Old Hickory Steak House — Restaurant in Columbus

My husband and I just visited this place for the first time. We was not impressed in the slightest. We both ordered large ribeye. He got rare , and I got well done. His steak was a little more tender than mine of course which is to be expected for a little but but not that much toughness. My steak had NO flavor. I had to have sauce just to be able to eat it. The ranch dressing that they give is the bottle ranch, and not the real good kind either. The salad was disappointing. It was literally salad mix out of the store with a slice of tomato on top. They don't have anything else to go on salads, not even pickles. My waitress was not friendly. At one point, my husband asked her for extra butter for our baked potatoes, which we requested when we ordered but didn't receive. When she brought it, my husband told her thank you and it almost seemed as though she wasn't going to respond or acknowledge him. Then She turned around and saw our faces and barked out you're welcome. We would have brushed it off as her personality, which still isn't okay. Then one of the regular customers came in and she was as nice as could be to them and waited on them hand and foot like they were the only people there. Then the waitress came to put steaks on our table, she grabbed the dressing tray and said are you done with this. I said no mam I need the ranch off of it. So she leaves the tray. When she finally decides to come refill our tea, she just picks up the dressing tray without asking if we were done ,which we wasnt, and just walks off. My drink stayed empty for a long while and our waitress came and refilled her regular customers who were beside us, and walked past our table 4 times with a tea jug in hand, then went to go talk to the other employees, then sat down at a table, and then finally came to refill our drinks. I'm sorry, but if you can't be friendly or at least smile to ALL your customers and treat them all like they're important then you don't need to be a waitress or working with the public. We did nothing to cause her to be that way to Us and they were not busy.

We came with the expectation of "VERY GREAT STEAKS AND GREAT SERVICE " but that was not what we got. This is my personal opinion to Old hickory, but it's very unsanitary to have the same people preparing food, or having their hands anywhere around food, running the register. Also, if a steak is cooked right, you can have a tender and tasty well done steak. The menu says they are not responsible if well done steaks are not tender or tasteless.

I did like how the cook and the guys back there with him all spoke to us when...

Right off the cuff, I would not go here again. I am new to Columbus and love to try new restaurants and love steaks. Old Hickory caught my eye the other day so I thought I'd give them a try tonight.

The outside of the restaurant has a rustic western feel that I found appealing. Upon entering, the open fire charcoal grill can be seen and the steaks are cooked in full view of customers. The inside of the restaurant has a diner feel with their table, plate, silverware, and glass selection. Soda and beer are served in the can, and if there is was wait to be sat, it is standing room only. There is no designated waiting area, instead you stand in the dining area. It was slightly awkward, but I didn't really find this too bothersome.

Upon reviewing the menu, I was slightly surprised by the prices of the steaks. However, I did note steak is the only option. So, I felt quite optimistic. Some of the best food I've ever eaten has been in hole-in-the-wall diners and at this point I thought I had discovered a whole-in-the-wall diner that specialized in steak. Turns out I was wrong.

Each steak comes with a salad and a baked potato. The salad was boarder-line gross. I looked wilted and had zero toppings. It consisted of lettuce with a few bits of radish and one tomato spear. No cheese, no bacon bits, no anything else.

The baked potato was on the small side and the only option was butter and sour cream. But, other than that, it was a baked potato.

When the steaks arrived, they did a great job of cooking them to the proper temp. I often have bad experiences with restaurants overcooking my medium rare. This was spot on though. However, despite the nailing the temp, the flavor was lacking. As far as I could tell, no or little dry rub was used and instead they use a marinade. Overall, I would rate the steak as decent, but given the $20 price for a 10 ounce ribeye, the crumby salad, and average baked potato I had expected much better.

The service was sub-par. We only saw the waitress when it was necessary for her to come to the table (Take drink order, take food order, bring food, bring check). Literally, she did not come by even one additional time.

In summary, the atmosphere was good, the service awful, the food okay, and the price was high. I have not intention of returning and would not recommend it to anyone...

There was a nip of cold tonight. My husband and I wanted to enjoy a steak to go. The aroma coming in gave a Fourth of July BBQ feel. As you come into the entrance there are two Chefs working over a massive Grill. They actively And masterfully cook your food live through a very well lit window. It’s more than dinner and a show. From the outside looking in. The Cooking staff were friendly and maintained open communication with the staff and customers. Giving out ETA and ready stances. This was my first time coming, I was excited to see what was offered. My coworker recommend the place as the best steak house in town. Not being from Columbus, I felt an obligation to support a local business that came so highly favored. A young lady at the front took orders, handled expo, and cashier with ease. After ordering I was given a time frame the food would be up, paid and walked away. 15 to 20 minutes . There were wooden table chairs in a row outside, I past them then waited close by in my car. Where you could still see your steak being cooked through the window. About 15 minutes later, I came back inside to experience the atmosphere.

Durning my re entry it was close to around 5 mins until the food would be up. A then stretched out 5 mins.

It’s not certain if maybe the front of house staff was just sleepy, tired, or if maybe I was meant to wait in to-go orders outside. Uncomfortable stares pressed against the air as our eyes met. Still excited about the food I ignored this.

The food was wrapped to perfection with aluminum foil to preserve the heat on the ride home while letting it rest. This is despite a few previously requested sauces not being provided.

Upon coming home. I cut into my steak. Glistening with a beautiful mahogany brown hue. With a perfect medium texture. As I tasted the steak the juicy overflowing experience of quality beef did excite my senses. Will I return to dine in and support the beautiful, yet unapproachable wait staff. Not sure that is to be determined. If I did, it will be from the single smile from a seasoned waitress sitting at the table saying to have a good night as I left. The steak was undeniably high...