Branded Chophouse — Restaurant in Boonsboro

We decided to check this place out as it was recommended on one of the social media pages for their prime rib. As stated on their menu and website, this is available after 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and brunch on Sundays while it lasts. We went for an early dinner (4 pm) on Saturday 1/11. We were greeted with a smile and sat at one of the few 2 top tables in the dining area of the bar. Our waitress promptly came over to introduce herself, take our drink order (2 iced teas), and offer water. We also ordered the cab dip ($20) as an appetizer at that time. She brought our iced teas and our crab dip, which was delivered to our table in about 10 minutes. It is served in a small crock. The crock was filled with a cheese mixture, two pieces of lump crab meat placed on top, four small pieces of toasted bread, and three celery sticks. To get any crab in the dip itself, we had to mix it in ourselves. And then it was very oily. We ate the celery sticks and bread with a lot of dips left. The waitress returned to take the rest of our order and offered to bring us more bread, to which we thanked her. That never happened, even when she told us a second time it would be out shortly when she brought over rolls for the table. I ordered the 16oz bone-in rib eye ($65) cooked medium with a loaded baked potato and a raspberry lemon drop martini ($12). My husband ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup and then the 12oz prime rib ($40). cooked medium rare and mashed potatoes. We asked several menu questions she had difficulty answering, but we chalked that up to perhaps her being new. She returned to our table 5 minutes later to inform us that the prime rib wasn't available until after 5, which at this point we didn't question as we knew we'd get some excuse) So he changed his order to the 12 oz ribeye ($38) cooked medium rare. When the chicken noodle soup was brought out, it was served in a bowl (maybe one small ladle worth) with three pieces of the same bread served with our crab dip placed in the soup. (perhaps that was the extra bread she was going to bring us for the dip). The soup tasted and looked like something that came out of a can. Bland and tasteless with very little chicken (this bowl was $12). She asked if she could clear our appetizer from the table, never again mentioning that she forgot to bring the bread for the dip. When our entrees arrived, we were taken aback. Not what we expected at all. The steaks looked like something you would have been served at Ponderosa back in the day. Both were cooked over our requested temperature. The loaded baked potato was the size of a tiny fist with a minuscule amount of scallion, cheese, and bacon on the potato and the butter and sour cream served on the side. The mashed potatoes were dry. At this point, we felt it was best just to cut our losses. We ate about half of the meal and asked for our check. I would say that maybe they were having a bad day, but I don't think so. They are charging Ruth Chris prices for Ponderosa-type food. My husband and I eat at many high-end restaurants in and around the DC metro area, and we expect to pay $$$$. In comparison, we were not expecting that here, they are overpriced for the quality of food you are served. Our bill was...

DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE AT SUPPOSED CHOPHOUSE

Friday night, date night. We didn’t have a reservation, but the hostess team was friendly and told us the wait for a table would be 30 minutes. No problem—we put our name down and grabbed a seat at the bar for a drink and an appetizer.

The bartender dropped some napkins and menus, then returned to take our order: a guava gin fizz, a raspberry lemon drop, and Brussel sprouts. So far, so good. The vibe was nice, so we decided to cancel the table and just dine at the bar.

Drinks were solid, and the sprouts were ok—though the menu failed to mention they came with bacon, which was a surprise. We checked another menu and it correctly notes the bacon so I guess we got the lucky one with missing details. Anyways things took a turn there.

Our bartender, tall guy with a curly mop, mastered the art of pretending to be busy while ignoring us. The bar wasn’t packed, but he was running around like he was hosting the Oscars. It wasn’t crowded, especially for a Friday, and certainly not too busy to check in on us for refills or a dinner order.

His partner? Only served people who knew her name. Apparently, there’s a secret handshake required to get service. She and her colleague were jumping into each other, breaking glasses, and still not acknowledging us. When she finally approached, it was to take our menu away and serve the regular next to us. Still no refill. Still no dinner order. After an hour of being invisible, we gave up and went back to the hostess stand to request a table.

Ironically, as my wife was speaking with the hostess, that’s when the bartender finally asked if we needed anything. I told her we were getting a table since it was clear they were too busy to serve us. She smiled and agreed like I complimented her shoes.

The hostess team remained excellent and got us seated quickly. Our server, Ashton, was fantastic—attentive, helpful, and training someone who was pleasant. We kept our drink orders simple (beer and wine) to avoid further delays.

Then came another hour long wait for dinner. We watched other tables—and even the bar where we were seated—get served while we sat there wondering what was going on. When the food finally arrived, only my wife’s plate was ready. Mine showed up a few minutes later, likely forgotten under the warmer. I had ordered a rare filet, but it came overcooked. The greens were undercooked and not what I ordered.

We were finally eating, and it still wasn’t right. I shared all of this with Ashton, who was kind but didn’t offer any resolution. At that point, we just wanted to leave.

Also, pro tip: the crab cake dinner is broiled, while the crab cake served on the side is pan-seared. No one mentioned this, and we ordered at the same time.

2 hours, $200, and a steakhouse that can’t cook steak. The only thing rare here was decent service. Won’t be back, and wouldn’t recommend unless you enjoy being ignored while watching bartenders break glass and serve only...

Well, I am sharing our opinion of this steakhouse with much frustration towards the food, service, and atmosphere . We called ahead and made reservations. During that time, the person taking down our information stated that their prime rib were 12 and 16 ounces. When we arrived, the front person couldn't find our reservation and asked if it was under a different name. Finally, she realized she was looking at the wrong screen. We were seated just next to the bar. There were three couples at the time we came in at 4:20pm. The server brought us glasses of water that didn't have any ice. At this time, we asked if we could sit away from the bar because the noise was very distracting. The chairs were very uncomfortable, and the table was extremely sticky. We ordered the crab dip to start with, and then a couple of salads. By 4:30, we ordered our prime ribs. I asked for a side of asparagus with a holindase sauce .the server left and returned, saying they didn't have a holindase sauce. I said when we looked at the online menu, it showed you did have the sauce. We then asked for two 16-ounce prime ribs to which the server stated they only had 12 and 18 ounce prime ribs. I again said that is not what your menu showed on the website. The server said, " oh, that isn't our menu, we have been trying to have them take that down." Now, how are we supposed to know that? The server said he would have the chef cut us 16 ounce prime ribs. The crab dip arrived, and it was very thick . I sturd the mixture to see if this would help. This didn't help. I also looked to see the lump crab meat. There was absolutely no crab meat at all, and only a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Very disappointed, especially for the price you were charging. It took 42 minutes for our prime ribs to be brought out. They were less than room temperature ( basically cold). The sautéed asparagus had other vegetables with it. We didn't ask for them. Additionally, we asked for two side orders of mushrooms to go along with our meal, they brought us only one order. Why did it take 42 minutes to bring out our meal when there were only 3 couples who were at the bar. The kitchen was only 30 feet away. Your waitstaff were not attentive to providing service. They were standing around chatting up each other as we and others sat there waiting for our food. Your service leaves much to be desired. For the prices you charge your company needs to revaluate your services. You need to better train your waitstaff or how to address customers properly and to show more professionalism! They need to be in some appropriate uniforms that demonstrate their abilities. To say the least, we were extremely disappointed. My name is on your reservation computer. If you want to call me I will give you the opportunity to explain the fiasco we were...