Saltgrass Steak House — Restaurant in Baytown

So before you have any super high expectations, especially if you've eaten at high caliber steakhouses, don't expect that here, this is a chain, like Texas roadhouse, outback, etc. I walked in, and sat at the bar which was open seating. The hostess was nice I guess, I told her that it was my first time and I was an avid Yelper, and she kind of gulped and gestured me to the direction of the bar. They must be doing something right, they were super busy, and even had a wait list. The gentleman next to me with his 8 year old girl was able to circumvent the waitlist, and both of them sat at the bar and ate. I've never seen a child sitting at a bar but whatever. Typical Texas steakhouse decorum. Nothing extravagant, but it was clean. My bartender was some young dude. Very nice, attentive, great service overall. So we can get all that out of the way and get to the food and cocktails.

Upon entering, I had a double Woodford on the rocks. I was sort of expecting a single ice cube or ice sphere, so I was sort of perplexed when I had normal cubed ice in My glass. Even lower end steakhouses typically have big ice especially for a good scotch or bourbon.

Second cocktail I ordered was the midnight rider, a specialty cocktail. A little on the sweet side, definitely cider influenced. The dehydrated apple chip was actually really good, and I ate it. I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't bad.

I ordered a couple ranch Waters. The bartender salted my rim which was nice, they were pretty decent overall.

First appetizer I ordered was the bacon wrapped quail. Stuffed with cream cheese and a sliver of jalapeno. They were actually really good, I wish they could have fit a little bit more jalapeno in there but they were good. The brussel sprouts however, seemed like they were air fried and they didn't have the glaze that the quail did. Brussel sprouts were just horrible. It didn't seem like they were tossing Olive oil, they had absolutely zero seasoning, no salt, no pepper, just flat out plain. At home, I typically broil my brussel sprouts, after tossing them in olive oil and Cajun salt, and then finishing them off with a fresh balsamic reduction, but these were kind of just manufactured to get in and out of the kitchen I guess.

I ordered the tenderloin bites as a second appetizer. They were cooked rare, per my request, and we're sort of flavorful, but the sauteed mushroom / onion was definitely on point. Probably the highlight of my entire meal as far as flavor goes.

Now don't knock me, because I just completely desecrated beef, but I ordered the Cajun style ribeye, that supposedly had crawfish and shrimp and some special sauce on it. I didn't really notice any crawfish, I had a couple shrimps a top my steak. Covered in some sauce, and I ordered parmesan truffle fries as my side.

The fries were so so. I wouldn't order them again, definitely not worth the extra $3. Now my steak, I ordered it rare, and even in the picture it looks rare, but it was medium medium rare in all actuality. The steak? I can't say it was horrible, but I've had better steaks at outback, probably even Denny's to be honest. No flavor at all, overcooked, and I don't know if they found a cow that doesn't eat or sit around but rather runs 440s all day, and is super health conscious, but if I had to guess, there was probably next to no marbling. I mean it was tough as far as a ribeye goes. I didn't try, but I'm sure it couldn't even be cut with a butter knife. And just before you criticize me, and just so you know, my backyard shares a meadow with Woods and Lacey's Ranch, that produces beef for Harris Ranch.

My whole experience was great overall, until I got my main course. This would be the type of place that I would come to for cocktails and appetizers, before going to a different steakhouse for a main course, because the actual main course fare, in my opinion, is lackluster at best. I was eager to be able to bring food back with me to enjoy tomorrow, that's why I ordered so much, but I was just so unimpressed with the main dish, I didn't...

The entire experience was completely rediculous-- to say the least! I guess being a former Saltgrass employee my expectations could be a little high--- but Knowing the standards and guidelines these employees should follow it really disappoints when I have this kind of experience.

The hostess' were more worried about chatting amongst themselves than helping us. When they finally did say something and stopped awkwardly staring at us- they were pretty rude. After a short wait we were seated, and well we needed a baseball mitt to catch our menus and silverware as the hostess chunked them at us from the end of the table. Before she left she made a little small talk- never once did she refer to the menu, inform us of drink specials or anything.

Next on to our waitress- I can't really say anything negative! She did her job, all while taking the rath for the rest of the staffs mistakes and unprofessionalism! I can say that none of the wait staff is up to Saltgrass standards. I never once heard or received a proper welcome or spill about specials, drinks or anything on or about the menu!

So on to our food- appetizers and salads were fine! But our meal not so fine- A waiter walks up with a single plate and stands at the end of the table looking just as confused as we all were to why he was bringing a single entree to a table of 6. He then decides he will bring it back to the kitchen thinking maybe there was a mistake with the table number- no big deal! 15 minutes later the majority of our food was brought out- we were still missing a wedge salad(entree) and a filet Oscar. Out of the 3 steaks served first, one ribeye was inedibley cold and the other had toppings, done all wrong! About 5 minutes later the salad was brought and about 10 minutes after that the filet was finally brought- to our dismay it was severely undercooked! So we had to send 2 steaks back! We went ahead and ordered dessert (I don't know why)! Waited 20 minutes for it and when it was finally served it was room temperature and the skillet was just set on the table instead of served on a plate.

Now the Managers-we were never greeted by a manager about being Landry's Select Cards members. We didn't see a manager until one brought the late filet and another served it again once it had been recooked! Then we had to track one down once we got our bill! Our bill was over $200! We don't go out to dinner to get it free--but when this much goes on the least that could be offered was a free dessert! After talking to yet the third manager of the night and waiting 15 or 20 minutes for our check to be fixed 3 times everything was okay!

I don't care how new the establishment is- the enturecstaff is trained before hand and should be up to par before being put on the floor or even in the kitchen. The management should really open their eyes!

We will never return to this location and I will never recommend it to anyone-- we will just drive a little further to Kemah and receive not only good quality food but...

It’s Saltgrass. Usually consistent. Server quality can drastically differ from trip to trip.

This location’s bread differs from visit to visit, is very light colored and different than other locations sometimes, not as good as other locations.

I love the Brussels sprouts, they are phenomenal.

The homemade ranch is delicious too.

Some of the lunch specials aren’t a bad deal cost wise but adding a salad was supposed to cost $2.99 per the menu and they charged me $3.99; it’s $1 but I don’t like when the menu and bill don’t match up.

Pat’s ribeye is very good.

Ground beef steak is so good as well as the side of sauce that comes with it.

Chicken fried chicken which is delicious.

The steak kabob lunch, rice it comes with is so delicious but the steak bites are never cooked to the correct requested temperature so I’ve given up ordering that.

My hubs like the ground beef steak with the cheese and tomatoes on top and he loves their sweet potato fries.

I didn’t like the loaded mashed potatoes, they were dry and lacking flavor - I won’t get those again.

The regular mashed are creamy and silky and delicious though.

The homemade croutons are so amazing and I don’t like crotons usually.

My son loves the chicken fried chicken and chicken fried steak.

The happy hour drink specials are great, use well liquor to make any drink and get it at happy hour price. The half priced appetizers during happy hour is a great selection of food to accompany drinks.

The shrimp cocktail had huge, delicious shrimp with a homemade tasting cocktail sauce and some fresh pico in the middle.

The rattlers are not very good, I don’t like the canned jalapeños- use fresh jalapeños and it would be phenomenal.

The steak bites are not good, they were over cooked per our order and the onions they sit on were so oily.

The crab cakes are stellar! Large and full of crab, lump crab an on top, the sauce is so good on them.

The crab stack is good, cold and refreshing, and served with fresh cooked chips.

Texas Tea $7 cocktail was just ok, wouldn’t get again.

Restaurants Weeks menu was just ok. The redfish was way overcooked and crunchy in spots. Salad took forever to come out. The cheesecake slice...