Betty's Parkway Restaurant — Restaurant in Columbia

When i come thru Columbia, i usually like to get steak from Betty's to go. Usually a great experience, until recently. I reached my destination an my steak was tough and BURNT, so i called in. Thinking no big deal, im a loyal customer and i just want a good steak not the money. The lady whom i spoke to was polite, then the owner comes on the line with the most arrogrant manner demanding me to bring the steak back. I told him that i had the receipt, and i wasn't asking for a refund. I was not going to drive an hour back with four hungry kids and it was out of the question. Gas is too high to drive an hour back for one meal that all he was going to do was throw away. I could do that where i was, which i did. I go in 2wks later, when im coming through this way again, and as before the waiter was polite in handling the matter. The boss comes up demands that she charges me for the salad and sweet potato i got along with the meal. My remark was i didn't indivually pay for a salad or sweet potato nor did i have it as an add on. He gave me a steak in a box and that was it. If for nothing else,as loyal customer and having to go that many miles back home with a burnt meal with 4 kids, u think the last concern would be some sides with never any complaints.I had to pay 2.99 for salad and 2.99 for sweet potato. Really what was he losing for fufilling the order that they messed up, and then demanding i bring it back as proof. I ordered a steak meal not vegetable plate. Even McDonald messes it up, an everything there is an assembly line. His only reply is it happens to us so many times, which is hard to believe because he remembered the order that was called in wrong from two weeks ago as an Owner. I doubt that. My advice get out of the Restaurant Business or have a better way of handling business with bed side manners. A good business man/woman owner knows their cooks are not going to be perfectionist an on point every night; because we are all human with off days....

Waitress had to be asked four separate times to bring me a specific condiment and didn't pay much attention to our drinks. Steak was so heavily marinated you could mistake it for a bottle of worcestershire sauce. Ribeye had a lot of gristle which signifies poor prep work. Asked about the ribs and the waitress literally said they were bad, nobody orders them, and I should avoid them.

Hey, restaurant manager, remove crappy stuff from your menu. Just a pro tip.

Ordered a burger too. Actually was pretty good and the heavy seasoning of the steak was more balanced with the ground beef and overall was a great burger. Fries were done with fresh oil and were very good. Would suggest doubling down and seasoning the fries a bit.

Bathroom was absolutely filthy with broken everything and the rest of the restaurant wasn't much better. Sticky tables, uncomfortable chairs, and those awful communal glass ketchup bottles you end up giving up on after beating for a good minute.

Really not seeing reasoning for the hype considering the price point rivals much better restaurants in the area that are clean, have better service, and have far better food. And for a weekend evening to have only a few tables occupied during my visit, I can say this place can't maintain its current status and expect to be in business...

Betty's Parkway Restaurant has been around since 1986…now being run by her son Tim Duncan. The location is pretty cool, high above the Duck River with a wonderful view. My server Christy got me set up with beverages while I looked over the menu. I was not hungry enough for the "Best Steak in Maury County, TN" meal so I went for some Chili and a Steak Sandwich with grilled onions, mushrooms & Swiss. The chili comes out in a huge bowl so it is a meal in itself so some of it came home with me. This is a chili with beans and is chock full of ground beef and beans in a rich (but mild) sauce. The chili is good but it is a bit bland and there is no kick, spice, or heat to the dish. The steak sandwich meat is ribeye and according to Christy is marinated in a special sauce. The meat was cooked as requested and the steak was good and the overall flavor with the hoagie bun, onions, mushrooms, and Au-jus was very good. Overall a nice lunch in a cool atmosphere and the service was great. Loved all of the racing memorabilia from Tim Duncan and now his sons…you can see they are proud of their accomplishments. Many thanks to Christy...