LongHorn Steakhouse — Restaurant in Citrus Park

In the past, the food was consistent and the dining experience was exceptional. We usually received great service. Most recently, I experienced almost the opposite. The largest negative for this experience mostly was the fault of what I believed to be the on-duty manager (and what I will be referring to this person as), the only person wearing business causal instead of a solid black top. In fairness, the location was busier than they appeared to be staffed for; however, what I experienced only seemed to make things worse. The duty-manager was going back and forth in what appeared to be a confused quiet panic, jumping from one part of the location to another. When we walked in the door, there did not appear to be any other parties waiting to be seated. As busy as they seemed, I expected a wait. The manager greeted us and grabbed menus as it appeared she was going to seat us immediately. I advised her that I prefer a table. She asked if a half booth was adequate? I said "only if I am not being crammed into a small table." She set the menus down immediately after my response and said she'd sit us at a table and it would be five minutes. I get it, they were busy and I do not mind the wait, as this location is usually worth it. She asked for my phone number and was beginning to enter it into their computer when she abruptly walked away and had another staff member take over. This staff member went back through asking me my party number and asked if a booth was ok... I told her I preferred a table. This staff member checked us in and advised it would be a wait, but didn't specify how long. Several other parties checked in after us and were seated before us. One in particular was a party of seven that they sat at a table. After almost twenty-five minutes waiting the manager came back to the front. She seemed surprised that we were still waiting and even apologized and said she would seat us shortly. A few moments later, she had the greeter sit us a a half booth near the bar and kitchen. This was a high traffic area and I was already half out in the aisle where I was seated. I was very unhappy with this as I was very vocal with both that I preferred a table. It was clear the manager was in a state of quiet panicked chaos. Our server was nice, but clearly being overworked as she was jumping table to table. To be clear, the server did an amazing job, except for a slight issue with taking our order... but this is understood with how busy she was. When our order was taken we were not asked about salads, but they brought out house salads with honey mustard. I didn't have a problem with it, but I would have chosen different if I had a choice. The steak I ordered was cooked correctly in the middle, but had a moderately thick burnt char to the outside, specifically around the edges. The cup of mushrooms I ordered were very salty. These are all items I order every visit. This visit was completely out of the ordinary. I'm not going to be the type that will claim, "I'm not coming back"; however, my next visit may determine how reluctant I might be in future visits. It was sad to have such a poor experience from such...

Excellent quality. Ingredients, cheffing, table service, bussing, hygiene, decor cleanliness, parking, accessibility, restrooms - all exemplary to the rest of the hospitality industry of what sincere 5 star quality looks like. I was especially impressed with the consistency. As I had dined for the very first time in the quiet near the end of service ( Devon by the way was every inch sincerely attentive, genuinely caring, helpful all despite being late in tge evening and looking no doubt forward to getting home - clearly a star staff member ! ) I returned well into the peak time for service the next evening. Despite pretty much a full house and the same order the standards were just as high! Ciara was just as impressive and delightful as Devon the previous evening and like Devon made some really helpful menu options which we took up and really appreciated her Ciara's initiative. Obviously this restaurant has two stars!!

But wait there's more - lol. I was mentally noting to contact the management the next day when low and behold an inconspicuous but savvy young lady was seen out and about with her finger on the pulse, eyes on everything and ears monitoring closely. As she passed amongst the tables checking diners satisfaction I asked if she was the Hostess only to find she was the manager! No wonder the team were so organised, competent, capable and cohesive! I shared my gratitude for the superlative experiences we were having. As we briefly it was blindingly evident that Pam not only knows, trains and encourages high standards but leads from the front in the thick of a service valisating her staff with genuine support and I bet equally genuine rapport: oh that there were more Pams in this world! She is clearly an inspiring leader worth her weight in gold. I would one day Pam will be Proprietor of a a Michelin 5-star restaurant. No wonder there are stars on the staff.

Finally may I praise Chef and their team. To consistently produce perfectly prepared food ( I'm a fussy lover of medium rare well seared 20 oz ribeyes ) under pressure of full service in a fairly large restaurant is the mark of a real professional. My son's home made mac cheese was far and above typical family restaurant fare as were the white 🧀 mushrooms. The kitchen team are the heart of a restaurant and this restaurant's is beating strong and steady preparing really tasty nutritous food.

Folks if you want a wonderful relaxed deliciously satisfying dining experience then I fully encourage to check out this particular restaurant.

PS - Longhorn corporate I sure hope this restaurant's team get plenty of substantial recognition from you because they do you so proud and totally deserve it.

Major ty team...

I rarely do reviews however I want to share my recent experience with this restaurant. Last week, we ordered online & ordered outlaw ribeye cooked medium. Not only was the steak dry, but it was cooked well done. I called the restaurant and talked to the manager. He said "oh you can come back to the restaurant" SERIOUSLY! I told him I lived 15 minutes away. So I asked for his name. He said his name is JR and he said he will send a $30 giftcard via email that I should get by Monday. No email came, so on Thursday I called and talked to Monica. I gave her the order number. I received the email, and so I made an order today. I arranged the order for the same steak & I specifically wrote "make sure steak is cook MEDIUM & NOT WELL DONE!". And so, to my disappointment the steak was cooked WELL DONE ONCE AGAIN, so I took a photo along with the sticker that states the order. Not only that, 2 baked potatoes that were supposed to come with small containers with the condiments was not in the bag. I called the restaurant and talked to Monica. I told her that I have spoken to her yesterday, and that the steak that I ordered today was cooked WELL DONE. She apologized and said she will just credit our order but will take 7 days. I told her that it feels like it's a joke that our online order twice in a row was done incorrectly. She said " I checked the temperature of the steak" REALLY LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF THE STEAK, IS THAT MEDIUM? THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB RIGHT. FROM THE GRILL, TO WHOEVER CHECKS THE RECEIPT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS SUPPOSED TO IN THE BAG. SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS RESTAURANT. DON'T DESERVE A...