LongHorn Steakhouse — Restaurant in Cookeville

This was our first time at a LongHorn Steakhouse. We had reviewed the reviews prior to arriving and were excited to see what all the excitement was about. We entered the restaurant and were greeted by a host, with a friendly smile and we felt very welcome. The lunch service had just ended, so the restaurant seemed very calm and quiet. We sat down at our table and were greeted by a gentleman, who seemed very nice. We had a friend of ours joining our table as well, so we all ordered our drinks and waited very patiently. The drinks arrived seemingly quick. The waiter asked if we would like any appetizers, so we ordered some fried pickles. Now, this is where it all seemed to go downhill. The appetizer took a while to get out, but no big deal, we understood the circumstances. The waiter came back and took our orders, in which we all ordered steaks and even upgraded our sides as well. The salads arrived about 10 minutes later. We were starving, so it only took a few minutes to finish them. Then, the waiting began again. It took about 30 minutes for us to receive our meals. Which one steak was definitely medium rare instead of medium, and the corn on the cob was well over cooked and burnt, but we were so hungry, we dealt with it. Our friend only had a 45 minute break to enjoy their meal with us, which didn’t even happen and they ended up having to take their meal back to work. We asked for A1 sauce as soon as our meals arrived, and our friend was just waiting to pay, so it took our waiter about 10 minutes to get our sauce and the change for our guest. My husband was halfway through with his steak, when the waiter brought the sauce and change. We did inform our waiter of the problems we faced, and he offered to cook the steak more and bring back fresh corn. Which we agreed on the corn because he said it’d be quick, and then waiter grabbed the corn off of our plate in front of us, with his bare hands. My husband was literally in the middle of a bite when the waiter did this, and it seemed rude. I was so upset at that point, we just asked for to-go boxes and left. No manager seemed to walk by and check on us either. We were definitely disappointed with our first experience...

I have been eating at Longhorn Cookeville as long as they have been open. We normally go 1-2 times per month. Monday Feb 18th may end it for awhile. It wasn't all bad, but it was bad enough:

The good: The server, Alexis, was attentive and did good job. We tipped her a tad over 20%; we wouldn't shaft a server unless something was horrible (and within their control).

The bad: We ordered our normal fare, an Outlaw Ribeye, blackened and mid rare, with fries and a side of mushrooms - plus a regular ribeye, prepared the same, with a side of mushrooms and a side-salad. We normally eat half the food, take the rest home for leftovers later - neither of us can eat a whole steak in one sitting. Both servings of mushrooms were thick sliced (which is good) but way undercooked and cold. They just finished a large party, maybe they were low on mushrooms and just threw some more in the pot hoping they would cook. The server offered to recook them or comp them... Now, we aren't those people that complain hoping to get something comped. Never. We intended to take them home for next day, which we did.

Next day came, we were reheating the steaks - there was PLASTIC WRAP cooked on/into the outlaw ribeye. At first, I thought it was the membrane from the bone, or gelatin that comes from cooked meat at times, or something, but no. It was plastic. Grill temps and plastic wrap are bad for a person's health. Pics are below. I am still not looking for a comped/free meal. Cookeville Longhorn has been slipping our past few visits. I understand they are an award winning store, but c'mon guys, you will not remain that...

Our waitress was extremely nice & went far and beyond expectations. We had a large group of 20, They split us into two groups of 10 and each group had a different waitress. Ours was extremely nice.

But....I had ordered a medium well burger, my Friend next to me, medium or better.

What we got was bleeding cows. My Friends was far raw, and mine was raw in spots.

The waitress explained it was a new cook, at first she suggested throwing the meat back on the grill, but she brought out replacements.

I expected a small adjustment on the bill, nothing big, but it was an inconvenience and most in my group were nearly done when I got my burger back. In fact, before getting half done some in our group left & the rest were polite and waited. In the end I took most of my food home, warmed up fries & mac & cheese, not good.

Our total bill was over $120 & I was not going to short the waitress on her tip, but my meal should have reflected something of a discount, 20% or something.

So in the end, that was my very first time to eat at Longhorns and my last by choice. I'll only go if I'm in a group, which may never happen again.

To be sure my wife & I will not return, since I have worked as a cook & chief it looked like the grill, fire, was set too high, he seared the outside & called it done, slow cook the meat, then add the grill sear.

Shame because I really can't recommend anything good...