lunch portion size of salmon - not their usual dinner sized portion!

The owners should really consider doing something to rehabilitate the very dated, dark and super tacky decor of their restaurant.

This used to be a very classy place to dine in Barrie. But it's going down hill fast!!! Prices are high for the portions you get on the plate. Food is tasty - BUT!!!!! Get real guys!!

I don't think I want to return to this restaurant to eat ever again! Waitor was highly defensive in his tone when I politely questioned him about how he determined my final bill price. He was visibly miffed when my friend and I did not order alcoholic drinks for dinner. Guess my decaf coffee doesn't drive up the tab in a way he would like for a higher tip. (Too bad eh!). Coffee was very watery too. Should be a simple thing to make!

Overall - this guy oozed of attitude!!

Lots of places in town to eat - with sensible prices, attractive decor and less attitude! Consider all of your options before you plunk yourself down at...