The Clawson Steakhouse — Restaurant in Clawson

I made a reservation and the lady that took it was super awesome. Our table was ready and we were near the band. We enjoyed watching the different couples dance while we were eating our meal. And I would definitely come back here just for the atmosphere. However, even though our server was super nice and had tons of energy, we thought we were going have great service and food but we did not . Cajun steak bites - ordered medium well - they were burnt cooked so done like shriveled and absolutely zero flavor. Nothing

We both got the French onion soup - the cheese on top was burnt like 100% black burnt. Not just some brown spots not just a black spot here or there but 100% black burnt. . But once you got to the flavor of the broth, it was delicious.

Chicken Parmesan - was really good and the portions were generous. They said it was good.

Veal dish was ordered but did not receive Veal but chicken. Was still good but not great . I didn’t return it due to the amount of time it took the server to come check on us after the runner dropped the plates .

I would like to mention that our server didn’t bring any of our dishes out to us. It was a runner each time. And then it might be 10 minutes before she happened to come back around to see how things were after everything was brought to us.

There was a table that was seated next to us like 10 minutes later of six. I noticed that our server served them each course herself. Not sure about the disparity in treatment.

I think my biggest problem was after our table was cleared and the server came around to ask us if we would like dessert or anything else we let her know what dessert we wanted and for it to be to go and we also asked for the bill because We’re ready to leave.

15 minutes later, she’s brings the dessert in a container, but no bill. We asked for the bill again. 15 more minutes and still no bill. She comes back around to that table of six to check to see if they need anything and we catch her and remind her we’d like our bill. Literally 40 minutes after our table was cleared and since we first asked for our bill we finally get it. We have the credit card out already and hand it to her asking her please don’t go anywhere take this . But she doesn’t and goes back to the other table .

15 more minutes and she comes and gets the credit card and bill so I have now waited an hour after our table is cleared just to get the bill and leave. Mind you our table was cleared. No ice water, nothing to drink nothing on the table for an hour while we’re waiting for this bill.

And even though we enjoyed the band and the music and watching people dance to sit there with empty glasses, no ice water left at this point nothing left to drink a cleared table for an hour is unacceptable

I still left excellent tip over 35%. We were out celebrating and trying to make the most of the night and enjoy it.

But reflecting back on it this morning I wonder if I should’ve left that generous of a tip because the server actually gave us poor service even though she was pleasant and greeted us when we first sat down. Also, the food was just OK. It wasn’t excellent. I feel it could be excellent if The cooks had actually prepared it the way it was supposed to be and seasoned it correctly. Because they have quality ingredients.

All in all, I would still go here and...

The food was fantastic. Unfortunately the whole experience was pretty much ruined when we got the bill. When you order a dinner it comes with a free soup, salad and side. When asked what options we would like for soup it was the free soup or we could "upgrade" to the French onion for $2 more or she offered lobster bisque. Upgrade implies a few dollars more on top of the free soup offering to get a better soup. What they did was waive the free soup completely and charge us the full $11 it would have cost to just buy the lobster bisque by itself. That in my opinion is not an upgrade. If we knew we were paying the full $11 for the lobster bisque we could have still got the free soup and paid full price for the lobster bisque and had 2 soups for the same dinner price that we paid. They did the same thing with the salad. Offered ranch or blue cheese salad as the free options and asked if we would like Ceasar for an "upgrade". When we all opted for Ceasar, the free salad was waived and we were charged full price for Ceasar salad as if we bought it by itself and it was not part of the dinner. Using the term "upgrade" and offering the full price menu option right in line with the other free options without mentioning that the upgrade actually meant we would be waiving our free option and paying full menu price for the upgrade is pretty shady. When we tried to talk to the waitress about it after seeing the bill she said "that's what they were trained to say" when we addressed the use of the word upgrade. They offered no compensation and didn't seem like they cared at all. I'm sure they are going to continue to use the word upgrade in the future for other guests so be warned that some upgrades are not actually upgrades and will be rather costly. I will most likely not go back to this place purely over the way the situation was handled on their end. The manager was standing at the bar right behind the waitress and was looking over at our booth while this was all being discussed as she could hear the entire conversation and she did not address it or come over to talk to us at all.

The food was great but the service by the waitress and especially the lack of service by the manager at the end of the dinner ruined the experience and any desire I would have had to return here. As a manager myself I would have stepped in and helped my employee with explaining the situation and offered compensation. I would never have left one of my own employees hanging like that if I was present for that...

2/27/23 I work for an independent senior community and wanted to take 10 residents to one of their favorite restaurants which was The Clawson Steakhouse. I contacted the restaurant to make a reservation for 4:00, Originally, I was told that we could not be accommodated. I was placed on a brief hold so the employee could check with her manager. The manager came to the phone. I explained that I was bringing a group of seniors, and her response was "will there be walkers all over the place?" I assured her there would not be and she agreed to confirm the reservation if we vacated by 6:00.

We arrived at 4:00 pm sharp and were seated promptly. The problem that I have is when our orders were taken, and we asked for separate checks. We were told that we could not have separate checks which we were surprised because in the past this request was allowed. The group asked to speak with a manager which was granted. A women came to our table and said no as well. Soon a man came to our table and asked " Are you the people giving us a hard time?" The group was trying to explain how difficult it is for them to try to figure out who owes what. The man stated he was the owner and would have no problem throwing all of us out of his restaurant! He then proceeded to tell our group that if he split the bills, he would charge us an additional 22% along with tip and gratuity. WOW!!!

I must add that the group I was with were former Business Owners, Executives, Vice Presidents of Corporations and former Police Officers. They are upstanding people who have become Senior Citizens who just wanted nothing more than to go to a restaurant that was once one of their favorites, and it is shameful how they were treated today! The restaurant was not busy at this time and the request they made could have and should have been granted! it really was a simple request.

Suffice it to say, Clawson Steak House will be crossed off our list of places to go for...