The Rack Bistro — Restaurant in Langford

I had suggested this place to my friends as a go to try. First off I’d like to say our server was phenomenal. A very pretty lady with dark hair down to her back. I wrote her name down and can’t find it sadly but amazing woman ….service was impeccable. So here’s the thing about the food I did notice. It comes up as 1 of top 5 places to go for lunch but all the reviews lately seem to be mixed. And when I read through the reviews, many people said that there was previously a wait to get in, but it was like a bit of a bowling alley once I went - there was one table of 6 people and a few couples. I got the chicken strips and I got so many I was actually profoundly shocked and they were delicious and they have their own honey mustard sauce they make there. My friend ordered and chose the same Caesar side as I did. Sadly, It was visibly obvious she gets hers heaped with cheese on top but Mine looks like it’s had a lot of cheese fall off on the way out - not supposed be different for a side on her plate and mine. Here’s the issue with the salad - make them identical kitchen staff! It would’ve been at least another star but the salad/Lettuce was room temp as was the dressing, which they make I believe - on a hot summer day sitting on the patio I want to have a crisp and fresh taste a good salad delivers on. I was so disappointed. One lady had Benny on the go I think it’s called. She said it’s not the number one Hollandaise she’s ever had but very close. So from what I had & the cost of it, you do get your moneys worth but heads up owners/management of the Rack… Please please don’t serve warm salad with Room temperature dressing. And make sure if it’s going to the same table to make things look at least close to similar. No one wants to be the person that got less of a good thing. . .We all want to know that we’re getting our moneys worth. No pics as I left abruptly when I wasn’t feeling well. I got a tummy ache after eating and had to leave to go home Not implying anything about getting quite sick quite fast. I’m just putting it out there as...

Sadly, I was not impressed, mostly with the atmosphere, although the menu is wanting too. I do see some additions to the menu posted online that sound appealing, so maybe I will try again at the Cedar Hill X Road location, specifically the beef stroganoff.

I am not a fan of the Westshore location that used to be The Checkered Flag (went there with my parents)....it's food also wasn't great but it had MUCH better decor. It was followed by Mo:lé breakfast restaurant that I never tried, although I had been to their downtown location and enjoyed it....too bad it didn't survive. Maybe there was another restaurant there before The Rack too....I'm not sure?

The Rack's Langford space is cavernous with little redeeming esthetic value, and the ambient noise is TERRIBLE. I went there with my son, a millennial, and he agreed. The service was sub-par, the food not desirable, just OK, and the atmosphere terrible. MUCH prefer The Log House Pub, right across the street.

I have also tried their new location on Cedar Hill X Rd. That restaurant was owned by a friend of mine back in the day, George Acs. His Hungarian Village was there from 1977-2003 almost as long as 1550's! Memories are short. Relating to current dining trends, 1550's was WAYYYYY better than the The Rack in terms of food and ambiance. I frequented 1550's multiple times a year.

To be clear, my son and I were at the Langford location last year, and I was at the Cedar Hill location about two months ago. Service has been sub-par at both locations, seemingly provided by newbies who have had no training, so it's not their fault. No follow-up, had to flag them down etc. I have a lot of experience as a server so what I witnessed is not excusable.

I would give the Westshore location another chance, but I can't stand the ambient noise and bare esthetic, sorry.

Maybe I'll give the Cedar Hill X Rd. location another chance...maybe....but I won't be stopping in regularly as I did at 1550's or the...

My significant other and I came here every weekend in 2021 for drinks and food as we only live 3 minutes away. This place has changed. Tonight was the last time we will come in.

We have noticed the quality of the food slipping through the years since they opened in 2020. Tonight we came in at 7:30 on a Friday night, we were expecting to wait at least 15 minutes to get a seat. We were seated immediately in a barely filled restaurant. No server to be seen for 15 minutes, the bartender actually took our drinks and appetizer. The food is priced fairly and drinks are priced well, the cocktails are quite good actually.

Deep fried pickles come out, the oil clearly needs to be changed in the deep fryer, black specks all over the pickles and definitely overcooked as they were overly browned and quite rubbery. Taste left something to be desired as well. Chicken souvlaki comes out, presentation is nice at first look, I pick the wrap up and it falls apart immediately, that’s fine. I unwrap the wrap from the wax paper and it is COVERED in grease. I understand that I’m eating at a pub/bar but you have to draw the line somewhere on how greasy food can be. Server comes back after another 15 minutes to ask how food is, I explain that it’s too greasy and I don’t want it. The food was comped without request. I did appreciate that, and it goes to show that the server was aware of the problem and is attentive to her job. She was a lovely server and I have no complaints about the service I received.

The food leaves a lot to be desired,...