Old Hickory Steakhouse — Restaurant in Aurora

This was a really frustrating meal. We went up to the host stand at 6PM to ask if there was a wait and were told that at 6:30 a table would be ready. We happily went outside to listen to some live music and enjoy the beautiful night. We did not receive a text and returned at about 6:40PM, finding three people at the host stand who all ignored us while cleaning menus as we walked up.

We were then told that no tables were available inside, but that we could sit outside. I responded with "That's fine provided the bug situation isn't bad out there. What's the bug situation like out on your patio?"

Now, if they had told me that it's a bit of an issue and we could weigh the option to weight for an interior table or choose to deal with the bugs, that's totally cool. But, the expectation I got was from their response of "The bugs aren't a problem at all out there."

Surprised and pleased, thinking they must have some kind of mitigation on their patio (or even that it was enclosed) left me satisfied enough to agree and away we went.

We walked through a nearly empty restaurant with empty table after empty table inside and were guided to our table on the near empty patio. I understand the idea of reservations, etc., but it was odd that there were this many and we'd waited 40 minutes.

Immediately I noticed there were small fan-like devices designed to keep bugs away. I rolled with it as ours was placed on our table.

I fished two small bugs out of my water as our appetizers/bread was served. Again, I rolled with it knowing we're out in the elements, though a bit frustrated that our expectations weren't managed.

But, when this larger bug drowned himself in my old fashioned I became frustrated.

We received GREAT service from our server, Evie all night. She was kind, personable, and knowledgable. It was during our dinner course so she wasn't checking in as often and after 10-12 minutes of staring at my drink, I finally went up to the bar.

We were done with our meal at this point and I really didn't want another drink, I simply wanted to bring it to someone's attention and have it removed from our tab. But, the bartender was quick to be kind in replacing the drink and Evie brought the replacement to our table.

We spent a little longer than we'd intended at our table as my partner and I shared the replacement Old Fashioned.

We left, extremely satisfied with the quality of our food and drink, and with the service we had received once seated. But, I can't help being frustrated that a simple question about managed expectations with bugs colored our whole dinner. It's fine that there are bugs. It's outside, we get it. But just manage our expectations when we ask.

Also, a restaurant that charges $6 just for the table bread, let alone the a la carte menu for a pricy dinner, should have friendly, knowledgable people as the first line of customer experience.

This may be a problem with the entire property at the Gaylord as every host staff seemed frazzled and a little overwhelmed when we simply asked to be seated. We met one good host who was not only attentive but kind, focused, and just knew how to do their job at the sports bar. But, Old Hickory was by far the worst of them all.

The product on site is incredible and the wait staff and bartenders are top notch. This seems like an easy fix to train up the host staff.

What concerned me more is I asked/offered to express these concerns to a manager and was told that the server/bartender staff had expressed the same concerns to management repeatedly and had those concerns fall on deaf ears. When I asked if I could speak with someone myself, in a genuinely effort and want to help things improve, I was told that management wouldn't listen to me on site and that reviews online were the only way to create any kind of change.

We're not planning to come back to the property as the entire weekend has been pedestrian at best for the price and there are a LOT of more enjoyable places to stay in Denver. I'm hoping that the place improves and gives us a...

🌟 Old Hickory: A Five-Star Symphony of Luxury, Flavor, and Firelight 🌟

If you’re searching for the most elevated, luxurious, and unforgettable dining experience in the Gaylord, look no further than Old Hickory. This restaurant is not just a meal—it is a ritual, a celebration of refinement and flavor that seduces your senses from the moment you walk in.

The layout alone is stunning. You enter through a gorgeously designed bar area, where a mix of cozy and stylish seating awaits—first come, first serve. The bar itself is fully stocked and expertly managed, but what truly made it sparkle for us was Uncle Britt. Yes, Uncle Britt. A legend in his own right. He greeted us with the warmth of an old friend, served with enthusiasm and care, and absolutely transformed our first visit into an extraordinary evening. He was the reason we came back for round two.

Now, let’s talk food—because Old Hickory does not play.

We began with the crab cakes, which were delicate, golden, and flavorful—balanced with a subtle elegance that set the tone for what was to come. Then came the ribeye, tender and perfectly cooked, paired with an irresistible duo of mushrooms and broccolini. But not just any broccolini—the best we’ve ever had. Why? The chili jam. Yes, chili jam. Spicy, sweet, savory—it clung to every floret and made it the star of the plate. A total surprise and an instant favorite.

On our return visit, we dined in the main dining room near a grand, flickering fireplace—an atmosphere straight out of a storybook. We were lucky enough to be served by Dena, who was gracious, thoughtful, and attentive in the most elegant way. She made us feel like honored guests at a private banquet.

And the meal? The tomahawk steak. Oh. My. Word. Rich, juicy, unforgettable—and served with an assortment of salts and sauces that allowed us to truly play with the experience. It was interactive dining in the most refined way—every bite a new discovery.

Wine lovers, rejoice: Old Hickory’s in-house sommelier, Leah, is nothing short of a queen. Her recommendations were impeccable, each glass a perfect pairing that enhanced the meal’s every note. You’re in masterful hands with Leah—let her guide you, and your palate will thank you.

We ended our meal in true decadence: the crème brûlée was a warm, silky dream under its crisp sugar crown, while the chocolate cake redefined richness. Moist, deep, and luxurious—it was the kind of dessert that silences the table as everyone quietly loses their minds.

In summary? Old Hickory is an experience worth dressing up for. Worth savoring. Worth returning to again and again. The ambiance, the people, the culinary artistry—it’s...

If I could give this place zero stars...I would.

The Old Hickory Steakhouse...was incredibly, mind-blowingly TERRIBLE! Holy Cow! I wish I had read the reviews before dropping the amount of money I dropped on over priced terrible dishes. My wife ordered what the server said was flounder, when it came out, it was thick and dried out. It was NOT flounder. It reminded me of Talapia or Swai. There is no way this was the fish that the server said it was. When I asked about it, the server snapped back that I was more than happy to take it up with the cooks. I declined. Then I got into my meal...braised short ribs. These were very dry and beyond overcooked. Furthermore, they reminded us more of pot roast than Beef Short ribs. In fact, I think it was pot roast. It really felt like your prices were out of line for the quality of food provided. I talked with a manager and the manager took my fish off my bill. I didn't eat ANY of my Pot Roast...I mean short ribs and left the leftover bag that they had packed my uneaten food up into. The lady who served us water was the BEST part of this experience. I ended up tipping her a large amount because she was kind, courteous and attentive to our beverage needs. Our server was curt, transactional and showed no empathy or desire to make anything right. We warned everyone in our party to avoid the in house eating and we ended up eating in Denver for the entire time during our stay. We were looking forward to being able to sample a good meal, even if it was a pricey affair...but I can get a 45 day aged wagyu ribeye for less than what your restaurant charges near me and it is 10000x better than what we were served. All in, before the manager took off the Swai...Flounder...we were in for about 200 dollars not including tip.

This experienced had the added effect of preventing us from even wanting to try anything else from the hotel from a food perspective, which denied business to the other restaurants and room service.

All in, the hotel was a good experience, but nearly $200 for a meal we didn't even eat, that was a terrible experience.

Avoid this place like the plague...or at least read the other reviews and make an...